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Brahma Kumoris World Spiritual University

The History of the Brahma Kumaris

The Brahma Kumaris was launched in 1936 during the time of the British Raj. India was still ‘undivided India’ which at that time consisted of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as one. It was before the second world war, and India was yet to become independent. The partition of Pakistan and Bangladesh from India was a very difficult time filled with violence and prejudice… The organisation was started in Hyderabad Sindh (a part of original Pakistan) however, it was decided they would be safer in India so they travelled over the border into Rajasthan and settled high in the Aravali Mountain Range in the hilltop district of Mt Abu.

A special story

Humble Beginnings

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08/24 1936
The Life of a Simple Jeweler

The Life of a Simple Jeweler

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Dada Lekhraj was a wealthy and prominent Jeweller in the early 1920s. He was happily married with 5 children and sought after for his creative designs.

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08/24 1936
The Experiences of Dada Lekhraj

The Experiences of Dada Lekhraj

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In 1936 at the peak of his career he began to have a series of visions that showed him the future of the world. The vision were so profound that he decided to dedicate his life to what he saw. So Dada left his thriving career and started a Spiritual Satsang called Om Mandali in Hyderabad Sind.

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08/24 1936
A Special Jewel

A Special Jewel

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During the early times of Om Mandali a young girl by the name of Radhe happened upon the Om Mandali. Even though she was young, she demonstrated wisdom beyond her years and was given the name of Mama out of respect.

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08/24 1947
Partition: Moving to a New Land

Partition: Moving to a New Land

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In 1947 the horrors of Partition began between Pakistan and India. Despite the fearful scenes of violence, community tension and riots all who were involved in the Om Mandali Satsang were given safe passage to India

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08/24 1958
Dada Lekhraj puts Women in front

Dada Lekhraj puts Women in front

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Dada Lekhraj becomes Brahma Baba and puts young girls in charge of the Spiritual University under the guidance of Om Radhe (aka Mama).

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08/24 1965
The Life of Jagadamba

The Life of Jagadamba

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During her lifetime Mama had a significant impact on most people. She was a calming force wherever she went. She was also found with Cancer early in her life - which she lived with for many years - gracefully. She finally succumbed in June of 1965.

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08/24 1969
The Passing of Brahma

The Passing of Brahma

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The passing of Brahma on 18 January 1969 was sudden and unexpected. Many wondered what the future would hold... Incredibly his passing opened up the expansion of the Yagya into foreign countries and began a brand new chapter as westerners came to learn meditation and be apart of the organisation.

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08/24 1969
The Next Chapter… Expansion

The Next Chapter… Expansion

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After the passing of Brahma Baba many wondered how the Brahma Kumaris could continue now that their founder had passed. It was a difficult time for the senior sisters, as they had grown up with Baba, and never imagined him not being there. Dadi Prakashmani and Didi Manmohini guided the organisation through the passing of Baba and then continued as caretakers of the organisation.

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08/24 1971
The First Raja Yoga Centre in UK

The First Raja Yoga Centre in UK

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The seminal Raja Yoga centre is established in Tennyson Road. Senior sisters come and go to sustain the centre, including Nirmala and Rattan Mohini (Dadi). It would be almost three years before Dadi Janki would establish a real presence in London.

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08/24 1971
Dadiji’s Dream for the UN

Dadiji’s Dream for the UN

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When Dadi Prakashmani first traveled to New York and learnt about the United Nations she felt aligned to the causes completely and her immediate vision was to create a BK presence at the UN to support the UN's international work towards global peace.

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08/24 1974
Dadi Janki Moves to London

Dadi Janki Moves to London

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Dadi Janki travels to London from India and establishes the first international meditation centre. Starting with the small house at 96 Tennyson Road (Kilburn) Dadi remains in the UK for forty years before returning to her native land of India.

