Introduction

At the age of nine Babubhai pledged that he would ‘bring heaven down to earth’.

In 1927, Babubhai married Kamlaben of Dharmaj.  In 1933 he passed his metric examinations.  In 1937 he went  to Africa leaving his science course unfinished.  There, in Mombasa he began a career as a teacher as well as doing voluntary work for charities.  In 1945, Babubhai began to be drawn by some mysterious spiritual force.  In 1950, he had his first experience that some spiritual power does exist.  On 17th April 1952, he returned to his ‘home land’ – India.

On 1st June 1952,  Babubhai realised Yogiji Maharaj as an incarnation of God.  Yogiji Maharaj explicitly proclaimed Babubhai’s mission in life when he said “What is wrong in benos dedicating their lives to God and becoming Sadhus? – Maharaj will assist.’  At the young age of 36, Babubhai had displayed such high values and virtues that he earned the trust of Yogiji Maharaj.  In spite of his young age, Babubhai held such virtuous qualities;  he was pure of heart and innocent, was totally selfless in his devotion – and took his responsibilities very seriously, that the benos put their trust in him and began their sadhana to attain a constant communion with God.  Seeing and experiencing changes in the lives of those who initially began their sadhana under the guidance of Babubhai, many others decided to follow in their footsteps.  Yogiji Maharaj also gave Babubhai the responsibility of guiding the santos and the grahustos.

At the behest of Yogiji Maharaj himself, 1963 saw the inauguration of ‘Gunatit Jyot’ a sadhana mandir (temple for benos striving to achieve constant communion with God) in Vidyanagar, on the plot of land owned by Babubhai.   In 1966, Yogiji Maharaj advised  P. P. Jashbhai Saheb to go to Vidyanagar and to remain there with Dadubhai (P.P. Kakaji) and Babubhai (P.P.Pappaji).  In 1967, Pappaji initiated eight bhaios who took their vows – Anoopam Mission was established and a new class of vocational youths came into existence. Thus the Gunatit Samaj was made up of four factions – the santos, benos, bhaios and grahustos – Pappaji being the ‘heart’ of this Gunatit Samaj.

Pappaji’s married life remained only a formality – his wife Kamlaben also devoted her life and supported Pappaji in his mission.  In 1961, when Yogiji Maharaj had initiated the first fifty-one youths, Babubhai’s eldest son Ramesh (now known as Aksharvihari Swamiji) also took his vows. Currently – he is head of the temple at Sakarda.  The younger son, Prafulbhai was initiated and took his vows and currently lives in Anoopam Mission.  Thus Babubhai fondly became known ‘Pappaji’ by the whole  Gunatit Samaj.  Remaining constantly in a state known as Gunatit-bhav (a total one-ness with God), Pappaji, through his great compassion has redeemed so many souls from worldly attachments and has assisted them in realising the status of a supreme-human being (mahamanuv).  He has bestowed upon the sadhaks truly precious gifts of the ‘Sanjivan ni Mantra’ and ‘Acharsanhita’  which are  summaries of the knowledge (gnan) he attained a result of his own experiences.  We are indebted to Him beyond words.  A million salutations to our beloved Pappaji.