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George Mason University Lecture June 6th

THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE LOVE

What is our relationship with God?

What is the means for establishing that relationship?

What final goal will we attain once that relationship has been established?

Every living being is incessantly searching for happiness. This search is natural to our being, since we are parts of God, who is an ocean of Divine Bliss. The search for happiness is unknowingly the search for God. Hence, God-realization is the goal of our lives.
We cannot know God by our senses, mind, and intellect. These instruments of knowledge of ours are material, and cannot fathom the Divine nature of the Supreme Being.
The only means of knowing God is through is Grace, whereby He Himself bestows His Divine knowledge upon the soul.
If we wish to receive that Divine Grace, we must surrender ourselves to Him. This surrender is not an external act; it should be from within. True surrender is that of the mind.
The difficulty in surrendering our mind to God is that at present, it is attached to the world; we must first detach it from here, only then can we attach it to God.
At this stage, we need a Guru, or a Spiritual Master who can explain to us on the basis of the scriptures how to detach the mind from the world and attach it to God. The qualification of a genuine spiritual Master is that he must be God-realized himself.
Although the Vedas mention the three means of karm, gyana, and bhakti, our goal of God-realization can be accomplished through bhakti alone. Karm needs the addition of bhakti to make it karmyog; gyan needs the addition of bhakti to make it bhakti to it to make it gyanyog; while bhakti is by itself bhaktiyog.
This bhakti or devotion must be performed selflessly, without the desire for any material rewards. Even the desire for liberation is an inferior desire, since liberation is an automatic by-product of attaining devotion.
In this devotion, we can establish five kinds of relationships with the Supreme Being. We can look upon Him as our King, our Master, our Friend, our Child, or our Beloved. Amongst these, worshipping God as our Beloved, in the mood of the gopies of Vrindaban is the highest.
Longing for our Divine Beloved develops by the practise of Roop Dhyan, or meditation on the personal form of God. Along with this, we must learn to remember Him throughout the day, by feeling His Divine presence with us at all times.
When our heart is perfectly cleansed by the practise of devotion, we will receive another kind of devotion by the Grace of our Spiritual Master, called perfect devotion or Divine Love. This Divine Love is an eternal power of God; it is such a power that God Himself becomes captivated by the devotee who possesses it. With that Divine Love, we will engage in the eternal loving service of the Supreme Lord, and upon leaving this body, we will enter His eternal Divine leelas.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (addressed as Shri Maharaj Ji) took birth on October 6, 1922 on the auspicious full moon night in Mangarh, a tiny village in Northern India. His mother Bhagvati Devi and father Lalita Prasad Tripathi named their child Ram Kripalu. From childhood He showed signs of divinity and was a most precocious student. According to the custom of the times, His parents got Him married at a very young age to the daughter of a learned astrologer hailing from the nearby village of Leelapur. Today, Shrimati Padma Devi is the Divine Mother to devotees, who lovingly call Her ‘Amma.’ Despite being married, Shri Maharaj Ji often left home for long intervals, and at the age of sixteen, He was discovered roaming the Chitrakoot forests in divine ecstasy earlier exhibited only by the greatest personalities such as Gaurang Mahaprabhu and Ramkrishna Paramhans. While still in His teens He led devotees in an ecstatic chanting of Hare Ram Sankeertan, which lasted six months.

At the young age of 34, He was awarded the title of Jagadguru by Kashi Vidvat Parishat, the distinguished and exclusive organization of 500 Vedic scholars, in the holy city of Benaras, on 14th January 1957. The title of Jagadguru has been granted only four times before. The first Jagadguru is Adi Shankaracharya; the second one is Jagadguru Ramanujacharya, followed in history by Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya and Jagadguru Madhvacharya. The title of Jagadguru (Guru of the world) is awarded only to a divine personality who possesses complete theoretical knowledge of all scriptures as well as a practical experience of God, and who brings about a spiritual revolution in the world.

When delivering enlightening discourses such as the ones given by Shri Krishna (Gita) and Shukdev Paramhans (Bhagvatam), Shri Maharaj Ji recites the most difficult Sanskrit verses from the Vedas, Upanishads, Purans, Gita and other scriptures eloquently and explains them in a lucid manner that leaves both the scholar and the layman spellbound. The most remarkable aspect of His recitation is that He has never studied these scriptures. His formal education had come to an end at the age of sixteen. Shri Maharaj Ji has composed more than a thousand bhajans and more than 600 keertans that evoke extremely devotional sentiments within the heart. Many years ago He composed 1,008 devotional songs in only nine days. These are collectively known as the scripture ‘Prem Ras Madira.’ This scripture has been highly praised by the well-known poets of India.

