About Dadaji

On January 13, 1906, Amiya Roy Chowdhury was born in the prosperous village of Fultali in Comilla (now Bangladesh). His father, Dr. Haranath Roy Chowdhury, was a physician and his mother, Saratkamini, was known to all for her kindness and generosity. Before the baby was born, she felt the presence of a saint who predicted the Divine was going to be incarnated through her. Dr. Roy Chowdhury also had this perception. At the time of the baby’s birth, a Divine Fragrance filled the house. His parents had great reverence for the child and named him Amiya Madhab, meaning Nectar of the Lord. As Amiya grew up, there were often congregations of saints and renunciates in the family home. Amiya was curious why they had matted hair, wore ashes on their bodies and saffron robes. The young boy asked, “Are these the means of finding God?” Such questions posed by the youngster left them speechless and often embarrassed. Over the years, mysterious incidents took place. Although Amiya did not apply himself to school lessons, he was at the top of the class in all subjects. His profound knowledge amazed everyone. He recited Sanskrit verses, explaining them elaborately and brilliantly. At the age of six, Amiya explained the Bhagavad Gita (classic Indian epic spiritual poem) to his father. At about that time, he once dined at the house of his Muslim neighbor. It caused a great commotion in the orthodox Hindu community. Amiya insisted that social inequity between people was abominable. As a young child he spoke what was to become his message to the world, “All the scriptures and rituals are a matter of the mind and laden with superstitions. Forsake all these social customs and prejudices and devote your mind to God. He is within you, do not forget it. He makes no distinctions between one person and another. Try to remember Him and become aware of Truth. Eternal Religion preaches that Truth is One, language is One. There is but one human race. God is all-pervading and Eternal.” The boy did not pursue conventional education for long. At nine years of age Amiya left home. He was completely unconcerned with the comforts available in his wealthy parents’ home. Over the years he disappeared on many occasions. Amiya wandered in the dense forests and jungles of India, and in the cold mountainous regions of the Himalayas for the purpose of extricating Yogis, Sadhus and renunciates from the false path of penance they had undertaken. He asked, “Why are you people doing all these things? What’s the use? That is nothing, all false. Go home and marry, because you have come with natural desires. Go and work.” Returning from their so-called religious retreats to live a natural life, only then were they free to realize Truth. This natural way to God becomes clear as one becomes acquainted with Dadaji’s simple message. As Amiya grew into adulthood, he developed his inclination for music. When his music studies were completed, he performed concerts throughout India. His handsome appearance and sweet, sonorous voice soon brought him great popularity. From 1929 to 1940, he was associated with All India Radio in Calcutta. In the 1940’s, he was active as a producer in the world of theater and the movie industry, and was known for his fashionable style and magnetic personality.

During those years it was reported that Amiya was seen simultaneously in different places by various people. He was playing different roles, in the same physical form, and was known by different names in different localities. For several years, he was seen off and on in Varanasi living in a small cell of a Mosque where both Muslims and Hindus used to pay Amiya their respects. The simultaneous sightings (bi-location) of Amiya, or later Dadaji, at far distant places has been well documented over the years. In 1946, Amiya Roy Chowdhury married Miss Amita Dasgupta. On the day of the bridal feast, after the ceremony, he disappeared from home. He appeared again briefly after somewhat more than two years and went away again. Within a year of his departure, his daughter, Ivy was born. He did not return for four years, and within the year of his return a son, Abhijit, was born. During the years he was away from home, he appeared in many places confronting Sannyasins and priests. He told them, “Privation and ritualistic practices should not be undertaken as the path for realization of Truth.” After working as a musician and movie producer, in the early 1950’s Amiya changed fields and became very successful in banking and insurance. During the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, until it was destroyed in a fire, he owned a small toy shop in the New Market in Calcutta. Over the years he