Kripalu Maharaj

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Kripalu Maharaj
Born October 22, 1922
Mangarh, Pratapgarh
Titles/honours Jagadguru.
Prominent Disciple(s) Swami Mukundananda, Swami Prakashananda

Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj (Sanskrit: जगदगुरु कृपालु जी महाराज) (born October 1922) is a Hindu spiritual leader from Allahabad, India.[1][2][3]

He is the preceptor of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a worldwide Hindu non-profit organization with 5 main spiritual centers;[4] four in India and one in the USA.[5] JKP Radha Madhav Dham is one of the largest Hindu Temple complexes in the Western Hemisphere,[6] and the largest in North America.[7][8][9]

He received the title of Jagadguru (world teacher) at the age of 34 by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (the oldest and most recognised body of Varanasi's intellectuals) on Makar Sankranti day, 14 January 1957.[1][10]

Contents

Birth and early life history[edit]

Kripaluji Maharaj was born on the full moon (Purnima) in October 1922 as Ram Kripalu Tripathi in Mangarh, near Allahabad, in India.[3][10] He received his preliminary education in Hindi and Sanskrit in the local school. He went on to study advanced Sanskrit and Ayurved in Indore and Varanasi and spent a year or more around Chitrakoot.[1] After completing his formal education, at the age of 16, he entered into self-imposed banbas.[1] He found his way to Vrindavan and the next year he emerged as a Guru[10] known affectionately as Shree Maharajji.[10] When he was 17 years old, he led a 6 month continuous chanting of the "maha mantra".[10]

Jagadguru[edit]

In 1955 Kripalu Maharaj organized a religious convention in which prominent spiritual leaders of India gathered.[11][12] Mahamahopadhyay Giridhar Sharma, President of the Kashi Vidvat Parishad had also come and was impressed by Kripaluji Maharaj's scriptural knowledge.[11][13] Kripalu Maharaj was invited to give discourse at the Kashi Vidvat Parishad in 1957.[11][12][14]

The congregation had scholars of Vanarasi and many from all over the India.[11][12] His speeches lasted for seven days,[11] after which he was formally installed as the fifth Jagadguru.[11][12][15] He was 34 years old when given the title "Jagad Guru" (world teacher) on 14 January 1957, by the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, a group of Hindu scholars[10][15][16] The Kashi Vidvat Parishad also conferred on him the titles Bhaktiyog-Ras-Avtar and Jagadguruttam.[17]

According to Kripalu Maharaj, "the desired goal of the soul is to attain the selfless Divine love of Radha Krishn who are eternally related to you".[11] He teaches that Radha Krishna are the supreme 'form' of God and the 'form' of Divine Love[10] and are eternally related to us.[10]

TV discourses[edit]

Kripalu Maharaj's discourses are broadcast every day on TV channels such as Aastha, Sadhna TV, Sahara Samay and Sanskar TV.[18] In the United States, his discourses are also broadcast every weekday on TV Asia.[19] In his TV discourses, Kripalu Maharaj quotes the chapter and verse of everything he cites.[20]

Ashrams and temples[edit]

Kripaluji Maharaj is the founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a worldwide Hindu non-profit religious organization with four main ashrams in India, (Rangeeli Mahal, Barsana; Bhakti Dham, Mangarh; Shyama Shyam Dham, Vrindavan and Jagadguru Dham, Vrindavan) and one in the USA (Radha Madhav Dham, Austin).[4] Besides these 5 main ashrams, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat has established a number of teacher centres in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Fiji Island, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Nepal, Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, Trinidad, West Indies, United Kingdom and in many cities throughout India and USA.[21] The organization also publishes a Hindi magazine, Sadhan Sadhya, three times a year,[22] as well as a monthly newsletter.[23]

He has also established four temples[24] - Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple, Austin;[5] Bhakti Mandir, Mangarh; Prem Mandir, Vrindavan[25][26] and Kirti Maiya Mandir, Vrindavan.