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08/24 1975
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08/24 1980
Brahma Kumaris at the UN

Brahma Kumaris at the UN

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In 1980 the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University gains affiliation as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with the United Nations (UN) Department of Public Information (DPI) and in 1983 the Brahma Kumaris are put on the roster of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the UN. In 1998 the Brahma Kumaris were given general consultative status with ECOSOC affording them the opportunity to contribute a spiritual expertise to matters of global concern, in a substantive way. Dadi Janki makes a formal address at the UN.

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08/24 1990
1990 – 2000 Expansion Time

1990 – 2000 Expansion Time

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From 1990 through to 2000+ was a time of rapid expansion for the BK's into various countries. Our investment was to create retreat centres where people could step out of their lives and into a peace filled space to develop their own connection and relationship with Peace.

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08/24 2007
Dadiji’s Passing

Dadiji’s Passing

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Our lovely Dadji left her body in Mt Abu on 25th August, 2007 aged 87. And Religious leaders, Politicians, Social leaders, Activists, Statesmen, Ambassadors, Industrialists, Businessmen, Judges, Media persons, Bureaucrats, Educationists from cross sections of society paid homage to Dadi Prakashmani, the late Chief of Brahma Kumaris. Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India termed Dadi Prakashmani as a visionary institution builder and shared how wisely she had said that it was the power of silence which constituted common basis for blending and development of science and spirituality.

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08/24 2019
Brahma Kumaris World Wide in 2019

Brahma Kumaris World Wide in 2019

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Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University now has over 8000 Locations across 110 Countries and more than 1 million daily students. For more than 80 Years they have developed all kinds of spiritual programs to enhance a peaceful life. Although now quite elderly, another of the original founding members is the current Spiritual/Administrative Head.

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08/24 2020
Dadi Janki’s Passing

Dadi Janki’s Passing

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Dadi Janki was born around 1916 and worked in London for about 40 years. She followed Dadi Prakashmani as spiritual/administrative leader of the Brahma Kumaris until her death at the age of 104 in March 2020.

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08/24 2021
Dadi Gulzar´s Passing

Dadi Gulzar´s Passing

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Dadi Gulzar, also Hridaya Mohini, was the spiritual/ administrative leader of the Brahma Kumaris (from April 2020 to 10 March 2021). She was 92 years old when she passed away.

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Eternal examples of inspiration

Our Senior Yogis

The Brahma Kumaris is very much a family of many experienced Yogis, whose study and practice over the years enhances everyone’s experience. We honour our seniors because our information is always growing and expanding our consciousness – which we love a lot!! It’s with great pleasure that we introduce you to some of our past and current senior teachers-even though we have many many, more who are incognito, hidden behind the doors and walls of the Brahma Kumaris, all over the world.

FOUNDER

Brahma Baba

Born into a humble home as Lekhraj Kripalani in the 1880s, he was brought up within the disciplines of the Hindu tradition. After a series of deep spiritual experiences and visions
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he dedicated his time, energy and wealth to creating the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. In 1937, he formed a Managing Committee of eight young women and surrendered all his property and assets to a Trust administered by them. After guiding the creation of many Brahma Kumaris centres throughout India, he passed on on the 18th of January 1969.

FIRST CHIEF OF BRAHMA KUMARIS

Om Radhe "Mama"

Mama was only 16 when she met the Brahma Kumaris and it was immediately apparent that she was special. She was given the responsibility of looking after the women in the organisation
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making sure their needs were met and they remained spiritually fulfilled. She had a powerful yogi personality and was able to understand spiritual aspects very deeply. A member of the original Management Trust, Mama became the first Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris. She passed away in June 1965 at the age of 45 from breast cancer.

