Sunday 16 April 2017

Nishkam Prem : Books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

While staying in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh during the month-long devotional retreat in October-November 1989, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj gave this compelling series of discourses. Over four days, Shri Maharaj Ji revealed the intricacies of selfless love through an in-depth discussion of the nuances of this topmost expression that a devotee can harbour for the Supreme Lord. As if taking his audience by the hand, Shri Maharaj Ji guides us through the milestones of devotion, elaborating on qualities and all-important features before and after arriving at the final destination of bhava bhakti. 


Nishkam Prem
This series is a detailed explanation of one of Shri Maharaj Ji's devotional songs from Prem Ras Madira. Entitled shyam mohim dehu prem nishkam, Shri Maharaj Ji writes from the point of view of an earnest soul, a resolute devotional practitioner who entreats his Beloved Lord, Shri Krishna in all humility, "O Shyamasundara! Please grant me selfless love for You. Even if the splendour of Indra, the king of celestial gods, were to be granted to these senses, my desires would not come to an end. The mind is even more fickle and restless than fickleness itself and remains active day and night. I have accepted defeat trying to make this mind understand (the futility of looking for bliss in the world, and the certainty of receiving it from Shyamasundara) in numerous ways, but it just will not fall in line. Accepting the guidance of the Rasikas, I have taken shelter of You."