SHRIMAD VALLABHCHARYAJI

“He who surpasses others in glory, brilliancy or power is the manifestation of God’s effulgence”.-Bhagvad-Gita 8-41.

Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji was the founder of the Pushti sect (The Path of God’s Grace), propagandist of Shuddh advaita school of Indian Philosophy (School of pure nondualism), writer of Sixteen Stotras (tracts) world preceptor. He has given seven kinds of interpretations of Shrimad Bhagavata. Shrimad Bhagavata is like the ocean of the Lilas or sports of God Krishna. He has occupied a unique place in Indian culture as a scholar, a genius, a philosopher and religious preacher. He is a lover and a propagator of the Bhagavata Dharma.

HIS MANIFESTATION:- The ancestors of ShriMaha Prabhuji, stayed in Andhra Pradesh. Shri Thakorji (God Krishna) ommanded Shri Yagnanarayana that He would take birtn in their family after completion of 100 Somayagnas. When Laxman Bhattji, his descendant, completed 100 yagnas. (ceremonial sacrifices), Shri Vallabhacharyaji was born in 1478 A.D. (V.S. 1535) on 11th day of the dark half of lunar month of chaitra at Champaranya. The name of his mother was Yallamagaru. Due to terror and physical strain of the flight suffered by the mother, there was a premature birth of child, two months in advance. As the child did not show signs of life, the parents placed it under a tree wrapped in a piece of cloth. It is believed that God appeared in a dream before the parents of Vallabhachayraji and signified that he had taken his birth as the child. The blessed mother extended her arms into the fire unscathed; she received from the fire the divine babe, gleefully to her bosom. The child was named as Vallabh since he was very dear to his parents. Great persons are believed to have been bornunder extraordinary circumstances. The same thing happened with Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji.

STUDY OF

WORLD - PRECEPTOR :- A sensational debate was conducted at Vijaynagar between the Vaishnavaites of Madhva and Shankarites over the philosophical question whether God is Dualistic or non-dualistic - Vallabhacharyaji participated in the discussion considering it as a divine call. Vijaynagar was a like a small empire in south with its sovereignty over many states. The rulers of Vijaynagar werechampions of Hinduism. Vallabhacharyaji who had earnedan epithet of Bala Saraswati, was given the opportunity to discuss the question. The discussion continued for 27 days in the conference hall. The vaishnavaites expounded the nature of Brahman better than Mayavadins’. The views of Mayavadins have distorted the shrutis. Everyone regarded vallabhachryaji as a god sent missionary. The day of victory for vaishnavas was celebrated with great pomp at Vijaynagar. He was honoured by the kanakabhishek ceremony. The title of ‘Acharyaji’ and world preceptor was conferred on him. He was given vessels of gold weighing a hundred maunds. Vallabhacharya declined toaccept them politely and distributed them among the poor brahmins and the learned only after keeping only seven gold mohurs. They were used for preparing the ornaments of Shri Govardhannathji.

PILGRIMAGE OF INDIA - A BRILLIANT CELIBATE :- Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji performed three pilgrimages of India, bare - footed. He only put on white dhoti and a white covering to cover the upper part of his body. (known as ‘Uparano’). He gave discourses on Bhagavata. He looked very bright, brilliant and his body depicted magnificent brilliance as a celibate. He gave discourses on

“ACHARYA” :- Acharya, the leader of spiritual preceptors, is one who has written his personal views and comments on ‘Brahmasutra’, ‘Shrimad Bhagvad Gita’ and‘Upanishads’. Shankarcharyaji, Ramanujacharyaji and Nimbakacharyaji had written their comments and obtained the designation of ‘Acharya’. Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji was the fourth ‘Acharyaji’ of Indian culture. People now addressed him as Shri Vallabhacharyaji.

ESTABSLIHMENT AND PROPAGANDA OF PUSHTI PATH :- When Vallabhacharyaji entered Gokul, his mind was revolving on the important question of restoring people to the right path of devotion. He closed his eyes and meditated on God Krishna who appeared to him in a vision in the form of ShriNathji. He could clearly hear the BrahmaSambandha, mantra, a mantra of self dedication or consecration of self to God Krishna. Shri Acharyaji related this experience to his worthiest and most beloved disciple, in the early morning,“Damala, did you hear any voice last night” ? Damodardas replied in negative. He became the first vaishnav. He wanted to preach his message of devotion to God and God’s grace called Pushti - Marga. He undertook three pilgrimages of India. He performed the initiation ceremony of religious rite by conferring on them ‘NamNivedan’ mantra or ‘Brahma Sambandha’ mantra. Thousands of persons became his disciples but 84 devoted servants are famous and it isknown as ‘Story of 84 Vaishnavas’.

FAMILY OF SHRIMAD VALLABHACHARYAJIi :- Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji strictly adhered to three rules :- (1) He always put on white dhoti and white covering to cover his upper part of body. (2) He always performed pilgrimages bare footed (3) He always resided at the outskirts of the village. His sons and their descendants are known as‘Goswami Maharajas”. He was to remain a life-long celibate but Divine Shri Vitthalnathji of Pandharpur commanded hi to marry and live a life of householder. He married a daughter named ‘Mahakanya’. He had two sons : Shri Gopinathji prabhuacharyaji and Shri Vitthalnathji (Shri Gusainji).

ASURVYAMOHLILA :- (The divine sport that facinates even the demons) In 1530 A.D. ShriNathji commanded ShriVallabh to leave the worldly life and to come near Him. Shrinathji had commanded previously to abandon worldly life at Madhuvamji and Gangasagarji. The third command was accepted by him as the last verdict. He reached Banaras and lived in a Parna Kuti (a cottage of leaves) on the Hanuman Ghat for about a week. He spent his last days in contemplation of God and suffered agonies of separation from Him. The members of his family assembled near him for his last Darshan. He wrote in the form of three verses and a half on sand by way of counsel. God Krishna manifested visually on the spot and wrote in the form of a verse and a half. It is known as ‘ShikshaSloki’. He entered into the waters of the Ganges on the day of ‘Rathayatra’ (A festival that is celebrated on the second or third day of the bright side of the lunar month of ‘Ashadh’) A brilliant flame in the form of God arose from the water and it ascended to heaven and was lost in the firmament. This divine brilliant flame lived in the sky for three hours and it finally entered the cave of Shri Girirajji mountain near ‘Dandavati Shila’. This episode is known as ‘AsurVyamohLila’. The forms of Divine give up their lives at their sweet will and reach the region of permanent abode of the Divine. Shri Aurobindo calls it as “Birth at will and death at will”. Goswami Maharajas and Vaishnav Society are indispensable part of Indian culture. Grace of God and love of God must go hand-in-hand. They make him as the be-all and end-all of all their desires, aspirations and efforts. They consider God Krishna as the Supreme God, Supreme Transcendental Divine, Supreme Spirit.