A Spiritual Retreat for the Lovers of God
Humans spend lifetimes searching for happiness. The scriptures reveal an open secret: God Himself is the embodiment of happiness or bliss.
रसो वै सः। रसं ह्येवायां लब्ध्वाऽनन्दी भवति। ~ Taittiriya Upanishad 2.7
God is indeed Rasa (nectar). By attaining this nectar, the individual soul becomes truly blissful.
While worldly pleasures are fleeting, Brahmanand, the bliss of God's formless aspect is boundless. Infinitely sweeter still is Premanand—the bliss of loving communion with His personal form. Five millennia ago, on the moonlit night of Sharad Poornima, Shree Krishna bestowed the pinnacle of this nectar—Rasatam—upon a chosen few through the Maharaas.
Who were these souls? Can an ordinary person ever touch such heights?
To explore this mystery, the Sadhana Shivir at JKYog Bhakti Ashram, Banara, became a pilgrimage for seekers. As the moon waxed towards Sharad Poornima, each day brought a deeper dive into the essence of divine love.
Blessed Beginning
Gracing the event was His Holiness Swami Mukundananda, welcoming seekers from across the globe. The campus, though tranquil in its ambience, buzzed with an undercurrent of enthusiasm—an earnest, collective fervor to ascend the path towards the Divine.
For each retreat, Swamiji selects a scripture that offers participants an opportunity to learn and grow. This time, he chose Bhakti Shatak by Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, a deliberate, thoughtful choice.
It was on Sharad Poornima, October 5, 1922, that Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj appeared in Mangarh, Uttar Pradesh. Revered as Jagadguruttam (supreme among spiritual masters of the world) and Bhaktiyog Rasavatar (the embodiment of divine love bliss), his descent on this auspicious night was symbolic of the sacred mission he had come to fulfil: unveiling the sweetest facets of devotion. Swamiji continues to impart this priceless wisdom with exceptional beauty and depth.
Diving into the Bhakti Shatak
In just 100 poetic couplets, Bhakti Shatak distills the vast ocean of Vedic philosophy into gems of practical knowledge. In its verses, Shree Maharajji presents profound scriptural truths with striking simplicity, making them accessible to all.
The text is a reservoir of Braj Ras, where God's majesty dissolves into the intimacy of love. The Lord of the universe becomes a son, a lover, or a friend, however the devotee approaches Him. Such love blooms when one seeks neither liberation nor any other reward, but loves God solely for His happiness. Requiring no physical journey, the Bhakti Shatak invites us to immerse ourselves in the sublime nectar of selfless love.
Language of Prayer
The journey towards this love begins with purifying and elevating the mind through reflection, contemplation, and meditation, and attaching it to God. Yet sincere practice also reveals the limits of individual effort and the need for divine grace. Accordingly, each morning began with heartfelt prayers, including the humble appeal:
हे आशरण शरण, तुम्हारी कृपा के बिना तुम्हें कोई जान भी तो नहीं सकता। ऐसी स्थिति में, हे अकारण करुणा पतित पावन श्रीकृष्ण, तुम अपनी अहैतुकी कृपा से ही हमको अपना लो।
O refuge of the shelterless! Without Your grace, no one can even know You. In such a situation, O Shree Krishna, the causelessly compassionate Lord and purifier of the fallen, please accept us through Your causeless grace alone.
Meditation & Melody
Roopdhyan Meditation is central to JKYog—holding the image of God in mind while chanting and singing bhajans. Swamiji explains the science behind it: the human mind naturally thinks in images, which imprint deeply upon the subconscious. Since inner purification occurs only when the consciousness attaches to the all-pure Divine, visualizing the form of one's Ishtadev becomes a simple yet potent means of sadhana.
The practice is enriched by Shree Maharajji's kirtans from Prem Ras Madira. Their evocative melodies and poignant lyrics transport the mind to another realm. From cultivating humility and tearful yearning to admiring the Lord's beauty, singing His glories, or playfully teasing Him, these compositions traverse the many flavors of divine love, enabling devotees to nurture their bond with Bhagavan.
Eternal Guidance
The mornings also brought Shree Maharajji's illuminating discourses, accompanied by the sweetest Radhey Govind chants. In one lecture, he reminded us that God and Guru act solely to bestow grace upon souls.
Shree Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita 3.22 states:
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन ।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥ 22॥
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣhu lokeṣhu kiñchana
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva cha karmaṇi
BG 3.22: There is no duty for Me to do in all the three worlds, O Parth, nor do I have anything to gain or attain. Yet, I am engaged in prescribed duties.