freely changed his field of activities, not for earning money, for he had enough family wealth and property, but to demonstrate that normal work is a must, and to live a natural life is the only way to Truth. In 1967, Amiya Roy Chowdhury, became known as Dadaji (Da’da-jee; Beloved Elder Brother) and began traveling around the world. Paying his own expenses, Dadaji did not allow an organization to be built around him, collected no money, refused donations and gifts. He said, “There are so many people who told me they would give me an Ashram (land and living quarters for a religious community) and properties. All the universe is my Ashram. No need for all these things. Why should I go for buildings? Ashram is also one kind of cheat. In the name of Him we have no right to take anything. Is there anybody who can challenge that in the world?” Dadaji spoke strongly against the people who make a business out of God and take advantage of innocent people seeking Truth. He said, “I want to tell you, do not accept me as your Guru. God is in you. Do not seek a guide or instrument. No mortal being can ever be a Guru. All these God-men, all, each and every one are bluff, full of bluff. Their only interest is to collect money and make institutions. God alone is the Guru. Don’t bother running after Gurus, Yogis or priests. No person can initiate or guide you to God. Look within.” From 1970 through 1990, Dadaji traveled throughout India, Europe, Great Britain, and the United States. He stayed in private homes where in the morning and late afternoon he met privately with those who came to see him. In the evening there were small gatherings where he occasionally spoke or, in the later years, sang lovely Indian devotional songs. Annually in October in Calcutta, a large hall was rented and hundreds of people gathered from around the world to see Dadaji and experience Utsav. Lasting three days, people came to Somnath Hall in the late morning and early evening to sing and hear brothers and sisters share their experiences with Dadaji and Truth. Dadaji often talked casually with those gathered near him. He made it clear that Utsav is not limited by time or space. Utsav happens anytime, anywhere, because it is the personal, inner experience of rejoicing in intimate communion with the unity of life. The essence of Utsav is expressed in Dadaji’s message: “Almighty is One, Humanity is One, Religion is One, language is One and Truth is One.” Dadaji is known worldwide for a distinctive Fragrance, a beautifully unique aroma hinting of roses and sandalwood. It comes from no discernible source, becomes quite strong and as quickly as it manifests, it disappears. Occasionally it appears as fragrant Nectar, which lingers for years. Those who met Dadaji often experienced the Fragrance or the Nectar in his presence or at far distances from him. Those who meet Dadaji through books, friends or relatives may experience the same Divine Fragrance and immediately associate it with Dadaji. They have no doubt about their recognition of Dadaji’s Fragrance, even though they have not met him personally and may have no rational frame of reference. They remain mystified, yet somehow comforted by the experience. Dadaji said, “It is the Fragrance that reminds one of Him. This all happens by His Will.” Over the years, thousands of people came year round to meet Dadaji wherever he stayed. They came from all parts of the world and all walks of life. In the various countries he traveled, hundreds of articles were written by highly respected, well-known scientists, politicians, educators, and by professionals in law, medicine, and business. Published in books, journals and newspapers, they tell personal accounts of extraordinary experiences, unimaginable manifestations and inexplicable phenomena occurring with Dadaji. Accounts relate personal experiences of healing of life-threatening illness, returning the dead to life, and objects manifested out of nothingness while Dadaji was shirtless (lockets, fruit, cloth, medications, bottles of whisky, cartons of cigarettes, etc.). Others tell of silver objects turned to gold, messages manifest on blank paper and engraving on gold watches at the touch of Dadaji’s finger. People experienced Dadaji’s ability to casually alter weather and calm storm-tossed seas. Many people have witnessed sealed bottles of pure water turn fragrant at the touch of his finger, and his fragrant water (called Charanjal) created simply by his wish in far distant places. These are but a few of the many, many amazing things experienced then and even now by those who know Dadaji. Yet, Dadaji said, “They (miracles) are extraneous. They happen at His Will. They are not important for