PUSHTIMARG

September 17, 2005

Jai Shri Krishna

Have any of you heard of Lord Shrinathji?

ShriBadrinathji is in north India. ShriRangnathji is in south India. ShriJagannathji is in Eastern India. ShriDwarikanathji is in western India. Shrinathji is central in India. ShriNathji is Supreme Purushottam (Supreme Being), Supreme Innate Form of Brahma (i.e. Divine) and the prominent God of Pushti Sect. Let us know iraculuous and supernatural details about manifestation of Shrinathji.

MANIFESTATION OF SHRI NATHJI :- A brilliant ray arose from the cave of the middle peak (known as “Deva peak’) of ShriGirirajji mountain in ‘Shravana’ constellation in 1410 A.D. There was a self-manifestation of the left arm of Shrinathji. An inhabitant of Vrija, in search of his lost cow, obtained the vision of the left arm. An old inhabitant of Vrija said, “This is the hand of God Krishna who had uplifted ShriGirirajji mountain for seven days. That God has manifested again.” People of Vrija started worshipping the left arm by pouring the milk on it. The inhabitants of Vrija were able to fulfil their worldly desires by observing a religious vow.

COMMAND TO SADU PANDE :- A man named Sadu Pande lived in Anyor Village located at plain around foot of ShriGirirajji mountain. He was the owner of nearly one thousand cows. It was the habit of one cow named ‘Dhoomar’ to be separated from the herd; it climbed on the mountain ShriGirirajji. It went near that Divine Shila (Stone). The cow automatically milked at the sacred place and the milk poured inside the lotus like face of ShriNathji. The ‘Dhoomar’ cow belonged to family of shri Nandbava. Once upon a time, Sadu Pande follwed ‘Dhoomar’ cow to observe her movements. Sadu Pande obtained the vision of lotus like face of ShriNathji in addition to left-arm. Sadu Pande asked him, “Who are you” ? ShriNathji replied, “I am the Mounain God and my name is Indradaman. Devadaman, Indradaman and Naga-daman are my three names. On this auspicious day, a Supreme Being has taken birth at another place and He will bring about my full manifestation. You are commanded to bring milk everyday in the morning and evening till He comes here”. He is known as Nagdaman because He has defealted Kala (Time) in the form of Nagathe most poisonous snake. He is known as Indradaman because He has protected the inhabitants of Vrija from Indra’s indignation or anger and rage. Shri Mahaprabhuji’s manifestation took place in Champaranya of Madhya Pradesh on the 11th day of the dark half of lunar month of Chaitra in 1478 A.D. There was a coincidence of manifestation of lotus - like face of ShriNathji on the same day.

THE FIRST HOLY MEETING :- ShriMahaprabhuji and his five famous disciples Damodardas, Krishnadas, Ramdas, Madhavdas and Narayanadas came to Anyor at the time of twillight on the 12th day of the bright half of Shravana month in 1493 A.D. and visited the house of Sadu Pande. ShriNathji had commanded Mahaprabjuji in a dream that He had manifested his identity in Vrija as “Devadaman” on Giriraji mountain. ShriMahaprabhuji obtained all necessary information pertaining to manifestation of ShriNathji like a connected chain from inhabitants of Vrijia. There is a short way from the house of Sadu Pande to the middle peak of ShriGirirajji mountain. Shri Mahaprabhuji, accompanied by five disciples and others went there after taking with them pails containing fresh milk, curd and butter. Devadaman ShriNathji manifested himself out of a small cave. There were many eyes that witnessed the First Holy OUR SWADHYAY 2 meeting between two Supreme Spirits ShriNathji and Shri Vallabhacharyaji. It was a glorious, supernatural event when ShriNathji embraced ShriMahaprabhuji. Gods from the sky made a shower of flowers; celestial musicians sang songs and celestial damsels performed fascinating dances. The Divine stone (Shila) of ShriGirirajji depicted on its middle part the signs and symbols of lotus like feet of the two Supreme Spirits. A supernatural or a supermundane atmosphere was created. Shri Ramdas Chauhan, was handed over the responsibility of rendering and dedicating his services to God ShriNathji, the Supreme Innate Form of Brahma.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A TEMPLE :- ShriMahaprabhuji commanded a man named Shri Pooranamal to build the temple of ShriNathji. He constructed a magnificent temple at the cost of rupees four lacs. The first Haveli (a temple) of Pushti Path came into existence ShriNathji stayed graciously for 159 years, 5 months and 3 days at ShriGirirajji (Jatipura) from 1509 A.D. to 1668 A.D. The inner most supreme desire of ShriNathji was different. The rumours gained ground in Jatipura that Aurangzeb, the last Mogul emperor was destroying and devastating Hindu temples and he was to come to Jatipura. The spiritual preceptors and preacher decided to shift ShriNathji to Gujarat. ShriNathji was seated gloriously inside a chariot which moved to Agra, Gwalior, Krishnapuri, Kota, Krishnagadh, Champaseni, Sinhad, Udaipur, Ghasyad and finally reached Shri Nathdwara. The chariot could not proceed further. Tilakayatshri (the head spiritual preceptor) thought that ShriNathji wanted to stay gloriously at that place Shri Nathdwara. Thus, the most cherished dream of Ajabkuvarbai was also fulfilled. ShriNathji stays graciously and gloriously at ShriNathdwara from V.S. 1728 onwards.

