All varieties of devotional topics that don't fit under the other sections of the forums. However,
devotionally relevant topics, please - there are other boards for other topics.
Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat - would like information about this sanga
Amala Harinam d. - Sun, 10 Aug 2003 13:22:21 +0530
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
Haribol! Ram Ram!
Can anybody give me some information about this group?
http://www.jkp.org/index.htmlThey have a satsang in my area. However, they do not disclose their disciplic succession...
Thanks for any help!
Radhe Radhe!
vamsidas - Sun, 10 Aug 2003 16:20:46 +0530
QUOTE(Amala Harinam d. @ Aug 10 2003, 07:52 AM)
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
Haribol! Ram Ram!
Can anybody give me some information about this group?
http://www.jkp.org/index.htmlThey have a satsang in my area. However, they do not disclose their disciplic succession...
Thanks for any help!
Radhe Radhe!
I have talked to some of their members, so I will share my understanding of the matter. If someone has more precise details, or can quote from their literatures, please elaborate or correct my statements.
Their disciplic succession begins with "Jagadguru Kripalu Mahaprabhu" -- an 80-year-old devotee whom they consider to be the "Bhakti Yoga Rasavatar." I have heard a couple of their followers suggest that he may be considered a direct descension of Radharani, but have not found this in print. Kripalu Maharaja has no guru; he is the beginning of their lineage. Here is an account by one of his preacher-disciples (found online at
http://www.ussli.org/linage.htm that describes his receiving the "Jagadguru" title:
QUOTE
In 1957 he was invited to Kashi to address the 'Kashi Vidvat Parishad', a body of 500 scriptural masters who collectively represented the seat of spiritual wisdom in India. They were so impressed by his unparalleled knowledge of all Scriptures, which far surpassed their combined knowledge, they conferred upon him the title of not only 'Jagadguru' (world spiritual teacher) but also 'Jagadguruttam' (the best of all Jagadgurus). He is only the fifth Jagadguru of the last 2500 years, the previous one being Madhavacharya who received this title 700 years ago. A sculptured throne made out of solid silver was given to him in recognition.
His followers quote Kripalu Maharaja as saying:
QUOTE
Na Koi Guru, Na koi chela, Kripalu akela. Kripalu is alone, with neither Guru nor disciple. He is the Guru of all Gurus; who can be
his Guru?
Until a few years ago, it seems that Kripalu Maharaja had a handful of independently-operating preacher-disciples, with their own separate followings -- the best-known probably being the ISDL group led by Swami Prakashanand Saraswati -- but in the last couple of years or so it appears that these have been subsumed into one larger organization focusing on Kripalu Maharaja.
I know this is not a complete answer; still, I hope it is somewhat helpful.
Madhava - Sun, 10 Aug 2003 19:24:39 +0530
Jagat - Sun, 10 Aug 2003 23:24:39 +0530
My problem with this is the classic one of gratitude. No one exists in a vacuum.
Kishalaya - Mon, 11 Aug 2003 13:28:00 +0530
QUOTE
Their disciplic succession begins with "Jagadguru Kripalu Mahaprabhu" -- an 80-year-old devotee whom they consider to be the "Bhakti Yoga Rasavatar."
Caveat emptor: Following has nothing to do with any siddhaanta, merely observation.
In one of the TV programmes, he said, somewhat forcefully, that real dikshaa is when the Guru transfers prema in the heart of the disciple. Dikshaa is not to be given unless the heart is completely free from anarthas at which time it becomes qualified to bear the assault of svaroopa shakti, otherwise one's body will burn spontaneously being unable to bear the aananda. Thus so many people hanker to get dikshaa from him, he said something like he does not have any disciples ?!
He seems to be a powerful preacher with a lot of (I mean a lot) Shaastra being kanthastha. He know exactly which verse in what chapter in which upanishad etc etc etc. Most of his TV programmes focus on bringing out people from Maayaa into spirituality. But his keertans focus on Sri Vrindaavaneshvari (somewhat loud and expressive).
Now, there seems to be some controversy surrounding him, like lack of paramparaa, and some accusations of odd behaviour etc. Regarding these accusations, my personal opinion is that I can't say since I haven't verified any. These kinds of "accusations" always hover around preachers. About his charisma, no doubt, he naturally comes about taking the position of a leader, verbally spanking, rebutting, making fun of the character of the audience (maayaa baddha jeeva) [remember AC Bhaktivedaanta Svaami Prabhupaada]. I personally do not have a problem with this as long as I find the svaamis "clean" in their personal behavior. But since I am not very interested in him (right now), I may never know if the "accusations" have any basis or not, and giving him the benefit of doubt, I pay obeisances to him (from a distance) as a "genuine" mahaapurusha.
QUOTE
I have heard a couple of their followers suggest that he may be considered a direct descension of Radharani,
Interseting. But the way he expresses Bhaava in keertan, it seems he is more of a Bhakta aspiring for the lotus feet of His deity.
Regards,
Kishalaya
Mina - Mon, 11 Aug 2003 22:36:07 +0530
I advise that we respect that group as Hindus and bhaktas, but do not confuse them with our own sampradayas. There is really no need to critique them here, nor is there any reason to waste valuable time pointing out the diffences between them and us. We could spend several lifetimes doing such comparisons with all of the thousands of different religious sects all over India. What would be the point?