SHRI VALLABHACHARYAJI

The Personality of Shri Vallabhacharyaji:

Shri Vallabhachanrya was the founder of "Pushti Marg" which means the path of devotion through God's grace. During his time, Sanatan Dharma was often misinterpreted & consequently misunderstood. Shri Vallabhacharya, who was the propounder of the "Suddhadvaita Brahmavad" put things right and drew people back towards religion. He was a great scholar who preached Srimad Bhagwat and interpreted its intricate principles in their original form.

Being born as a Vaishnavar or "Agni Swaroop" , his love and devotion to Shri Krishna was as fiery as the fire. His presence burnt away turmoils and discontentment of the people who came to him. Shri Mahaprabhuji, as Shri Vallabha is popularly known throughout, loved every being irrespective of his caste or birth. Whoever came to him received the love for Shri Krishna as his divine gift.

He was a brilliant scholar who dazzled scholars and pandits by his literacy, logic and love for God, he performed many miracles in is lifetime. But titles, wealth and fame were no temptations for this divine being. His single-minded goal was to preach Krishna Bhakti and strengthen people's faith in Shri Krishna.

The Philosophy of Shri Vallabhacharyaji:

Shri Vallabha was a great scholar who was well versed in every aspect of Vaidik philosophy and religion. His scholarly debates with various learned men and expertise in midst of great scholars earned him their respect and admiration. He was bestowed with titles like Bala Saraswati, Acharya, Shri Vallabh, Jagadguru, and Shri Mahaprabhuji etc. Every learned person and every Krishna devotee of his time viewed him with highest respect.

During his time, Shri Vallabha saw that Indian religion philosophy ie., various scriptures, text, mantras were misinterpreted and misunderstood. He debated extensively with great scholars of various sects and defeated Mayavaadi scholars and other similar to them. He propounded a philosophy called Suddhadvait Brahmavaad on the basis of 4 scriptures;

1. Vedas
2. Brahma sutras
3. Bhagvad Gita
4. Shrimad Bhagwat.

It is the essence of these 4 scriptures that becomes the basis of whatever he has propounded. Through the philosophy based on the above four texts, he explained the relation of;

1. Brahman - (God, Parmatma, Ishvara)
2. Atma - (Jiva, Soul, Spirit)
3. Jagat - (Universe)

He says Brahma is Sat, Chit, Anand - meaning existence, consciousness and bliss. Brahma is pure Bliss (Poorna Anand) and it has its own form. All the Devas (celestial beings) worshipped by us are different manifestations and aspects of the same supreme Brahma. Brahma is truth. Atma or Jiva is a tiny part of this Brahma element and is separated from Brahma the way sparks are separated from blazing fire. Atma is a tiny part of Parmatma and not Parmatma Himself because once it enters the Jagat it surrounds itself with ego and illusion in the form of I and Mine. It therefore becomes imperfect by losing its Anand or Bliss. Atma is Sat and Chit, but since it is not Anand, it is not God. And Bliss can be achieved only by pure devotion towards Brahma.

Not only Brahma is Niraakaar (Without form), but also Saakaar (with form), and qualified or "Sandharmak". But the qualities and the form are neither worldly nor illusionary, and are above the state of three gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) ie., Brahma is Alaukik, Amyik and Aprakrut. Brahma is the cause and means of Jagat (the Universe), so Jagat is truth in itself.

Shri Mahaprabhuji propounds two things mainly: That Brahma is a combination of opposite Vedas on one hand says that Brahma is without qualities (Nirgun) and formless (Nirakaar) while on the other hand Vedas also that it is qualified (Sagun) and has various forms (Sakaar) and accept only half truth which would mean Vedas are self contradictory and since Vedas are the breath of God, they cannot be so. Therefore we have to accept that Brahma is Viruddha Dharmashrayee or a perfect combination of opposites. Shri Mahaprabhuji further says that Brahma is permanent, its existence is permanent.