Even at the age of 85, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj strictly follows His daily routine, which starts shortly after 2 a.m. As humble as He is great, He makes Himself accessible to all sincere spiritual aspirants. He has trained approximately fifty monastic disciples, male and female, who travel the world spreading the most authentic divine wisdom contained in the scriptures. His teachings have spread all over the world through his monastic disciples and through His televised discourses. Even at this age He travels extensively, mostly throughout India.

The spiritual work undertaken by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is certainly His greatest contribution to society. However, His philosophy concentrates on creating a balance in life by taking care of the body as well as nurturing the soul. Recognizing the need to take care of the physical body also, Shri Maharaj Ji inspires devotees to engage in various humanitarian activities.

In this age when people are judged by material success, the human soul yearning for peace and fulfillment finds soothing solace in Shri Maharaj Ji, who shines with divinity and works tirelessly to uplift humanity. He shatters all doubts of spiritual confusion with great ease and effectively reveals a clear and practical path leading to God. He is, in true sense of the word, a Jagadguru, Guru of the entire world.

May He bless us all with His Divine Grace.

Essence of the Philosophy of Divine Love

From all the scriptures we need to understand the answers to three questions:

What is our relationship with God?

What is the means for establishing that relationship?

What final goal will we attain once that relationship has been established?

These questions are addressed by Shree Maharajji’s philosophy which has been summarized as below:

Every living being is incessantly searching for happiness. This search is natural to our being, since we are an eternal part of God, who is the ocean of Divine Bliss. The search for happiness is the search for God, except that is unknown to our mind and intellect. Hence, God-realization is the goal of our lives.

We cannot know God by our senses, mind, and intellect. These instruments of knowledge of ours are material, and cannot fathom the Divine nature of the Supreme Being.

The only means of knowing God is through is Grace, whereby He Himself bestows His Divine knowledge upon the soul.

If we wish to receive that Divine Grace, we must surrender ourselves to Him. This surrender is not an external act; it should be from within. True surrender is that of the mind.

The difficulty in surrendering our mind to God is that at present, it is attached to the world; we must first detach it from here, only then can we attach it to God.

At this stage, we need a Guru, or a Spiritual Master who can explain to us on the basis of the scriptures how to detach the mind from the world and attach it to God. The qualification of a genuine spiritual Master is that he must be God-realized himself.

Although the Vedas mention the three means of karm, gyana, and bhakti, our goal of God-realization can be accomplished through bhakti alone. Karm needs the addition of bhakti to make it karmyog; gyan needs the addition of bhakti to make it bhakti to it to make it gyanyog; while bhakti is by itself bhaktiyog.

This bhakti or devotion must be performed selflessly, without the desire for any material rewards. Even the desire for liberation is an inferior desire, since liberation is an automatic by-product of attaining devotion.

In this devotion, we can establish five kinds of relationships with the Supreme Being. We can look upon Him as our King, our Master, our Friend, our Child, or our Beloved. Amongst these, worshipping God as our Beloved, in the mood of the gopies of Vrindaban, is the highest.

Longing for our Divine Beloved develops by the practice of Roop-dhyan, or meditation on the personal form of God. Along with this, we must learn toremember Him throughout the day, by feeling His Divine presence with us at all times.

When our heart is perfectly cleansed by the practice of devotion, we will receive another kind of devotion by the Grace of our Spiritual Master, called perfect devotion or Divine Love. This Divine Love is an eternal power of God; it is such a power that God Himself becomes captivated by the devotee who possesses it. With that Divine Love, we will engage in the eternal loving service of the Supreme Lord, and upon leaving this body, we will enter His eternal Divine leelas.

Swami ji Video

Radhey Radhey Devotees,

This kirtan was sung on Annual function, Puri.

Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj

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 Maharaj ji", 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. These 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 Maharaj ji 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.

Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

The Jagadguru Tradition - World Teachers of the Eternal Religion

Divine personalities who displayed unparalleled mastery over all Vedic scriptures, and who brought about a spiritual revolution in the minds of the people by their unique explanation of Vedic knowledge, have traditionally been conferred the title of Jagadguru, or Spiritual Master of the whole world. In the past 5000 years of the present age of Kali, five personalities have been recognized as original Jagadgurus:

2. Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya

Appeared shortly after Shree Shankaracharya. He put forward the philosophy of dwaitadvaitvad or dualistic non-dualism, which states that the soul and God have perfect oneness and yet perfect duality. He emphasized devotion to Radha Krishna.

