Swami Kripalu

About Swami Kripalvanandijii (known as Swami Kripalu, for short, or Bapuji, as a term of endearment indicating “dear father”):

Swami Kripalvanandiji was born into a Brahmin family, on January 13, 1913 in Dabhoi, Gujarat, India. In his early life, his parents instructed Bapuji in basic religious training. He loved chanting and mediating.

At nineteen years old, he relocated to Mumbai (Bombay) but grew very despondent with life. He asked himself: “What reason is there for a life without ideals?” Preferring death to living such a life, he attempted to commit suicide four times. Each time, an event thwarted his efforts.

Just before his last attempt, he met a Guru who knew Bapuji’s intentions to commit suicide both how and when. Bapuji was greatly impressed with this strangers knowledge of his inner most thoughts. He became this Guru’s beloved disciple and lived with him for about 21 months while he taught Bapuji kundlani yoga.

After a pilgrimage to Mathura, Gokul, and Vridavan, Bapuji and his Guru walked to Delphi. During the trip, Bapuji’s Guru disappeared. Years later, Bapuji had a brief visit from him and he told Bapuji that he was Lord Lakulish (Dadaji), an incarnation of Lord Shiva.