The cycle of creation and annihilation, which we know, are not the attributes of Brahma but they are actually manifestation and non-manifestation, which again forms the basis of the concept of Jagat or universe. Hence Brahma is truth and permanent. It is existence and bliss, but Jagat due to its manifestation and non-manifestation lacks the permanence of Brahma but is definitely a part of Brahma and is therefore truth. Jeeva is also accepted as a part of Brahma as it has the truth and existence quality of Brahma but because it is bereft of the bliss element it is not Brahma itself.

Shri Mahaprabhuji says that beyond the Akshara Brahma is a greater power - the Parabrahma. As Akshara is quality less and possesses limited bliss, Parabrahma is qualifies with various forms and is complete bliss which is essential form (Poorna Anand). It establishes the truth and the relation of Jeeva Jagat and Ishvara - since the universe and the soul are manifestations of Brahma they are essentially are him. Their relation with Him is that of a part of a whole and this is Brahmavaad in its pure form.

This Brahma being the cause of the Universe cannot be realized only by knowledge but by pure devotion, and therefore Shri Mahaprabhuji inculcates "Nirguna" Bhakti or selfless devotion into Pushti Marg as a way to achieve the supreme, this devotion is both the means and the end by itself. It is the effort and the fruit by itself. This becomes the base of his theory of Shuddhadvait Brahmavaad.

The path of pure devotion so that Atma can reach Parmatma and this he did by establishing Pushti Marg or path of unconditional love to Shri Krishna, who, according to the scriptures, is Absolute Brahma. The first principle that Shri Vallabh Propounded in Pushti Marg was self-surrender or Samarpan. From every person who followed him, Shri Vallabh demanded total self-surrender at the feet of Shri Krishna. Thus giving Brahma Sambandh and relating every person to God, promising to love him and worship him with absolute devotion and faith.
He recited Shrimad Bhagwat at various places while touring the entire country. Today these places are popularly known as his "Baithakjis" or Holy Seats. His life was a personification of the highest ideals of Shrimad Bhagwad. Though a householder, he was true ascetic at heart; for, in word, deed and thought, he was truly dedicated to Shri Krishna.

Life of Shri Vallabhacharya:

Long ago, on the southern banks of River Krishna there was a small town Kankarvad. There lived a great scholar and devotee of Krishna by name Yagna Narayan Bhatt. One day while performing Som Yagna, Lord Krishna appeared from the holy flames of the yagna, blessed him and promised him that after completion of 100 Som Yagnas HE HIMSELF would manifest in the Yagna Narayan Bhatt's family.

Yagna Narayan Bhatt performed 32 Som Yagna and his son Gangadhar Bhatt performed 28 Som Yagnas. Gangadhar Bhatt's son Ganpati Bhatt performed 30 Som Yagnas and his son Vallabh Bhatt performed 5 Som Yagnas. Vallabh Bhatt had 2 sons Lakshman Bhatt and Janardhan Bhatt.

Lakshman Bhatt married 2 daughters of the chief priest of kingdom Vidyanagar. Their names were Yallamagaru and Illamagaru , because of the destruction of the town Kankarvad, Lakshman Bhatt moved to AGRAHAR. He had a son named Ramakrishna Bhatt and 2 daughters Saraswati and Subhadra, He settled down in kashi. Lakshman Bhatt performed 5 Som Yagnas. Thus completing 100 Som Yagnas.

The forceful Muslim invasion of Kashi made Laxman Bhatt to flee from Kashi along with his pregnant wife Illamagaru. They decided to return to their ancestral place, Kankarvad. On their way, in the jungles of Champaranya, Illamagaru gave birth to a child, 2 months prematurely because of terror and painful journey. Thinking him to be still-born, she covered the child with a piece of cloth and covering him with leaves she left him in the hollow of a "Shami" tree. The parents sadly proceeded to the nearest town of Chaura. It was the eleventh day of the dark half of Chaitra Ekadashi of Vikram Samvat 1535, (1479 A.D.) That night Illamagaru and Shri Laxman Bhatt had a dream. Lord Krishna appeared in their dream and told them that He had manifested Himself in the form of their child that they had left behind and asked them to go back and get the child and take him along with them. Immediately the couple left for forest to see their child. When reached the place, they were amazed to find their child cheerfully playing, enveloped in a circle of flames.

