Akram Vignan is literally, knowing oneself. The concept of akram vignan (also akram vijnana) was propagated by Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, popularly known as Dada Bhagwan, of Gujarat. His date of birth is not precisely known; he passed away on January 2, 1988. The essence of Dada Bhagavan’s teachings is that everyone should ask himself “Who am I?” and thereby through a process of self-discipline, realize one’s “pure self.” Awareness of the pure soul leads to moksha (liberation). The pure self is the ‘I’ in everyone without the consciousness of ‘mine’ which relates to the body. The pure self is a non-doer. Dada Bhagwan emphasizes that the only thing worth knowing is one’s pure soul. He said, ‘The one who wants to be bound won’t get the opportunity to be free and the one who desires to be free won’t get the opportunity to be bound.”
Akram Vijnan has been described as the “Science of Absolutism”. According to Dada Bhagavan, this science was revealed by Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara (also known as Adinatha Bhagavan) of Jaina religion, to his son king Bharata. The king wanted complete liberation in life. With the aid of akram vijnan, Bharata remained totally detached even while fulfilling his worldly responsibilities and attained nirvana. Akram Vijnan involves purification of ego and its complete dissociation from mind, body and speech.
Dada Bhagavan prescribed a self-realization initiation ceremony for the aspirants. In this ceremony the aspirant surrenders his mind, body and speech (bhava karma, dravya karma and moha karma). Those who followed the path of akram vijnan were required to observe certain principles which included: restraint in speech so that no one is hurt; adjusting oneself to circumstances; being honest in one’s dealings; realizing one’s faults; being good to all creatures; not coveting other’s property; not being attached to any individual or obsessed with any event; remembering God and seeking his forgiveness.
The members of the Jai Sachchidanand Sangh, which propagates Dada Bhagavan’s teachings, are required to recite the “universal prayers” that Dadaji himself had prescribed.