Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
His Divine Personality
Jagadguru
AUTHORITY ON THE VEDAS
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is the supreme authority and exponent of Sanatan Dharm, the eternal Vedic religion, and his reconciliation of all the scriptures and the philosophies of the four prior Jagadgurus is astonishing and unparalleled.
His philosophical work is not aligned to any particular religion, sect or cult. He revealed that God is one, and encouraged everyone to practise devotion and selfless service to God.
His teachings propagated the eternal and timeless wisdom of the Vedas, which dispels the deep-rooted confusions prevailing in the minds of all spiritual seekers.
At the tender age of 34, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj revealed to the world his scriptural omniscience, which left even the most learned scholars lost in amazement. The most eminent scholars at the time, Kashi Vidwat Parishad, bestowed upon him the title of ‘Jagadguru’.
As a testament to the uniqueness of his philosophical teachings, there have been numerous research theses undertaken by scholars at reputed universities, focusing on various facets of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s teachings, literary/poetic works and spiritual discourses.
Being a highly effective communicator, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj employed various tools and techniques to impart knowledge to seekers in the most simple yet very impactful manner.
He was a great philosopher, writer and poet with an unparalleled creative ability to compose thousands of divine and glorious poems and sankirtans that evoke devotional sentiments within the heart, while simultaneously explaining all the essential theoretical aspects of spirituality and the practical aspects of devotion.
Rasik Saint
EMBODIMENT OF THE HIGHEST FORM OF RADHA KRISHNA BHAKTI
When the 34-year-old Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj appeared before the esteemed Kashi Vidwat Parishad in 1957, it was the nectar of devotion streaming from his supremely divine and resplendent personality that compelled them to acknowledge him as Bhaktiyog-ras-avatar – the Descension of Divine Love and Bliss.
They instantaneously realised that he himself was the manifestation of what the Vedas state:
रसो वै सः। रस ह्येवायं लब्ध्वाऽऽनन्दी भवति ।
(Taittiriyo Upanishad 2.7)
He appeared to them to be both the ‘ras’ and ‘rasik’. His mere presence caused a unique stream of love to flow and boundless exuberance to pervade the hearts of everyone as if the bhakti of Shri Radha Krishna had manifested in a physical form.
Great rasik saints in the past have showered ‘brajras’, the divine love of Radha Krishna, onto devotees. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj proffered the same ‘brajras’ to one and all, irrespective of whether one was deserving or not.
Devotees who were fortunate to have associated with Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and attended sankirtan led by him were completely drenched in divine love. They experienced an inner transformation as God’s love sprouted within them and all evil tendencies disappeared.
Frequently in his body, there was an upsurge of the eight sattvic sentiments of divine love that are described in the scriptures. During such occasions, the whole environment was infused with divine love. Even the most ordinary devotee could feel their heart being suffused with so much love that they were moved to tears.
Kripa Avataar
PERSONIFICATION OF DIVINE GRACE
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was truly an ocean of grace. His very name ‘Kripalu’ means one who possesses ‘kripa’ (grace); one with a very merciful nature.
Despite his Jagadguru status, he was very down-to-earth and approachable. He imparted grace on all sincere spiritual aspirants who came into his divine association, irrespective of culture, age or religion.
It was very easy for souls who accepted him as their Spiritual Guru to receive his unlimited grace. Affectionate, kind, caring and helpful to those in need, he treated everybody equally with the same love and compassion.
All devotees, whether children or the elderly, were drawn to his truly humble, yet jovial nature. In his association, everyone felt loved and protected. Even today, devotees feel his divine presence, personally guiding them on their journey towards divine love.
