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Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
14 January 2024
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Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is the only Saint of this age to be honoured with the title of Jagadguru, the highest authority among all Hindu Vedic Saints and scholars. This title is only given to that Saint who brings about a spiritual revolution in the world through his divine teachings. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is the supreme exponent of Sanatan Dharm, the eternal Vedic religion, and his reconciliation of all the philosophies and faiths is unparalleled.

He appeared in 1922 on the auspicious night of Sharat Purnima into a highly respected Brahmin family in the remote village of Mangarh, in the district of Pratapgarh in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. He completed his early education in Mangarh and Kunda. Later he studied Sanskrit grammar, literature and Ayurveda at Indore, Chitrakoot and Varanasi. 

At the tender age of sixteen, he retreated into the dense forests near Sharbhang ashram in Chitrakoot, and then into the forests near Vanshivat, Vrindavan. During that period, he was deeply engrossed in the divine love of Shri Radha Krishna. Whosoever saw him in that state of trance was astonished and felt that he was the very embodiment of love and bliss. 

Nobody at that time could have known that he had an unfathomable and immeasurably vast ocean of spiritual wisdom hidden within him. For the benefit of people, he gradually started to conceal and control those ecstatic states in order to propagate the bhakti of Shri Krishna. Along with his inspiring messages of divine love, he started to reveal his divine wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures.

In 1955, Shri Maharaj Ji organised the first of two huge conferences in Chitrakoot, which was attended by all the Jagadgurus and other eminent scholars from Kashi (considered the seat of spiritual wisdom in India) and various other centres within India. The second conference took place in 1956, within the city of Kanpur. The most learned scholars of Kashi attending the Kanpur conference were amazed to see such a young man possessing such scriptural omniscience. 

The most eminent and universally recognized scholar present, the Chief Secretary of Kashi Vidvat Parishat (a body of 500 topmost scholars), Acharya Shri Raj Narayan Shatshastri, a leading luminary in the field of scriptural debate and a foremost  philosopher of India, made a public proclamation after listening to Shri Maharaj Ji’s discourse on 19 October 1956, a part of which quoted below:

“You are extremely fortunate to have in your midst a Saint who can

present this level of divine knowledge. Kashi is the centre of spiritual

learning for the entire world. We, the residents of Kashi are seated

here. Hearing Shri Kripalu Ji’s divine utterances yesterday, we were all

compelled to accept humble submission before him.”

Kashi Vidvat Parishat invited Shri Maharaj Ji to address them in Kashi, which he did the following year. 

The extraordinary discourses delivered by Shri Maharaj Ji in classical Sanskrit to the scholars of Kashi Vidvat Parishat, combined with his ‘out of this world’ personality, soaked in the bliss of divine love, left the learned gathering completely spellbound. They unanimously admitted that he was not only a great scholar of the Vedas and all other scriptures, but also an embodiment of divine love. They unanimously honoured him with several titles including Jagadguru, declaring him to be JAGADGURUTTAM, THE SUPREME AMONGST ALL JAGADGURUS.

The Conferred Titles Presented By  KASHI VIDVAT PARISHAT 

14 JANUARY 1957, KASHI

Shrimat-padavākya-pramāṇa-pārāvāriņa,

The greatest scholar with unsurpassed knowledge of the Vedas and all scriptures of the world,

Vedamarga-pratishthapan-acharya,

The eminent propounder of eternal Vedic philosophy,

Nikhiladarshana-samanvay-acharya,

The reconciler of all the seemingly contradictory philosophical views of the world,

Sanatana-vaidika-dharma-pratishthapana-satsampradaya-paramacharya,

The supreme Spiritual Master who has revealed the eternal Vedic principles that lead one to their ultimate goal,

Bhaktiyoga-rasavatāra,

Descension of divine love and bliss,

Bhagavadananta-shrīvibhushita,

The most revered divine personality,

Jagadguru

Supreme Spiritual Master of the world.

1008 SWAMI SHRI KRIPALU JI MAHARAJ

This historic event took place on 14 January 1957 when Shri Maharaj Ji was just thirty-four years of age. Prior to him, only four Saints have been honoured with the title of Jagadguru – Adi Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharya, Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya and Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya. 

For over fifty years, Shri Maharaj Ji delivered hundreds of enlightening discourses, effortlessly and eloquently reciting Sanskrit verses from the Vedas, Puranas, Upanisads, Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures leaving both the scholar and the layperson speechless. He revealed thousands of bhajans and kirtans that evoke extremely devotional sentiments within the heart, while his literary works explain the philosophy of the Vedas and Vedic scriptures in a very simple, practical and logical manner. He personally trained preachers who travel the world spreading the most authentic divine wisdom contained in our scriptures. Together with his televised discourses, his teachings have now spread all over the world.

The spiritual work undertaken by Shri Maharaj Ji is certainly his greatest contribution to society. However, recognising the need to take care of the physical body, Shri Maharaj Ji inspired people to engage in humanitarian activities as well. Thus, the international, non-profit, charitable, educational and spiritual organisation. Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat has been established. Charitable institutions that serve the poor and needy in the areas of health and education are fully operational in some of India’s most underdeveloped areas. Centres for devotional practice are scattered throughout India and abroad, providing venues for people to practise the principles of bhakti yoga in their daily life. 

Making no distinction between caste, creed, colour, race or religion, and with his infinite love and compassion, Shri Maharaj Ji gathered all into the purity of his divine embrace. His divine effulgence shone through all he said, all he did and all he was. Every seeker was amazed to see how approachable he was, and enjoyed the special privilege of individual attention from him. 

In so doing, he made everyone feel that they belonged to him. It is very easy to become a recipient, because there was no giver like Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. True to his name ‘Kripalu’, he was the very ocean of grace.

In this age where people are judged by material success, the human soul yearning for peace and fulfilment finds soothing solace in Shri Maharaj Ji, who shone with divinity. His teachings shatter all doubts of spiritual confusion with great ease and effectively reveal a clear and practical path leading to God.

(Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat wishes all devotees a Happy Jagadguru Diwas)

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (‘Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World’) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by ‘Kashi Vidvat Parishad’ (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like ‘Prem Ras Madira’, ‘Prem Ras Siddhant’, and ‘Radha Govind Geet’ to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include  -  Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh,  Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharajji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.