|
Q. What is religion?
Religion is a power that sustains a man.
Q. What is the function of this power?
Religion is a discipline and behavior of the mind to cultivate mental peace and happiness.
Q. What are the consequences if a man does not accept religion?
The man will be just like an animal.
Q. What if man does not like religion?
Religion is not matter of liking or disliking, one who does not accept the ideas of religion, does in practical life follow it.
Q. How?
Respect to parents, love towards friends, clean and healthy living this type of behavior indicates the acceptance of religion.
Q. When was Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharya born?
He was born on the 11th day of first half of Vaishakh (Krishna Ekadasi) in the year Vikram Samvat 1535. According to the Christian calendar this was 1479 A.D.
Q. Who were his ancestors?
His ancestors belonged to Vellandu caste of Tailung Brahmins. Their Gotra (Surname) was Khambhapattivara, although they were also known as Dixit, Bhatt and Somayaji. Their lineage can be traced back to the Sage Bharadvaj.
Q. Were they from Madhya Pradesh?
No, they were not from Kankarvad (also known as Kakaumbhkar), a big city on the southern bank of the River Krishna, in the vicinity of Mount Vyomastambh, in Andhra Pradesh. (Nowadays it is believed that the city existed within the borders of the present State of Nizam.)
Q. What was the name of Shree Vallabhacharyaji’s Father?
His father’s name was Shree Lakshaman Bhatt Dixit.
Q. Why Dixit?
Yajna Narayan Bhatt, to whom Lakshaman Bhatt is fifth in lineage to, had been inspired to start Soma Yajnas (fire oblation). Those who perform Yajnas are known as Yajmans, and Dixit refers to Yajmans. “diksha” means “to take knowledge from” As Lakshaman Bhhatji’s forefather had gained sufficient fame and repute for performing and teaching the Soma Yajnas, they acquired this name. (It is believed in the Vaishnavite Sect that God will incarnate into that family which is able to complete one hundred Soma Yajnas.
Q. Who was his mother?
His mother name was Illamagaru, one of two daughters of Susharma, a royal priest at Vidyanagar (now known as Vijaynagar). Both of the daughters, Illamagaru and Yallamagaru, married to Shree Lakshaman Bhattji.
Q. What were the events that took place lending up to Shree Vallabhacharyaji’s appearance?
In the fourteen century in Kankarvad, while performing a Soma Yajna Narayan Dixit had a visit from Vishnu Muni of Dravidian race, who bestowed upon him the “Gopal Mantra” with the help of which his desires would be fulfilled. In his lifetime Yajna Narayan Dixit managed to complete thirty two Soma Yajna.
Q. What happened to the Deity?
Later the Lord’s Deity appeared and is still currently being served by the Vallabh lineage in Kamvan, Vraj. The name of the Deity is Shree Madan Mohanji.
Q. How were the hundred Soma Yajnas completed?
After Yajna Narayan Dixit, his son Gangadhar Somyaji continued the Holy performance of YAJNAS. He completed twenty eight Soma Yajnas. Gangadhar Somayajis’s son Ganpati Bhatt completed thirty, and after him, his Son Vallabh Bhatt completed five Soma Yajnas.
Yajna Narayan Dixit - 32 Soma Yajnas
Gangadhar Somayaji - 28 Soma Yajnas
Ganpati Bhatt - 30 Soma Yajnas
Vallabh Bhatt - 05 Soma Yajnas
In this way 95 Soma Yajnas were performed before Lakshaman Bhattji’s time.
Q. Who completed the remaining five Soma Yajnas?
Vallabh Bhatt (also known as Balam Bhatt) had two sons: Lakshaman Bhatt and Janardana Bhatt.Lakshaman Bhatt married Yallamagaru and Illamagaru and continued to live in Knakarvad for a while. However, in a battle with a rival king, the city was destroyed. Lakshaman Bhatt was therefore forced to leave Kankarvad and decided to settle in the city of Agrahar. It was here that his son Ram Krishna and his two daughters, Subhadra and Sarasvati were born. It is belived that Lakshaman Bhatt Dixit then decided to renounce the world and became the ascetic, perform the five remaining Soma Yajnas. He did this, after which he heard a celestial voice which said, “Lakshaman Bhatt, you are very blessed. Your clan has now completed one hundred Soma Yajnas, the Lord will take birth in your family.” He was over joyed; To celebrate this Lakshaman Bhatt mad a pilgrimage to Kashi (now known as Banaras or Varanasi), where he held a feast for one thousand Brahmins.
Q. Did Lakshaman Bhatt and his family settle in Kashi?
They had intended to, but a rumor had spread of a Muslim invasion from the North, by the forces of Bahlol Lodhi, the Sultan of Delhi. This forced Lakshaman Bhatt and his family to flee with many others towards the South.
Q. What happened on the way?
By this time, Illamaji was seven months pregnant. It is belived that the physical stress and strain of the trouble some journey sufferd by Illamaji, resulted in the birth of a child at Champaran two months maturity.
