Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

About Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

THE SUPREME SPIRITUAL GURU OF THE WORLD

Authority on the Vedas
Embodiment of Devotion
Personification of Grace

Carrying forward the revered Jagadguru legacy, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj — the fifth original Jagadguru of this world — immersed humanity in love and devotion for the divine. Across his remarkable 91-year life (1922–2013), he re-established the Bhakti Movement, delivered thousands of transformative discourses, authored enlightening books and sankirtans, and made Vedic wisdom accessible to all.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj established iconic temples like the Prem Mandir in Vrindavan and set up free hospitals, schools, and colleges to uplift society. His divine mission lives on, as millions of devotees around the world continue their spiritual journey following his teachings.

Jagadguru Quotes

हरि गुरु भजु नित गोविंद राधे। भाव निष्काम अनन्य बना दे ।।

Be ever absorbed selflessly and exclusively in the loving devotion of God and Guru.

Authority on the Vedas

THE 5TH ORIGINAL JAGADGURU

His Teachings

The simplest path to God in Kaliyug is through Bhakti (devotion). Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s teachings, known as Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyog Tattvadarshan, emphasize cultivating deep love for God. He prescribes Vedic practices like sankirtan (chanting divine names) and Roopdhyan Meditation (visualising God’s form). As love for God deepens, practitioners experience a deep sense of peace and fulfilment, and overcome negative emotions.

Roopdhyan Meditation

To deepen our love for God, Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj revealed Roopdhyan, a practical sadhana technique that involves lovingly meditating upon your chosen form of God. Combined with sankirtan (chanting divine names) or leela chintan (thinking about divine pastimes), it makes the path to God-realisation extremely engaging.

The beauty of this practice lies in its accessibility, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to practise it anywhere and at any time.

Roopdhyan is a powerful meditation technique that enables spiritual seekers to deepen their practice and purify their minds.When love for God becomes so intense through Roopdhyan that separation feels unbearable, God reveals Himself, and the soul finds its eternal place in His divine abode.

Pre-eminent Master of Vedic Philosophy

To make Vedic knowledge accessible to the masses, a vast and complex body of knowledge originally written in intricate Sanskrit, Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj took it upon himself to reconcile the philosophies of his four predecessors: Adi Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, the proponent of Advaita Vedanta, Jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharya, the proponent of Vishishtadvaita, Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya, the proponent of Dvaita and Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya, the proponent of Dvaitadvaita, along with the philosophies of other prominent bhakti saints. In so doing, Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj presented a universal philosophy – Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyog Tattvadarshan – in simple Hindi that harmonised their views and incorporated the core teachings of the Upanishads, Puranas, Gita, Bhagavatam, Ramayana and other prominent texts of Sanatan Vedic Dharm.

With unmatched clarity, he unravelled elaborate and complicated scriptures, resolved apparent contradictions, and revealed the universal truth that every soul seeks eternal happiness, which is God alone. He concluded that in Kaliyug, selfless devotion (Bhakti) is the only path to God-realisation. Through poetic and philosophical works like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet, and thousands of discourses in India and abroad, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj established himself as the foremost authority on Vedic philosophy, leaving behind a priceless treasure of literature that continues to guide souls toward divine love for Shri Radha Krishna.

15,000+
Soul-stirring Kirtans

Vast creation of heart-warming poetry, couplets and devotional songs.

10,000+ Hours of Enlightening Lectures

Unparalleled treasure of Vedic wisdom through extensive divine discourses.

50,000+
Scriptural Quotations

Revealing his scriptural omniscience; quotes from 200 ancient texts.

Embodiment of Devotion

BHAKTIYOG-RAS-AVATAR

At just 34, Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj delivered astonishing discourses over 10 consecutive days before the Kashi Vidvat Parishad (the distinguished and exclusive organisation of 500 most eminent religious scholars of India), leaving its erudite philosophers convinced he was no ordinary saint. Witnessing his divine knowledge and visible ‘Ashta Sattvik Bhav’, the topmost eight transcendental emotions of Bhakti, they honoured him with the title Bhaktiyog-Ras-Avatar, the embodiment of divine love and bliss.

