Life is made up of mysterious laws. Wherever there is a need, an event occurs. When it gets hot, then comes the rain. Rain follows heat as a natural law. When the heat is intense, everything gets scorched, water dries up, and the earth becomes parched—this intense condition invites the clouds. The clouds pour and quench the earth’s thirst. Similarly, there is a deep order in life. Nothing here is chaotic. When the disciple’s heart burns, cries, and suffers from the pains of life, suddenly a cloud appears. That cloud is the Guru, meaning the arrival of a saint. One such remarkable saint is Saint Dadu.
Birth:
Saint Dadu Dayal was born on Phagun Sudi Ashtami, Thursday, in Samvat 1601 (1544 AD). Dadu Dayal was born in the city of Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat, although scholars do not agree unanimously on his birthplace. According to the Dadu Panthis, he was found floating as a small child in the Sabarmati River near Ahmedabad. While it is uncertain if he was born in Ahmedabad, it is definite that most of his life was spent in Rajasthan.
There is also disagreement among scholars regarding who Dadu Dayal’s parents were and what caste he belonged to. According to one legend, like Kabir, Dadu was the illegitimate child of a virgin Brahmin woman who, fearing dishonor, set him adrift in the Sabarmati River. Later, Dadu was raised by a dhuniya (cotton carder) family. He was brought up by a Nagar Brahmin named Lodiram. His mother’s name was Basibai, and she was a Brahmin. The authenticity of this legend and when it began to circulate is unknown. His disciple Rajjab wrote:
“Dhuni grabhe utpanno Dadu yogandro mahamunih. Utrama jog dharanam, tasmata kyan nyani karanam.”
Pinjara is a caste engaged in carding cotton and hence also called dhuniya. Acharya Kshitijmohan Sen associated him with Bengal. According to him, Dadu was a Muslim, and his real name was “Daud.” Information about Dadu Dayal’s life can be found in the “Bhaktamal” by Dadu Panthi Raghodas and in “Shri Dadu Junm Leela Parchi” written by Dadu’s disciple Jangopal. Apart from this, internal evidence from Dadu’s compositions also provides insight into his life and personality.
At the age of 11, Dadu became immersed in devotion to Lord Krishna. At the age of 13, when he ran away from home, his parents brought him back. But seven years later, he ran away again and went to Sagar to work as a dhuniya.
Positivity in Negativity:
After reaching Sagar, Saint Dadu spent 12 years in deep study. Many Brahmins grew envious of his work. Once, while Dadu was immersed in meditation at home, some jealous pundits bricked up the doors of his house. Neighbors later opened them. Dadu said that it was good that he got such a peaceful environment for Krishna worship.
Because of his attitude of finding positivity in negativity and his compassionate nature, he became known as Saint Dadu Dayal, meaning the compassionate saint. With the blessing of his Guru, he gained hundreds of disciples. Among them, Garibdas, Sundardas, Rajjab, and Bakhna were prominent. Dadu was proficient in Hindi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, and other languages. He wrote verses and couplets. His compositions are full of love and emotion. His verses are heart-driven, not logic-driven.
Family Background:
“Dadu rozi Ram hai, rajik rijak hamar. Dadu us prasad son, poshya sab parivar.”
There is no reliable information about who Dadu’s wife was or her name. He had two sons named Garibdas and Miskindas and two daughters named Nanibai and Matabai. Some scholars disagree with this and believe they were adopted sons. Some believe they were his disciples. According to Jangopal, Dadu settled in Sambhar at the age of 30, and two years later, his eldest son Garibdas was born. Saint Dadu believed that God alone is the provider for all, and by His grace, his family too was being sustained. Dadu mentioned his family and personal circumstances in his writings. He wrote:
“Dadu sahib mere kapde, sahib mera pan. Sahib sir ka naaz hai, sahib pyand paran. Sain sat santosh de, bhav bhagati besas. Sidak saboori sach de, mangai Dadu das.”
Dadu has sung much about the glory of the Guru in his compositions, but he never named the Guru whose knowledge helped him transcend worldly limitations. According to Jangopal’s “Shri Dadu Janm Leela Parchi,” at the age of 11, God appeared to him in the form of a Buddha and asked for a coin. Pleased, He placed His hand on Dadu’s head and gave him a “saras paan” (sweet elixir) by touching his body and mouth.
According to Dadu Panthis, an unknown saint named Buddhan was Dadu’s Guru. Jangopal states that after the age of 11, Dadu received a vision of his Guru in the form of Buddhan.
Dadu Dayal’s spiritual journey began in Sambhar. It was from here that he began preaching and founded the “Param Brahma Sampraday,” which after his death came to be known as the “Dadu Panth.”
Earlier Nirguna Saints:
Dadu Dayal respectfully acknowledged his earlier Nirguna saints. He particularly expressed deep reverence for Namdev, Kabir, and Raidas. Kabir was his ideal. He wrote in a verse:
“Amrit Ram rasayan piya, tathai amar Kabira kiya. Ram Ram kahi Ram samana, Jan Raidas mile Bhagwana.”
