Kripalu Maharaj

Last updated

Jagadguru Shri
Kripalu
Jī Maharaj
Kripalu Ji Maharaj Giving Lecture (cropped).jpg
Jagadguru Shrī Kripalu Ji Maharaj
Personal
Born
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

(1922-10-05)5 October 1922 [1]
Mangarh, Pratapgarh, United Provinces, British India (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) [2]
Died15 November 2013(2013-11-15) (aged 91) [1]
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Religion Hinduism
Home town Kripalu Dham, Mangarh, Pratapgarh (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) [3]
Lineage
Notable work(s)
  • Prem Ras Siddhant
  • Prem Ras Madira
  • Shyama Shyam Geet
  • Radha Govind Geet
  • Braj Ras Madhuri Part 1-4
  • Yugal Shatak
  • Yugal Ras
  • Yugal Madhuri
  • Bhakti Shatak
  • Radha Trayodashi
  • Kripalu Trayodashi
Organization
Temple
Religious career
Period in office1957–2013
Post
  • Shrimat Padavyakya Pramana Paravarina
  • Vedamarga-Pratisthapan Acharya
  • Nikhildarshan Samanvayacharya
  • Sanatana Vadic Dharma Pratishthapana Satsampradaya Paramacharya
  • Bhaktiyoogarasavatar
  • Bhafavadananta Shri Vibhushita Jagadguruttam
Website Official website
Sanskrit name
Sanskrit कृपालु जी महाराज

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (IAST: Kṛpālu; 5 October 1922 – 15 November 2013) [4] [5] was an Indian spiritual guru and the fifth Jagadguru. [6] He was the founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a worldwide Hindu non-profit organization with five main ashrams, [7] four in India and one in the United States. [8] [9]

Contents

On Makar Sankranti, 14 January 1957, [10] [11] he received the title of Jagadguru (world teacher) from Kashi Vidvat Parishat, [6] the fifth original Jagadguru in Indian history. [12] [13]

Early life and education

Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj was born on 5 October 1922 in the village of Kripalu Dham, Mangarh, Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. [14] His mother was Bhagwati Devi and his father was Lalta Prasad Tripathi, a pious Brahmin.

Jagadguru

Receiving the title of Jagadguru from the scholars of Kashi Vidvat Parishad (the distinguished and exclusive organization of 500 Vedic scholars) (false colour) Receiving Jagadguru Award.jpg
Receiving the title of Jagadguru from the scholars of Kashi Vidvat Parishad (the distinguished and exclusive organization of 500 Vedic scholars) (false colour)

In 1955, Kripalu Ji Maharaj organized a religious convention for spiritual leaders in India. [15] Mahamahopadhyay Giridhar Sharma, President of the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, attended the convention and was impressed by Kripalu's scriptural knowledge. [15] [16] In 1957, Kripalu Ji was invited to lecture for ten days on scripture philosophy at the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, a group of 500 scholars of Vedic literature. [15]

The congregation had scholars from Varanasi and other parts of India. [15] Shri Maharaj Ji lectured for seven days about the Hindu scriptures. On 14 January 1957 the scholars declared him to be Jagadguru, a spiritual master of the world. [17] [15] [18] He was 34 years old when given the title, [11] [10] [18] [19] the fifth person ever to receive it. [6] [11] The Kashi Vidvat Parishat also conferred on him the titles Bhaktiyog-Ras-Avtar and Jagadguruttam, [20] as well as the title Samanvaya-Acharya: he who analyses and reconciles the meaning of all the scriptures, the six philosophies and the teachings of other previous Jagadgurus.

