Prior to Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's return to Allahabad on the evening of 14 January 1957, announcements had taken place throughout the day within the city itself that in the evening Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj would be returning as Jagadguru. Devotees had made elaborate arrangements including erecting a large marquee not far from the railway station. A stage was constructed for Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj to sit on while people came forward to pay their obeisance. Everything was ready on time and beautifully decorated. The sense of anticipation and excitement had been building all day.
On the station platform, a large crowd gathered to greet Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj for the first time as he stepped down from the train. The platform and surrounds resounded with boisterous cries of Jaya ho! Jaya ho Jagadguru Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharajl Jaya ho Jagadguru Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj kil Jaya ho Jagadguru Kripalu Mahaprabhu Ji kil Jaya ho! After the train had pulled up, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj stood for sometime at the door of the carriage. Thousands of eyes gazed lovingly at the regal golden figure standing in the train's doorway. In return, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj cast his beautiful smile and loving glance overall. What joy those revellers experienced at that moment, only they know.
With their Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj among them at long last, the celebratory procession that included dancing, singing, and cheering weaved its way from the railway station down to the marquee area. The grandeur of the occasion brought shopkeepers out of their shops and brought passersby to a standstill. All seemed irresistibly drawn to the love and joy that emanated from the procession. Coming down from the rath, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj stepped up to the rostrum and took his designated seat. Everyone hurriedly came and sat before Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who soon started leading rousing sankirtan - hare rama hare krishna, bhajo giridhara govinda gopala, radhe govinda bhajo vrindavan chanda bhajo. For about one hour, the sweet intoxicating sounds of God's names poured from the marquee attracting many more people from surrounding neighbourhoods. Even when he concluded the sankirtan, the crowd's enthusiasm was not dampened in the slightest.
This joyous occasion was celebrated in many more towns across North India. Decorated Roths for Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj led heart-catching processions where enthusiastic people were lovingly singing the name of Shri Radha Krishna in blessed contentment. News of this goings-on had reached Mangarh and the ears of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's mother, Shrimati Bhagavati Devi who was later heard to lovingly remark, One day I heard the news that Ram Kripalu had become Jagadguru. My God! What is this Jagadguru? Does this mean that he has become a big man now? Then) heard that he gives discourses sitting on a big throne made of silver and that processions are being taken out in many cities in his name. O Lord! Does it mean that he will no longer come to my humble village? But one day my little one came. He touched my feet as he used to in the old days and lay in my lap. So nothing has changed! My child is as lovable and sweet as ever. I hugged him again and again with tears of joy streaming down my eyes.
He Freed Himself From The Oatentation Of Jagadguru
IN THE WORDS of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, "Initially after the title of Jagadguru was bestowed upon me there was great hue and cry all over India, wherever I went to lecture. During those early years, I used to speak for about eleven and a half months a year. Wherever my lectures took place, people distributed flyers against me. Oh! What kind of Jagadguru is he? He doesn't sit on a throne. A Jagadguru should sit on a throne and then speak. After about a year, all the satsangis requested me, 'Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, please get a throne made for yourself."
And so Satsangis arranged for a throne to be made that was crafted in Kanpur. Having received it, I started giving discourses sitting on it. Then people said, Look at this Babaji sitting on a throne! He sits on a grand throne to deliver lectures. Can't he do without a throne? He shows off that he's Jagadguru. See, there is a problem either way.
When India was attacked by China during Nehru's era, I donated the throne to the Defence Fund in Lucknow. I told myself, now I'll be relieved. Now nobody could say. Why don't you sit on a throne? Also, I added a condition that until we get back the Indian Territory captured by China, won't sit on the throne of Jagadguru. I got relief.""
Conclusion: The arrival of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj in Allahabad in 1957 was a momentous occasion filled with anticipation and excitement. His devotees celebrated his return with great joy and devotion, and his humble and loving demeanor endeared him to all. Despite the title of Jagadguru, he resisted ostentation and chose to speak without sitting on a grand throne, focusing on his spiritual teachings rather than external symbols of authority. He even donated the throne he received to the Defence Fund during a time of national crisis. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's life and teachings reflect a commitment to humility, love, and devotion to the divine. Through enlightening discourses and chanting of the holy name, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (lovingly called Shri Maharaj Ji by His devotees) made unceasing efforts to reveal the true philosophy from the Vedic scriptures to mankind in the simplest form possible so that they may attain their true goal of God Realisation.
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