Niruben Amin
 Pujya Niruma |
Niruben Amin, addressed as Pujya Niruma by her followers, was an Indian religious leader. She was a disciple of Dada Bhagwan and headed Dada Bhagwan Foundation. She was an exponent of Akram Vignan philosophy.
Life
Niruben Amin was born on 2 December 1944 in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India in a wealthy Amin family who was a traditionally Vaishnava Charotar Patel. Her father was a follower of Dada Bhagwan. She was the youngest among five siblings. She completed her school education in Mumbai. She started studying medicine from the Aurangabad Medical College. Her mother died soon after. Soon after these traumatic events, she was introduced to Dada Bhagwan. She graduated from the medical school 'with help of Dada Bhagwan' and the same day his father died. She later claimed that Dada Bhagwan had told her about it before the news of death reached her. She further studied and later practiced as a gynecologist.[1]
She was said to achieved self realization on 8 July 1968, by Gnanvidhi of Dada Bhagwan. She started recording tapes of discourses with Dada Bhagwan in 1974 and continued doing so until his death in 1988. More than 4,000 such tapes were recorded and were later transcribed and compiled in 14 volumes of Aptavani. In 1976, she was 'blessed' by Dada Bhagwan in 1976 at Mamani Pol, Vadodara when she was serving during his illness. She continued to practice in minor surgery till 1978 when Dada Bhagwan suffered from fractured leg and required constant medical attention. She joined to serve him using her medical knowledge and continued to tour with him, including his foreign visits, from 1982 to 1987.[1]
Soon after death of Dada Bhagwan, his Akram Vignan Movement split in two fractions. One led by Kanubhai Patel and backed by Jay Sachchidannad Sangh (an organization founded under Dada Bhagwan) and other led by Niruben Amin. Kanubhai was a former business partner before Dada Bhagwan was said to achieved self realization and was one of his earliest disciples. Niruben claimed that she was instructed and trained in Gnanvidhi by Dada Bhagwan. Niruben formed her own organisations; first Dada Bhagwan Foundation Trust of Ajit Patel in Chennai and Ahmedabad, and later Simandhar Swami Aradhana Trust in Ahmedabad and Mahavideh Foundation in Mumbai. She became a popular leader of movement and was addressed as Niruma ('Mother Niru') by her followers from 1999.[1][2]
Niruben Amin organised the movement by publishing the discourses of Dada Bhagwan, formalising Gnanvidhi, construction of temples and composing ritual worship (puja).[1] In 2002, she inaugurated a temple complex called the Trimandir in Adalaj, Gandhinagar, which was developed under her guidance and supervision. The temple has statues of Simandhar Swami, Shiva and Krishna. She also established a commune, Simandhar City, there.[2]
On 19 March 2006, Niruben Amin died following stomach cancer.[3] She was succeeded by Deepakbhai Desai.[4]
Her memorial (Samadhi) is erected at Trimandir, Adalaj.
References
- ^ a b c d Flügel, Peter (2005). King, Anna S.; Brockington, John (eds.). Present Lord: Simandhara Swami and the Akram Vijnan Movement (PDF) (Conference Proceedings). New Delhi: Orient Longman. pp. 194–243. ISBN 9788125028017.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ a b Wiley, Kristi L. (17 June 2009). The A to Z of Jainism. Scarecrow Press. pp. 167–168. ISBN 978-0-8108-6337-8.
- ^ "Renowned Spiritual Exponent Dr. Niruben Passes Away". Jainsamaj.org. 16 April 2006. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ Dada Bhagwan (2 April 2015). Adjust Everywhere: Conflict Resolution. Dada Bhagwan Aradhana Trust. pp. 5–10. ISBN 978-81-89725-00-6.