Life after Jagadguru

After accepting the title of Jagadguru, Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj traveled throughout India for around 14 years between 1957 and 1971. He delivered month-long discourses in various cities, lecturing to tens of thousands of people.[ citation needed ]

In 1970, he established Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a charitable religious organization, to disseminate his teachings throughout the world. [21]

Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj composed thousands of bhajans and kirtans, including Prem Ras Madira, a collection of 1008 devotional songs. His book on philosophy, Prem Ras Siddhant, discusses the ultimate aim of the individual soul, the importance of attaining divine grace, and the indispensability of surrendering to a Saint. Shri Maharaj Ji's bhajan books include Braj Ras Madhuri, Yugal Madhuri, Yugal Shatak, Bhakti Shatak, Yugal Ras, Shyama Shyam Geet, Radha Govind Geet, Krishna Dwadashi and Radha Trayodashi. [22]

During his lifetime, he personally trained more than 50 Pracharaks, male and female monastic disciples. They continue to travel in India and around the world as his ordained representatives, spreading his teachings.

Controversy

In 2010, a tragic stampede occurred at Kripalu Maharaj's ashram in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of 63 people, primarily women and children. [23]

Kripalu Maharaj faced two allegations of indecent assault, neither of which were proven in court. Based on complaints lodged by the father of two young disciples in 1991, he was charged with indecent assault in 1997 in Nagpur. In 2018, a bench of the Bombay High Court abated the charges but noted that the disciples had "voluntarily kept physical relations" with Maharaj. A similar charge was brought against Maharaj by a woman from Trinidad in 2007. However, this charge also was never proven in court. [24]

TV appearances

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's discourses are broadcast daily on several religious TV channels, including DD India, Aastha TV, Sadhna TV, IBN 7, News24 and Sanskar TV. [25] [26] In the United States, his discourses are also broadcast everyday on TV Asia. [27]

Works

Philosophical books

Kirtans

Renditions of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's bhajans and kirtans have been recorded by singers such as Manna Dey [31] and Anuradha Paudwal. Anup Jalota, [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhajan</span> Singing of poems or hymns in Indian traditions

Bhajan refers to any devotional song with a religious theme or spiritual ideas, specifically among Dharmic religions, in any language. The term bhajanam means reverence and originates from the root word bhaj, which means to revere, as in 'Bhaja Govindam' . The term bhajana also means sharing.

Jagadguru, literally meaning "guru of the universe", is a title used in Sanātana Dharma. Traditionally, it has been bestowed upon or used for ācāryas belonging to the Vedānta school who have written Sanskrit commentaries on the Prasthānatrayī – the Brahma sūtras, the Bhagavad-gītā and the principal Upaniṣads. Historically, jagadgurus have established a lineage and an institution to spread dharma which has been based in Varanasi, the centre of Sanskrit study.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Vallabha Sampradaya</span> Hindu tradition that reveres goddess Radha as the Supreme being

The Radha Vallabha Sampradaya is a Vaishnava Hindu denomination which began in 1535 at Vrindavan with the bhakti sant Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu (1502–1552). Harivansh's views are related to Krishnaism, but emphasises devotion to the goddess Radha as the Supreme Being.

Pratapgarh, also called Belha or Bela Pratapgarh, is a town and municipality in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Pratapgarh district, part of the Prayagraj division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Madhav Dham</span> Hindu temple and ashram complex in south of Austin, Texas (USA)

Radha Madhav Dham, originally called Barsana Dham is the main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a nonprofit organization located on more than 200 acres of land in Hays County, south of Austin, Texas. It is a Hindu temple and ashram campus, the oldest Hindu Temple in Texas the largest in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Krishna</span> Divine couple in Hinduism

Radha-Krishna is the combined form of the Hindu god Krishna with his chief consort and shakti Radha. They are regarded as the feminine as well as the masculine realities of God, in several Krishnaite traditions of Vaishnavism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kunda, India</span> Town in Uttar Pradesh, India

Kunda is a town and a Tehsil in Pratapgarh district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Swami Nikhilanand is a Canadian-born Hindu spiritual leader. He is the spiritual teacher at Radha Madhav Dham) one of the largest Hindu Temple complexes in the Western Hemisphere, and the largest in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mukundananda</span> Indian religious teacher

Swami Mukundananda

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prem Mandir, Vrindavan</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Rama

Prem Mandir is a Hindu temple in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple was established by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. It is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, an international non-profit, educational, spiritual, charitable trust. The complex is on a 22-hectare (55-acre) site on the outskirts of Vrindavan. It is dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Ram. Radha Krishna are on the first level and Sita Ram are on the second level. Different Leelas of Shri Krishna and Rasik saints are depicted all over the wall of the main temple.

