JKP

The Supremacy of the Divine Name, ‘RADHE’

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
19 September 2023
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Throughout His life, Shri Maharaj Ji gave all who came in contact with Him, be they an eminent scholar, skeptic, or everyday person, the opportunity to understand three essential truths:

  • Shree Radha is the ultimate goal of every living being.
  • Shree Radha is the essence of all scriptures.
  • Shree Radha is the personification of the highest state of divine love known as mahabhava.

She is the innermost delighting and inspiring power of Shri Krishna Himself, and so the Lord of innumerable universes is always in Her service, and from His every pore resonates Her sweet name.

To complement his theoretical discourses, Shri Maharaj Ji took the essence of Vedic teaching and presented it in the form of sankirtans, devotional poetry set to melodious music (that he also composed), perfect for congregational chanting and meditation.

He always emphasized the sweet loving remembrance of Shri Radha Rani. This was in fact his very first and last teaching.

On the morning of his last day, Shri Maharaj Ji delivered his final discourse wherein he said, “Pay careful attention to the instruction I am repeatedly giving you. Firmly resolve, O mind! Meditate on the lotus feet of Shri Radha Rani.”

His library of devotional works contains thousands of compositions, depicting different relative moods to captivate all kinds of minds, in the form of bhajans, songs, verses, and couplets. Thanks to the advent of modern technology, any person anywhere in the world can access any number of his works like Prem Ras Madira, Bhakti Shatak, Braja Ras Madhuri, Yugal Madhuri, Yugal Shatak, Yugal Ras, Radha Govind Geet, or Shyama Shyam Geet and will find nothing but the sweet eulogy of his beloved, Shri Radha Rani pervading them.

Although you will also find duet eulogies of Shri Radha Krishna and the truth revealed by him that Shri Krishna and Shri Radha are one Supreme Entity in two forms, but on closer analysis of his entire literary works, one can conclude that throughout his life, Shri Maharaj Ji emphasized the divine message; lovingly recite the name of Shri Radha.

For instance, Prem Ras Madira, first published in Hindi in 1960 translated in English with over three volumes in 2013, as ‘The Intoxicating Bliss of Divine Love’ says:

(Prem Ras Madira. 3.86)

“Repeatedly chant the sweet name of Shri Radha day and night. This name is chanted constantly even by Shri Krishna who is described as completely self-satisfied. Shyamasundara constantly meditates on the sweetness of Her extraordinarily beautiful form …..”

(Prem Ras Madira 3.87)

“O Mind! Use every moment of your life in chanting the sweet names of Shri Radha. It is chanted not just by the governors of this universe – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankara, but by the Supreme Lord Shyamasundara Himself. It is on the strength of chanting Shri Radha’s name that Shankar Ji attained the maharasa, in the form of a Gopi…”

(Prem Ras Madira 3.102)

“Shri Radha is the embodiment of the absolute essence of divine love, the personification of the utterly selfless amorous sentiment known as mahabhava. She is unknowable even via the Vedas and other scriptures, yet is easily accessible to the humble surrendered souls. How can Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankara possibly understand Shri Radha, when even the Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna cannot fathom the depths of Her love?’

(Prem Ras Madira 4.101)

“Shri Radha’s name is my only wealth. It is the glory of Shri Radha’s name which gave Shyamsundara the title of the Crest Jewel of Rasikas (because no one relishes it to the degree He does). By chanting the name repeatedly on His flute, He imbued the flute with such captivating power that its notes infatuated all the Gopis of Braja…”

The extent of Shri Maharaj Ji’s eulogy of Shri Radha through numerous discourses, sankirtans and books, etc. is so vast that no single individual could read or hear it all in a single lifetime. Whatever one is able to grasp is but a drop from the spiritual ocean.

The following sankirtan from Yugal Madhuri (a collection of sixty-four devotional songs first published in 1999) emphatically proves that Shri Maharaj Ji revealed Shri Radha’s name as being the very base of all devotional practices:

“Even the Lord of lords, Shri Krishna lovingly recites the holy name of Shri Radha.

The creator of Brahma recites with love and devotion the holy name of Shri Radha

Panchanana Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shankara also recites absorbingly the holy name of Shri Radha.”

In this sankirtan, he revealed that all the divine powers meditate on Shri Radha Rani and recite her name.

Apart from this, Shri Maharaj Ji exhorted the importance of reciting Shri Radha’s name and singing Her glories at every moment during one’s daily activities. At many places in his Radha Govind Geet (a scripture of an astonishing 11,111 devotional couplets revealed during 1998-99, compiled into 19 chapters and published over two volumes in July 2000) he highlights this message. Take for example:

(Radha Govinda Geet, 6597)

“During all your activities of daily life such as eating, drinking or walking, always keep chanting the sweet name of Shri Radha. Don’t ever forget the name of Shri Radhe, not even for a fraction of a second.” In fact he has dedicated an entire chapter of this incomparable work, Radha Govind Geet to the importance of Shri Radha’s name.

Shri Maharaj Ji continued to reveal more devotional couplets in this captivating style. At numerous places throughout this collection, that he named Kripalu Bhakti Dhara, he propagates the importance of reciting the name of Shri Radha. So there seems no conceivable end to his revelations. If we were to try and compile it in a book form, a countless number of volumes would be published.

Even in his twilight years, he gave the most emphasis on the recitation of Shri Radha’s name. Rising at midnight, he would emerge from his room and go for a brisk morning walk and call out ‘Radhe’ … in captivating and entertaining ways, after which the assembled crowd, eager to have his darshan, would joyously reciprocate. On many occasions, he would then reveal a new verse glorifying the sweet name of Shri Radha.

Some people may be diffident to think that Shri Maharaj Ji composed Radha Govind Geet, and with its melodious rhythm it seemed to be just a modern-day version of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Hari Bol, which gave people the chance to experience the devotional bliss of braja rasa 500

years earlier. Even in JKP centers today, chanting of Radhe Govind takes place as part of the parikrama in the mornings. Therefore, Radhe Govind is to be considered as more important. But such an attitude is naive and fails to acknowledge Shri Maharaj Ji’s standing as the reconciler of all philosophies and faiths.

Anyone can take any name of God and recite it freely, if by doing so his attachment and devotion to God is enhanced. It could be Radhe Govind, Hare Rama Hare Krishna or Radhe Shyam. The Supreme Lord is one and it is transgression to differentiate between any names of God, be it Rama or Shyam. However, all God’s powers merge into Shri Radha. God, in all His forms, is one and all His forms are absolute truth, conscious and blissful.

As per the teachings of Shri Maharaj Ji, while reciting the name of the Lord, two things are mandatory – remembrance of the Lord’s form and love for the Lord. This will result in increased longing for Him and will eventually foster the onset of tears along with a heartfelt restlessness to meet the Supreme Lord, here and now. Without such loving remembrance and meditation on the form of God, one will derive no benefit even if you chant Radhe Radhe all your life.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharajji)

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.