When Illamagari rushed towards the child due to motherly affection, the fire parted to make way for her. Taking the child the couple left for Chaura where Seth Krishnadas, a disciple of Shri Laxman Bhatt, received them warmly into his house. After a few days, normalcy returned to Kashi and Laxman Bhatt returned to Kashi with his family.

On reaching Kashi, on the 11th day from the the child was born, Shri Laxman Bhatt performed a naming ceremony of the child according to the Vedic rites. Shri Laxman aptly called his son Vallabha, or the dear one, as the child was the beloved of the entire family.

In Vikram Samvat 1542 (1486 A.D.), Shri Laxman Bhatt performed the Upanayan ceremony (Sacred Thread Ceremony) of Shri Vallabh. Shri Laxman Bhatt initiated Vallabh with the Gayatri Mantra and the Gopal Mantra. Throughout his thread ceremony, a Brahmin tried to interpret the Gayatri Mantra as referring to Shakti, i.e., mother Goddess. On hearing this Shri Vallabha disputed that interpretation and propounded that Gayatri Mantra is the energy of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord of the entire Universe.

Shri Vallabha learned the four Vedas from the specialists of individual Vedas, and Taittriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurved from his father. Tirumal guided him through the Rigveda and Samaveda, Narayan Dixit taught him Panini, Gautam and Kanaad's work. He also learned many other scriptures from him. From his Guru, Madhavendra Yati, he learned Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Narad Pancharatra, and many other scriptures.

Pilgrimage:

With his mother's permission, Shri Vallabh embarked upon a pilgrimage to the holy places of India. He had this persistent wish to inculcate in Vaidik Dharma the profound principles of Bhakti or Divine Love of Lord Krishna. This could only be done by interaction with people, throughout the entire streach of India.

First Disciple - Damodardas:

As he journeyed along, people were being attracted by his extraordinary divine personality and became his disciples. In Wardha, a 16-year old boy, Damodar Harsani on seeing Shri Vallabh's persona, was so overwhelmed that he immediately joined him as a disciple and remained with him throughout his life time.

Damodardas was the fourth son of Seth Kapoorchand Harsani, who had left behind sufficient wealth as inheritence. Damodardas Harsani had forsaken his father's wealth and home forever to perform devotional service at the feet of Shri Vallabhacharya. He later became the first disciple of Vallabhacharya in the Path of Divine Grace or Pushti Marg.

Bala Saraswati:

On their way, they visited Venkatesh laxman Balaji. He was recognized as BalaSaraswati. Here pandit named Ravinatha tried to test Shri Vallabh's knowledge of vedic mantras. Shri Vallabhacharya correctly recited a hundred mantras, not only from the beginning to end, but also in reverse order. It was particularly in this town that he made a strong impression on the public as an embodiment of Knowledge and consequently he was recognized as Bala Saraswati.

Krishnadas Meghan:

After achieving tremendous success and fame, Shri Vallabhacharya left Vidyanagar and camped on the banks of Pampasarovar. Here a person named Krishnadas Meghan surrendered himself at the feet of Shri Vallabhacharya.

Krishnadas Meghan was a resident of Soramji, a village situated near Mathura. He was told by his guru that Lord had incarnated on earth on the day Shri Vallabhacharya was born. On hearing this, he left in search of the incarnation of the Lord. On his way he reached Vidyanagar, where he was told about the glorious success and the divine personality of Shri Vallabhacharya. On meeting Shri Vallabhacharya, he realized that his search was over. He became an ardent devotee of Shri Vallabhacharya and always remained in his service throughout his life.