Q. Was the child all right?
At the time of birth the child showed no signs of life. Despite their sadness, Lakshaman Bhattji reasoned that the birth of a Divine child would not occur in the normal course of matters. Thus thinking they wrapped the babe in cloth, placed it in the hollow trunk of Shami tree and covered with leaves. They then resumed their jouney to the South.
Q. What happened then?
On the following night, both Lakshaman Bhattji and Illamaji had a dream in which God signified that he had incarnated at their child which they had left behind on the night before. As soon as it was possible they returned to the place where they had left the baby.
Q. What did they see?
They saw their beautiful baby full of life, playing in the middle of a circle of fire.
Q. What was the parent’s reaction on seeing the fire?
Illamaji was overjoyed at seeing her child alive. Overcome with maternal affection, a flow of milk spontaneously poured out from her breast. The blessed mother rushed towards the babe, the fire parting to make way for her and she gleefully picked up the baby and took it to her bosom. Lakshaman Bhattji understood the that fire had been manifest by God to protect the child form the dangerous animals of the forest. Hence he regarded the child as “Vaishvanara” incarnation of fire.
Q. Did the child bear the name “Vaishvanara”?
No later, realizing the rumors of the invasion of Kahsi to be false, the family moved back. There on the eleventh day after his birth, at the naming ceremony, he was named “Vallabh” by his father (Vallabh means ‘beloved’ or ‘dear to’). He was also given three other names: “Krishna Prasad” (meaning a Precious Gift from Krishna) was his divine name, “Janardana” (this was the name of the month he was born in), and “Shravishtha according to the planetary sign.
Q. Did Shree Vallabh have nay more brothers or sitters?
He had two more brothers: Ramchandra and Vishvanath, thus making Shree Vallabh and his brothers for (the eldest brother was Ram Krishna Dixit), and two sisters Sarasvati and Subhadra.
Q. What were the characteristics of Shree Vallabh as a child?
Since, his infancy Shree Vallabh showed a keen interest in listening recitation of Sanskrit text. When he was given toys, sweets or books he would always choose a book. When his father held discourses of the Holy Scriptures with other pandits, Shree Vallabh always attended. He showed a special interest in the Shreemad Bhagvatam and observed with rapt attention the Ras- Leelas of Shree Krishna.
Q. When was he given the Upnayan Sanskar (Holy thread garlanding)?
This was done at the age of seven, after receiving the Gayatri Mantra by his father.
Q. How was Shree Vallabh formally educated?
Shree Vallabh’s education commenced after his holy thread garlanding ceremony at the tender age of seven. he learnt the Taittiryia Samhita of Krishna Yajurveda form his father (this veda was specially studied by his family lineage). Tirumal guided Vallabh through the Rig Veda and Sama Veda. He then studied and mastered the other Vedas, together with their auxiliary sciences. Shree Narayan Dixit taught him Panini, Gautam and kanad’s work. From Shree Madhavendra Yati, a famous Yogi, he read the Geeta, the Shreemad Bhagavatam, Narad Panchratra, etc.
Q. After his education which mantra did Shree Vallabh receive from his father?
He received the Maha Mantra: “Shree Krishnaha Sharanam Mama”
Q. Why is the Mantra supposed to be important?
The meaning of this Mantra is “I completely surrender myself to and take shelter under Bhagavan Shree Krishna.”
Q. What was the people’s impression of Shree Vallabh in Kashi?
They were amazed at the extraordinary genius of this eleven year old child. He had studied the Vedanta Shastras and principles of existing schools of Indian philosophy. Hence he was highly respected by the Pandits and leading scholars of Kashi.
Q. Did Shree Vallabh travel out side of Kashi?
Yes, in VS. 1545, at the age of eleven, his parents took him to various places of religious importance, starting at Jagannath Puri, then towards the South to Venkatachalam.
Q. Did they go to Tirupati Balaji in South?
Yes, it was near here in VS. 1546, that Lakshaman Bhatt Dixit passed away. Before he expired, he left his eleven year old child Shree Vallabh with the advice “Dear son, this world is full of temptations and distractions which can drag one down from the righteous path. Do not fall prey to them. Always be righteous and inspire people to be so. It is said that Lakshaman Bhatt disappeared in the deity of Balaji.
Q. Was Shree Vallabh well known at this time?
After his father’s death, Shree Vallabh shot like a meteor into fame. The Pandits of his home town, Kashi became very envious of him. However, one by one Shree Vallabh defeated all of them in debates on the Dharma shastras (holyb scriptures). Thus his fame and reputation spread far and wide.
Q. What did Shree Vallabh do then?
He decided to go on a pilgrimage to propagate the true meaning of the Holy Scriptures and establish the philosophy of Suddhadvaita (Pure Non-Dualism). He left his mother with his maternal uncle in Vidyanagar, and set off on his jouneyks for holy places.
