What is the significance of the title Jagadguru and how did it originate?

India has always been known as the spiritual leader of the world, having given birth to many great sages, saints, and thinkers gifted with divine vision. However, in modern times, the rise of so-called gurus who lack knowledge of the scriptures has caused confusion and degeneration in spirituality. To combat this, the tradition of Jagadguru was established, which honors a saint proven to be well-versed in the Vedas and Shastras and who has realized God. In this article, we will explore the origin and significance of the Jagadguru tradition.

The word Jagadguru is very old. In the Mahabharata Arjuna called Shri Krishna the Jagadguru. India Has always been and continues to be the spiritual leader of the world. It has been the proud privilege of India to be the birthplace of many great Saints, Sages, thinkers, and seers gifted with divine vision. In modern times, however, the prevalence and mushroom growth of so-called gurus in our country is widespread. People who do not know the meaning of the scriptures are beguiling the innocent public. Spirituality across the board is degenerating making it imperative to know who a genuine Guru is, i.e. someone who can haul us out of this abyss of darkness. Moreover, India is at risk of losing its seat as the spiritual leader of the world. We need someone to illumine our spiritual path, to revive true spirituality and revitalize ancient Vedic wisdom, so that the widening generation gap can be bridged and India can continue undisputedly as the spiritual leader. Ochre-robed sanyasis and countless babas, no matter how elaborate their ostentation, cannot fulfil this mission. It is only a God- realised Saint who can bring about a spiritual revolution through the unification of all cultures and faiths, thereby maintaining India’s esteemed seat of world teacher.

It Is difficult for a common person to recognise a true God- realised Saint from observing his outer appearance. All the scholars therefore decided to generate the seat of Jagadguru, so that whoever assumed it could be accepted as a Guru without any doubt. Let us reflect on this time- honoured tradition of Jagadguru.

The word "Jagadguru" Is very old. In the Mahabharata Arjuna called Shri Krishna, the Jagadguru – krishnam vande jagadgurum. In the Uttar Khand of Skanda Purana, Mother Parvati addressed Lord Shankara as Jagadguru. In the tenth canto of the Bhagavatam (10.90.27) Shukadeva Paramahansa says, “Blessed are those women who

Accepted Jagadguru Shri Krishna as their beloved.” Thus, Shri Krishna Himself is the foremost original Jagadguru, “Spiritual Master of the World”. Since ancient times, this tradition of honouring a Saint with the title of Jagadguru began with Jagadguru Shankaracharya (BC 509-477), who was a partial incarnation of Lord Shankara. 

In this Age of Kali as hypocrisy and fraud continued to grow in leaps and bounds, many people wearing the coloured garb of an ascetic became babas or godmen overnight. Apathetic to the study of the Vedas and Shastras, they instead adopted unscrupulous methods to attract gullible people by initiating them through whispering some mumbo-jumbo into their ears. Consequently, their misguided followers became all the more confused.

Sensing the need of the times, the eminent scholars of the day who represented different branches of knowledge unanimously decided to bestow the title of Jagadguru on a Saint who was proven to be well-versed in the knowledge of the Vedas and Shastros, and who had realised God. Such a person should be able to command the respect and reverence of all the scholars of India. People should feel confident to seek his association and practice devotion under his guidance. A poor family man has no time or wherewithal to determine who is genuine and who is not. Therefore, in order to combat this deception for the benefit of all, the practice of honouring a genuine Saint with the title of Jagadguru began. 

One has to seek the refuge of a Saint who is both shrotriya and brahmanishtha, i.e. one who is well-versed in the Vedas and Shastras and who has practically realised God. He should be able to convey the essence of the vast knowledge contained in our scriptures, and explain it to us simply. For example, what is God? What is jiva? What is maya? How can a seeker attain God-realisation? What is worldly happiness? What is the mind and what is the intellect? Only a Saint capable of demystifying these fundamental questions deserves to adorn the position of Jagadguru.

During the time of Shri Shankaracharya there was no assembly of scholars. He travelled the length and breadth of the country, defeating all the renowned scholars who challenged him to scriptural debate, who in turn accepted their defeat declaring him to be the supreme amongst all. The story of the defeat of karmakanda pundit and great scholar, Mandan Mishra and his wife Sharda Devi, at the hands of Shri Shankaracharya is well-known. 

In accordance with the prevailing sentiments and circumstances of the time, he established the doctrine or philosophy of Advaita or Monism. Though he was essentially a Rasika Saint who practiced devotion to Shri Krishna, but his commentaries propagated the philosophy of Advaita, the purpose being to counteract the agnostic philosophy propagated in Buddhism. The establishment of the tradition of Jagadguru during this time helped revive the moribund tenets of Hinduism. With a view to propagate the wisdom of the Vedanta and to preserve national culture, Shri Shankaracharya established four mathas and nominated four of his disciples to carry forward the propagation of the principles of Vedanta as enunciated by him from their respective seats.

