At the age of 19, Swami Kripalu met his guru, Dadaji, in Bombay and was invited to stay at Dadaji’s ashram, where he received intensive spiritual training, including deep study of sacred texts and rigorous yogic practices. After 15 months, Dadaji mysteriously disappeared, leaving Kripalu to continue his spiritual journey independently, holding onto his guru’s promise of a future reunion upon becoming a sannyasi.

Kripalu, born on January 13, 1913, in Gujarat, grew up in a large family with nine children. His early life was marked by hardship, especially after losing his father at the young age of seven in 1920. His family, already struggling, was thrown into further poverty, and Kripalu witnessed their home being taken from them.

Life in the Ashram

Kripalu described the ashram as a mansion, yet only he and Gurudev lived on the fourth floor. Gurudev spent his days in meditation, sitting in padmasana, with the door to his room open so visitors could have darshan from a distance. Despite having wealthy disciples, it was Kripalu, a poor youth, who received the saint’s full attention. Gurudev spoke seldom and only briefly, but he spent hours with Kripalu, explaining the Vedas, Upanishads, Yogic texts, and more. Kripalu quickly became his favorite, and the entire assembly of disciples revered him.

Gurudev’s Announcement

One day, Gurudev gathered everyone and announced, “Swami is my chief disciple. From now on, in my absence, he will run the ashram.” Kripalu assumed his new role with discipline, assigning duties with punctuality. When Gurudev noticed this, he gently scolded Kripalu, advising him not to disappoint anyone, even if they were late.

Kripalu’s Growth and Gurudev’s Teachings

Gurudev often spoke of Kripalu’s potential, though Kripalu felt unworthy. Once, when Gurudev praised him, Kripalu humbly replied, “Do you want to make this monkey drunk with praise?” To this, Gurudev replied, “I’ve planted a mango seed. In time, it will become a large mango tree.”

Kripalu also inquired about Gurudev’s true name, to which Gurudev advised him to chant the pranav mantra. Over time, Gurudev imparted wisdom, giving Kripalu essential life lessons and practices to follow, including devotion to God, the study of scriptures, and mastery of asanas, pranayams, and meditation.

The Journey and Kripalu’s Transformation

Fifteen months of intense training passed, including a 40-day fast and receiving shaktipat diksha initiation. Then, one day, Gurudev announced they would embark on a week-long journey. Walking up to 40 miles a day, the journey tested Kripalu’s endurance. On the last day, weakened by hunger and exhaustion, Kripalu collapsed under a tree and admitted defeat. Gurudev, understanding his limits, stopped to comfort him, even massaging his feet and providing a meal. This humbling experience shifted Kripalu’s outlook, as he ate the leftover food gathered by Gurudev and realized the depth of his guru’s teachings.

Gurudev’s Disappearance

The morning after the long walk, Gurudev mysteriously disappeared, leaving Kripalu alone under the tree. After waiting for two days, Kripalu returned to Bombay, but Gurudev was nowhere to be found. Even more astonishingly, all copies of Gurudev’s photographs had vanished. Realizing that Gurudev had left for good, the disciples disbanded the ashram. Kripalu, deeply saddened, remembered Gurudev’s words: “I will meet you again when you become a sannyasi.” Holding on to this promise, Kripalu left Bombay and returned to his hometown of Dabhoi, ready to re-enter worldly life.