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In search of true happiness: A path to inner fulfilment

In search of true happiness: A path to inner fulfilment

Time of India2 days ago

In today's world, where the pace of life is unrelenting and distractions are many, a growing number of people are seeking something deeper, that offers lasting peace and inner contentment.
Questions that once seemed philosophical or abstract are now emerging as urgent: Who am I? What is the purpose of life? Where does true happiness reside?
The pursuit of success, wealth, and personal gratification often fails to provide the enduring joy people imagine. Instead, many find themselves trapped in cycles of anxiety, comparison, and emotional fatigue. Increasingly, there is a turning inward — a search for spiritual clarity, emotional resilience, and a life of greater meaning.
In this backdrop, timeless spiritual philosophies are finding renewed relevance. These are not just doctrines or beliefs but perspectives that invite deep self-reflection and open the door to profound transformation. Among them is the concept of divine love — a love that transcends the material, the egoic, and the fleeting; a love that anchors the soul in eternal bliss.
Prem Ras Siddhant, written by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj - the 5th original Jagadguru in history
One such work that explores this path in depth is
Prem Ras Siddhant
(The Philosophy of Divine Love), a spiritual guide by
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
, a revered spiritual leader.
First published in Hindi in 1955, the book has since been translated into several Indian languages such as Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Gujarati and Bengali, as well as English, making its message accessible to seekers worldwide.
Kripalu Ji Maharaj holds the rare distinction of being the fifth original 'Jagadguru' in Indian history, a title conferred upon him by the Kashi Vidvat Parishad in 1957, acknowledging his unparalleled scriptural mastery and unique ability to simplify deep spiritual truths.
Yet beyond his intellectual brilliance, it is his overflowing divine love and compassion that continue to draw spiritual aspirants to his teachings.
In Prem Ras Siddhant, Kripalu Ji Maharaj expounds the philosophy of Bhakti Yoga, which is a path of loving devotion that is neither rigid nor exclusionary but open to all, regardless of age, background or belief. The book answers fundamental spiritual questions with logic, clarity and poetic simplicity.
It explains that the soul, being a part of God, naturally yearns for divine love, and only through devotion, free from desires and expectations, can one achieve true and lasting happiness.
Apart from Hindi, Prem Ras Siddhant is also available in English, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Gujarati and Bengali
The book is not just a guide for contemplation, but a practical manual for spiritual practice. Through compelling analogies and scriptural references, Kripalu Ji Maharaj introduces readers to the concept of Roopdhyan meditation — the visualisation of the divine form of God, as a means to purify the mind and deepen one's connection with the divine.
He also highlights the importance of detachment from worldly pleasures, not as an act of renunciation, but as a natural result of experiencing something far more fulfilling — divine love. In his teachings, detachment is not about giving up, but about rising above.
Prem Ras Siddhant is a good read for spiritual aspirants. It is clear, logical, scripturally grounded, yet profoundly devotional. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj presents a philosophy that is not just intellectually satisfying but also practically transformative.
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