Following Jagadguru Shankaracharya who propounded Advaita there came Shri Ramanujacharya (1017-1137), the propounder of the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita or Qualified Non-Dualism, Shri Nimbarkacharya (1130- 1200), the propounder of the philosophy of Dvaitadvaita or Dualistic Non-Dualism and then Shri Madhvacharya (1238- 1317), the propounder of the philosophy of Dvaita or Dualism. Each earned the title of Jagadguru after all the great scholars of their times bowed their heads before them.

The four successors of Jagadguru Shankaracharya, duly nominated by him to head the four mathas, followed the same tradition of Jagadguru and so were called Jagadgurus. The disciples who became their successors were then called Jagadguru too, and this practice has continued. In this way, the person who holds the seat has the title of Jagadguru. Later in the eighteen century, a body called Kashi Vidvat Parishat was established in the holy city of Varanasi, comprising approximately 500 of India’s topmost scholars. This esteemed assembly’s collective knowledge represented a variety of spiritual disciplines and scriptures, including the Vedanta and Nyaya, the works of Patanjali and the Vaisheshika, the Bhagavad Gita and the Shrimad Bhagavatam, etc. They alone held the authority to determine who should be honoured with the title of Jagadguru.

It was this Kashi Vidvat Parishat who in 1957 invited the young Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj to speak for ten consecutive days on scriptural philosophy. During his discourses, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj quoted thousands of verses from hundreds of scriptures while speaking in fluent Sanskrit. He revealed his profound and unparalleled scholarship of the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, and other scriptures that belied his age of just 34 years. Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj accepted and proved true the existing philosophies of all previous Jagadgurus, and to the utter amazement of the scholars of Kashi Vidvat Parishat, he also miraculously reconciled their apparent contradictions. In addition, he proved the significance, importance, and supremacy of bhakti or devotion as being the essence of all Hindu paths for this age. To this end, he also explained the practical form of nishkam bhakti or selfless devotion, which can be followed by anyone.

Every year, 14 January is celebrated as “Jagadguruttam Divas” in commemoration of this historical event that took place on 14 January 1957 when Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was honoured with the unprecedented title of Jagadguru, “Supreme Amongst All Jagadgurus” by Kashi Vidvat Parishat.

Most people are not aware that the title of Jagadguru that has been traditionally inherited by the line of successors of Jagadguru Shankaracharya and the other three original Jagadgurus is not a title granted by Kashi Vidvat Parishat. The Mathadhishas of the four mathas set up by Shri Shankaracharya are called Shankaracharya, but most people call them Jagadguru. To date, Kashi Vidvat Parishat has declared only Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj to be Jagadguru. Before honouring anybody, Kashi Vidvat Parishat thoroughly assesses the person to determine whether he is amply endowed with complete knowledge of all the Shastras, Vedas and Puranas. After fully satisfying themselves that all criteria has been met, they then decide to honour that person with the title of Jagadguru.

This elite body of scholars was left spellbound by the extraordinary vastness of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s knowledge that included all the Vedas and Shastras, which he imparted so judiciously through his erudite lectures in classical Sanskrit.

Listening to his reconciliation of the various philosophies of his predecessors, all the scholars accepted him as Jagadguruttam. Being deeply impressed by his charming personality, so immersed in the loving sentiments of bhakti, they also conferred on him the title of Bhaktiyoga- rasavatara, “Descension of Divine Love and Bliss” along with several other titles.

The four previous Jagadgurus wrote their commentaries and books in Sanskrit, a language far beyond the comprehension of common people today. Reconciling their doctrines, the fifth Jagadguru, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj represented the principle of bhaktiyoga, making it applicable to the modern age by attributing universal brotherhood and giving it a positive outlook by propagating the message of love and devotion supported by all the world’s scriptures.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the tradition of Jagadguru has played a significant role in reviving the moribund tenets of Hinduism, and in combating the rise of fraudulent gurus. The title of Jagadguru is bestowed upon a saint who has practical realization of God and is well-versed in the knowledge of the Vedas and Shastras, and who can convey the essence of vast knowledge contained in the scriptures to seekers. It is through the guidance of a Jagadguru that the widening generation gap can be bridged, and India can continue to lead as the spiritual teacher of the world. In this regard, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj was a great proponent of the Jagadguru tradition, who dedicated his life to spreading the message of divine love and devotion to seekers all over the world. May his teachings continue to inspire us and lead us on the path of spiritual enlightenment.