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.
Founding Members
Brahma Baba
Founder
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, 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.
Om Radhe "Mama"
First Chief of Brahma Kumaris
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, 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.
Administrative Heads
Dadi Prakashmani "Dadiji"
Spiritual/Administrative Head
Prakashmani means ‘jewel of light’ - and Dadi Prakashmani became the joint Spiritual/Administrative Head along with Didi Manmohini after Mama left her body. 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.
Didi Manmohini
Joint Spiritual/Administrative Head
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. 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.
Dadi Janki
Spiritual/Administrative Head
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. She passed on in March 2020 at the age of 104.
Dadi Ratan Mohini
Administrative Head
Dadi Ratan Mohini is one of the backbone members residing at the Headquarters. She was born on 25 March 1925 at Hyderabad Sindh. In childhood she created the foundation of her life in the early days of the Brahma Kumaris. In 1954 Dadi represented the PPBKIVV at the World Peace Conference in Japan. Dadi subsequently travelled in Asia for nearly a year, rendering spiritual services to people in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. From 1972 to 1974 she played a major role in the establishment of BK centres in the United Kingdom. Since then Dadi has been based in India. She lives up to her name 'most beautiful jewel' by always appearing light and tension-free. Dadi exemplifies a life of purity, peace and elevated purpose.
Brahma Kumari Mohini Panjabi
Additional Administrative Head
Sister Mohini is a deep and subtle introvert who spends much of her time in contemplative silence. She was born in India in 1941 to a philanthropic family and educated at the University of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, political science and journalism. She met the Brahma Kumaris when she was a teenager and began studying and serving with the BK's while she was still in college. For over 60 years she has opened new fields of service for the organisation, establishing a regional headquarters for the Americas in 1978 and representing the BK's as an NGO at the United Nations from 1981. Prior to this position, she served as Regional Coordinator of the Brahma Kumaris' activities in North and South America and the Caribbean.
Brahma Kumari Jayanti Kirpalani
Additional Administrative Head
Sister Jayanti embodies a unique blend of Eastern wisdom and Western education and culture; imparting the deepest spiritual truths with the utmost clarity. Born in India, she moved with her family to London in 1957 at the age of 8. Her family was instrumental in bringing Raja Yoga to the West. As she returned to India over the years, she met the founder, Brahma Baba on many occasions and at the age of 19 she made the decision to pursue a life of spiritual study and service with the Brahma Kumaris. She is an eloquent speaker and has spoken widely on climate change, applied values and spiritual practice. She is the regional coordinator for the Brahma Kumaris activities in Europe and the Middle East.
Our Regional Coordinators Across International Locations
At all our locations our activities are coordinated according to the spiritual principles of the Brahma Kumaris and the laws of the land. Our international activities are coordinated from offices in London, Moscow, Nairobi, New York and Sydney.
Didi Nirmala
Regional Coordinator of Asia Pacific Region
Sister Jayanti
Regional Coordinator of Europe & Middle East and the Representative of BKWSU to the United Nations in Geneva
Sister Vedanti
Regional Coordinator of Africa
Sister Chakradhari
Regional Coordinator of Russia, CIS, Baltic States and Mongolia
Sister Mohini
Regional Coordinator of the Americas & Canada
Didi Sudesh
Regional Coordinator of Europe
