Celebrating Father’s Day with God

(Speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on Father’s Day)

Celebrating Father’s Day with God by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

“Our mother is Radharani 

(Mata to hai Radharani, Govind Radhe)

Our father is Madhav (Krishna), as the Vedas declare

(Pita to hai Madhav, Ved batade)”

The scriptures : Taittiriya Upanishad (3.1) and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.1.20) reveal that just as countless sparks arise from a blazing fire, the entire creation – both sentient and insentient emerges from the Supreme Divine Consciousness.

But this divine relationship does not end with creation. It is preserved and sustained by that same God. God does not abandon His children as a worldly father might. He remains with us always. Not for a single moment does He leave our side. In fact, it is He who enables us to see, hear, smell, taste, touch, think, and make decisions. He is the one who maintains our very life force.

He also quietly keeps an account of all our actions from infinite past lifetimes and gives us the results accordingly. He does not interfere with our choices, but lovingly and patiently watches, even as we go against Him. He still provides for our worldly needs, no differently than He does for His most devoted souls.

And when this life comes to an end, He does not leave us. He accompanies us into whichever life form we take next, according to our karma. Whether we are reborn as a dog, a moth, a pig, or even an insect, He remains with us, unchanged, unwavering. Such is the compassion of our Divine Father. Such is the boundless love of our Divine Mother.

And here’s the most astonishing part – He asks for nothing in return.

God says, “Just accept Me as your Father. Believe it. I’m not asking you to massage My feet or send Me 10,000 rupees a month.” In the material world, a father often expects his son to care for him in old age. And the son does serve with his body, mind, and wealth.

But God says, “I ask nothing from you. What do you truly have to offer Me? Even you yourself belong to Me. Everything you possess is already Mine. All I ask is that you accept Me as your Father – with your heart and mind.” That, in essence, is the true meaning of surrender.

Until now, we have mistakenly considered this material mother, father, wife, husband, or son to be ours. But now we understand – we are the soul, not the body.

The scriptures unanimously proclaim: God alone is our true Father.

We are celebrating Father’s Day today. However, we have celebrated countless Father’s Days infinite times – honouring the father of this perishable body, made by Maya.  But we have not ever honoured the One who is the Father of our imperishable soul.

And the irony? The one we consider our father today has been our son countless times before. Scriptures like the Bhagavatam and Vedas also tell us: After death, we go where our attachment lies. For 99.9% of people, that attachment is with their children. So they are reborn into their children’s homes. 

The child we once raised becomes our father in the next life and now commands us, saying, “What are you doing? Come here.” And we are compelled to follow his instructions. Even though we understand that God is our eternal Father, while we inhabit this body, it is our duty to honour and serve our worldly parents out of gratitude.

But this Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, let us celebrate the Divine Parents – Radha and Krishna. If we cannot meet Them yet, Their next visible form is the Guru.

That’s why the scriptures and Vedas declare:
“Consider your Guru to be your mother and father.”
God Himself says, “I will consider that to be greater than considering Me your father.”

Ved Vyas says:

“Those who consider Me their mother, father  are of lesser intelligence.”
But those who are devoted servants of My devotees are the greatest of all my devotees and are dearest to Me.

We desire to serve God, but He will meet us only after God-realisation in Golok. Until then, He says, “Serve your Guru. Accept him to be your mother and father. That Guru is Me.”

The day we truly accept this principle, that day will be the true beginning of our life.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

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 Maharaj Ji 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.