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), previously known as Sadhna Bhawan Trust, is a charitable religious organisation in India. It was established in 1970 by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and continues to run today under the three Presidents he appointed. The philanthropic activities are designed to fulfil the vision of Jagadguru Kripalu, who was entitled with Jagadguru on 14 January 1957. To fulfil his vision, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji established three major temples, Bhakti Mandir, Prem Mandir (Vrindavan) and Kirti Mandir (Barsana).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhakti Mandir Mangarh</span> Temple dedicated to Radha Krishna

Bhakti Mandir is a Hindu Temple located in Kripalu Dham Mangarh, Kunda, India. This divine temple was established by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj in November 2005. It is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a non-profit, charitable, educational and spiritual organisation. This temple is situated on the northern side of Ganga River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rangeeli Mahal Barsana</span> Temple dedicated to Goddess Radha

Rangeeli Mahal, founded in 1996, is one of the main centers of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, is located at Shri Radharani's eternal abode, Barsana. In describing the glory of Barsana dham, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj had said that within this Barsana dham resides the divine Barsana dham. In Rangeeli Mahal, there is a large satsang hall with depictions of Shri Radha Krishna's pastimes all around the hall. There are also beautifully landscaped gardens, waterfalls and other attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swami Shree Haridas Ji</span> Spiritual teacher

Swami Shree Haridas Ji is a Hindu spiritual leader from Kathmandu, Nepal. He was awarded the title of "Swami" on October 1, 2008, by Jagadguru Shri Keipalu Maharaj. Since then, he has been preaching the spiritual knowledge of the various notable Hindu religious works, as well as other Eastern and Western philosophies across Nepal. He has also preached in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog</span> Hindu organisation

Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog (JKYog) is a spiritual and charitable non-profit organization in United States. It was founded by Swami Mukundananda, a senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. JKYog works for physical, mental, spiritual wellness through a holistic system of Yog that includes Bhakti yoga, meditation, and spirituality. The organization also supports health care for the underprivileged and education for rural youth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swami Keshwanand Satyarthi</span> Indian guru (born 1943)

Shri Swami Keshwanand Satyarthi Ji Maharaj was an Indian guru of Shri Nangli Sahib lineage. The spiritual institution Paramhans Satyarthi Mission was led and governed by him. In 1985, Shri Paramhans Swami Ramanand Satyarthi Ji Maharaj anointed him as his spiritual successor and the patron saint of the Paramhans Satyarthi Mission. Swami Keshwanand Satyarthi Ji Maharaj travelled around the world and preached about spirituality and enlightenment. Swami Ramanand Satyarthi Trust, Shri Satyarthi High School, Shri Satyarthi Sevadal and Shri Satyarthi Sandesh Magazine were also administered under his guidance.

Kripalu Dham Mangarh is a village in Pratapgarh district in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Previously known as Mangarh, the Government of India changed the name of the village to Kripalu Dham Mangarh. It is the birthplace of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the Fifth Original Jagadguru in Indian history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashtasakhi</span> Group of eight closest companions of Radha-Krishna

The Ashtasakhi are a group of eight prominent gopis and close associates of the Hindu deities Radha-Krishna in the Braj region. In many sub-traditions of Krishnaism, they are revered as goddesses and consorts of Krishna. According to the Padma Purana, the Ashtasakhi are the eternal female companions of Radha-Krishna in the Dvapara Yuga, with whom they descended upon the earth from their celestial abode of Goloka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premanand Ji Maharaj</span> Hindu saint

Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj popularly known as Premanand Ji Maharaj is an Indian Hindu spiritual guru, saint, and philosopher. He is a worshipper of Radha Krishna. His Ashram is Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj in Vrindavan. He has gained an iconic social media presence due to his aversion to publicity and refusal to treat his celebrity devotees differently from others.

