Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the fifth original Jagadguru in history, carried forward the sacred Jagadguru legacy that began 2,500 years ago with Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya. He distilled the essence of Bhakti Yoga into a unique and profound philosophy known as Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan.
Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshanstands as a profound and accessible philosophical system rooted in the timeless truths of the Vedas, Puranas, and other sacred scriptures. Uniting the ancient with the contemporary, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj offered a unique exposition of Bhakti Yoga — a path of divine love and devotion — which resonates strongly with all spiritual seekers.
Choosing Language of the Masses Over Sanskrit
At the heart of Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan lies the understanding that every soul is in search of one ultimate objective: infinite happiness or bliss. Traditional Indian scriptures have long emphasized four principal goals of human life: dharma (righteous conduct), artha (material prosperity), kama (sensual enjoyment), and moksha (liberation). However, Jagadguru Kripalu Ji centered his teachings around a fifth and superior objective: panchama purushartha — the attainment of divine love for Shri Radha Krishna. In his view, this divine love surpasses liberation, since it fulfills the soul’s deepest yearning for eternal joy.
Unlike previous Jagadgurus who primarily composed their teachings in classical Sanskrit, Jagadguru Kripalu Ji deliberately chose Hindi — interwoven with Braj and other dialects — as his medium of instruction. This conscious decision stemmed from his desire to make the core principles of Bhakti Yoga more understandable and applicable to the general populace. The result is a body of literature that, while deeply philosophical, remains accessible to both scholars and lay readers alike.
Bhakti has to be practised by the mind
Jagadguru Kripalu Ji’s teachings are grounded in a clear distinction between the body and the soul. While the body exists in the material world and is sustained by physical nourishment, the soul is part of the divine and seeks spiritual nourishment. This nourishment, he explained, comes from divine knowledge and devotion, which are transmitted through saints and scriptures.
A central insight of Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan is that as an eternal part of God, the soul can attain infinite everlasting bliss only by knowing God. The subject of the soul is God, and the subject of the body is the world. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj reconciled spiritualism and materialism, while reconciling the philosophies of the previous Jagadgurus before him.
As a result, while Adi Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya is known as Advaita-vadi Jagadguru, Jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharyais is known as Vishishtadvaita-vadi Jagadguru, Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya is known as Dvaita-vadi Jagadguru and Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya is known as Dvaitadvaita-vadi Jagadguru, Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj came to be known as Samanvaya-vadi Jagadguru.
He emphasized Bhakti (devotion) as the only feasible path for God-realization. This devotion must be of the mind, not merely physical or mechanical. Outward rituals, pilgrimages, or worship gain spiritual merit only when performed with sincere mental engagement.
Roopdhyan Meditation: Cure for all ailments
To facilitate inner devotion, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj taught a powerful meditation technique known as Roopdhyan meditation i.e. visualization of God’s divine form.
Roopdhyan meditation is the practice of mentally focusing on the beautiful and divine form of God, preferably Shri Radha-Krishna, accompanied by contemplation of Their names, attributes, and pastimes. This form-based meditation enables the devotee to anchor the wandering mind in God. The technique includes Mansi Sewa, or mentally offering services to the divine, such as adorning or feeding Shri Radha-Krishna. These acts, when performed in the mind with loving intent, yield spiritual benefits equivalent to actual service.
With consistent practice of Roopdhyan, the devotee experiences increasing joy and mental peace. The mind, previously distracted by worldly attachments and worries, begins to dwell in spiritual bliss. Over time, a longing develops so intense that separation from God becomes unbearable. This is when God gives His divine vision (darshan) to the soul and it finds an eternal place in the divine abode.
The Pillars of Bhakti
The key tenets of Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan are that love for God and Guru should be constant, exclusive, and selfless. Constant means the mind should always be thinking of God. Exclusive implies not dividing affection between God and the material world. Selfless devotion means loving God without expectations for personal gain. These principles form the foundation of a sincere spiritual life.
To progress on this path, the grace and guidance of a God-realized Guru is indispensable. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj affirmed that the Guru plays a crucial role in detaching the soul from the material world and redirecting it toward God. In his philosophy, God and Guru are one and the same, and complete surrender to the Guru’s guidance is essential for attaining divine love.
Prem Ras Siddhant: The essence of Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan
Among his many writings, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s ‘Prem Ras Siddhant’ holds a special place. This principal text elaborates on the philosophy of divine love, addressing fundamental spiritual questions such as the soul’s identity, purpose, and relationship with God. Drawing from a wide range of scriptures — including the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam, and Ramayana — this book blends logic, scriptural authority, and practical wisdom. It offers a roadmap for seekers aspiring to attain divine bliss, while also highlighting the need to balance intellectual understanding with devotional practice.
Unlike many modern writings that tend to complicate or fragment spiritual truths, the works of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj present a harmonized and consistent view of Vedic philosophy. His writings do not affiliate with any one sect but express reverence for all authentic spiritual traditions and teachers. This inclusive spirit makes his philosophy universally applicable.
Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan is not merely a set of doctrines but a living, breathing path toward the ultimate aim of human life: divine bliss through mental devotion. With its emphasis on practical meditation, selfless love, and guidance from a Guru, this philosophy offers a meaningful and transformative spiritual journey for all seekers.