SIGNIFICANCE OF INNATE DIVINE FORM OF SHRINATHJI :- ShriMahaprabhuji says in Chaturthsloki Grantha’ “The God of Vrija alone is to be worhshipped always by dedicating one’s heart, soul and everything. This is the sole Dharma (obligatory duty), and there is none other at any time in any place.”

God Krishna has manifested in the Innate Divine Form as ShriNathji from ShriGovardhanji or ShriGirirajji mountain. He is our Supreme God Vedas call him “Purna Brahma”; Smritis call Him ‘The Supreme Spirit’, Shrimad Bhagvad Gita calls Him “Purna Purushottam Divine” (The Supreme, Perfect God), Shrimad Bhagwat calls Him ‘Bhagwan’ (The Divine). Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji calls the same supernatural, supreme elements as Shri Krishna. This Innate Divine Form has not been carved out by any sculptor. The Divine Form has been self-manifested. This Innate Form of Divine looks like a child of seven years. His right hand is kept on his waist by keeping His fist closed, He shows His thumb. The waist is the resting place of passion. ShriNathji alone can free us from the passion. ShriNathji has imprisoned the wavering minds of fully dedicated devotees inside the fist of His lotus like right hand and asks us by showing the thumb, “How will you free yourself from this prison” ? His auspicious handling on the waist suggests and signifies that dedicated devotees can cross this wordly ocean as they will find it only waist deep. The Innate Form of Divine ShriNathji looks like a child of seven years (KishorLila). His left hand touches the upper most part of the door. He appears as if He is standing in the gate of thicket or a bowery avenue. ShriNathji is the God of a grove or a bowery avenue of ShriSwaminiji located in the cave of ShriGirirajji. So He is known as ‘NikunjiNayak’ (or the chief person of a bowery avenue or a grove). His left hand is kept upward and He advises and suggests us to accept His shelter. Both of his lotus like feet and their front part are in the position of a dance. It suggests and signifies that he is the chief person - leader - nayak of RasaLila (sportive dancesof the Divine) Vedas call Him “Rasau Vai Saha” (He is the incarnation of all Rasas). His eyes are bent downwards but He looks at us in straignt forward direction. The colour of all his auspicious parts is dark. There are Twelve skandhas(parts) of Shrimad Bhagwat. They are Twelve auspicious parts of ShriNathji’s gracious and glorious body. ShriGusainji has never addressed ShriGovardhannathji as ‘ShriNathji’. The name of ShriNathji has become popular and familliar since the days of ShriGokulnathji.

SHRI PITHKAJI OF SHRINATHJII :- The Background Divine stone (Shri Pithikaji) is square shaped. It contains the symbols of a Parrot, on the upper part, Two sages on left side, serpent, Lion and Two Peacocks, One Sage on the right side, alamb on the lower side, ‘SheshNaga’ and Two Cows. These symbols have divine and spiritual significance.

‘ASHTA SAKHAS' OF SHRINATHJI :- ShriNathji plays divine sports with ‘Ashta Sakhas’ (Eight Intimate divine companions). Their names are (1) Shri Surdasji (2) Shri Parmananddasji (3) Shri Kumbhandasji (4) Shri Krishnadasji (5) Shri Chaturbhujdasji (6) Shri Nanddasji (7) Shri Chhitaswamiji (8) Shri Govinddasji.

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