The Pursuit of Bliss

(Part 4 – Synopsis of a lecture given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on November 17, 2009, in Bhatinda, India) It matters not what name and form of God you use. Call out to Him with whatever name you prefer, whether that is in Hindi, Urdu, English, Punjabi or any other language. But this should be done with love. It should be done with as much feeling as a drowning man calls out to his beloved or a dying father says, “Bring my daughter here so I may see her for the last time!” Many people offer food to God before eating. Some sprinkle water over their food, some don’t. Their eyes are closed. Some fold their hands. This becomes an even bigger ritual when done in temples. But has there ever been a temple priest, holy man or anyone else, who opened his eyes and looked at the food after it was offered to God and asked, “What did God eat? Oh, He didn’t eat anything?” Has anyone ever felt bad as a result and cried because nothing was eaten? “He didn’t eat a single thing! How great a si...

(Part 3 – Synopsis of a lecture given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on November 17, 2009, in Bhatinda, India) So the conclusion is that it is the mind alone that has to be purified. Whether you practice devotion to the world or to God, wherever the mind is attached is where you will have raga or love. Vairagya or without raga means to detach the mind from the world. But what do we think detachment means? “Look! That renunciate is living in the jungle! He doesn’t wear any clothing and he only eats fruits! He never speaks to anyone!” But we don’t see that he is still thinking of the world. Instead we fall at his feet thinking he is as great as God’s own father. This is due to our ignorance. Renunciation means to have no mental attachment in the world. There were uncountable Saints in the age of Sat Yuga, some who ruled over this entire earth like Prahlad, Dhruva and Ambarish. There were Saints like Vasishtha and Bharadwaj, and Lord Ram, Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughan – they were...

(Part 2 – Synopsis of a lecture given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on November 17, 2009, in Bhatinda, India) Action refers to your mental motivation, your intention. Because of this, it is the mind that is the cause of your liberation from Maya or your bondage in Maya. Those who do perform religious rituals and scriptural recitations don’t do this while engaging the mind. They read the Gita, Bhagawat or Ramayan, or any other scripture with their tongue. They are merely reciting the words. Some people use prayer beads, but this is just the physical activity of the hands. Some take a ritual bath in the Ganges River. During the time they are bathing, where is their mind? “Oh, look, there’s a boat. Hey, that person is also here bathing. Oh no, my purse might get stolen!” But you are bathing in the Ganges! Do you know who Ganga Ji is? You reply, “This water.” This is the extent of your knowledge. Before bathing, ask your Guru about Ganga Ji’s personality. Invoke Ganga ji with your m...

(Synopsis of a lecture given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on November 17, 2009, in Bhatinda, India) In India and in the world, a lot of religious activity and fervor are seen nowadays. There are so many temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and every other kind of place of worship, and although people go to these every day, and practice devotion according to their religion, still we find that sinful tendencies are increasing everywhere. So much has changed in the last 100 years – what will happen in the future? So much spiritual practice wasn’t seen in the past as is seen nowadays. When so many things are being done in the name of religion, why are there so many wrong things happening in the world? This question is asked by those who don’t believe in any religion and their question is correct. Why do people follow a religion when so many contrary results are seen everywhere? You may say that you are doing this to receive a benefit after your death. But you will receive after death only...

(Synopsis of a talk given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on November 14, 2009, in Karnal, India) There are two types of human beings – those who have understanding and those who don’t. Those who understand are few. Those who don’t understand are in the majority. The ones who can distinguish between those who understand and who don’t are also very few in number. Everyone thinks they are knowledgeable. The first sign of not being knowledgeable is thinking that you knowledgeable. If you say to someone that he is ignorant or a fool, he feels hurt. He might start arguing and possibly get into a fight with you. It was asked of Shri Krishna, “Who is ignorant?” He replied, “The one who identifies himself with his body.” Now you all can think about this when you are alone: Are you ignorant or knowledgeable? Do you think you are the body or something more? One class of ignorant person considers himself to be the body; more ignorant than this is the person who believes he is a man or a woma...

Kripalu Trayodashi are 13 verses written by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj that are the essence of all the Vedic scriptures. They reveal in a sequential manner how to attain the ultimate aim of life. Brahm, jeev, maya tatva, Govinda Radhey. Teenon hain anadi anant bata dey. (1) There are 3 eternal entities: God, the souls, and Maya. They have no beginning and they will have no end. They have always been in existence and they will always remain in existence. Brahm jeev chetan, Govinda Radhey. Brahm shakti jeev yatey ansh bata de. (2) Supreme God and the souls are chetan, live. In gist, this means they have senses, mind, intellect, physical form and they perform actions. The soul is not independent. It is a power of God, and as such, it is called a part or ansh of God. Brahm shakti maya jada, Govinda Radhey. Jeev maya shasak brahm bata dey. (3) Another eternal power of God is Maya, which is lifeless. The governor of both Maya and the souls is God. They are both His powers that are gov...

Charity is good for the soul. Strong identification with the body makes an individual become easily attached to wealth and material goods that can be purchased with it. By donating some of your wealth you lessen your worldly attachments, thereby taking the essential step towards increasing your attachment to God. Every major religion familiarises its followers with the law of donating 10% of one’s earnings. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj calls this spiritual income tax. You are required to pay tax on the money you earn in the world, and failure to do so results in punishment. Sometimes you get away with not paying this obligatory tax. But God, who cannot be fooled or deceived, says in the Shrimad Bhagawatam, “He, who keeps more than his share, is a thief and will be punished.” The 10% is merely an essential minimum that has to be given in return for the killing of plants you eat, the germs and insects you kill to keep your body healthy, and other essential items that God gift...