Childhood Glimpse of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj: The Child Ram Kripalu
Though a sweetly mischievous child who loved being with his little friends, running through the fields and climbing the trees around Mangarh village, whenever Ram Kripalu heard the loving call of his mother or aunt, he always came running with a smile on his face. In fact, their little darling was such an obedient child that his mother was once heard to remark years later that if she had asked him to fetch milk from a tigress, he would have done it…
RIGHT from childhood, little Ram Kripalu showed signs of divinity and he was a most precocious student; a genius with extraordinary qualities. His father enrolled him at the local primary school where he attended from 1926–1931 before going to the town of Kunda, a short 5 kilometers from Mangarh, where he attended middle school from 1932–1934.
During his school days in Mangarh, Ram Kripalu had a number of friends from the village and surrounding areas. In their company, he spent many hours laughing and playing around as young children do. Climbing and swinging from the trees and jumping down, making up new games, and playing more familiar ones like the long jump and high jump. It was due to this ever-playful nature and sense of adventure that he was so popular, and all his friends adored him for it. As they sat together recounting the day’s events or discussing the next game, he would start singing nama sankirtan, inspiring his playmates to sing and clap along with him; and so they did. So innocently and effortlessly singing the glories of God was never far away from Ram Kripalu. His inborn love for sankirtan had a domino effect on all those around him. It wasn’t long before his friends were instigating the sankirtan, filling the surroundings with the sweet names of Shri Krishna and bringing so much joy into their friend’s heart, who loved to see them remembering his Beloved. In this way, a day never went by when they didn’t sing sankirtan.
Recalling his childhood days, once Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj said, “I scored 99 percent in a middle school exam. The students in my class gave me the nickname 99. Moreover, they all got together, pulled off my shirt, and tore it into tiny pieces. They all kept a piece in their pocket. They thought, If we kept this with us during the exam, we would also score 99. When I got home, my father scolded me badly and yelled, Where is your shirt? I had come home wearing only my undershirt…”
Conclusion: In Mangarh village, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, known as the Child Ram Kripalu, displayed an extraordinary blend of divinity and childhood innocence. These anecdotes from his childhood offer a glimpse into the early life of a spiritual luminary who, from a young age, was destined to inspire countless souls with his devotion and wisdom. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s journey of divinity began in the playful days of Ram Kripalu, setting the stage for a life dedicated to the path of devotion and service to God. By promoting both devotion and service, he guided devotees and inspired them to follow the right path of life. To know more visit our website.