Meeting with Lord Vitthalnathji (Pandurang - Pandharpur):

Pandharpur is a religious place in Maharashtra. At Pandharpur, Shri Vallabhacharya camped on the banks of river Chandrabhaga opposite the famous temple of Lord Vitthalnathji (Vithoba). Lord Vithalnathji came to Shri Vallabhacharya and they embraced each other joyfully. Later, on Vallabhacharya's second visit, Lord Vitthalnathji asked Shri Mahaprabhuji to get married so that the Lord Himself can incarnate in his family. From Pandharpur, Shri Vallabhacharya visited Nasik and Trimbak. Then on, he proceeded to the banks of river Tapti and then on to river Narmada visiting various shrines situated on the banks of these rivers. From here he left for Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh).

Gokul:

Along with his disciples like Damodardas Harsani and Krishnadas Meghan and others, he arrived in Gokul. This was the early childhood place of Shri Krishna. While on the banks of river Yamuna, Shri Yamunaji appeared before him and he praised her by spontaneously composing and reciting Shree Yamunashtakam Stotra. He camped at Gobind Ghat where he gave discourses on Shrimad Bhagwat.

Brahma-Sambandh:

While in Gokul, Shri Vallabhacharya was deeply concerned about the question of restoring the people to the path of devotion. It was past midnight when he was exceedingly troubled by this question, Lord Krishna appeared before him in the form of Shreenathji and told Shri Vallabhacharya to initiate the people on the path of Complete Self Surrender to the Lord with Love and modesty and simplicity through Brahma-Sambandh. The Lord promised Shri Vallabhacharya that He would accept the services of all the devotees initiated with the Brahma-Sambandh. The Lord gave him the Gadya Mantra, as an explanation to the five syllable mantra and Shri Vallabhacharya was very happy.

Shri Mahaprabhuji garlanded the Lord with cotton thread garland (Pavitra) and offered him misri (crystals of sugar). As soon as the Lord disappeared Shri Mahaprabhuji composed Shri MADHURASHTAKAM praising the form and beauty of Shri Krishna the way he appeared before him. This was on the 11th day of Shravana Shukla of Samvat 1549. This occasion is celebrated in the sect as the day of Pavitra Ekadashi. It is also known as the day of the birth of Pushti Marg (Path to Grace of God).

Brahma-Sambandh is a means of complete dedication and surrender of self to the Lord. Brahma-Sambandh means the establishment of a renewed relationship between the soul and God in which the soul accepts the relation as a servant (das) with the Lord as the Master. With this new relation with God, the soul becomes completely free from all sins provided it remains faithful to the vow of surrender it has taken and it goes on growing in the Grace of God. The Lord accepts the services of such devotees.

Next day, on Shravan Shukla 12, Shri Mahaprabhuji initiated Damodardas Harsani with the Holy Mantra. This made Damodardas the first Vaishnava in the path of Divine Grace ie. Pushti Marg.

Now anybody could take brahma-Sambandh, irrespective of caste, creed, race, color, wealth, age or sex. He gave Brahma-Sambandh to many people and wrote a stotra, Siddhanta Rahasya to explain the importance of Brahma-Sambandh and the basic principles of Pushti Marg.

From Gokul, Shri Mahaprabhuji returned to Mathura where he made a decision to go on a journey across Vraj. In the month of Bhadrapada, the eleventh month of the Vaidik Calendar, he took the oath for circumambulation of Vraj(Vraj Yatra). After departing from Mathura, he camped at Madhuvan, and then proceeded to Talvan, and then onto Bahulavan.

Manifestation of Shreenathji:

Shri Vallabhacharyaji reached Anyor along with his followers, a village situated on the foothills of Mount Govardhan (Shri Girirajji), he stayed at the house of Sadu Pandey, a Vrajvasi (resident of Vraj), who had nearly 1000 cows. While Shri Vallabh was resting there, he heard a sweet, melodious voice asking for milk from Naro, daughter of Sadu Pandey. At once he recognized the voice of Shrinathji. Sadu Pandey, his brother Manickchand, and other Vrajvasis gathered near Shri Vallabh and started narrating the story about the emergence of a hand of Lord Shrinathji.

