In these excerpts from the teachings of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, we delve into the practice of Rupadhyāna, a form of meditation focused on visualizing the divine forms of Shri Radha Krishna. Specifically, Maharaj emphasizes the significance of incorporating the feeling of separation (viraha) in this practice, allowing devotees to intensify their yearning for the divine presence. This yearning serves as the driving force behind the seeker’s journey towards attaining Divine Love. Maharaj guides us in understanding the power of tears, sincere surrender, and the role of a Guru in this spiritual endeavor.
“You have personally promised, ‘If ever the greatest sinner completely surrenders to Me just once, he receives eternal liberation’, then why are you delaying in my case? Oh, Shri Krishna, You may say, ‘You are not completely surrendered. You are still full of pride. I am the friend of all the humble souls. So become humble and see how I shower My Grace on you.’ But my Lord, my mind and intellect are completely corrupted and will not listen to me. Please grace me somehow…”
“Oh Friend of the destitute! You are the Lord of the humble but I am a storehouse of pride. Please grace me so that I can be humble.” “Oh! Ocean of Grace! I am so fallen that although I call myself fallen and sinful, I only think otherwise. But whatever I am, however, I am, I am Yours and Yours alone. After uncountable lives, I have been blessed by You with this human body. With your Grace, I have even been blessed with the association of a true Guru, and from him I received spiritual knowledge. But I am just as I was before. I have firm faith that you will accept me one day. No one has ever returned from Your door disappointed. I have firmly resolved to attain Your eternal service, no matter how many lives it may take.” Say all this while shedding tears. You can take the help of devotional songs composed by the Saints, but shedding tears is a must. Reproach yourself again and again if tears do not flow. Just continue your devotional practice. One day you will surely attain your goal. There is no doubt about it.
Out of these two types of meditation, meditation in separation is superior. However, when you are tired of that meditation in separation, switch to the meditation of being united with your Beloved. Don’t let your mind remain idle or it will go back to the area of your material attachments. In this way practice rupadhyana in different ways. However, if in spite of being careful, your mind goes back to the world, don’t get angry or disappointed. Just calmly visualize your Beloved Shri Krishna there. For example, if you are very much attached to your mother or your son and your mind goes to them again and again, don’t get upset. Just think that beautiful Shri Krishna is there beside them. After practicing this repeatedly, the mind will be controlled and will stop going to the world.
Just think of the effort it took you as a little child, to learn the first letter of the alphabet. In the beginning, you have to learn how to do any worldly task. Later it happens by itself. I remember some foolishness from my own childhood. I told my classmates that I wanted to learn to cycle. “Teach me how to ride a bicycle.” My classmates instructed me very simply, “Just sit straight, look ahead, hold the handlebars, and keep pedaling.” With the overconfidence of a child, I said to them, “I will sit on the bicycle. Just push me for a short distance and I will start cycling.” My classmates pushed me some distance till the speed increased and then let go. Now I got nervous and thought, “What should I do?” Then I fell so badly that I got bruised all over. Later I practiced, following all the rules, and one day I became so proficient that frequently I would cycle around without even holding the handlebars. So, success comes with practice.
To summarise, make the firm resolution and stubbornly decide that you have to meet your Beloved in this very life. Intensify your yearning to see Him not in this life, but within a year. Then decide to see Him not within a year but on this very day. Keep on intensifying your yearning to see your Beloved. Increasing your devotional yearning is true devotion.
When your yearning increases so much that without your Beloved every moment seems like an eternity to you, then at this final limit of devotion, through the Grace of God and Guru, you will attain Divine Love.
To get the maximum benefit, be in association with your Guru, Rasika Saint for as long as possible. See him, interact with him, and serve him to the best of your ability. Listen attentively to his divine words about Shri Krishna. Always bear in mind that you should not develop any spiritual pride related to your devotional progress. Always think that it is only due to the Grace of your Guru that you are being benefited spiritually.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the path of Rupadhyāna offers a transformative journey for seekers yearning for Divine Love. Through the practice of visualizing the divine forms of Shri Radha Krishna, with the feeling of separation and a humble heart, devotees can cultivate an intense yearning that propels them closer to their Beloved. The process involves continuous effort, self-reflection, and devotion, as tears of longing become the language of the soul. The guidance of a Guru and sincere service in their presence amplifies the spiritual progress, reminding us to remain humble and recognize that all spiritual benefits are bestowed solely by the Grace of God and the Guru. With perseverance and an unwavering resolve to meet our Beloved in this very life, we can ultimately awaken the Divine Love that resides within us, transcending all worldly attachments and attaining the eternal union with the Supreme.
