Do You Know?
The word Jagadguru — “Spiritual Master of the World” — is very old. In the Mahabharat, Arjun addresses Shri Krishna as Jagadguru, krishnam vande jagadgurum. “I pay my obeisance to Jagadguru, the preceptor of the universe, Shri Krishna.” In Skand Puran, Parvati addresses Lord Shankar as Jagadguru. In the Bhagavatam, Shukdev Paramahansa says, “How fortunate those women are who acknowledged Jagadguru Shri Krishna as their beloved.”
This tradition began in the world with Shankaracharya (BC 509–477), at a time when hypocrisy was rampant, and confusion widespread. Charlatans donning colourful costumes impersonated holy men, concocting sects without any understanding of the Vedas and scriptures, and haphazardly initiated the innocent public for their own personal gain. True spiritual knowledge was being undermined and people were being deceived and cheated. To counteract this, reputed scholars united and agreed to confer a genuine mahatma with the title of Jagadguru — a proven scholar of the Vedas and scriptures, endowed with the ability to impart that spiritual knowledge judiciously, and who possesses practical experience of God. All scholars must acknowledge the mahatma’s supremacy before the title can be given. In this way, the title commenced in the public interest.
gum rautiti guruh: one who dispels the darkness of ignorance is called Guru
grinati jnanam iti guruh: one who imparts divine knowledge is called Guru
The Vedas state that to receive the knowledge of God, an aspirant must take recourse of a shrotriya brahmanishtha mahapurusha, a scholar of the Vedas and scriptures who has attained God. In other words, only a Saint can teach us about God, the soul, the material world, and the path to true everlasting, ever-increasing happiness.
After Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya came Jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharya, Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya and Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya. During their time, they all rigorously debated with the leading scholars on the scriptures. Only after defeating their challengers was their superiority proven, and they became known thereafter as Jagadguru. Due to the establishment of this tradition, the vanishing tenets of Sanatan Dharm — eternal Vedic religion — commonly known today as Hinduism, were resurrected. As time passed, methodically nominated or selected successors of those four original Jagadgurus later inherited the seat, followed by their disciples, and so on. Prior to the death of a predecessor, and as per his or her will, a successor was appointed. Thus, the tradition of gaddidhari or “seat holder” began, and it continues to this day.
A council called Kashi Vidvat Parishat was later established in the holy city of Kashi. Comprising approximately 500 of India’s topmost scholars, with pre-eminence in Vedic scriptures and philosophical systems such as Nyaya, Vedant, Vaisheshika, Gita, Bhagavatam etc. they hold the authority to appoint a Jagadguru based on their unanimous decision that his or her knowledge exceeds that of the council collectively. On 14 January 1957 they conferred a 34-year-old as India’s fifth original Jagadguru, declaring him to be Jagadguruttam: “Supreme among all Jagadgurus”. He is Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj …
Text adapted from:
Guru Mantra — The Initiation, p.60–4
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (1922–2013) presents a unique reconciliation of the seemingly contradictory doctrines of the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, and other scriptures, including Western philosophies. Giving due regard to all spiritual teachers, his philosophy propounds the supremacy of bhakti yoga in conjunction with karm yoga. Through his televised discourses and published teachings, true spiritual knowledge is accessible to all — irrespective of culture or religion — in manner that is lucid, logical, authoritative, and practical. This blog is dedicated to presenting the essence of this wonderful teaching, collectively known as Jagadguru Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan, in English.
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