those who seek after Truth. Your Dada does not know how they happen. Dada cannot do anything. It is He, who manifests Himself through Dada. Dada is nobody.” Dadaji said, “God is everything. He is chanting in your heart 24 hours a day, inside of you, making love to you as Mahanam. Because you are breathing, talking, doing, you know He is within you. It is Mahanam that is the Supreme Power, nothing else. Complete surrender to Mahanam, which is the warp and woof of your existence, is the only way. The individual has nothing to do except call to mind that Mahanam. Name is Truth. Name is your own being. Remember Name.” (Mahanam means God’s Name, Gopal Govinda, manifest within as the bipolar vibration of life, the source of our heartbeat and breathing.) Again and again people asked Dadaji how they could best live their lives and find God. In essence, Dadaji said, “Take refuge in none but God. Just try to remember Him and do your duty. Your work is your penance, your sacrifice, your worship. So go ahead, no need for worry. Live a natural life. Don’t deny and don’t indulge. Be of good cheer and enjoy! We have come here to relish His Love and to enjoy His Play. Just try to remember Him with love and remain in a natural state.” Dadaji asserted time and time again, “This body must go. It is a mere appearance. You really see nothing.” Beginning in 1987, Dadaji gradually became exclusive, seeing fewer and fewer people. In the ensuing four years, his behavior became unpredictable and appeared erratic, his health appeared to decline. In this way, Dadaji shed those who had been coming to him for selfish reasons, mental massage, and miracles. The people he continued to see were genuine God lovers. He said, “They say people are deserting him (Dadaji). The prerogative of desertion is His alone. There has been much teaching. Now, he will slowly desert all. I am not bothered for anything because I am . . . I am. What you have received (Mahanam), stick to it. He always envelops you. Once He has held you, it is impossible to leave Him. He is your Nearest and Dearest of all.” On the morning of June 7, 1992, Dadaji told his family that he would be leaving them in a few hours. They did not take him seriously. At 4:00 p.m. Calcutta time, Dadaji asked for a drink of coconut water. He drank it, smiled, reclined on his bed and stopped breathing. As Dadaji wished and insisted, no ego-driven, money-making organization has been built around him or his simple message of Truth. There is no successor to Dadaji, nor will there be. A few books are being published and distributed, because it is the destined heartfelt work of a few individuals, certainly not for personal recognition or financial gain. As when Dadaji was here with us, individuals who publish books do so at their own cost and have full time jobs with which to earn a living. “Truth manifests Itself,” said Dadaji. So it is that knowledge of Dadaji and his message of Truth, Love and Oneness are spreading by word of mouth and books. Remarkably, the essence of Truth is appearing in countless ways throughout the world as the Age of Truth Dadaji described is gradually born of the destruction he forecasted many years ago. In the 1970s, when people who came to meet Dadaji were very concerned about the Cold War between East and West, and the possibility of nuclear war. Very outspoken in his views, in 1979, Dadaji said, “Soviet Russia will perish! It will be finished, it is a rotten system. No chance for the Soviet Russian system. Destruction will come another way.” Dadaji described a vivid picture of the Russian people and indicated there would be no war between USA and USSR, but, nevertheless, America would win. So it is coming to pass. In 1982, while visiting Belgium, Dadaji said, “In the 1980s there will be minor troubles, but a real crisis, Nature’s revolt, will start in 1991-92. There will be years of destruction, but at the same time years of breakthrough in realization of God. Those will fight each other who lived together in peace for a long time. Nationalistic and religious arguments will be used as instruments of manipulation. But, remember always: Humanity is One, Religion is One.” Events continue to prove that Dadaji spoke the truth. Although Dadaji is no longer available to see in person, meeting him through a friend, a relative or a book is a profoundly moving experience. Somehow, Dadaji is here and now, a very real, intimate, and steady companion throughout the joys and turmoil of daily life. It is not by chance that you have this book. In it you will find out who you are and why you are in this world. This is Dadaji’s one and only purpose, to remind you to simply look within and find God, Truth and Love.