Shri J. Dayanand

Mr Dayanand was born in Udupi, Karnataka. He was intimately involved in land acquisition for Auroville under the Mother's direct guidance in the early days apart from various other activities in Auroville over these years.

A person of multiple talents, his commitment and devotion to Mother were unquestionable.

He passed away in the Ashram Nursing Home after a brief illness.

Submitted by Satya Dayanand and Varadharajan

Scroll down for the following items - an interview with Shri Dayanand. And a remembrance memoir by Mrs. ANJANIBEN Dayanand 

An Interview with Dayanand (please see full text below)

Dayanand: My contact with the Mother started in 1953, when I came here as a student of the Post Graduate Course in Ecology in the Botany department of Annamalai University. My professor Dr. T.C.N. Singh had brought us here, so that he could place the entire team who were working on "The EƯect of Music on Plants" before the Mother. She used to encourage that experiment. The first time I saw Her in 1953 was in the playground where activities were going on. We stood in a line and I bowed down at Her Feet. She straight away gave me the Hymn to the Mother Durga, which was the first book I received from Her. I thought it was over with that. All the students who were with me left and I too was going out but just stood at the entrance to the playground and looked to my right,—by then She had moved from Her seat near the map to the classroom where She was taking the classes. As I stared, I saw a column of light and I was stuck to the place. Tears were rolling down my eyes; I could not move. I do not know how much time elapsed till somebody came and prompted me, "Come on, all the people have left." So, that was my first contact with the Divine Mother. It started like that and never left me afterwards. While I was studying I always kept a blessing packet with me all the time. After finishing my education at Dehradun I left for Chennai; there was a break— destiny had to work itself out. Then in 1963, I came with my wife Anjani and had darshan of the Mother. Later on, in '64, we came with Satya, our child. I got involved in Auroville at that stage, 64-65, without my knowing about Auroville. I didn't know about Sri Aurobindo's Yoga, I knew that the Mother was the Divine Mother—once and for all I knew—not from the head, from the heart, that was all. The mental part I never knew.  

I Remember – Anjani Dayanand

"15 August 1964 was an unforgettable day in my life. It was on that day that I first had the Darshan of the Mother. Even before that, from 1960 onwards, Dayanand had been bringing me the Mother's Darshan and New Year messages and had introduced me to the Mother.

The New Year message of 1964, “Are you ready?”, became a turning point in my life. I thought deeply about it. On 14 August 1964, I became firmly resolved to go to the Ashram in Pondicherry and have the Mother's Darshan the following day.

Although Dayanand was unwell with a high fever that day, he came with me to Pondicherry. We received the Mother's balcony Darshan while standing in the rain. Immediately after the Darshan, we returned to Chennai. When the doctor examined Dayanand the next day, he was surprised to find that there was nothing wrong with his health. My direct contact with the Mother began that day. From then on, my life moved towards the Mother.

Around the same time, I met Navajata at Society House, which was associated with the Ashram. The Auroville project had been announced by then. Navajata told me, “I think we are going to work together for a long time.” After that, I began working with him every day on Auroville matters. The Mother wanted the land required for Auroville, particularly the inner-circle area, to be acquired quickly. An attempt was therefore made to acquire the land through the government. However, Navajata did not accept the government plan, believing that purchasing the land directly would be faster. When this was later told to the Mother, she was very upset. Looking back, I realised that it was not the right decision.

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Dayanandji – English Translation | Page 2

Another important day in my life was 4 May 1967. At that time, the Mother said, “The Supramental Force has manifested in the administration.” At that time I was working in Chennai. The Mother had given permission for my son Satya to be admitted to school in Pondicherry. I intended to leave him in the care of others and return to Chennai. When the Mother heard this, she said, “How can she go leaving Satya? It is my responsibility to look after his education. She must bring him.”

Later, with the Mother's blessings, I got an opportunity to come and settle in Pondicherry. Within a few weeks, I was transferred to Pondicherry for work. Although initially there was a reduction in my position and salary, I agreed and came. Within a few months I was appointed Chief Secretary. When I told the Mother, she happily said, “We have done a fait accompli.”

Meanwhile, work on the Auroville project began in earnest. Preparations were made for the inauguration of Auroville on 29 February 1968. A book entitled “Introduction to Auroville” was prepared. When it was shown to the Mother, she asked that it also be shown to me. I felt that the book did not fully satisfy me. When I told the Mother this, she wrote an important message:

“India has become a symbol reflecting all the difficulties of the new humanity. Its rebirth – the rebirth into a higher and truer life – will take place from India.”

When I saw this message, I felt deeply grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve the Mother. When the work for Auroville began in Kuilapalayam village, the people there initially opposed it. They feared that their livelihood would be affected if Auroville came. The Mother asked me to go and speak to them. She told me to explain that it would benefit them if they worked together with Auroville. I was to tell them that forcing them was not Auroville's aim, and that arrangements were being made to help them live with dignity..."

See the full text below.