|
Guru Purnima darshan,
c. 1980
Affectionately known as Bapuji, His Holiness
Swami Sri Kripalvanandji was born in 1913 in the
Gujarat province of India. Even in childhood,
his devotion to God was exceptional and by the
age of 19, his longing for God was so strong that
he made several suicide attempts. It was during
a fourth attempt that his master, Dadaji, revealed
himself, beginning Bapuji's journey on the highest
path of yoga.
For eight months, Bapuji studied under
Dadaji's tutelage. After a rigorous initiation
which included 40 days of seclusion, chanting
and fasting, Bapuji received initiation from Dadaji.
However, less than a year later, Dadaji suddenly
disappeared, leaving Bapuji to follow the path
alone. Brokenhearted, only his guru's promise
to see him again when he renounced his worldly
desires sustained him. It wasn't until 1952 that
his promise was realized when Dadaji reappeared
in his true yogic body in the form of a beautiful
young man. Two years later, Dadaji again appeared
to inspire his sadhana. It was this final meeting
that guided Bapuji into his intense 10-hour-a-day
practice of Kundalini mediation, which he continued
for the remainder of his life.
During his travels, Bapuji met the 16-year-old
Amrit Desai, who quickly
became his closest and most devout disciple. When
Yogi Desai invited his guru to visit him in America
in 1977, it was only supposed to be a short visit.
However, Bapuji was so struck by the openness
of Yogi Desai's followers in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania,
that he stayed 3 1/4 years. Bapuji deviated from
his life of silence to deliver a series of rare
lectures during this period. In September 1981,
Bapuji returned to India where he left his body
on December 29.
 Although
the Lord is the personification of love, we seldom
allow him to enter the temple of our hearts. Truly,
the wise proclaim that love is the only path,
love is the only God, and love is the only scripture.
Impress this verse upon your memory and chant
it constantly if you want to realize your dreams
of growth. Only love purifies the body and mind.
Love is the all seeing divine eye and the wish
fulfilling touchstone. Every living being is a
stream of love. Let us allow someone to taste
our love and let us taste someone else's love.
Love flowing in another's life is the source of
our happiness, and the love flowing in our own
life is the source of another's happiness. This
is the universal law.
Love is not far away.
Love is as close as each of our hearts.
Victory to the Path of Love.
Victory to the Lord of Love.
|
