Lekhraj Kripalani and the Spiritual Ideal of Renunciation: A Scholarly Synthesis
Ajaya Bhattarai, Hem Sharma Pokharel, Rajesh Arora, Navaraj Pokharel
Perspectives on Higher Education August 6, 2026 DOI: 10.3126/phe.v16i1.95940 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Brahma Baba's renunciation, centered on purity, soul consciousness, and women's empowerment, forms a unique paradigm of “renunciation of renunciation” that departs from classical South Asian ascetic models and is oriented toward world renewal. |
Abstract
This article consists of the life, teachings, and renunciatory journey of Lekhraj Kripalani (1876–1969). Later on, Lekhraj Kripalani became Brahma Baba, who established the Brahma Kumaris institution. This article highlights his transformation from a wealthy jewel merchant to a spiritual instrument of the Supreme Soul, Shiv Baba. His renunciation affects the cultural, social, and spiritual contexts of pre- and post-independence South Asia. This article explores the foundational visions that catalyzed his transformation, including the formation, persecution, and migration of Om Mandali. His institutional emphasis on purity and soul consciousness and on the empowerment of women leaders creates the theological concept of “renunciation of renunciation.” This article also argues that his model of renunciation is distinct from classical South Asian ascetic paradigms. In conclusion, Brahma Baba’s embodiment of renunciation is best understood as a transformational paradigm oriented toward world renewal.