Prem Mandir[edit]

Prem Mandir is a religious and spiritual complex in Vrindavan. Construction of Prem Mandir began on January 2001 and the inauguration took place Feb 2012. 30,000 tons of Italian marble have been used in the construction and carved with unique machines like KUKA robotics. The presiding deity will be Yugal Sarkar (Radha Krishn).[27] A 73,000 square feet, pillar-less, dome shaped satsang hall is being constructed next to Prem Mandir, which will accommodate 25,000 people at a time.[26]

Philanthropic Activities[edit]

Kripalu Maharaj has established three hospitals: one in Mangarh, one in Barsana and one in Vrindavan. These hospitals provide modern methods of diagnosis and medicines to the poor free of charge.[1][28][29][30] The Barsana and Mangarh hospitals are serving rural populations of 1,000,000 within their catchment radii of 80–100 km each and each treating 600 – 700 patients daily. The expenses are all borne by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.[31] In addition, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat is active in Disaster Relief,[32] vehicle donation where needed,[33] and cataract camps.[28]

Kripalu Maharaj is also the founder of JKP Education, which runs three colleges for girls in Kunda, Uttar Pradesh (Kripalu Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Kripalu Balika Primary School and Kripalu Balika Intermediate College).[34][35] These colleges provide free education for students from Kindergarten to Post graduation.[36]

Jagadguru Kripalu University of Spiritual Science[edit]

Kripalu Maharaj's senior disciple, Swami Mukundananda, founder of the Jagadguru Kripalu Yog Trust, is establishing the Jagadguru Kripalu University of Spiritual Science in Cuttack, Orissa. The University is planned to occupy 250 acres of land near Banki.[37] The University aims to eventually cater to 10,000 students across multiple areas of study. The State Government has agreed to provide 110 acres of land in the first phase and the remaining 140 acres in the second phase, as well as utilities.[38][39][40]

Bibliography[edit]

Philosophy Books[11][41][42]

  • Prem Ras Siddhant - The philosophy of Divine love. It was first published (in Hindi) in 1955. Later it was published is several other languages of India. It has been described as an Incredible Book by Swami Sivananda among others.
  • Bhakti Shatak - The concise philosophy of the Upnishads, Gita, Brahm Sutra and the Bhagwatam in an easy to understand style
  • Radha Govind Geet - Printed in two volumes, with eleven thousand one hundred and eleven couplets of Radha Krishn leelas and the devotional philosophy

Kirtan[11][43]

  • Prem Ras Madira - 1008 songs (pad) of Radha Krishn leelas, devotional philosophy and humbleness
  • Yugal Shatak - One hundred kirtans of Radha Rani and Krishn
  • Yugal Ras - Kirtans of Radha Krishn
  • Shree Krishn Dwadashi and Shree Radha Trayodashi - Twelve pad in which he has fully described the beauty and the decorations of Krishn, and thirteen pad about the beauty and the decorations of Radha Rani

