Kripalu Vedic Wisdom

Bhakti-Devotion

Sanskrit word for devotion is bhakti (Devanagari: भक्ति ISO15919: bhakti ). Bhakti is the innermost divine power of God. Bhakti is the essence of divine love. The sweetness of this divine love is unparalleled. It is not only sweeter than all material forms of bliss but it is sweetest of

Bhakti Burns Misery

Nobody invites misery, yet misery befalls us unannounced. Before God-realization,  every jeev is subjected to vices of Maya viz, panchklesh , three kinds of tritaap or material afflictions. These sufferings are caused by a variety of reasons. Sanskrit word for these obstacles is klesh (क्लेश). Bhakti destroys these afflictions.

lila | लीला

Lila (Devanagari: लीला ISO15919: līlā ) means those actions which are contrary to ones personality. We mayabaddh jeev perform actions. When God descends on earth He too performs actions. Yet, there is a huge difference in the our actions and that of divine personalities. He is not afflicted by Maya

madhu | मधु

madhu (Devanagari: मधु ISO15919: madhu ) has a few different meanings * Honey. * Madhu sneh is a love which does not wax or wane. It eternally increases. * Name of a demon who was killed by Shri Krishna. That is why Shri Krishna is also called Madhusudana. LEARN MORE * Perfect devotion * Names of

asura | असुर

asura (Devanagari: असुर ISO15919: asura ) are demons. Tamas guna of Maya shakti dominates them. They naturally have sorcerer powers (मायावी) and are natural enemies of devatas . Their primary residence is Rasatal lok in the nether worlds. They are also called rakshasa (Devanagari: राक्षस ISO15919: rākṣasa

devata | देवता

devatas (Devanagari: देवता ISO15919: devatā ) are celestial beings entrusted with specific duties by God. Figures like Indra, the god of rain and thunder, and Agni, the god of fire, are examples of devatas. While they possess superhuman powers, advanced knowledge, and formidable weaponry, they are still considered material beings.

Why True Divine Love Can Never Be Faked?

Question We have been told that Shri Maharaj Ji’s divine body exhibits the eight symptoms of divine ecstasy Asht Sattvik Bhav . Is it not possible for someone to mimic or fake these expressions to dupe people? Answer : The symptoms of ecstasy of divine love manifest themselves in the body

Four Pillars of Dharma

Following the Vedic societal rules of righteous living is termed as following dharma . One living such a life stands on following fours pillars * truth (Devanagari: सत्य ISO15919: satya ) - being truthful in ones everyday dealings. * mercy (Devanagari: दया ISO15919: dayā ) - compassion towards others misery. * austerity (Devanagari: तप ISO15919:

Jagadguruttam Jayanti Mahotsav (Sharad Poornima)

Although in our Sanatan Dharm , there is a festival on each day of the year, yet, of all the festivals celebrated in our country, there is none more auspicious and important than Sharad-Poornima. It is on this day that Raaseshwari Radha Rani and Shri Krishna showered the highest form of

Festivals (what, when and why)

Festivals are a way to dedicate even more time in doing Roopadhyan of God and Guru . That is why the ancient sages and seers started the practice of observing so many festivals. The following festivals are celebrated in most of the ashrams of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj including Bhakti

Embrace Criticism, Empower Yourself

The Supreme Lord, Omnipotent, Omniscient, All-pervading Lord Ram descended in Tretayug . When He was the ruler of Ayodhya a washerman who criticized Lord Ram. Then what is the big surprise if someone in Kaliyug criticizes us, the ordinary jeev . Yet, we expect at that if others doesn’t shower praises

Lust is Not Love

Question : Our scriptures tell us that Shri Radha loves Shri Krishna with Madhurya bhav (a lover-beloved relationship), yet they also instruct us to control our senses. This can seem like a contradiction. How can a spiritual path glorify a lover-beloved relationship while discouraging it in our own lives? To understand

Not This. Not That. Only This Will Ever Satisfy You.

Question Your entire premise is that "we must love God as there is no happiness in this world". I would disagree with that - A cup of coffee in the coffee shop in the middle of work gives me happiness. Going out for dinner with friends is a

Why pursue pure bhakti?

The criteria described in Nyaya darshan are used to establish the absolute authority of anything. test of essentiality, test of indispensability, test of independence, test of universality, test of eternality. The scriptures elucidate karma , gyan and bhakti as paths for spiritual upliftment. Jagadguruttam Swami Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is the

Comparing Ragatmika and Raganuga Bhakti

Question Can God love us more than He loves the Ashta Mahasakhis like Lalita and Vishakha? Answer Shri Krishna Himself answers this question in the Gita - ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम ।  मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनु

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.

Repay Spiritual Debt or Embrace Devotion

Question Our Scriptures say that jeev has to pay off tri rin to attain salvation. Without paying off these debts there is no possibility of mukti from Maya . And without mukti from Maya there is no chance of attaining God realization . Shri Maharaj Ji propagates the philosophy of exclusively following

Namaparadh — Spiritual Transgressions

There are several categories of sins. The spiritual transgressions known as namaparadh (Devanagari: नामापराध ISO15919: nāmāparādha ) are the gravest of all sins. For other sins Vedas prescribe repentant Vedic rituals . Also, other sins can be washed away by seeking refuge at the lotus feet of Shri Krishna.

Tririn — Three Spiritual Debts

Bhagavan Shri Krishna graced the creator Lord Brahma with the knowledge of the Vedas . Then Lord Brahma created the brahmand . Shri Krishna also apprised Lord Brahma that each jeev is born with three types of spiritual debts called tririn (Devanagari: त्रिऋण ISO15919: trir̥ṇa ). Also, Lord Brahma was

Prema Bhakti — Perfect Devotion

God has an intimate divine power called Svarupa Shakti . As soon as the seeker starts sadhana bhakti , by the grace of Guru , Svarupa Shakti enters the seeker’s mind and starts cleansing it of all material desires. At the zenith of bhav bhakti , mind is cleansed of all material desires

PanchPran — Five Vital Airs

Pran means vayu - air. Panch means five. Panch pran (Devanagari: पंचप्राण ISo15919: paṁcaprāṇa ) are the vital vayu that ensure proper functioning of body. Sthool sharir of the jeev is made up of Panch Mahabhoot . These pran are the vital force to keep the sthool sharir functioning

Yogmarg — Path of yoga

Yoga is a spiritual science. योगश्चित्तवृत्ति निरोधः yogaścittavr̥tti nirodhaḥ "Yoga is a science to control the mind", as mind is the only source to free us or to bind us. The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word yoga (Devanagari:

Ashram-Four stages of Vedic life

Indian scriptures state that there are four stages of life, which are known as ashram (Devanagari: आश्रम ISO15919: āśrama ). The root of the word ashram is shram (Devanagari: श्रम ISO15910: śrama ), which means effort. Thus, ashram can be defined as a place where we strive to reach the

Mukti — Liberation

The literal meaning of the word mukti (Devanagari: मुक्ति ISO15919: mukti ) is liberation. Let us understand the concept of liberation with an example. A convict was sentenced to time in prison for a crime. After he has served his time in jail he is released from the prison.

Types of gyanis

The term gyani (Devanagari: ज्ञानी ISO15919: jñānī ) means those who walk on the path of gyan . These people desire to attain Nirakar Brahm . it is commonly known that for attaining any goal one needs to attain knowledge of the goal. Then one pursues that goal. Finally one attains