Celebration

Bhagwad seva through Brahma Sambandha :

In order to provide upliftment of Pushti Jivas, the divine being HIMSELF appeared before Shri Mahaprabhuji and gave hi the Brahmasambandha diksha, and further promised him to accept all those beings/jeevs as his very own, (overlooking their doshas) to whom Shree MAhaprabhuji gave the Brahma Sambandha diksha. Brahma Sambandha means ” Establishment of the broken down relationship that remained so for thousands of years, between Jivatma and Paramatma through the means of Samarpana i.e., surrender. In other words to accept HIM once again as your Master. To declare your servitude (dasatva) to HIM.

There is a provision of bringing an alliance through marriage to bring out the concept of Samarpana with love. In this alliance a women accepts the state of servitude to a man and makes him her master. For the comfort of her master (husband) a women (wife) surrenders her self through her mind body and money and offers seva and she believes that the comfort of her husband are the primary considerations in life for her and with that notion in mind she dedicates herself in his seva.

The same concept can be seen in Brahma Sambandha in a transcendental form Jivatma consides himself as the servant of Paramatma. He accepts HIM as his Master. In marriage ceremoney three aspects are important viz., a Brahman to perform the rites, fire to stand as witness, and saptapadi – i.e., seven steps to conjugal union.

In Brahma Sambandha the part of a Purohit is played by “Tulsi” – Basil leaves. I performs the “Hasta Melaps” – holding the hand for life – between the Bhakta and devine being. Here Shri Mahaprabhuji stands for the form of fire (Agni) to act as a witness. In his presence a jiva utters the Mantra of Brahma Sambandha which stands for “Sapta padi” process. Through this mantra he promises that he surrender his complete body, mind , all members of the family, all his wealth, this life, all the lives to come in future, all kinds of activities along with his atma to Shri Krishna. He recites the “Panchakshara Mantra” three times and accepts a complete and unconditional “Saranagati” of Shri Krishna with his speech, conduct and thoughts.

Shri Mahaprabhuji has envisaged six aspects in “Saranagati” : 1. I will do whatever is to the liking of my master. 2. I will no do anything that is not to the liking of divine being. 3. I accept “Prabhu” as my Master for all times. 4. I will keep a firm faith in my heart about the fact that my Master will take care of me in all respects. 5. I will be always humble and serve HIM with an attitude of dasa (servant). 6. I will surrender all that I possess to HIM. This last is called “Atma Nivedana”.

We take this promise of “Saranagati” and “Samarpana” before Shri Thakurji through our speech. In other words it is “Brahma Sambandha” through words.

In Worldly affairs, a maiden will go and live with her husband to serve him and be dedicated. So we have to maintain the promise we have given under Brahma Sambandha through words by putting it into practive. For this purpose Shri Thakurji has HIMSELF shown the path of “Seva and Samarpana to Shri Mahaprabhuji” A Brahma Sambandha jiva should not utilize any object which is not offered to Shri Thakuqji. In other words you will not touch any “Asamarpita Vastu” (not offered). When we utilize objects offered to divine being then only the promoise made at the time of Brahma Sambandha can be fulfilled otherwise there is no way you can keep the promise valid.

Tyaga or relinquishing the non-offered and accepting that which is offered becomes a part of “Seva Marg”. Hence Shri Mahaprabhuji and Shri Gusaiji have stated clearly that for every person who receives Brahma Sambandha there is only one duty at all places and at all times. i.e., to offer seva to Shri Krishna who is the lord of Vraj. This is the “Atma Dharma” (Dharma is a religion fate, Atma is for self). That is the only duty. There is no other dharma for him at any time or at any place. That is the reason why so much regard is given to seva under “Pushti Marg”.