Renditions of Shree Maharajji's bhajans and kirtans have been recorded by singers such as Manna Dey[44] and Anuradha Paudwal.[45] Anup Jalota has also agreed to release several CDs of his compositions.[46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Singh, K. 28 January 2007. Varanasi seer’s memory is phenomena. Tribune India.
  2. ^ Ex-Nepalese King Gyanendra meets Indian Spiritual guru. 02/10/2008. Asian News International.
  3. ^ a b "Maharaj Ji Kripalu". Retrieved 14 december 2011. 
  4. ^ a b Walker, J.K. 2007. The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality. Harvest House Publishers.
  5. ^ a b Radha Madhav Dham. The Harvard Plurism Project.
  6. ^ Vedic Foundation Inaugurated at Barsana Dham, Austin. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  7. ^ Ciment, J. 2001. Encyclopedia of American Immigration. Michigan: M.E. Sharpe
  8. ^ Hylton, H. & Rosie, C. 2006. Insiders' Guide to Austin. Globe Pequot Press.
  9. ^ Mugno, M. & Rafferty, R.R. 1998. Texas Monthly Guidebook to Texas. Gulf Pub. Co.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Melton, G. 2003. The Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Saraswati, S. 2001. The true history and the religion of India: a concise encyclopedia of authentic hinduism. Motilal Banarsidass
  12. ^ a b c d Hashmi, Lubna (15 January 2011). "Figure of Divine Love: Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj". Aaj Ki Khabar. Retrieved 4 December 2011. 
  13. ^ "A Wisdom Archive on Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj". Retrieved 14 December 2011. 
  14. ^ "Kripalu Maharaj". Retrieved 14 December 2011. 
  15. ^ a b Singh, K. 29 January 2007. Without people or drink. The Telegraph.
  16. ^ The Meaning of Makar Sankranti and Jagadguru Divas. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  17. ^ Pandey, V.K. 2007. Encyclopaedia of Indian philosophy - Part 1. Delhi: Anmol Publications
  18. ^ Csordas, T. 2009. Transnational transcendence: essays on religion and globalization. University of California Press.
  19. ^ Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj on TV Asia
  20. ^ Singh. K. Saturday, 4 March 2006. Tricks memory plays. The Tribune
  21. ^ Regular Satsang Programs. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  22. ^ Sadhan Sadhya. Retrieved 19 Dec 2011.
  23. ^ JKP Monthly Newsletter. Retrieved 19 Dec 2011.
  24. ^ JKP Ashrams. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  25. ^ Singhal, A. 25 Feb 2011. Foundation stone of Satsang Bhawan to be laid on in Prem Mandir. Indilive.com. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  26. ^ a b Singhal, A. 1 Mar 2011. Foundation stone of renowned Satsang Bhawan laid by Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj. Indlive.com. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  27. ^ Agratoday News Service. 1 July 2010. Dream Of “एक झोंपड़ी हो कृष्ण के बृज में” Now Becomes A Reality. Retrieved 28 Dec 2011.
  28. ^ a b Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya. 25 Jul 2011. Aaj Ki Khabar. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  29. ^ Free Cataract Workshop organized by Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya Mangarh, Kunda. 25 Jul 2011. Aaj Ki Khabar. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011.
  30. ^ JKP Hospitals. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  31. ^ Singhal, A. 20 Nov 2010. "Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya", a hand for the poor. Indialive.com. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  32. ^ Contributions to PM's relief fund cross 200 crore mark. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  33. ^ Kripaluji Gives School for Blind a Minibus. Retrieved 15 Dec 2011
  34. ^ Sinha, L. 5 Dec 2011. Utthan 2011: Annual Function at Kripalu Mahila Mahavidyalaya. Pranam India. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  35. ^ Jagaduru Kripalu Parishat Education. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  36. ^ Gyan-Vigyan. 2010 - 2011. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  37. ^ Jagadguru Kripalu University for Spiritual Sciences. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  38. ^ Kripalu Yog Trust signs MoU with govt to build university in Orissa. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  39. ^ MOU signed for a Vedic University in Banki. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  40. ^ State Bureau. 15 Jul 2008. Orissa govt signs its fourth MoU for higher education. The Financial Express
  41. ^ Prem Ras Siddhant (ISBN 1-881921-08-5) lth 5 & 6, le Kripaluji Maharaj
  42. ^ "The Literature Revealed by Kripaluji Maharaji". Retrieved 14 December 2011. 
  43. ^ "Prem Ras Madira". Retrieved 14 December 2011. 
  44. ^ Kinnear, M. 1985. A discography of Hindustani and Karnatic music. Greenwood Press.
  45. ^ Video Keertans by Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  46. ^ Rang De with Anup Jalota at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin. 20 Oct 2011. Indo-American News. Retrieved 15 December 2011.

External links[edit]

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