Kripalu Vedic Wisdom

Shri Radhashtami

Shri Krishna is quite well-known, whereas people hardly know Shri Radha. Rather due to lack of knowledge of Shri Radha’s personality, people doubt Her and criticize Her pastimes. So, on the auspicious occasion of Radha Ashtami, let us reflect on the Supreme personality of Shri Radha. Sri Radha, who

Festivals

Raksha bandhan (Rakhi)

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on 'Shravan Purnima' (full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan), which generally falls in the month of August, every year. All the Indian festivals have some spiritual significance. The literal meaning of 'Raksha-Bandhan' is 'the bond of protection'

Festivals

Naag Panchami

Most of us know how the festival of Naag Panchami is celebrated in most parts of the country. However, rarely does anyone know why, when and how did this festival originate. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, out of His extreme grace and kindness, shed light on the origin of this

Festivals

Guru Poornima

The most auspicious occasion for the spiritual aspirants is this day. Disciples of an authentic Spiritual master, who is constantly showering the nectar of divine bliss on His followers, long for this day. Although one has to adore his master every moment of every day of life. Nevertheless we get

Festivals

Mahaprabhu Jayanti

It is the auspicious day of the advent of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was the combined incarnation of Shri Radha Krishna. When Shri Krishna decided to descend on earth to deliver ignorant souls being misled due to incredible impact of Kaliyug, He requested Shri Radha to come along with Him.

Festivals

Maha Shivratri

Shivaratri or Maha Shiva Ratri is an important Hindu festival, celebrated all over India. Lord Shiva is a deity in the trinity. He is the divine manifestation of the Supreme God as the destroyer of the universe. On thid day devotees of Lord Shiva chant the Mantra “Om Namah Shivai”

Festivals

Gopi prem Divas (Valentines Day)

Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine Day) is annually observed on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. It was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers,

Festivals

Basant Panchami - First Day of Spring

The Indian festival of Basant (or Vasant) Panchami marks advent of spring season Vasant Ritu (Devanagari: वसंत ऋतु ISO15919: vasanta r̥tu ). It is the first day of spring season and it always falls on the fifth day of Hindu month of Magh (Jan-Feb), in the waxing phase of

Festivals

Jagadguruttam Divas (Makar Sankranti)

Makar Sankranti is a festival of Harvest. Hindus from all the parts of India celebrate it every year with great cheer and devotion. It is also the day when the Sun-god starts ascending. It is reflected in this Vedic verse, तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। tamaso mā jyotirgamaya।

Festivals

Bhakti Divas (New Year)

Celebrating the New Year is an ancient tradition. This tradition began with the ancient Babylonians, who hosted festivities that lasted for days to mark the first new moon following the vernal equinox—the day in late March with an equal amount of sunlight and darkness—heralded the start of a

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

mandukakupa nyaya | मण्डूककूप न्याय

mandukakupa nyaya (Devanagari: मण्डूककूप न्याय ISO15919: maṇḍūkakūpa nyāya) meaning "frog in a well," compares a frog stuck in a well to someone with limited knowledge or experience. The frog, knowing only the well, cannot imagine the vastness of the ocean unless someone from

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

kirtan | कीर्तन

Kirtan (Devanagari: कीर्तन ISO15919: kīrtana) is the solo chanting of God's names, attributes, and pastimes and is considered the most suitable spiritual practice for the present age. One can also use musical instruments while chanting, as playing them helps improve focus and reduces distractions. Scriptures recommend

The Saint

Which Vedic Darshan should be followed?

There are six Vedic schools of philosophy called darshan. Together all these are called Darshan Shastra. Some are astik darshan some of these are nastik darshan. Some advise reduction of suffering others advise finding bliss. This is very confusing. What should one follow? Good question. Let us solve it here.

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

moksha | मोक्ष

Same as mukti

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

ragatmika bhakti - the leader

Ragatmika Bhakti (Devanagari: रागात्मिका भक्ति ISO15919: rāgātmikā bhakti) is the spontaneous thirst of Shri Krishna-love in the hearts of the eternal associates of Shri Krishna. The natural love of the inhabitants of Braj is the example of Ragatmika Bhakti. It is found in Nand, Yashoda,

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Raganuga bhakti - the follower

Spontaneous love for Shri Krishna aroused in the heart of a most fortunate jiva is known as raganuga bhakti (Devanagari: रागानुगा भक्ति ISO15919: rāgānugā bhakti) . Those who follow the precepts of raganuga bhakti are not ruled by the scriptures at all. Still, beware, disobeying or dishonoring

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

prasthana trai | प्रस्थान त्रै

A material mind has material experiences and has partial knowledge of material rules. With such a mind divine rules cannot be learned or understood. Vedas are the final authority in Sanatana dharma. Since, they are God-like they cannot be understood by anyone. Still, to start sadhana one needs to acquire

Bhaktiyog

Types of Bhakti

Bhakti means love. Love can be expressed in uncountable ways. So ,bhakti is also of uncountable types. In only one scripture Bhagavat dozens of types of bhakti are mentioned. Listing a few ways mentioned in the scriptures and as described by Shri Maharaj Ji. A classification Bhakti is of three

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Names of Shri Krishna

Vedas assert that Shri Krishna is The Supreme Brahm. Vedas also proclaim that nothing about Him is finite. He has countless names, countless forms, countless lilas, countless attributes, countless lok and countless saints. An attempt to enumerate His names is laughable. Yet, there might be some sadhaks who want to

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

jarini | जारिणी

Feminine form of jaar is jarini (Devanagari: जारिणी ISO15919: jāriṇī). Synonymn is vyabhicharini (Devanagari: व्यभिचारिणी ISO15919: vyabhicāriṇī). In the world this is a deprecating word for promiscuous women. However, Ved Vyas has used this word in Bhagavatam in reference to the gopis for they

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

madhyama adhikari | मध्यम अधिकारी

madhyama adhikari (Devanagari: मध्यम अधिकारी ISO15919: madhyama adhikārī) is one who does not have scriptural knowledge and yet has no doubts, has strong faith. As described in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu these people are less suitable candidates for practicing bhakti. If these people don't encounter any

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

bhikshu pada prasarana nyaya | भिक्षु पाद प्रसारण न्याय

bhikshu pada prasarana nyaya (Devanagari: भिक्षु पाद प्रसारण न्याय ISO15919: bhikṣu pāda prasāraṇa nyāya) is a philosophy from the book of Nyay. It is literally translated as beggar stretching legs philosophy and best described with a short story. In the end we describe

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

halahala | हालाहल

halahala (Devanagari: हालाहल ISO15919: hālāhala) is the virulent poison produced during the churning of the milk ocean Kshirasagara. All devatas and rakshasa became unconscious due to the fumes of that poison. Lord Shankara saved them all by swallowing it and holding it in His throat turning his throat

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

aja kripaniya nyay |अजा कृपाणीयन्याय

aja kripaniya nyay (Devanagari: अजा कृपाणीयन्याय ISO15919: ajā kr̥pāṇiyanyāya ) is another rule in the book of rules called Nyay Shastra. Word by word these are the synonyms aja = goat | kripaniya = sword | nyay = rule It simply means when ill fate has to befall a person

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

rudh | रूढ़

The highest level of perfect devotion is mahabhava with the greatest selflessness in love for Shri Krishna. It has two levels. rudh mahabhava (Devanagari: रूढ़ महाभाव ISO15919: rūṛh mahābhāva) is the lower of the two levels. sadhana siddha gopis can attain up to this level. Also written