SPIRITUAL/ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD

Dadi Prakashmani "Dadiji"

Prakashmani means ‘jewel of light’ - and Dadi Prakashmani became the joint Spiritual/Administrative Head along with Didi Manmohini after Mama left her body.
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She became the main Spiritual/Administrative Head on the passing of Brahma Baba in 1969. Under her leadership the Brahma Kumaris grew from strength to strength. Her specialties were love, respect and trust. She was once asked how she managed such a huge organisation without even as much as a fax machine, to which she replied “Everyone knows what they have to do - I trust they will do it”. At the age of 87, Dadi passed on in August 2007.

JOINT SPIRITUAL/ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD

Didi Manmohini

Didi Manmohini came from a wealthy family and married into wealth in Sindh, Pakistan. Her family was close to Brahma Baba’s family and this was how she was introduced to the Brahma Kumaris.
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She was a member of the original Management Trust and became Mama's special helper. After the Partition in 1951, she arranged all preparations for the move to Karachi, then to Mt Abu. When Mama passed on in June 1965, Didi became the Joint Spiritual/Administrative Head together with Dadi Prakashmani. Didi’s specialities were spiritual power and discipline. She passed on in July 1983 at the age of 73.

SPIRITUAL/ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD

Dadi Janki

Born in 1916, Dadi Janki was the Spiritual Head of the Brahma Kumaris until her passing in March 2020. With unshakable conviction, she refused to set limitations
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for herself through her tireless service to others despite living to 104 years old. She had been with the Brahma Kumaris since 1937, over 40 of those years based in London since 1974. Deeply insightful, Dadi inspired individuals of all cultures and professions to live according to their higher sense of purpose. Dadi liked to contribute to the creation of a better world every single day.

SPIRITUAL/ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD

Dadi Hridaya Mohini

Dadi Gulzar, also Hridaya Mohini, was the spiritual/ administrative leader of the Brahma Kumaris (from April 2020 to 10 March 2021). She was 92 years old when she passed away.
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JOINT SPIRITUAL/ADMINISTRATIVEHEAD

Dadi Prakashmani

Prakashmani means 'jewel of light' - and Dadi Prakashmani became the joint Spiritual/Administrative Head along with Didi Manmohini after..
READ MORE

Born in 1916, Dadi Janki was the Spiritual Head of the Brahma Kumaris until her passing in March 2020. With unshakable conviction, she refused to set limitations for herself through her tireless service to others despite living to 104 years old. She had been with the Brahma Kumaris since 1937, over 40 of those years based in London since 1974. Deeply insightful, Dadi inspired individuals of all cultures and professions to live according to their higher sense of purpose. Dadi liked to contribute to the creation of a better world every single day.

JOINT SPIRITUAL/ADMINISTRATIVEHEAD

Dadi Prakashmani

Prakashmani means 'jewel of light' - and Dadi Prakashmani became the joint Spiritual/Administrative Head along with Didi Manmohini after..
READ MORE

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

The Legacy of Brahma Baba

Many years have passed since Brahma Baba had his life changing visions. During his lifetime he was light years ahead of this time, and still, his legacy lives on. His interpretation of age-old spiritual knowledge, and his acceptance of each individual’s spiritual identity (vs their physical reality) allowed him to overcome barriers of caste, gender, and religion.His conviction has inspired millions to discover their spiritual identity and empower themselves.

He put women in front (unheard of back in 1936), and encouraged them to develop true life skills. He went beyond the limitations of the caste system in India and found a way for everyone to belong and develop their ‘best life’ possible, in their own way. He shared a ground breaking body of spiritual knowledge which allowed anyone to experience themselves as a soul during their meditations – irrespective of their religion (he saw it as enhancement), and he ultimately brought people closer to their own God connection …

Many of the young women he put in charge back in the 1930’s have passed on – only three of those ‘original jewels’ remain today. The next generation of leaders are stepping up, and like their forebears, they have become beacons of love, peace and wisdom. Within the Brahma Kumaris’ community, they have earned the love and respect that they are known for, and they continue to serve alongside others to provide teaching and guidance throughout our 8000+ Centres across 110 countries in the world.

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