We work because we desire something. As tiny parts of God, the ocean of bliss, we are driven by an innate search for happiness. Not having attained perfect bliss, we remain dissatisfied, and all our endeavors are directed towards that fulfilment. God, however, is eternally self-satisfied (Atmaram); He desires nothing. The Saint who attains Him becomes equally situated in that state of contentment. When such personalities act in the world, their works are never self-serving, but flow purely from mercy for the welfare of others.
At times, Shree Maharajji would affectionately chide the listeners into deeper awareness. He observed that many routinely recite scriptures, undertake arduous pilgrimages, and bathe in sacred rivers—yet remain mentally absent. Without mental absorption, these rituals remain physical drills that fail to cleanse the heart. True bhakti is never a mere performance of the senses; it must engage the mind.
Offerings of Love
The retreat offered numerous opportunities to serve Hari Guru. One special offering involved adorning Maharajji's padukas with mehendi. As devotees lined up for this seva, kirtans such as “Jai Ho Jai Ho Sadguru Sarkar, Balihar Balihar” filled the air in loving glorification of the Guru. Another highlight was the Mahadawat for Shree Maharajji, where devotees lovingly prepared delicacies. As the food was offered, the mesmerizing Bhog Geet was sung:
कबहुँक खात गिरावत कबहुँक, निज पट कबहुँक आपुन थार।
कबहुँक खात करत हठ जब कोउ, खात जात नहीं मानत हार।
लखत 'कृपालु' भक्त जन कहि कहि, जय हो जय सदगुरु सरकार।
Sometimes, He spills food on His clothes, and sometimes, He lets it fall into His own plate! When a devotee lovingly insists on feeding Him a little more, He obliges, continuing to eat without accepting defeat! Witnessing this scene, the devotees joyfully exclaim, "All glories to our beloved Guru!"
Holy Festivities
Participants received the chandan tika, rakhi, and kanthi mala as blessings from Swamiji. Afternoon Picnics sparked fond laughter as attendees relished the pastimes of Shree Maharajji over snacks.
The campus came alive with the daily Parikramas, as the beats of the dhol mingled with soaring chants of Radhey Govind and seekers swayed in devotional ecstasy. Evenings brought their own charm through Mehfil (cultural program), where children, youth, and elders offered songs and dances for the pleasure of Hari-Guru. Q&A sessions invited open dialogue, as Swamiji addressed a wide range of spiritual queries with warmth and clarity.
The Bhakti Store added to the festive bustle with spiritual literature, souvenirs, and traditional attire, while Bhakti Bites served healthy refreshments. Each night reached a crescendo with everyone dancing to Hari Bol, followed by Swamiji distributing chocolates as prasad.
A standout moment was the celebration of Shree Maharajji's birth anniversary, marked by a ceremonial cake cutting, fireworks, Swamiji playfully tossing treats—a delightful shower of grace that left everyone smiling like children.
Lessons for the Soul
Anticipation peaked each day as attendees gathered for Swamiji’s discourses. Weaving Vedic wisdom with contemporary insights, Swamiji compassionately unpacked the first twenty-two verses of the Bhakti Shatak.
Everything About God Is Infinite
His Names, Forms, Abodes, Pastimes, devotees, and incarnations are all infinite. Hence, He is called Anant. The Bhagavatam states, प्रायांसि भूमेः गणयेत् कथञ्चित् कालेन नैवाखिल-शक्ति-धाम। One might somehow count all the particles of dust on the crust of the earth; but never fully estimate the Lord’s glories. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu illustrated this infinitude by pointing that even if an entire universe were to disappear, no one would even notice!
The powers of the All-Powerful Lord are equally beyond counting. For simplicity, Swamiji broadly classified them into three categories: Jeev Shakti, Maya Shakti, and Para Shakti. Although God alone is the ultimate tattva, His energies are distinct yet inseparable from Him, sharing a relationship of bheda-abhed (simultaneous difference and non-difference). He explained with a simple analogy: just as the sun and its rays are distinct yet inseparable, so are God and His energies.
The Attainment of Pure Devotion
Swamiji next explained Vishuddh Bhakti or Para Bhakti. A seed sown in the earth can grow into a tree. But can divine love be cultivated in the same way? No. Krishna-prem is a divine power that cannot be manufactured by effort alone. It comes through divine grace.
प्रथम साधना भक्ति करु, तब मन निर्मल होय।
मिलै विशुद्ध भक्ति तब, गुरु अनुकंपा तोय॥ ~ Verse 9, Bhakti Shatak
Divine love is the Pancham Purusharth, the fifth and highest goal of human life, transcending Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Also called Purusharth Shiromani, the crown jewel of all human pursuits, it is not sadhan-sadhya (attainable through spiritual practice alone), but kripa-sadhya (attainable through divine grace), which flows through the Guru.
