The Personification of
Divine Love and Grace
His Life
Eternally liberated Divine
personalities sometimes descend upon the earth for the welfare of
humankind. Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj is such a Divine
personality. "Shree Maharajji", as he is lovingly called by his
devotees, was born on the auspicious night of Sharad Poornima in 1922,
in the village Mangarh, near Allahabad.
Childhood and youth
He spent his childhood in
youthful fun, playing games and frolicking with his young friends. But
at the same time, he would display intense gravity and excel
effortlessly in his studies. Then at the age of fourteen, he left the
village and attended three Universities, in Kashi, Chitrakoot and
Indore. There he covered a whole series of courses in the space of just
two-and-a-half years.
Absorption in Divine Bliss
At the young age of sixteen, he
suddenly gave up his studies and entered the dense forests of
Chitrakoot. There he spent his time absorbed in intense of love for
Radha Krishna. Often he would lose all external consciousness, and go
without eating and drinking for many days at a stretch. For long
intervals, he would remain in mahabhav, the highest stage of devotion
that manifests in Radha Rani. The very same manifestation of mahabhav
love was last seen in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, about 500 years ago. He
emerged from the forest after two years to begin his mission of
revealing the glories of Radha Krishna devotion to the world.
Kirtan movement
He then started conducting
'satsangs' that brought about a revolution of Bhakti or devotion in the
states of UP and Rajasthan in the 1940s and 50s. He would lead kirtans
imbued with intense devotion, which would continue throughout the night.
Th
ese
kirtans, which he wrote himself, have been compared by scholars with
those of Meerabai, Soordas, Tulsidas, and Ras Khan. Shree Maharajji's
Divine kirtans have secured a place for themselves in the hearts of
sincere devotees across the globe.
Scriptural Discourses
After
accepting the title of Jagadguru, Kripaluji Maharaj traveled throughout
the country for fourteen years. He would deliver month-long discourses
in each city, in which he would unravel the mysteries of the scriptures
before tens of thousands of people, who would throng the venue for a
glimpse of this extraordinary scholar and Saint whose words left them
spellbound. Shree Maharajji's lectures tantalize the masses with humor,
worldly examples, practical instructions and playful chastisement, much
to the delight of the crowd. It was a unique experience as he made the
deepest scriptural truths accessible to everyone in the simplest
language. As a cut runs deep, his penetrative words have such Divine
power that even an atheist's heart can melt when Shree Maharajji
describes the nature of the ultimate and Absolute Truth.
Click here to watch soulful Kirtans in Shree Maharajji's voice
Devotional literature
Kripaluji Maharaj has written
thousands of inspiring verses revealing the Divine pastimes of Radha
Krishna. His style of writing is unique in the entire history of saints:
First, he begins the chanting of a pada or kirtan, and as the kirtan
progresses, he keeps adding lines to it, bringing it to a consummate
close. In glorification of Shree Radha Krishna Devotion, he has named
one of his principal creations as "Prem Ras Madira", or "Divine Love
Intoxicant". A literal (verbatim) translation of the name of one of the
greatest treasures of a devotee is a naïve and futile attempt. One is
lost for words to describe the intensity and greatness of the pads and
kirtans written by Shree Maharajji. It is only by singing the
inebriating kirtans that we can get a glimpse of the unfathomable Divine
love that pours out from the heart of a true devotee of Shree Radha
Krishna.
The kirtans conducted by Shree
Maharajji are famous the world over for the fervent intensity of
devotion that they create in the minds and hearts of the sincere
follower, forever binding him or her to the path of God-realization.
Whenever Shree Maharajji graces the prayer and Sadhana hall, the kirtans
reach a feverish pitch as the lord's innumerable names and pastimes are
sung in unison by ecstatic voices across the floor. It is a sight to
behold and participate in these highly charged kirtans that mesmerize
even the most phlegmatic of people, drawing them ever closer to the
Shree Radha Krishna.
Click here to know more.
Worldwide mission
It is Shree Maharajji's vision
that every soul should get a chance to practice Bhakti or devotion in
its simplest form, so that the soul may attain its true goal of
God-realization. In order to help people around the world in their quest
towards this goal, Shree Maharajji began training devotee preachers and
sending them to different parts of the globe. He also created a formal
organization and began the construction of huge ashrams, to provide
facilities for devotees who wished to practically apply the teachings in
their lives. This organization is today known as the Jagadguru Kripalu
Parishat.