References

  1. 1 2 "Radha Madhav Society, US". RMS, US. Radha Madhav Society.
  2. ↑ "मनगढ़ का नाम बदला, अब "कृपालु धाम मनगढ़"".
  3. ↑ "Pratapgarh News: कुंडा के मनगढ़ गांव का नाम बदला, नया नाम कृपालु धाम मनगढ़ | Pratapgarh Mangarh village name changed now Kripalu Dham Mangarh". 24 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "Spiritual Guru Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj passes away". Zee News . 15 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "कृपालु महराज के निधन पर शोक में डूबा उत्तराखंड". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Singh, Khushwant (28 January 2007). "Varanasi seer's memory is phenomenal". The Tribune . Tribune India . Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Walker, J.K. 2007. The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality. Harvest House Publishers.
  8. ↑ "कृपालु महाराज ने न किसी को गुरु बनाया, न चेला". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  9. ↑ "Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj passes away". India Today. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 Melton, J. Gordon (2003). The Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale. ISBN   978-0-7876-9696-2.
  11. 1 2 3 "जगद्गुरु कृपालु के जयकारों से गूंजा वृंदावन". jagran. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Spiritual Guru Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj passes away". The Indian Express. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  13. ↑ "जानिए जगद्गुरु श्री कृपालु जी महाराज के बारे में, जिन्होंने कराया भव्य 'प्रेम मंदिर' का निर्माण". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). 13 August 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  14. ↑ "UP: सीएम योगी ने राजा भैया के विधानसभा क्षेत्र के एक गांव का बदला नाम, मनगढ़ से किया कृपालु... | News Track in Hindi". 24 May 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Saraswati, Prakashanand (2007). The True History and Religion Of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism (First ed.). New Delhi: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN   978-0230630659 . Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "A Wisdom Archive on Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj". Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "Kirti Mandir in Barsana Opens in a Grand and Historical Opening Ceremony". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  18. 1 2 Singh, Khushwant (29 January 2007). "Without people or drink". Opinion . The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 October 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  19. ↑ The Meaning of Makar Sankranti and Jagadguru Divas Archived 16 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine . 14 January 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  20. ↑ Pandey, V.K. 2007. Encyclopaedia of Indian philosophy – Part 1. Delhi: Anmol Publications
  21. ↑ "Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends his congratulations to Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat on the auspicious occasion of the 100th Birth Anniversary of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj | Entertainment".
  22. ↑ "Spiritual guru Kripalu Maharaj's last rites performed". Business-standard. 18 November 2013.
  23. ↑ "Sant Kripalu Maharaj vanishes after stampede kills 65 women, children". India TV News. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  24. ↑ "Disciples had consensual sex with Krupalu: HC". The Times of India. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  25. ↑ Csordas, Thomas J. (2009). Transnational Transcendence: Essays on Religion and Globalization (illustrated ed.). University of California Press. p. 287. ISBN   9780520257429 . Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  26. ↑ "Teachings". Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  27. ↑ "Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj on TV Asia". Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  28. ↑ Prem Rasa Siddhant ( ISBN   1-881921-08-5) lth 5 & 6, le "Kripalu ji Maharaj". Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Radha Govind Geet" . Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  30. ↑ "Raas Panchadhyayi". Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  31. ↑ Kinnear, M. 1985. A discography of Hindustani and Karnatic music. Greenwood Press.
  32. ↑ Rang De with Anup Jalota at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin Archived 5 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine . 20 October 2011. Indo-American News. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
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