Devotees fortunate enough to have associated with Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and attended his sankirtans were completely drenched in divine love, experiencing a deep inner transformation. As God’s love awakened within them, material tendencies naturally faded away.

Personification of Grace

KRIPA AVATAR

Throughout his lifetime of 91 years, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj touched countless lives with unconditional love and kripa (grace). Without discriminating between the worthy and the unworthy, he guided all seekers on the path of bhakti through philosophical insights and practical sadhana.

Despite his revered Jagadguru status, he remained humble, approachable, and full of warmth, living up to his name (Kripalu) as one who bestows grace. He treated everybody equally with the same love and compassion. In his association, everyone felt loved and protected. Whether a child or an elderly, all were drawn to his truly humble, yet jovial nature which made it very easy for devotees to accept him as their guru (spiritual master).

Even today, those who listen to his discourses online, take part in sankirtan sessions, or attend retreats held across multiple ashrams, feel a deep connection and embrace him as their Guru.

Grace through Selfless Service

In 1972, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj established Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a non-profit, charitable, and spiritual organisation. JKP serves some of India’s most underprivileged communities by providing free healthcare, education, and ongoing relief work.

For over five decades, JKP has guided thousands on the path of bhakti while also carrying out wide-ranging philanthropic efforts. Inspired by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s vision, millions now offer selfless sewa (service) through JKP’s three key areas of philanthropy: healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj has inspired hundreds of thousands of people
who now provide selfless service in 3 main areas of philanthropy.

Medical

Three fully charitable hospitals, established in Shri Kripalu Dham Mangarh, Shri Vrindavan Dham, and Shri Barsana Dham, have transformed the lives of over 5 million people by providing completely free medical care to those who need it most.

Education

A fully charitable school, college in Kunda (U.P.) has empowered over 40,000 girls, right from primary to post-graduation, with free, high-quality education, opening doors to brighter futures in one of India’s most disadvantaged regions.

Relief Efforts

Ongoing charitable support through government-affiliated relief funds and widespread distribution of essential household items have brought vital assistance and dignity to countless low-income families.

Founder of Divine Temples

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj established three iconic monuments in India that glorify divine love and devotion to Shri Radha Krishna. They are not only remarkable spiritual monuments, but architectural marvels that further enrich the cultural heritage of India.

Prem Mandir

Shri Vrindavan Dham

Bhakti Mandir

Shri Kripalu Dham Mangarh

Kirti Mandir

Shri Barsana Dham

Testimonials

FROM THE LIVES HE TOUCHED

The great National identity and Saint of the highest order, Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, was a universal teacher who performed welfare not only of the nation, but the entire universe. He was an exponent of universal brotherhood and inspired all towards the devotion of God without discrimination. He exhorted all for universal peace through his transcendental discourses. There was no sect, no cult and no disciple created by him. He gave respect to all and kindness to all; love and devotion to Shri Radha Krishna was the essence of his life.

Narendra Modi

Prime Minister of India

Latest from our Blog

KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Grace of the Guru

In this article we talk about the grace of Guru as explained by Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj in his historic lecture series - Narad Bhakti Darshan. In this lecture he explained the importance of Guru in a devotee's life.

Blog Article 08-Oct-26 – The Essence of Bhakti [1000 x 630].jpg

The Essence of Bhakti: Why True Devotion Begins in the Mind

What separates mechanical worship from real devotion? Drawing from the teachings of the Vedas, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj reveals the true essence of Bhakti – explaining why devotion of the mind is the sole vehicle for spiritual progress.

A Mischievous Pastime of Little Krishna

Little Krishna’s playful mischief – breaking a gopi’s pot, turns into a charming scene as He cleverly blames a monkey and teases her for “white lies.” Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj narrates an endearing exchange with Mother Yashoda and reveals the profound irony of the gopis’ divine nature.