Rupadhyana (Loving Remembrance)

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is the fifth original Jagadguru of the world. So far only four Saints have been acknowleged as the original Jagadgurus, namely- Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya, jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharya, jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya and Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who presented a unique reconciliation of the varying philosophies propounded by them and evinced his prodound and unparalleled scholarship of the Veda, Shashtras, Puranas and various other scriptures in his discourse made in pure Sanskrit before eminent representatives of the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, a body of 500 top-ranking scholars of India and left them spellbound and astounded was honoured with an unprecedented title of the "Jagadguruttam" or supreme among all Jagadgurus on 14 January 1957. They were so charmed by his personality suffused with the nectar of devotion and divine love that they declared him as the "Bhakti-yoga-rasavatar" (Descension of Divine Love and Bliss.)

In Kali Yuga, sankirtana, or the chanting of the divine name, has been prescribed as the only means to attain God. Even if we do accept that there are other spiritual practices to attain God, it would not be wise to practise those various difficult processes as sankirtana is the easiest process to take us to our goal.

However, the most important part of sankirtana is rupadhyana, loving remembrance. Without rupadhyana, sankirtana is like a body without a soul. Kali Yuga is a dreadful age in which the sinful tendencies of an individual combined with the external environment cause man's spiritual downfall. The only way to be free from this is to sing the glories of ,Shri Radha Krishna's names, forms and pastimes, along with practising rupadhyana and shedding tears of longing for Their Divine Vision and Divine Love. If a sadhaka doesn't practise rupadhyana while engaged in sankirtana, he will eventually doubt even the words of the scriptures because he will think that even after practising sankirtana for a long time his sinful tendencies have not been eliminated. Therefore, we can benefit from sankirtana only when we give full importance to rupadhyana. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, our Divine Master, has very beautifully explained the science of sankirtana. He has revealed the fact that rupadhyana is the most vital part of devotional practice. This book is very useful for all devotees in terms of proper guidance and knowledge of practical devotion.

Our causelessly merciful Spiritual Master has revealed for us this priceless treasure of spiritual knowledge, which is in your hands in the form of this book. We are certain that every reader will derive great spiritual benefit from it.

**Contents and Sample Pages**