Q. At the time of his first tour what was his age?
He was still only eleven years, approaching twelve.
Q. Had Shree Vallabh framed any personal rules before this first Pilgrimage?
Yes; Shree Vallabh would only wear the simplest garments: unswen clothes dhoti around his waist and and uparna around the shoulders. He always stayed on the outskirts of towns and villages in natural surroundings, taking shelter below trees at night. He never wore anything on his feet, traveling always on bare foot.
Q. Whom did he meet during the Pilgrimage?
Once, on the outskirts of Siddhipad Village, he met the sant named Sarveshvar. Shree Vallabh consoled him to give up Virakti (renunciation) and accept Bhakti (devotion). Sarveshvar, taking the advice to heart was very comforted.
Later in Vardha, a Seth Kapurchand Harsanis Son Damodar das Harsani surrendered himself to Shree Vallabh forever. Damalaji was to become the leading of the most devout disciples of Shree Vallabh in the Path of Divine Grace.
From there they traveled to Ujjain, to the asharam (hermitage) of the great Sant Sandipan. The place was beautiful, but there was no shady place to hold discourses.
There was only one Small Peepal Tree, Shree Vallabh then sprinkled in with some water he used in his prayers. By the next morning the tree had grown into a huge shady tree, under which he delivered sermons that day.
Q. Where did he go after that day?
Next he traveled to Orchha. On the back of the Vetravati River lived a bigot named Ghaat Sarasvati (also called Shaivanadayati). Byk some mystical powers he had Captivated Sarasvati (the Goddess of Learning) in a pitcher. With this aid, he had defeated many scholars.
Q. Was Shree Vallabh not saddened on seeing Saraswati captured?
Yes, so before the court of King Ram Chandra of Orchha, Shree Vallabh challenged Ghaat Saraswati and defeated him.
Q. How?
Sarasvati became free merely by the divine presence of Shree Vallabh, thus the bigot had no more control over her, hence he was unable to respond to Shree Vallabh’s questions. The king of Orchaa, Ramchandra, was so impressed by the wisdom of Shree Vallabh, that he offered him the title of “GURU” and performed the Kanaka-bhisheka (abulation i.e. holy bathing with sacred vessels) as a tribute to the most honoured personality, Shree Vallabh.
Q. What happened next?
Shree Vallabh then continued his journey to the South East, where he visited Jagannath Puri, Viadyannath and Zarkhand in Bihar. Here he had a dream in which Shri Krishna said, “It has been long fourteen years since we both appeared together on this Earth, dear Vallabh I am now just waiting for you at the Girijaj. Take me out of mountain and establish “a proper discipline of adoration.” Shree Vallabh was overjoyed and immediately preceded to Vraj, the Land of Shree Krishna’s childhood. This occurred on an Ekadasi day in VS. 1549
Shree Krishna was referring to his manifestation as Devdaman, in Anyor on the Goverdhan Hill. When his Form Fully appeared on Vaishakh Krishna Ekadasi, VS 1535, 11th day of first half of the second month of Indian calendar, he was called by names such as Girirajji, Thkaruji, Goverdhannathji, and then most famous simply as Shree Nathji.
Q. How was Shree Nathji discovered?
The Deity was actually discovered on Shravan Shukla Panchami, VS. 1466. At that time only the hand of the Deity has appeared, which the villagers of Vraj worshipped by performing Puja (worship). The Vrajvasis (dwellers of Vraj) called him Devdaman.
Then, about seventy years later in VS 1535, an amazing incident happened. There was a Sadu Pande of the village Anyor situated in the foot Hill of Goverdhan Mountains. His cows grazed daily in the pastures around the Goverdhan Hill. One day he noticed that a certain cow stopped yielding milk. Trying to find out the reason he followed the cattle in to the fields. Sahu Pande noticed that the cow sliped away from the rest of the herd and started to climb Goverdhan Hill. He followed it up, and saw the cow empty its udder over a particular stone. After this she would rejoin the herd. This was the same stone from which the hand of Deity appeared years ago on Shravan Panchami Shukla VS. 1466
The next day Sadu Pande, his brother Manakchand, and a few other villagers went to that spot on Goverdhan Hill to perform the Puja of the hand as his predecessors used to do seventy years ago.
Q. When did Shree Vallabh visit Vraj?
In the autumn of VS 1550 Shree Vallabh arrived in Vraj for the first. During his stay here he observed ‘chaturmasya’, a specific religious mode of living for four months. Firstly he visited the Shrine of Shree Krishna’s appearance day at Gokul. He then recited the Shreemad Bahgvatam on Govind Ghat, in Gokul.
After that he went to Mathura, which at the time was under the region of Sikander Lodhi, Emperor of Delhi. Sikander Lodhi was a Muhhamedan Invder who was extremely against the Hindus and all forms of Hinduism. He had prohibited bathing in the Yamuna River and had forbidden all Hindu rituals and ceremonies. |
Articles
