(April 27, 2022)
Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhu is the founder of Krishna-centered PushtiMarg sect of Vaishnavism. He is the Jagad Guru Acharya and Guru of the Pushti Marg Bhakti tradition and Suddhadwait Brahmavad (Vedant Philosophy), which he founded after his own interpretation of the Vedanta Philosophy. He was born on Vaishakh Krishna Ekadashi in Vikram Samvat 1534 (April 27, 1479 CE) in Kankarwad. His father's name was Mr. Laxman Bhatt Ji and Mother's name was Ilmma Garu (Yelba). Kankarwad is currently considered in Champaran in Chhattisgarh. Vallabhacharya has been called 'Vaishwanar Avatar' (Incartion of Lord Agani). He was the disciple of Vilva Mangalacharya ji and Swami Narayendra Pilgrim. His marriage took place with Mahalaxmi ji, from whom he received two sons as Gopinath ji and Vitthalnath ji. In later age he came to the Braj and stayed in Gokul and after that he established his throne in Govardhan.
In Samvat 1576, Vallabhacharya made the grand temple of Srinath Ji in Govardhan, in which Chief Economic Cooperation had done his disciple Purmanal Khatri. He believed that the entire world is the master of 'Shree', his temple should be gorgeous and his service should also be like that. This is the reason that he followed the specific service method of Srinath ji. God Shri Krishna's grace is called 'Pushti'. The devotion arising from this particular grace of God is called 'Pushti Devotion' or 'Pushti Marga'. According to him, there are three types of organisms - 'Pushti Jiva', 'Maryada Jiva' and 'Pravah Jiva'. Pushti Jiva are those who are dependent on God's grace, which are the officials of entry into Nitya Lila. Maryada Jiva are those who follow the Vedic methods and receive different Lokas, Pravah Jiva are those who try to get them in the worldly pleasures. According to Vallabhacharya, above Vishnu Vaikuntha there is a 'Wide Vaikuntha', a section of which is Goloka. Yamuna, Vrindavan, Nikunj and Gopis are all present in 'Golok'. The supreme movement of the living being is the entry into the eternal pastimes of the Lord there through the service of the Lord.
'Premlakshana Bhakti' is the way to fulfill the said desire, towards which the tendency of the soul is possible only by the grace of God. This is the basic principle of Pushtimarg. Vallabhacharya ji propounded 'Shuddhadvaita'. According to him, the soul is a part of Brahma and the world is also a part of Brahma. Since there is no distinction between Ansh and Anshi, there is a distinction between the living world and Brahma. The only difference is that the Ananda part of Brahma remains covered in the living entity, whereas in the material world both the Ananda part and the Chaitanya part remain covered. According to him, salvation can be achieved even while leading a householder's life. He toured the whole of India thrice and gave sermons on Bhagavat Purana and philosophy at different places in India. Those places are known as 84 Baithakas (Meetings) and are presently functioning as centers of Pushti Sampradaya.
Vallabhacharya ji composed many texts, stotras etc., in which the following 16 are particularly noteworthy, which are collectively called 'Shodashgranth': 1. Yamunaashtak, 2. Balbodh, 3. Siddhant Muktavali, 4. Pushti Pravah Maryada Bhed, 5. Siddhant Rahasya, 6. Navaratna Stotra, 7. Antahkaran Prabodh, 8. Vivek Dhairyashraya, 9. Shri Krishnashraya, 10. Chatushshloki, 11. Bhaktivardhini, 12. Jalbhed, 13. Panchapadyani, 14. Sannyas Nirnaya, 15. Nirodh Lakshan, 16. Sevaphal.
Vallabhacharya's 'Anubhashya' is the main philosophical text on the Brahmasutra. In this he propounded 'Shuddhdvaita'. Among other commentaries, the Purvamimamsa commentary, Subodhini commentary on Srimad Bhagwat, etc. are notable. Tattvarthadeepnibandh, Purushottam Sahasranama, Patravalamban, Panchashloki etc. are also some important texts.
84 disciples of Vallabhacharya ji are famous. His son Vitthalnath ji (Gosain ji) later established a group of four of his main disciples, Surdas ji, Krishnadas, Parmananddas ji, Kumbhandas ji and four of his disciples Nanddas ji, Chhitswami ji, Govind Swami and Chaturbhujdas ji Bhakta Kavi, which in the literary world is known as 'Ashtachap Poet'. Known as '. On Ashadh Shukla Tritiya (June 26, 1531 AD) of Vikram Samvat 1587, Vallabhacharya ji, at the age of 52 years, made a spiritual journey to Banaras by supernaturally disguising himself, which is called 'Asuravyamohlila'.
This year Vaishakh Krishna Ekadashi is on 27th April. This day is the birth anniversary of Vallabhacharya ji. A fast is observed on this day and the birth anniversary is celebrated by worshiping Vallabhacharya ji.