The Philosopher, The Teacher, The Seer

dr v. h. date

He first met his spiritual mentor, Prof. R. D. Ranade, in 1918 at Jamkhandi. After completing his Matriculation in 1920, he earned a B.A. (Honours) from the University of Bombay in 1924 and married on February 3, 1925. He was a Fellow of the Academy of Philosophy and Religion in Poona during 1926–27 and completed his M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Bombay in 1929. From 1930 to 1932, he conducted research at the University of Allahabad under Prof. Ranade’s guidance.

Milestones in the Life of Dr. V. H. Date

One God. One World. One Humanity.

Gurudev Ranade

More popularly known among his close followers and disciples as GURUDEV (Revered Preceptor), Dr. R. D. RANADE was born in the village of ‘Jamkhandi’ in Karnataka State, India. He took his Master of Arts degree with distinction from Mumbai University.
From his student days, He had a spiritual bent of mind. Later, as a professor of philosophy in the Fergusson College, Poona and then the Head of the Department of philosophy and vice-chancellor in the Allahabad University, his record was a very distinguished one both in the academic and administrative fields.
His founding of ‘Adhyatma Vidyapeetha’ or a ‘Spiritual University’ at Nimbal and his authorship of very profound books on philosophy and mysticism were the outcome of his constant endeavor to know and live the Philosophy. His studies in Marathi, Hindi and Kannada mysticism are masterpieces of deep scholarship with popular presentation. He egressed in 1957 leaving behind a great reputation as a profound Scholar & philosopher, as a reputed author and as a mystic of rare religious Eminence.
His holy tomb (Samadhi) is present at the Nimbal Ashram and every year devotees gather at the Ashram to perform Spiritual programs.

In the Footsteps of Gurudev

Dr. V. H. Date was a devoted follower and disciple of Prof. R. D. Ranade. Their relationship was both spiritual and intellectual. Prof. Ranade, often referred to as “Gurudev” by his disciples, deeply influenced Dr. Date’s understanding of Vedanta and the path of Self-realization. This reverence is evident in Dr. Date’s works, such as Vedanta Explained and The Yoga of the Saints, both of which feature forewords written by Prof. Ranade, underscoring their close mentorship
In 1982, Dr. Date authored R. D. Ranade and His Spiritual Lineage, a comprehensive exploration of Prof. Ranade’s spiritual heritage and teachings. This work not only highlights Prof. Ranade’s philosophical contributions but also traces the lineage of spiritual masters preceding him, such as Revanasiddha, Kadasiddha, and Nimbargi Maharaj . Dr. Date’s dedication to preserving and elucidating his guru’s legacy reflects his deep respect and commitment to the spiritual path laid out by Prof. Ranade.
Through his writings and teachings, Dr. V. H. Date played a pivotal role in disseminating Prof. R. D. Ranade’s philosophy, ensuring that the insights of this spiritual lineage continue to inspire and guide seekers on their journey toward Self-realization.

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