Emotions transcend language, culture, and social conventions when they are experienced in the context of bhakti, or devotion to God. The esteemed spiritual master Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj frequently discussed the intense emotional states that are reached by deeply devoted followers. Tears, singing, and outward displays of ecstasy are characteristics of these emotions, which together constitute a global language of bhakti that expresses the soul's deep love and yearning for the divine.

Tears of Longing and Blissfulness

Tears are one of the most profound ways that bhakti expresses divine love. The darkest recesses of the heart give birth to these tears, which Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj underlined are not ordinary tears but rather the great desire and happiness that devotees experience in their relationship with God. The scriptures refer to these tears as "anandashrukalaya," or "tears of bliss," and they flow spontaneously, just as they would during intensely felt emotions such as pleasure, sadness, or love. But within the framework of bhakti, they indicate a soul's longing for oneness with the divine or the ecstasy of being in God's embrace.

The Power of Sankirtana: Song as a Medium of Divine Connection

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj emphasised the importance of Sankirtana, which is the group chanting and singing of God's names, glories, and pastimes, in addition to weeping. Sankirtana is a potent means of expressing and arousing bhakti, and it is not only a ceremonial activity. Devotees use song as a medium for their feelings, enabling their hearts to thump with holy frequencies. By bridging the gap between the soul and the divine, Sankirtana creates a spiritually charged environment. As they unite in a common expression of love for God, the group singing cleanses the heart and strengthens the bonds of solidarity among believers.

Physical Manifestations of Ecstasy: The Sattvika Bhavas

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj also discussed the "sattvika bhavas," or ecstatic emotional states, and the accompanying bodily symptoms. When a devotee is completely engrossed in divine love, these are the natural physical reactions that take place. Among the eight main symptoms are:

Stambha: As though the body is rooted in divine absorption, becoming still like a tree.

Sveda: Excessive perspiration is an indication of a strong physical response to spiritual passion.

Romancha: Horriphobia, or the tingling of the hairs in response to the exhilaration of a heavenly presence.

Svarabheda: A voice that is choked, unable to convey the intensity of emotion via words.

Vepathu: Body trembling, a physical representation of intense devotion.
Skin colour changes that represent the body's reaction to spiritual feelings are known as vaivarnyams.

Ashrupralaya: An unceasing stream of tears, indicating a strong emotional bond with God.

Pralaya: A state of unconsciousness in which a devotee is so consumed with divine love that they become unaware of their surroundings.

These physical manifestations are not to be misunderstood as mere emotional outbursts but are considered divine symptoms, arising from a place of pure, selfless love for God.

Beyond Social Conventions: The Genuineness of Bhakti

According to Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the intensity of these emotional experiences might cause devotees to act in ways that are considered abnormal or even illogical by society norms. He did stress, though, that such actions are only appropriate when they are motivated by a sincere, passionate love for God. Since true bhakti is a direct, intimate relationship between the soul and the divine, it transcends societal norms. The devotee is completely engrossed in God during this stage, and their acts of love—whether they be sobs, songs, or bodily ecstasy—are regarded as the pinnacle of spiritual expression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the profundity and beauty of devotional love are revealed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's teachings on the universal language of tears, music, and ecstasy in bhakti. Devotees can communicate their deepest, most sincere, and unexpected feelings for God through this language, which is beyond words. The soul communicates with the divine through this global language, feeling the joy and ecstasy of authentic bhakti.