Kripalu ji Maharaj
Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj
Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj, the fifth original Jagadguru in Indian history, was renowned as the embodiment of divine love. He was one of the foremost Rasik saints who spread the joy of Raganuga Bhakti to souls across the globe.
Affectionately known as “Shri Maharajji” by his devotees, he chose the auspicious night of Sharad Poornima in October 1922 to grace the Earth. His descent took place in the humble village of Mangarh, near the holy city of Prayag (Allahabad). Sharad Poornima is a sacred night when Shree Radha Krishna bestowed the ultimate ecstasy of the Maharaas upon the selfless devotees – the gopis of Vrindavan.
At birth, his parents, Bhagvati Devi and Lalita Prasad, named Shri Maharajji Ram Kripalu.
He displayed exceptional talent as a student, excelling in both academics and sports. However, he also possessed a mischievous streak. By the age of 15, he had completed most of his scholastic duties and earned a degree in Sanskrit literature and history as Vyakaranacharya. In 1942, he was awarded the prestigious title of Kavyatirtha.
Even during his years of study, Shri Maharajji revealed his divine nature through extensive sessions of devotional chanting. He would engage in akhanda naam sankirtan (non-stop chanting of the names of God), for days on end. His nectarine chanting had the power to melt even the hardest of hearts, filling them with love for God.
During the Kaliyuga, the present Dark Age, a growing number of imposters began misleading the public with distorted interpretations of scripture and philosophies. Scholars recognized the urgent need to identify a divine figure who possessed an unparalleled mastery over all Vedic scriptures. This figure would serve as a reliable source of accurate knowledge for spiritual seekers. They termed such an extraordinary personality as “Jagadguru.”
We can put the importance of this title into perspective by acknowledging the fact that only four descended divine personalities – Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya, and Jagadguru Madhvacharya – have received the title of the original Jagadguru.
On 14th January 1957, Kashi Vidvat Parishat invited Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj
to deliver lectures. Kashi Vidvat Parishat was the body of 500 topmost scholars of Vedic literature who collectively represented the seat of spiritual learning.
Shri Maharaj Ji spoke for ten days, revealing the secrets of the Hindu scriptures. He reconciled the apparent contradictions between the various Vedic scriptures, and the differences between the views of the previous Jagadgurus, to reveal the true path to God-realization for the welfare of all humankind.
With profound admiration, the scholars accepted that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all 500 of them put together. They unanimously acclaimed him as Jagadguru, the spiritual master of the world, and conferred various titles below upon him.
Vedmargpratisthapanacharya
The Vedas hold the status of being the most important scriptures in Hinduism. They are the eternal, divine words of God. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj revealed and established the Vedic paths to God realization.
Sanatanavaidikadharma – pratishthapanasatsampradaya – paramacharya
With due respect to all existing philosophies and religions in the world today, Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj established selfless devotion to Radha-Krishna as the true eternal path for individual souls to attain God realization.
Shrimatpadavakya – pramanaparavarina
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj validated his teachings as the only true eternal philosophy of God by citing the Vedic Scriptures. He explained the facts in these divine scriptures using everyday examples that anyone could understand.
Nikhiladarshana – samanvayacharya
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj validated the philosophies of spiritual masters from the past. He also presented his own philosophy in a simple form. This philosophy reconciled contradictory viewpoints and discrepancies found in existing philosophies and scriptural teachings.
The scholars further added that he was
“Jagadguruttam,” or Supreme amongst all the Jagadgurus:
Shrimat – padavaakya – pramaana – paaraavaarina – vedamaargapratisthaapanaachaaryaSanaatanavaidikadharma – pratishthaapanasatsampradaaya – paramaachaaryaNikhiladarshana – samanvayaacharyaBhaktiyoga – rasaavataaraBhagavadananta – shrivibhushitaJagadguruttam Swami Shri 1008 Kripaluji Maharaj ki Jai!!
Source: jkyog,
