Dada Bhagwan’s Insight on Intellect

Abstract

In this paper the attempt has been made to clarify Dada Bhagwan’s concept of Intellect. Further, its difference and relation with the concept of faith, Knowledge, Prajna are also seen critically. The whole approach of Dada Bhagwan is analytical, critical as well as practical. Further, it should be noted that like Swaminarayana or Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Dada Bhagwan also narrated the metaphysical, epistemological or moral truths in very lucid and colloquial language and expressions. The highest noble truths are expressed by him with simple examples of day-to-day like. Thus, it can be said regarding the writings of Dada Bhagwan that an illiterate will find it easy to understand and a scholar will find complex reasoning in his writing. The paper comprises of the narration and clarifications of Dada Bhagwan’s theory of Akrama Vijnana. Here, fate and freedom of soul, emancipation of soul is discussed with reference to the use of intellect. Dada Bhagwan elaborately gives the specific definition of Faith, Fate, Freedom, Intellect, Knowledge, Decisive knowledge, Prajna etc. Further it is expressively seen in Dada Bhagwan’s writings that the whole effort is done not only for intellectual pleasure, but for the purpose of Sadhana or spiritual practices for the attainment of salvation. Firstly, we will see his basic brief concept of Akrama Vijnana according to Dada Bhagwan and then his detailed definitions, concepts and practices will be discussed, with his views on the necessity and limitations of intellect.