Guru Mahima (All Glories to My Master)

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (5 October 1922 – 15 November 2013) was only the fifth Saint in the history of the world to be honoured with the title of Jagadguru. His predecessors were Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharya, Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya and Jagadguru Shri Madvacharya. Shri Maharaj Ji uniquely reconciled their varying philosophies. He revealed his profound and unparalleled scholarship of the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, and other scriptures during a series of discourses he delivered in pure Sanskrit before the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, the body which comprised India’s 500 most eminent scholars. They were so astounded by his scriptural omniscience that on 14 January 1957, when he was only thirty-four years old, they unanimously honoured him with several unprecedented titles, including Jagadguruttam (‘The Supreme among all Jagadgurus’). Suffused with the nectar of devotion and divine love, his personality so charmed them that they also declared him to be Bhakti-yoga-rasavatar (Descension of Divine Love and Bliss).

All scriptures from the Vedas to the Ramayana state the importance of a Guru or Spiritual Master, one who is both shrotriya and brahmanistha, i.e. conversant in all scriptures and must have realised God. In fact, all religions stress that the guidance of a GURU is indispensible to attain the supreme goal of God-realisation.

Though the praises of Guru are glorified throughout these sacred texts, the writings of the great Spiritual Masters throughout history have been in Sanskrit, a language beyond the grasp of common people. In recognition of this, our great Spiritual Master, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj took the essence of all this profound wisdom and represented it in a most unique and captivating manner, in the form of melodious sankirtans, padas and dohas, that can be sung or read as poetry. Guru Mahima represents a cross-section of this vast ocean in relation to the Guru and the divine science behind his significance.

Compositions from Prema Rasa Madira, Bhakti Shatak and Shyama Shyam Geet, along with sankirtans from Braja Rasa Madhuri and Yugal Madhuri are included. With this little book in hand, one can begin to truly understand the importance of a Guru and start to develop their surrender accordingly.

Guru Mahima will be of great assistance in the life of a sincere devotee, for without the knowledge contained herein, one cannot lead a truly meaningful life.

**Contents and Sample Pages**