3. Jagadguru Ramanujacharya

Appeared on this earth planet about 1,000 years ago. His philosophy is known as vishisht advaitvad, or qualified non-dualism. He put great emphasis on surrender to God, and established the proper system of worship in temples throughout India.

4. Jagadguru Madhavacharya

Who came about 700 years ago, was the vigorous propagator of dvaitvad or the philosophy of dualism. He stressed that the attainment of the personal form of God is the goal of all the souls, and that God, maya and the soul are always separate entities.

5. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj - The Supreme Acharya of this Age

An historical event happened in the glorious puri of God Shiv, Kashi, in January 1957 when Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj gave a profound series of lectures at the invitation of the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, a body of 500 of the topmost Vedic scholars of India who collectively represent the seat of spiritual learning.

Shree Maharaj ji spoke for ten days revealing the secrets of the Hindu scriptures. He reconciled the apparent contradictions between the various Vedic scriptures, and the differences between the views of the previous Jagadgurus, to reveal the true path to God-realization for the welfare of all humankind.

With profound admiration, the scholars accepted that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all 500 of them put together. They unanimously acclaimed him as Jagadguru, the Spiritual Master of the world. They further added that he was "Jagadguruttam," or Supreme amongst all Jagadgurus. Among the various accolades that they showered upon him was "Bhakti-Yog Rasavatar", or the personification of the Bliss of devotion.

About Kripalu JI Maharj

1. Jagadguru Shankaracharya

Appeared about 2,500 years ago. He re-established the greatness of Vedic Sanatan Dharm in India. His philosophy is known as advaitvad or non-dualism. He established four seats, called maths, for the propagation of Vedic religion.

2. Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya

Appeared shortly after Shree Shankaracharya. He put forward the philosophy of dwaitadvaitvad or dualistic non-dualism, which states that the soul and God have perfect oneness and yet perfect duality. He emphasized devotion to Radha Krishna.

3. Jagadguru Ramanujacharya

Appeared on this earth planet about 1,000 years ago. His philosophy is known as vishisht advaitvad, or qualified non-dualism. He put great emphasis on surrender to God, and established the proper system of worship in temples throughout India.

4. Jagadguru Madhavacharya

Who came about 700 years ago, was the vigorous propagator of dvaitvad or the philosophy of dualism. He stressed that the attainment of the personal form of God is the goal of all the souls, and that God, maya and the soul are always separate entities.

5. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj - The Supreme Acharya of this Age

An historical event happened in the glorious puri of God Shiv, Kashi, in January 1957 when Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj gave a profound series of lectures at the invitation of the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, a body of 500 of the topmost Vedic scholars of India who collectively represent the seat of spiritual learning.

Shree Maharaj ji spoke for ten days revealing the secrets of the Hindu scriptures. He reconciled the apparent contradictions between the various Vedic scriptures, and the differences between the views of the previous Jagadgurus, to reveal the true path to God-realization for the welfare of all humankind.

With profound admiration, the scholars accepted that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all 500 of them put together. They unanimously acclaimed him as Jagadguru, the Spiritual Master of the world. They further added that he was "Jagadguruttam," or Supreme amongst all Jagadgurus. Among the various accolades that they showered upon him was "Bhakti-Yog Rasavatar", or the personification of the Bliss of devotion.

About Swami Mukundananda JI

Swami Mukundananda is a renouned spiritual teacher from India, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. He is a unique sanyasi (in the renounced order of life), who has a distinguished material educational background as well. Hearing the profound secrets of the Vedas from him is a rare privilege, for he is able to explain the ancient esoteric Vedic knowledge with rigourous scientific logic, in the modern context.

Swami Mukundananda finished his B.Tech. from the world-renowned Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He then completed his MBA from the equally distinguished Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. After that he worked for some time with one of India's topmost industrial house.

However, material education did not quench his thirst for knowing the Absolute Truth. The longing for God was so strong that he renounced his career and began travelling throughout India as a sanyasi. Ultimately his search took him to the lotus feet of his Spiritual Master, Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj. He was overawed by the unfathomable scriptural knowledge and ocean of Divine love that he saw manifest in his Gurudev.

