Param Pujya Hansaben Dave, daughter of Bhagwatrai Dave and Santaba Dave, is more affectionately known as Didi. Param Pujya Didi is Mahant of Gunatit Jyot and she is one of the first four sisters who had decided to become sadhu and dedicate their lives to Bhagwan Swaminarayan under the guidance of Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj. As stated by Guruhari Maharaj, these four sisters (Para
m Pujya Taraben, Param Pujya Jyotiben, Param Pujya Didi and Param Pujya Deviben) represent the four pillars of Jyot.
It was when Didi was only 16 years old that Param Pujya Sonaba realised the young Hansaben’s spiritual qualities and urged Didi to dedicate her life to God from a young age. Thereafter in 1954 Didi felt a strong lure towards the murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj at Gondal Mandir. There Didi prayed as if talking to the manifest Lord Himself that, “I am Yours, please do not let me go astray”. Didi was further inspired by her mother, “Dedicate yourself to God, lose your ego and live for others”.
The fire of devotion was now growing within Didi, and as such she prayed to Brahmswaroop Yogiji Maharaj that she now wanted to dedicate herself completely to God and that she should have the company of such a guru who as per Vach. I 38 who can guide and purify her. Having prayed to Yogi Bapa, Didi felt peace and from the depths of her heart she prayed to the Lord, “Please reveal your divine swaroop to me”. Yogi Bapa inspired Didi to talk to Pappaji, this occasion happened on 6th June 1956. It was at this divine encounter that Didi realised Param Pujya Pappaji as being the swaroop that she was looking for.
Didi’s knowledge of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Guruhari Pappaji, the satsang and Gunatit Jyot is probably second to none, but her spiritual knowledge makes her a gnani, the knower or someone who has realised brahm, she is the knower of the manifest God (Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj). Didi works tirelessly along with Param Pujya Jyotiben, Param Pujya Deviben and other swaroopo to spread that knowledge, so that we realise Guruhari Pappaji as God and for each member of Gunatit Samaj to reach the highest spiritual level as stated in Vach. III 26.
Param Pujya Didi was by profession a teacher and she has brought these qualities to Jyot. By nature Didi is straightforward, firm in the observance of niyamo and a perfectionist, but with this Didi also brings with her a gentleness and loving care. Whilst Didi is guru to accomplished swaroopo such as Pujya Madhuben, Pujya Jasuben, Pujya Shobhanaben and Pujya Jayuben, to name but a few, she is also guru to young and modern girls. Param Pujya Didi was made mahant of Gunatit Jyot by Param Pujya Pappaji, and she reaches out to everyone.
The contribution made to Gunatit Jyot by Param Pujya Didi is immense:
- It was Didi who proposed the name Gunatit Jyot for the organisation of women wanting to become sadhu and dedicate themselves to Bhagwan Swaminarayan; signifying the fact that this establishment is for those who want to reach the highest spiritual level
- The Gunatit Jyot symbol was designed by Didi, which symbolises Akshar and Purushottam as a single manifest entity in the form of the Gunatit Sant, and a symbol of our goal to become one with God
- Didi gave the name Pappaji to Babubhai Patel. This circumstance arose when Didi picked a phone call for Babubhai, but she felt it disrespectful to call out ‘Babubhai’ by His name and so called Him Pappaji. This name was then adopted by all satsangi.
- Didi is very artistic and has a keen interest in cultural dances and songs. Didi has utilised her skills in this area for seva to the Jyot. She initiated anandbrahm whereby sanskrutik karyakram regularly take place and has written numerous bhajans, some of which are used every day in swaroopyog and puja; such as Ugati Prabhae and Aakha Divasma.
It was by the strength of Didi’s sankalp that a whole medical Jyot beno group (of doctors and nurses) was formed. Today, these sisters’ help to look after the health of all beno, satsangi, and provide a limited service to the general public (as a non-profit organisation)
Param Pujya Didi is truly spiritually great, and her virtues make her a ‘Didi’ to all of us. As Mahant, Didi has upheld the principles laid down by Swaminarayan Bhagwan and Guruhari Pappaji. Totally egoless and nishkami, Param Pujya Didi continues to nurture our samaj with samp, suhridbhav ané ekta. She considers all satsangi as being fellow aspirants and her only wish is that we live for and live in Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj with nirdosh-buddhi and mahatmya.
We can see the aura of divinity about her person, and when she walks into the room the room is also filled with that divinity. May we pay due respect to Didi on her 85th birthday. Let us celebrate Gunatit Garima Parva by taking her life and surrender to Guruhari as an inspiration to further ourselves spiritually in order to fulfil Pappaji’s mission to make us all Param Bhagwat Sant.
Sahajanand Swami Maharaj ni Jai.
