Prajapita Brahma – The Founder

Prajapita Brahma – The Founder

Prajapita Brahma was a man of special qualities. He had a delightful, indescribable attractiveness; a charisma that surrounded him like a glow. People felt even from afar the love, humility and heartfelt sincerity of his nature. Even more, they felt the power and magnetic attraction of his eyes. His simple life, gentlemanly manner and devotion to God won him friends and admirers wherever he went.
Prajapita Brahma was born as Lekhraj Kriplani in 1876 in Sindh province of present-day Pakistan. Though his father was a schoolmaster by profession, he began his own career as a small wheat merchant. Later, he entered the diamond trade. Almost by instinct, he developed great expertise in judging the value of gems. In a short time his reputation and business grew. Rulers of the princely states of colonial India, as well as the British viceroy, became his friends and clients. They afforded him utmost respect — not merely because of his diamonds, but also because of what they saw in him.
Dada did not have a great deal of formal education, but he had deeply studied philosophy and religious texts. A devout man, he was fond of going on pilgrimages and often invited holy men to be his house guests. He enjoyed conversing with them on religious matters. Being an avid philanthropist, Dada was involved in many charitable activities. He would sit with his uncle and together they would hand out money to the needy who queued up in front of them for help.
Following the establishment of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Dada Lekhraj came to be called Prajapita Brahma, the father of humanity.
Pitashri (meaning father) Brahma worked long hours, efficiently performing every type of service, including the most menial tasks. He used to say that one should not work for winning personal glory or fame, for he considered the desire for praise and reward as a subtle kind of begging and a weakness of character.
Brahma Baba, as he was fondly called, was a constant source of inspiration and wisdom for everyone. He spent a lot of time in solitude, reflecting on spiritual knowledge. He re-educated his mind to comprehend from every perspective the meaning of contemporary events and eternal verities.
Pitashri Brahma’s awareness of being a soul was so powerful that most people who sat near him felt that they were becoming detached from their bodies. They saw a divine light enveloping him and the experience charmed them so much that they longed for it to continue.
After leading an extraordinary and exemplary life, Brahma Baba left his mortal coil on January 18, 1969.