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Jagadguruttam’s Teachings: Where is True Happiness?

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
17 January 2026
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By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Happiness is the one and only thing every living being desires, and yet there is such immense variation and diversity found everywhere else in this world. 

There are 8.4 million forms of life that a soul can enter, and each one is unique. Some live in water, some in the air, and some on land. Some are born from a womb, some from eggs, some from moisture, and some from the earth itself. Among the 7.6 billion people living on Earth today, not even two individuals have the same facial features or identical fingerprints. Isn’t this astonishing?

In such extraordinary diversity, how is it that the desire of every being is exactly the same?

Regardless of form, nature, or condition, all embodied beings seek only happiness. Why is this so? Have we ever experienced happiness? Yes, indeed. We do experience happiness through the senses. We see something pleasing and feel happy. We hear something agreeable and feel happy. We taste something delicious and feel happy. This is our everyday experience and cannot be denied.

However, our scriptures and great spiritual masters explain that this kind of happiness has two major defects.

The first defect is that it is limited. There is always a happiness greater than the one we are presently experiencing, and the moment we become aware of it, our current happiness comes to an end. For example, a person buys a motorcycle and feels great joy while riding it. But when a car passes by, splashing muddy water on him from a puddle, he immediately thinks, “What is the use of this motorcycle? If only I had a car…” The joy of owning the motorcycle has vanished.

This simple incident reveals a universal truth about worldly happiness. Whenever we encounter a happiness greater than our own, our present happiness ends. Therefore, what we truly desire is unlimited happiness – happiness beyond which nothing greater exists.

The second defect is that worldly happiness does not last. It gradually diminishes and eventually disappears. Consider a mother whose son has gone missing. She spends sleepless nights in anxiety and sorrow. When her son is finally found and returns home safely, she embraces him with overwhelming joy. She hugs him again, but the intensity of happiness is slightly reduced. A third embrace brings even less joy, and by the fourth, she says, “Now go outside and play; I have work to do.”

Why does this happiness reduce?  The very thing that was once a source of happiness becomes a source of sorrow.  The answer is that what we actually desire is happiness which is unlimited and remains forever.  

Every living being, from an ant to Brahma, the creator, desires happiness. Why? Because every soul is a part of God, who is the embodiment of unlimited, everlasting bliss.

Now the question arises: how do we find this true happiness?

We possess only one mind. It can either be attached to the world or attached to God – it cannot be fully engaged in both at the same time. The world is filled with sorrow and suffering, impermanence, and limitations, whereas God is the embodiment of bliss. Therefore, the goal of attaining lasting peace and divine happiness lies only in God.

In the beginning, withdrawing the mind from the world and attaching it to God may feel difficult. The mind has been habituated to worldly objects for countless lifetimes. Thus, initially, one must consciously and repeatedly pull the mind away from the world and redirect it toward God. Over time and with sincere practice, this effort becomes natural.

Replace worldly desires with the desire for God, or at least redirect those desires toward Him. This is the only cure for the disease of endless wanting. As this practice deepens, spiritual happiness begins to manifest within.

Once you start experiencing this special Divine bliss, your mind will become absorbed in contemplation of God to such an extent that one day you will even openly challenge God, like Saint Surdas, who challenged the Lord, “O Shyamsundar!  You claim to be all-powerful, but I will only believe You if You have the power to leave my heart,” and the Lord had to accept defeat. God is bound by Love in such a way that He cannot leave his devotee.  

In this way, practise replacing all your worldly desires with the desire for God, the embodiment of infinite bliss.  Your mind will then become engrossed in God and you can then taste the ever increasing sweetness and blissfulness  of God’s unlimited Divine Love for eternity.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

(Credits: Spirituality in Daily Living)

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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. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.