The recent passing away of Dadi Ratanmohini , a centenarian and the head of the Brahma Kumaris , marks the end of an era for the global spiritual movement led by women. She was the last of the ‘Dadis’, a unique band of women who spent 14 years in spiritual study and seclusion in Karachi, beginning in the mid-1930s and culminating in their post-partition move to Mount Abu , Rajasthan, in 1950.
Aged only 13 at the start, she said later that she experienced such joy during those years with Prajapita Brahma , the visionary founder of the Brahma Kumaris, as to be completely free from sorrow.
Dadi played a key part in my spiritual awakening, as a previously materialistic-minded, UK-based science and medical writer. She visited London in 1971, planting seeds of understanding that 10 years later introduced me to the power of Rajyoga meditation to transform our lives. I met her during my many visits to Madhuban, the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mt. Abu.
She made a huge contribution to the movement by setting up a training system for the thousands of white sari-clad Rajyog teachers now well-known across India and a human resources department that kept records of each Rajyog centre and its dedicated staff.
Her most significant contribution to foreigners like me was the intellectual clarity with which she explained Rajyog. She emphasised experiencing our spiritual essence through stepping back from mundane opinions and behaviours.
She acknowledged that it was those initial 14 years of seclusion that enabled her to know the beauty of the inner being, or soul. The power of soul consciousness in Prajapita Brahma was such that it ignited a deep love for silence in the spiritual community that formed around him. It comprised of more than 300 people at one point, but they lived together in great harmony.
The deep silence enabled them to experience their own original stage of peace and purity. This feeling brought great fulfilment - and eventually the power to serve across India and the world.
Dadi explained that even having the thought, "I am a soul, a child of the Supreme Being," was not the goal since thought involves the brain, which is a part of the body. Just as electricity is neither light nor warmth but can give rise to both when generated, stored, and used in the right way, the soul, in its originality, is beyond thought—a positive energy that naturally gives rise to wisdom and love."
This is the meaning of ‘Om shanti’: my soul is peace. In that profound and subtle experience and awareness, power builds inside, and it becomes possible to face life with more and more positivity. This transformation of consciousness, she would explain, is the key to an eventual return to a world of truth.
As the last of the Dadis, she will be missed by many. But the work continues, benefiting millions.
The Brahma Kumaris office at the United Nations will publish a booklet called The Royal Union, based on a masterclass she gave to foreigners in Mount Abu, as a contribution to this year's International Day of Yog.
It is a sign of how far-reaching the movement's work has been that I am writing from Sydney, where on 13 April the city's famous Opera House hosted a capacity audience celebrating 50 years of Brahma Kumaris’ presence in Australia.
Among a host of speakers and performers was Sister Jayanti , a senior Brahma Kumaris Rajyog teacher based in London for many years and now one of a new generation of leaders carrying India's gift of spiritual love and wisdom across the world.
Authored by: Neville Hodgkinson
A UK-based writer, journalist & senior rajyogi remembers Brahma Kumaris Chief Dadi Ratanmohini (March 25, 1925 to April 8, 2025)
Aged only 13 at the start, she said later that she experienced such joy during those years with Prajapita Brahma , the visionary founder of the Brahma Kumaris, as to be completely free from sorrow.
Dadi played a key part in my spiritual awakening, as a previously materialistic-minded, UK-based science and medical writer. She visited London in 1971, planting seeds of understanding that 10 years later introduced me to the power of Rajyoga meditation to transform our lives. I met her during my many visits to Madhuban, the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mt. Abu.
She made a huge contribution to the movement by setting up a training system for the thousands of white sari-clad Rajyog teachers now well-known across India and a human resources department that kept records of each Rajyog centre and its dedicated staff.
Her most significant contribution to foreigners like me was the intellectual clarity with which she explained Rajyog. She emphasised experiencing our spiritual essence through stepping back from mundane opinions and behaviours.
She acknowledged that it was those initial 14 years of seclusion that enabled her to know the beauty of the inner being, or soul. The power of soul consciousness in Prajapita Brahma was such that it ignited a deep love for silence in the spiritual community that formed around him. It comprised of more than 300 people at one point, but they lived together in great harmony.
The deep silence enabled them to experience their own original stage of peace and purity. This feeling brought great fulfilment - and eventually the power to serve across India and the world.
Dadi explained that even having the thought, "I am a soul, a child of the Supreme Being," was not the goal since thought involves the brain, which is a part of the body. Just as electricity is neither light nor warmth but can give rise to both when generated, stored, and used in the right way, the soul, in its originality, is beyond thought—a positive energy that naturally gives rise to wisdom and love."
This is the meaning of ‘Om shanti’: my soul is peace. In that profound and subtle experience and awareness, power builds inside, and it becomes possible to face life with more and more positivity. This transformation of consciousness, she would explain, is the key to an eventual return to a world of truth.
As the last of the Dadis, she will be missed by many. But the work continues, benefiting millions.
The Brahma Kumaris office at the United Nations will publish a booklet called The Royal Union, based on a masterclass she gave to foreigners in Mount Abu, as a contribution to this year's International Day of Yog.
It is a sign of how far-reaching the movement's work has been that I am writing from Sydney, where on 13 April the city's famous Opera House hosted a capacity audience celebrating 50 years of Brahma Kumaris’ presence in Australia.
Among a host of speakers and performers was Sister Jayanti , a senior Brahma Kumaris Rajyog teacher based in London for many years and now one of a new generation of leaders carrying India's gift of spiritual love and wisdom across the world.
Authored by: Neville Hodgkinson
A UK-based writer, journalist & senior rajyogi remembers Brahma Kumaris Chief Dadi Ratanmohini (March 25, 1925 to April 8, 2025)
You may also like
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tipped for sensational Man Utd return amid Ruben Amorim warning
Vladimir Putin orders Russia to STOP fighting in Ukraine in bombshell move from Kremlin
Scientists make huge discovery about 'dessert stomach' condition
Harry and Meghan in 'crisis' over Prince's 'totally unrealistic' royal plan
'Pure evil': Tesla whistleblower slams 'monster' Elon Musk and wants to drag him to court
