Pushtimarg: The Path of Grace. Jai Shri Krishna to All..!! Enjoy life with Love, Fun and Bhakti…
Posts tagged Mahaprabhuji
Shri Mahaprabhuji Family
03 years ago
The wife of Shri Vallabh as Shri Mahalaxmi Vahuji who is also known “Akkaji” in Pushtimarg. Shri Vallabh had two sons. Shri Gopinathji and Shri Vitthalnathji (Shri Gusainji). It was Shri Gusainji who, after the Asur-Vyamoha Leela of Shri Vallabh and the union of Shri Gopinathji with lord Jagannathji of Puri, spread the Sampradaya to all the different parts of the country.
Bhagwad seva through Brahma Sambandha
03 years ago
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”.
Krishna as Shrinathji
163 years ago
Shree Govardhannathji (Shree Shreenathji)
The deity (Swaroop) at the famous Vaishnav temple of Shri Nathadwara in Rajasthan (India) is known as SHRINATHAJI. This Swaroop in reality is that of Lord Shri KRISHNA . SHRINATHAJI represents child Krishna when He was seven years of age.
This Swaroop is not man made. He manifested Himself from the mountain Goverdhan, (also known as Giriraj) some 500 years ago. He is the same Krishna, who had saved the people of Goverdhan area, from the heavy rainfall caused by the anger of Lord Indra. He lifted the whole mountain with His left hand and protected the people of that area from the rain, for seven days. Because of this, He is also known as Shri Goverdhan nathji. The name was then shortened to SHRINATHAJI.
The story of SHRINATHAJI’s appearance goes back to the year 1408. A village by the name of Anyor lies at the foothills of mountain Goverdhan, near Mathura in north India. There lived a cowherd Sadu Pande. His cows were going at the top of mount Goverdhan for grazing. One of the cows would go to a particular spot and would discharge her milk there. Upon inquiry, a stone, which resembled a raised hand, was found at the spot. People started worshipping this place and offered milk, fruits, etc. This unknown God fulfilled their wishes.
The worshipping lasted for almost 70 years. Then on the day of the appearance of Jagadguru Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji, in the year 1478, the whole figure emerged from this spot by itself. People asked Him who He was and He said, “I am Lord Krishna of Saraswat Kulp. I have reappeared in this Kaliyug. I will be known by the names of Shri Devdaman, Shri Indradaman or Shri Nagdamanas.” Shri Devdaman, eventually became known as SHRINATHAJI.
Shri Vallabhacharyaji traveled the lengths and breaths of India for almost 18 years of his life to propagate Hinduism. On one of such tours at Zarkhand, (in the year 1492) Lord Krishna appeared before him and said,” I have appeared as Lord SHRINATHAJI on the mountain Goverdhan. Go there to meet me. I am eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Shri Vallabhacharya immediately left for Goverdhan area. He stayed at the house of Sadu Pande. He started climbing mount Goverdhan to meet SHRINATHAJI. Lord Krishna in the form of SHRINATHAJI knew that Shri Vallabhacharya has arrived there and was coming uphill to meet Him. He started descending and met Shri Vallabhacharyaji half way on this mountain. They greeted each other very warmly, meeting was very emotional. The incidence became known as PRATHAM MILAN (First Meeting).
Six years after this historic meeting, Shri Vallabhacharyaji started constructing a temple for SHRI NATHAJI on top of the mountain Goverdhan. He appointed Priests (known as Mukhiajis), Singers, Musicians, Cooks, and Manager etc. to manage the Seva-worshipping- of Lord SHRINATHAJI. The sanctum of Shrinathaji was thrown open eight times a day at fixed intervals for Darshans which enabled devotees to see Him for a few moments. The rituals followed during daily worship were intended to evoke memories of Shri Krishna’s childhood lilas (pastimes) at Vraj.
Aurangzeb was a Muslim King and a cruel ruler in the areas of Vraj, Goverdhan etc. He was an anti Hindu and started destroying Hindu temples. SHRINATHAJI temple’s safety was at stake and it was decided to relocate the Swaroop at some safer place. In the year 1669, the swaroop was transferred to a decorative chariot and a journey started. After traveling for almost two and half years, a new location was selected to sattledown. The place was in Rajasthan in the village of Sinhad. Actually it was a palace of the King of Udaipur, who was a great disciple of Shri Vallabhacharyaji.
There was another reason behind the selection of this place. When Shri Gusainji Shri Vithalnathaji)- a son of Shri Vallabhacharyaji, traveled to Dwarika from Vraj, he would stop at the palace of the King of Udaipur in Sinhad. Princess Ajabkumvarbai there was a great disciple of Shri Gusainji and was always performing seva of Shrinathaji. Shrinathaji was playing the game of checker with her everyday. He would travel from Vraj to this place. Ajabkumverbai thought that this must be uncomfortable for Him. She requested Shrinathaji, instead, to stay there permanently. He promised her that He would do so in future only. So the migration from Vraj to Sinhad was also to fulfill the promise of Shrinathaji to Ajabkumverbai. Sinhad is now known as Shri Nathadwara.
The present temple of SHRINATHAJI at Shri Nathadwara was built in the year 1728. The swaroop of SHRINATHAJI is four feet high and is black in color. The left hand is raised-inviting disciples to go to Him. Right hand fist rests on the waist. The swaroop has a square Pithika, containing nine objects: Two Cows, A Cobra, A Sheep, A Man(Muni), A Parrot, Two men (Munies), A Snake, A Lion and Two Peacocks.
From: http://www.vallabhkankroli.org/basic%20elements_shreenathji.htm