Meeting with Akbar:
Once, Akbar visited Dadu and asked, “What is God like? What is His caste? What is His color? What is His way? What is His existence?” After bombarding him with questions, Saint Dadu gently replied:
“Ishq Allah ki jati hai, ishq Allah ka rang. Ishq Allah aoujood hai, ishq Allah ka dhang.”
Oh! You ask about God’s color, fair or dark? Love is His color. Love is His caste. Love is His existence. Indeed, God is love, and through love’s path alone can we reach Him.
Dadu’s Amazing Disciples:
When there is talk of a Guru, mention of disciples is also necessary. In this regard, Dadu was very fortunate. Though many had disciples, few Gurus had such extraordinary gems. Dadu had gathered unmatched and unique diamonds. Even Kabir, Buddha, and Mahavira fell short in comparison. Dadu had an art for calling out to disciples and binding them to himself.
Dadu had 152 disciples, all of whom attained enlightenment. These disciples not only engaged in divine contemplation but also organized the spread of knowledge among people.
These disciples founded centers (thambas) that are still present today, especially in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Many places have Dadu-dwaras established. Among his disciples, Garibdas, Bakhnadas, Rajjab, Sundardas, and Jangopal became well-known. Among them, Rajjab and Sundaro were like Kohinoor diamonds.
There is an incident regarding Rajjab and Sundaro at the time of Dadu’s death. Rajjab closed his eyes and never opened them again, saying, “What was worth seeing is gone. What’s left to see now?” Thus, he lived his remaining days with his eyes closed. Sundaro, on the other hand, lay on Dadu’s bed under his blanket and never got up again until his death. Many criticized this behavior. But Sundaro had merged himself with Dadu. Like a drop falling into the ocean becomes the ocean, Sundaro was no more. That was his beauty, and hence Dadu named him Sundaro. His surrender was complete.
Explaining Spirituality with Milk-Ghee Metaphor:
“Sabda doodh ghrit Ram ras, koi sadh vilovanhara. Dadu amrit kadhilai, gurumukhi gahai vichar.”
Yugpurush Osho also comments on this couplet related to Dadu:
“Sabda doodh” What the Guru speaks is like milk. Do not feel content just with that. From it, you can derive ghee.
“Sabda doodh, ghrit Ram ras” If you internalize the words, meditate on them, and live them, you will extract the hidden ghee from the milk. This ghee is the nectar of Ram.
“Koi sadh vilovanhara” Many take the milk, but only a true seeker knows how to churn it to get ghee. Milk and ghee are vastly different. Milk spoils; ghee becomes more valuable with time.
Spiritual Thirst as Chaatak Bird:
The chaatak bird drinks only the rainwater that falls during the Swati Nakshatra and spends the rest of the year crying. A saint is not satisfied with ordinary water but longs for divine nectar. Ordinary love does not quench his thirst until he is showered by divine love.
“Man chit chaatak jyu ratay, piv piv lagi pyaas.” Just as the chaatak cries all night, shouting “drink, drink,” it waits only for the Swati drop. So does the devotee cry for the Beloved.
Osho on Dadu:
Osho says: “I call only that person religious who is neither a theist nor an atheist but a seeker. One who says, ‘I will risk my life, but I will search.’ He has known the desert of life and now seeks an oasis. Dadu talks about such a person:
“Man chit chaatak jyu ratay, piv piv lagi pyaas.”
Only the Beloved can quench that thirst. When the mind becomes consciousness, a new event happens.
Teaching of Remembrance (Surti):
“Daive kinka darad ka toota jodai taar.”
Saint Dadu emphasized deeply the practice of remembrance (surti). Osho explains: Just as a lover remembers her beloved, when you too forget everything else and only that memory remains, the string of connection is formed. Though your body is here, your consciousness is elsewhere. You talk, eat, work, but a tune of union plays continuously inside.
Surti means: the one whose remembrance becomes your every breath. It doesn’t mean consciously remembering, but living in remembrance.
Brahmaleenta (Liberation into the Absolute):
On the predetermined day for Brahmaleenta (Jyeshtha Krishna Ashtami, Samvat 1660), Shri Dadu Ji, while meditating in solitude, uttered the word “Satyram” and left for the divine realm. There may be debate about his birthplace, but it is certain he passed away in Narana village near Ajmer. There stands the “Dadu-Dwara.” Fairs are held annually on his birth and death anniversaries. As per his wish, his body was placed in a cave on Bhairana Hill, where he was given Samadhi. This hill is now known as “Dadu Khol,” where a fair is still held in his memory. The “Dadu Panth” and “Dadu Peeth” founded by Shri Dadu Dayal Ji Maharaj continue to serve humanity. At present, Acharya Mahant Shri Gopaldas Ji Maharaj presides over Dadu Dham.
Sources:
- Bharatiya Sant Parampara – Baldev Vanshi
- Uttari Bharat ki Sant Parampara – Parshuram Chaturvedi
- Sundardas – Wikipedia
- Jyoti Se Jyoti Jale – Osho
- Hari Bolaan Hari Bol – Osho
