JKP

How Fortunate You Are

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
31 May 2024
0 Comments
How Fortunate You Are by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj | Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

Taken from a lecture by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A human body is given to a soul after countless births, so says the Mahabharata.  Let us try to understand the value of this powerful vehicle that we possess. Out of the 8.4 million species of life, it is only in a human body that one can practise devotion and acquire spiritual wealth. All other species do not have the freedom to perform actions and are therefore restricted to bearing the fruits of their past actions. Only in the human body do we have the freedom of action.

Even so, this human body is still condemnable. After death, for example, it cannot be used for any other purpose. As a last rite, if the human body is not burned, buried, or thrown into a river, it soon becomes repugnant and putrid, fertile ground for the spread of many diseases.  In contrast, the bodies of other creatures, such as cows, buffalo, deer, and even lions, can be put to good use after their demise. No sooner the soul departs does the human body start to decay and decompose.

Nevertheless, such a despicable body with all its associated demerits is still considered the rarest of all bodies, and the most exalted. Why?  Because it is only in this human body that we can perform spiritual practice and attain God. Only by attaining God can one attain infinite and eternal happiness. It is the only species in which we can improve our miserable condition by practising devotion.

You’ll be surprised to learn that celestial gods desire this human body. Though we worship them and, in sacrificial ceremonies, offer our oblations, it is they who desire a human body.  Celestial pleasures are much greater than worldly pleasures, but celestials cannot perform fruit-bearing actions. Once their meritorious actions are exhausted, they must return to this mundane world.

Yet ironically, we do not value this body and continue to procrastinate in our spiritual practice. We make plans and put things off instead, I am only four years old, six years old, and forty years old.  We forget the transient nature of this body and that there is no assurance of even the next moment. The soul will have to wander through the 8.4 million life forms for countless lives before receiving human birth again.

You must have seen bubbles of water on the surface of a river.  One bubble rises up and sits on the water for some time, only to burst the next moment.  Then another bubble appears, and that too soon dissipates.  Our life is exactly like that bubble; here one moment and gone the next. If you remembered this truth, then neither would you expect anything from this world, nor would you form any worldly desires or be victimised by anger, greed, and so on.

Understand the grace that God has bestowed upon you by granting this human body, and do not procrastinate in your spiritual practice. Realize how fortunate you are, spend time practising devotion and earn the spiritual merit that will take you closer to God-realisation.

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.