Start of Narration:

In Samvat 1466, on the day of Naag Panchmi (Shravan Shukla panchami), according to the Vaidik calendar), the left hand of deity of Lord Srinathji appeared on Mount Govardhan. The people of Vraj had a great belief that worshipping the hand and offering milk fulfilled all their wishes.

Later after seventy years, in Samvat 1535, the face of the deity appeared. This was on the day of Shri Vallabhacharya's birth. One day Sadu pandey noticed that one of his cow had stopped giving milk from the udders at a particular spot. This cow was named Dhumar and belonged to the breed of cows reared by Shri Nandraiji, father of Lord Krishna.

Sadu Pandey, Manickchand and few other villagers went to the spot and removed a few rocks, to their great amazement and disbelief the Lord had appeared in the form of Shreenathji. His right hand was on the waist, the left hand lifting a mountain. Shreenathji told them that he would not emerge from there till Shri Mahaprabhuji himself would arrive.

End of Narration:

Shri Mahaprabhuji was very happy on hearing from the Vrajvasis about Shreenathji. Next morning he climbed on the mountain along with Damodardas Harsani, Krishnadas Meghan and other Vrajvasis. When Shri Vallabh reached the top, Lord Shreenathji rushed towards him and they embraced eagerly, this was the Pratham Milan of Shri Vallabh and Lord Shreenathji.

Shri Mahaprabhuji enshrined the deity in a small temple on mount Govardhan. He appointed Ramdas Chauhan for the divine service (seva) of Lord Shreenathji. It was the third day of the Vaishakh Shukla month of Vaidik Calendar. The day is known as Akshaya Trittiya.

Jagannath Puri:

Shri Vallabhacharya came down to Haridwar from the Himalayas. Then having visited many places of religious prominence, he finally reached Mount Vindhya (Vindhyachal). He then turned eastward and reached Jagannath Puri.

The King of Kalinga (Orissa), Lokraj Dev, had a deep interest in holding religious conferences of learned people. The King had asked the scholars four questions. Seven days had passed, but no scholar could satisfy the king and there was a great conflict between the followers of various sects.

The questions were:
1. Which is the Principle Scriptures?
2. Which is the Supreme Deity?
3. Which is the most Holy Mantra?
4. Which is the Principal Karma (Which work is the most important)?

Shri Vallabhacharya in his reply said that:
1. Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the Principle Scripture.
2. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Deity.
3. His name (Shree Krishna Sharanam Mama) is the most holy Mantra.
4. Service to the lord is the only true Karma.

Thus Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya was so convincing and impressive that all the listeners including the King were spellbound. Many scholars asked Shri Mahaprabhuji to prove that his answers were correct by seeking approval from Lord Jagadish himself. When the gates were opened for next darshan, people saw that the blank paper had the same answers written on it. After this incident the King declared him as the worthiest of the Acharyas of the Sanatan Dharma and became his disciple.

Marriage of Shri Mahaprabhuji:

Once when Shri Vallabhacharya was residing in Kashi, a Tailang Brahman of his own caste Dewan Bhatt, came to meet him and told him about the dream that he had in which Lord Vitthalnathji (Pandharpur, Maharashtra) had ordained him to marry his daughter Mahalakshmi to Mahaprabhuji. Instantly, Shri Mahaprabhuji remembered the ordinance that was given by Lord to marry and start a householder's life.

After arrival of the elders of the family and sisters and brothers, on an auspicious day of Ashadh Shukla 5 of Samvat 1558, the grand marriage of Shri Vallabhacharyaji and Shri Mahalakshmi was solemnized in the presence of the family members, relatives, disciples and great scholars and pandits of Kashi.

After marriage Shri Vallabh stayed in Kashi for six months. He decided to resume his mission of preaching Krishna Bhakti and embarked upon an extensive journey throughout India. The journey began in the year Samvat 1559, after traveling through many places he arrived at Vidyanagar (Andhra Pradesh).

