Kripalu Leelamritam - He honors His devotees' wishes above all

2022 Jagadguruttam Divas

Kripalu Leelamritam - He honors His devotees' wishes above all

Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj

After Shri Maharaj Ji became Jagadguru, He was given a long list of rules to abide by. Some of those were:

He should not stay at any householder’s home.
He should not visit anybody’s house without being given 100 Rupees dakshina.
He should eat food cooked by a Brahmin only.
He shouldn’t eat “kachcha khana” (cooked without oil) in anybody’s house.

Before becoming Jagadguru, Shri Maharaj Ji sent a telegram to devotees in Pratapgarh saying “I have become a Jagadguru and will reach Pratapgarh on Jan 15th at 4:00 pm. As decided earlier, prepare for celebrations of victory”.

Devotees started preparing for the procession. They planned the start of the procession from the railway station through the city to end at a Government school. There a 8-feet stage was erected so Shri Maharaj Ji and a few other scholars could do a lecture-series for over a period of 15 days.

Devotees knew of the restrictions imposed on Shri Maharaj Ji. Though Shri Maharaj Ji lived with the Mahabani family prior to leaving for Kashi, Priyadarshi Ji and Priyasharan Ji decided to book a comfortable room for Shri Maharaj Ji at Babu Lal Dharamshala (shelter). Mahabani Ji was a Mathur Kayastha but in his house a Brahmin used to cook food. Everyone used to call this cook Maharaj. Maharaj went to prepare Shri Maharaj Ji’s favorite dishes in that Dharamshala.

These rules made Mahabani Ji’s family extremely concerned, thinking that Shri Maharaj Ji would not be able to stay along with them in their home. They were all very close to Shri Maharaj Ji since Shri Maharaj Ji had been staying with them for years as a family member. Shri Maharaj Ji used to have His room in that house and all activities in their household were according to Shri Maharaj Ji’s wish. Due to the rules the concern was that if He stays elsewhere then how will we live without Him? All this was because Mahabani Ji’s stance was that “this is His home. I won't pay Him money to come and stay in His home”.

On Jan 15, 1957 devotees from nearby cities and villages reached Pratapgarh. When Shri Maharaj Ji arrived, the procession went through the streets of Pratapgarh. People were lined up on the roads and rooftops to express their love and joy at the victory of their dear Maharaj Ji. Joyously they did Shri Maharaj Ji’s jayakaar. As planned, the procession ended at the lecture-grounds. Shri Maharaj Ji got on the stage and started delivering a short lecture to 25000 devotees. 10 minutes into the lecture, the electricity failed. Though the loud speaker system stopped working, everyone could hear Him speak.

After finishing the lecture, Shri Maharaj Ji signaled Mahabani Ji to accompany Him. Mahabani Ji was an ardent devotee of Shri Maharaj Ji. Without saying anything to anyone, both of them left the lecture-grounds and took a rickshaw to reach Mahabani Ji’s home. When they reached, Shri Maharaj Ji told him “I am hungry, give me food”. Mahabani Ji didn't want to eat the rich food at the dharmashala, so he had asked the Maharaj to cook some khichdi for him at home. Mahabani Ji offered the same simple khichdi to Shri Maharaj Ji, who relished and enjoyed the offering. Soon his wife who was at the Dharamsala realized that both of them were missing. She suspected that they must have gone home. So, she also hurriedly made her way home. Seeing all 3 missing, more devotees started reaching Mahabani Ji’s house. Pointing to those devotees, Shri Maharaj Ji told Mahabani Ji’s wife - Shrimati Chandrani Ji to cook food for all of them.

Later another devotee, Priyadarshi Ji asked Shri Maharaj Ji about abiding by the rules that come with the title of Jagadguru. Shri Maharaj Ji said “Rules are made for (attaining) me. I am not made for (obeying those) rules”.

That day Shri Maharaj Ji broke the rules to uphold the love of an Ananya Bhakt (exclusive devotee).

Moral:
God is so gracious that He always upholds the wishes of His fully surrendered devotees. If the rules of the society go against His devotee’s wishes, He breaks all those rules including His own vows/rules. Also, God is beyond caste and creed. He looks at the soul, not the body.

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