Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj :The Profound Significance of a Genuine Guru

In a world filled with imposters and false spiritual guides, finding an authentic and genuine Guru is a challenging task. Many individuals wander aimlessly, seeking spiritual knowledge, only to be directed towards external rituals or superficial practices. This excerpt from the teachings of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj emphasizes the paramount importance of discovering a true Saint who can lead one to the divine. Through a thought-provoking dialogue between two devotees, the transformative power of a genuine Guru is revealed, illuminating the path to ultimate liberation and bliss.

The Guru and His Significance 

FINDING A GENUINE GURU is not an easy task. There is so much sham and hypocrisy everywhere that when you go to a so-called baba (an imposter), he will not give you the spiritual knowledge that you want to seek. Instead, he will advise you to go on a pilgrimage or read some religious text, like Hanuman Chalisa, etc. You would spend all your life following such advice with little sense of purpose.

Once Haridas, a devotee, and Jayadev, the author of Geet Govind met. Haridas wanted to know from Jayadev how and where he could meet God. Jayadev replied, if he could find a Saint, it would amount to meeting God. There is no difference. Haridas asked him further, “Maharaj! It means if somebody is able to find a Saint, he has found God. It is okay but even after he has found a Saint, he is not free from the bondage of Maya and has not received bliss. Why is it so? If one attains God, one is immediately freed from the bondage of maya, and bliss is bestowed on him.” Jayadev replied, “If God appears before you with his flute in His hands, it will not do you any good. Even if you are able to talk to Him, it will be of no use. It is because your intellect is under the influence of maya, you can not consider God as God. Similarly, if somebody does not understand the importance of the Saint, he will gain nothing out of his meeting with him. The degree of benefit that he will get is directly proportionate to the degree of importance that he gives to the Saint.

So about the IMPORTANCE OF THE SAINT, the more you realize the more benefited You will be. If you have seen the Saint just once, this itself is a special grace on you. No amount of rituals, sacrifices, charity, and penance can get you the association of a Saint. It may be possible for one to see God, but it is not so with the Saint as he Is greater than God. 

If somebody says that he spent some money and could see a Saint, he is under the wrong impression. Any amount of money, howsoever big will not work. If the Saint has. Talked to him for a minute in a day and looked at him.

Conclusion 

The words of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj shed light on the immeasurable value of a genuine Guru in one’s spiritual journey. While encountering God may seem desirable, the influence of Maya and our conditioned intellect can hinder our ability to recognize the divine. Similarly, if one fails to grasp the significance of a Saint, they will miss out on the immeasurable benefits bestowed upon those who truly comprehend their importance. The association with a Saint, a true Guru, is not attained through material means, but through grace and sincere devotion. Understanding the vital role of a genuine Guru in our lives opens doors to profound spiritual growth, liberation from Maya’s bondage, and the ultimate experience of divine bliss.