Under the guidance of Shree Maharaj ji, he practiced intense sadhana while residing at the ashram. He also extensively studied the Vedic scriptures, and the Indian and Western systems of philosophy. On completion of his studies, his Guru entrusted him with the key task of propagating the ancient knowledge about the Eternal Truth, the world over.

Ever since he became Shree Maharajji's disciple and a preacher, Swamiji has been traveling far and wide, awakening hundreds of thousands of Seekers. Using perfect logic, and a simple-yet-scientific approach, Swamiji offers new ways of understanding and applying the knowledge of the Scriptures in our daily lives. The hallmark of his speech is the ease with which he dispels various myths and misnomers associated with the various paths of God-realization and the ability to penetrate even the toughest minds and convince them with his depth and scriptural veracity.

Swami ji has now been delivering religious discourses for the last twenty four years, as a preacher of the Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat. Swami ji is also the founder of the Jagadguru Kripalu Yog Trust.

In India, Swamiji attracts huge audiences. His simple, scientific and interesting presentation of the philosophy is so powerful that it has changed the lives of thousands of people. He often tours outside India as well. He has inspired thousands of people in USA, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, where his visit is always anxiously awaited.

His lectures cover the teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavatam, Puranas, Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayan, and other Eastern and Western philosophies. Like the true disciple of a true master, Swami ji masterfully quotes from scriptures of different religions, to satisfy even the most discerning of knowledge seekers. He also reveals the simple and straightforward way of God-realization which can be practiced by anyone. Another special feature about his lectures is that he establishes every spiritual truth through scriptural quotations, irrefutable logic and humorous real-life illustrations. His wisdom filled anecdotes, humorous stories and clarity has the audience both enthralled and entertained for the entire duration of his lecture!

Swamiji's warmth and humility touch all those who have the fortune to have his association. In fact, his very presence radiates Grace and Bliss.

"True Meaning of Yoga"

"Yoga" is becoming increasingly popular around the world. However, in the name of "yoga" merely asanas, or physical exercises, are being taught. These are no doubt helpful, but without emphasis on the purification of the mind, their effectiveness in curing physical diseases is limited, and mental diseases remain ignored and untouched.

Jagadguru Kripalu Yog incorporates both material and spiritual knowledge for the complete physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual health of humankind. It is based upon the timeless wisdom of the Vedic scriptures. The techniques of Jagadguru Kripalu Yog are not something new; they have been practiced by true yogis in India for centuries. They are the authentic scriptural form of the various techniques - yogasanas, pranayam, meditation, subtle-body relaxation, Divine love, and proper diet - all in one place. For anyone desiring to learn the holistic science of healthy living, sincere practice of these techniques will definitely bring about well-being from within.

A healthy body and a calm, composed mind - these are the basis for attaining our goal in life. Without these, life itself becomes a painful experience. No matter how successful we become in our field of work, if the body is ailing and the mind is disturbed, then we will remain unhappy. Hence, our most valuable possession is not our wealth, property or car, but our own body and mind. The old adage states: "Health is wealth". Realizing the truth in this statement, an intelligent person should spend time and effort to learn the science of healthy living, for physical and mental wellbeing.

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the Supreme Jagadguru of this age, explains that the attainment of a healthy mind in a healthy body requires a synthesis of body material and spiritual knowledge. The body, which is made from the five material elements and sustained by what we eat and drink, must be kept in good shape through of material science. And the mind must be cleansed and elevated through spiritual science.

Simplistic spiritual practitioners sometimes proclaim that since we are the soul and not the material body, we must only cultivate the spirit and pay no attention to the body. However, if the body falls sick, the mind gets filled with the sensation of physical pain, and one cannot even think of God. A healthy body is our boat for crossing the ocean of material existence. Conversely, materialists often proclaim spiritual science as a waste of time and an impediment to material progress. This is also naïve, for without the help of spiritual knowledge, material science has no means of eliminating the negative propensities of the mind. We may harness external nature through modern technology to multiply our bodily comforts, but how will we harness the forces of our internal nature, such as lust, anger, greed, envy and illusion.

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji, lovingly called "Maharaj Ji" by his devotees, teaches the perfect synthesis of material and spiritual knowledge, by both precept and example. At the age of 85, he still spends over an hour everyday to remain physically fit, and possesses such health that would be the envy of a 50 year old. He follows a perfect regimen for his meals and adheres to a meticulously healthy diet, not so much for his own well-being, but rather to set an ideal for all of us.

Invitation