How, then, should we aspire for this supreme treasure? Swamiji painted vivid pictures of longing: a fish desperately writhing outside water and a fledgling yearning for its mother. Just as these creatures instinctively long for what is indispensable to them, we must develop an equally intense yearning for divine love. The Guru nurtures this longing until God becomes our heart's foremost aspiration.
The Illusion of Worldly Happiness
Swamiji then pinpointed why we suffer in life. Our belief that worldly possessions and experiences bring happiness becomes the very source of our misery. This attachment also fuels FOMO (fear of missing out), driving people to scroll endlessly on social media and compare their lives with others.
जग महान सुख दुख् दो नहीं, अस उर धरी ले ज्ञान।
सुख माने दुःख मिलत है, सुख ना जगत महान मन॥ ~ Verse 11, Bhakti Shatak
He brought this point home through an amusing story.
A man bathing in the Ganga spotted what looked like a gold stick floating downstream. He grabbed it but its weight pulled him under, and he began to struggle. Forced to choose between the stick and his life, he let it go and swam to safety.
Yet, once ashore, he began lamenting, "Oh, my stick! My stick is gone!"
A holy man nearby asked, "Why are you grieving? Just minutes ago, you had no gold stick and were perfectly happy. The moment you claimed it as your own and imagined it would bring you happiness, you became attached. Now that it is gone, you suffer. I merely watched it float by. Since I never claimed it as mine, its disappearance brought me no sorrow."
We suffer because we mistake material possessions for sources of happiness. The lesson is to perform our duties in the world without becoming attached.
The euphonious rhythm of the couplets made the teachings unforgettable. Through relatable parables, vivid stories, and his inimitable wit, Swamiji turned every discourse into pure nourishment for the soul.
Parting Reflections
As bags were packed and farewells spoken, seekers carried back far more than cherished memories. The familiar adage ‘sang ka rang padta hai’ reminds us that we are shaped by the company we keep. Days spent away from the madding crowd, surrounded by like-minded individuals and immersed in ‘Satsang’, left ripples of faith and devotion in their hearts.
The Shreemad Bhagavatam beautifully extols the transformative power of holy company:
सतां प्रसङ्गान्मम वीर्यसंविदो भवन्ति हृत्कर्णरसायनाः कथाः।
तज्जोषणादाश्वपवर्गवर्त्मनि श्रद्धा रतिर्भक्तिरनुक्रमिष्यति॥ ~ Verse 3.25.25
When we associate with saintly personalities, we hear divine wisdom from them, which is like nectar to our ears. From such hearing, first faith develops, then attachment to God, and then gradually divine love manifests in the heart.
Perhaps the truest gift of the retreat was the quiet thirst it left behind: to move ever closer to the Divine, and to make selfless love the beating heart of life!
Call to Action
Reading about divine mysteries and inner mastery is inspiring, but experiencing them firsthand is transformative. Join the JKYog Life Transformation Program (LTP) with Swami Mukundananda right in your city in India!
What awaits you:
● Wisdom Discourses on spiritual secrets from Katha Upanishad & Power of Meditation.
● Soulful Kirtans and Bhajans.
● Guided Roopdhyan for inner peace.
● Personal Connection with Swamiji through Q&A sessions, morning walks, and book signings.
Step away from the daily rush. Recharge your mind and soul. Come be part of a vibrant spiritual community!
FAQs
1. What is a JKYog Sadhana Shivir?
A JKYog Sadhana Shivir is an immersive spiritual retreat that offers seekers opportunities to study spiritual wisdom, practice meditation, participate in devotional kirtans, engage in satsang, and deepen their relationship with God.
2. What is Bhakti Shatak by Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj?
Bhakti Shatak is a collection of 100 poetic couplets presenting profound Vedic and devotional wisdom. It explores the nature of God, the importance of spiritual practice, and the supreme goal of attaining selfless divine love.
3. What is Roopdhyan meditation?
Roopdhyan is a devotional meditation practice in which the seeker visualizes the divine form of their chosen deity while chanting or singing devotional verses. Swami Mukundananda teaches that this practice helps engage the mind in remembrance of God.
4. What is Premanand in the Bhakti tradition?
Premanand refers to the bliss of loving communion with God's personal form. In the devotional tradition, selfless divine love is considered the highest spiritual attainment, surpassing worldly happiness and even liberation.
5. How does satsang help develop devotion to God?
Satsang means associating with saints, spiritual teachings, and uplifting company. Through hearing divine knowledge and observing the lives of spiritually elevated personalities, seekers can develop faith, attachment to God, and gradually deepen their devotion.