Dr. Harilal M. Munje

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Dr. Harilal M. Munje, 1911-1989

From an early age, at his father’s suggestion, the boy began learning languages and studying the scriptures of the world’s great religions, in time becoming fluent in 14 languages including English, Arabic, Persian, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Pali, Sanskrit, and Urdu. As an example of his linguistic abilities, he translated The Hidden Words of Bahà’u’llàh from Arabic, Persian and English into Sanskrit. This book was praised by a professor of Sanskrit at Fergusson College as “reading just like the Vedas”.

In about 1937, he married Nalini Irani, the youngest daughter of Bornas and Morwarid Irani, Bahá'ís of Parsi background. Nalini was a very helpful, kind, and thoughtful person who was a pillar in the Bahá'í communities in which she lived. The couple had three children.

Both Harilal and Nalini became homeopathic doctors, practicing first in Bombay and then at their pioneering posts in Benares and Kanpur. Often other doctors referred difficult cases to them for treatment, and many doctors were Harilal’s patients. Dr. Munje helped establish a homeopathic medical college in Kanpur. He also established Bio-Science Research, and patented several medicines.

Dr. Munje always mixed his profession with his Faith and modified his practice, with the invaluable help of his devoted wife, so that he could be away from his home base much of the time. He valued his independent service to the Cause and wanted to stand on his own feet financially so that he was not dependent on the Fund. He would carry a box of medicines with him on his travels so he could work whenever there was time or opportunity.

Dr. Munje understood the philosophical pulse of the Hindu. He was tremendously interested in Hindu prophecies and was the first scholar to relate the advent of the Báb and Bahà’u’llàh to Hindu prophecies. He discussed Bahà’u’llàh and Hindu beliefs at great lengths with Hindu pundits.

He could also bring both Hindus and Muslims together, demonstrating to them that the two religions are one. In his deepening classes Dr. Munje could convince the followers of both Faiths of the reality and coming of Bahà’u’llàh.

Dr. Munje’s deep knowledge of the Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism, and other religious teachings, and his constant zeal in teaching the Cause and deepening the believers, enabled him to effectively convey the Message of Bahà’u’llàh on various levels to what must have been hundreds of thousands of people over his lifetime. He was one of the first believers in Bombay who started mass teaching. For 50 years there was not one month during which he did not leave his home to serve the Cause. His humility was evident in his willingness, despite his broad knowledge, to learn from others. He even sought knowledge of the Faith from Bahá'í youth.

With individuals or small groups, he would listen to people for hours. Then when he spoke to them, they were enthralled by his knowledge. He would literally spend weeks, months, or even years teaching an individual at any time of the day or night, often discussing the Faith with a man all night.

Dr. Munje was a spellbinding, powerful, and well-organized public speaker, capable of expounding on a wide variety of subjects, convincing the masses listening to him. Often one or more speakers following Dr. Munje on a program would take his lead and reinforce what he had stated. He spoke to general audiences as well as specialized groups with equal confidence. He also travelled to teach in such countries as Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Dr. Munje’s devotion to the Faith was unquestioned. He would arise before dawn for prayers each day and would pray for long periods of time. He would not attack or condemn any institution or individual; instead he remained silent.

He wrote several important Bahá'í booklets, including “The Whole World is But One Family”, “1844: Pinpoint Target of All Faiths”, and “The Reincarnation Mystery Revealed”, as well as a chapter relating the Bahá'í Faith to Hinduism that was added to the Indian publication of Bahà’u’llàh and the New Era in Hindi and English. At times he included his own important translation of portions of sacred scriptures, particularly from Hinduism, in these publications.

Dr. Munje did not go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land during Shoghi Effendi’s lifetime, but he carried on an extensive correspondence with the Guardian. In approximately 37 letters Shoghi Effendi encouraged him to pioneer, to write books, to research Hinduism and how it related to the Bahá'í Faith, and to teach Hindus.

For over 20 years—from 1960 to 1986 (except for the years 1965-66, 1966-67, and 1977-78)—Dr. Munje was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, much of that time as chairman. In consultation he would stress the fundamentals of the Faith from the Writings. He would never get angry or annoyed at others. At times he travelled and carried out tasks at the request of the Assembly.

In 1987, his beloved wife died. Then in 1988 he went on his first and only pilgrimage to the Holy Land. During his last days, bedridden in a hospital in Kanpur, Dr. Munje gave no sign that he wanted or expected to die. But he passed away in the arms of one of his grandsons on 19 June 1989. A very great man had gone to the Abhá Kingdom.

Dr. H.T.D. Rost