Hindu spiritual leader (1922–2013)
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (IAST: "K"ṛ"pālu"; 5 October 1922 – 15 November 2013) was an Indian spiritual guru and the fifth Jagadguru. He was the founder of Prem Mandir in Vrindavan, one of the ten largest Hindu temples in the world. He was also the founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a worldwide Hindu non-profit organization with five main ashrams, four in India and one in the United States.
On Makar Sankranti, 14 January 1957, he received the title of Jagadguru (world teacher) from Kashi Vidvat Parishat, becoming the fifth original Jagadguru in Indian history.
Early life and education.
Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj was born on 5 October 1922 in the village of Kripalu Dham, Mangarh, Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. His mother was Bhagwati Devi and his father was Lalta Prasad Tripathi, a pious Brahmin.
Jagadguru.
In 1955, Kripalu Ji Maharaj organized a religious convention for spiritual leaders in India. Mahamahopadhyay Giridhar Sharma, President of the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, attended the convention and was impressed by Kripalu's scriptural knowledge. In 1957, Kripalu Ji was invited to lecture for ten days on scripture philosophy at the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, a group of 500 scholars of Vedic literature.
The congregation had scholars from Varanasi and other parts of India. Shri Maharaj Ji lectured for seven days about the Hindu scriptures. On 14 January 1957 the scholars declared him to be Jagadguru, a spiritual master of the world. He was 34 years old when given the title, the fifth person ever to receive it. The Kashi Vidvat Parishat also conferred on him the titles "Bhaktiyog-Ras-Avtar" and "Jagadguruttam", as well as the title "Samanvaya-Acharya": he who analyses and reconciles the meaning of all the scriptures, the six philosophies and the teachings of other previous Jagadgurus.
Life after Jagadguru.
After accepting the title of Jagadguru, Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj traveled throughout India for around 14 years between 1957 and 1971. He delivered month-long discourses in various cities, lecturing to tens of thousands of people. 
In 1970, he established Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a charitable religious organization, to disseminate his teachings throughout the world.
Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj composed thousands of bhajans and kirtans, including "Prem Ras Madira", a collection of 1008 devotional songs. His book on philosophy, "Prem Ras Siddhant", discusses the ultimate aim of the individual soul, the importance of attaining divine grace, and the indispensability of surrendering to a Saint. Shri Maharaj Ji's "bhajan" books include Braj Ras Madhuri, Yugal Madhuri, Yugal Shatak, Bhakti Shatak, Yugal Ras, Shyama Shyam Geet, Radha Govind Geet, Krishna Dwadashi and Radha Trayodashi.
During his lifetime, he personally trained more than 50 Pracharaks, male and female monastic disciples. They continue to travel in India and around the world as his ordained representatives, spreading his teachings.
TV appearances.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's discourses are broadcast daily on several religious TV channels, including DD India, Aastha TV, Sadhna TV, IBN 7, News24 and Sanskar TV. In the United States, his discourses are also broadcast everyday on TV Asia.
Works.
Kirtans.
Renditions of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's "bhajans" and "kirtans" have been recorded by singers such as Manna Dey and Anuradha Paudwal. Anup Jalota, 
References.
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