Title of Jagadguru and Kanakabhishek:

During this time Vidyanagar was ruled by King Narasimha but was actually controlled by King Krishnadeva Raya. Vidyanagar in those days was a seat of higher learning where scholars of different sects gathered and held debates.

Shri Shankaracharya, Vidyateerthji, representing the Kevaladvaita Vad of Adi Shankaracharya was on one side and Shri Madhavacharya, Vyasteerthji, representing various Vaishnava sects and philosophies was on the other side. Vidyateerthji wanted to establish the supremacy of Mayavad as the highest theory of Sanatan Dharma. He puzzled Vyasteerthji with his complicated arguments that Vyasteerthji could not refute.

When Shri Vallabhacharya heard about the defeat of Shri Vyasateerthji, he sent a disciple, Kamandalu, with a message to the King, that he would take part in the debate. Shri Vallabhacharya debated and rejected the theory of Mayavad as supreme and propounded a new doctrine of Shuddhatvait Brahma Vad with Shri Krishna as the Supreme Brahma. Discussions continued for 28 long days. Shri Vallabha logically and precisely proved his own arguments on the basis of Vedas, Srimad Bhagvad Geetam, Brahma Sutras, and Srimad Bhagwat, leaving Vidyateerth and other scholars totally speechless. King Krishnadeva Raya declared Shri Vallabhacharya as the winner in the debate, and the philosophy propounded by him as "Suddhadvaita".

Then, Shri Vyasteerthji proclaimed the King's decision in honoring Shri Vallabhacharya by Kanakabhishek ceremony and giving him titles such as JAGADGURU, SRIMAD ACHARYA, and MAHAPRABHU. From Vidyanagar, he started his journey towards different places in South India, which were of religious and academic importance.

Soordas becomes disciple :

Once when Shri Vallabhacharya was camping at Gaughat, near Agra. A famous blind poet and singer Soordas came to see him. He asked Soordas to sing the glory of the Lord, but what he sang, it did not satisfy Shri Mahaprabhuji. Soordas fell at his feet and and became a disciple of Shri Mahaprabhuji. Bestowing Soordas with a divine vision, Shri Mahaprabhuji graced him immensely and Soordas experienced the bliss of Shri Krishna's divine leelas.
Soordas wrote more than hundred thousand poems and went on to become the most celebrated poet of Vaidik literature. He was appointed as a singer in the temple of Shreenathji at Goverdhan in Jatipura (Vraj).

Grand temple of Srinathji:

Once, when Shri Vallabhacharya was at Govardhan (Vraj), a Kshatriya, Seth Pooranmal of Ambala (Punjab) came to Shri Vallabhacharya and told about a dream, which was inspired by the Lord Srinathji to build a grand temple for him on Mount Govardhan (Jatipura). Shri Mahaprabhuji asked Seth Pooranmal to immediately start the temple work. An architect, Hirmani, was called from Agra, and under the direction of Shri Vallabhacharya, Pooranmal Kshatriya laid the foundation stone for the grand temple of Shreenathji. It took 20 years to complete the temple, an excellent piece of artistry.

On Vaishakh Shukla Teej (Akshay Trittiya) of Samvat 1576 according to Vaidik calendar, Shri Mahaprabhuji placed the deity of Lord Shrinathji in the newly built temple with great splendor and started the services of the Lord.

Shri Mahaprabhuji made proper arrangements for the seva of the Lord. Krishnadas Adhikari was appointed the administrator and Kumbhandas as the Kirtaniya who sang the glory of Lord Krishna.

Birth of First Son:

On the 12th day of the Ashwin (Bhadrapad) in Samvat 1567, his eldest son, Shri Gopinathji, was born in Adel. After the naming ceremony of Shri Gopinathji, Shri Mahaprabhuji returned to Kashi. He asked Purushottam Das to make preparations for performing Jyoti-Stom (som Yagna) at Prayag. After Som Yagna he returned to Adel.

Birth of Second Son:

Once Shri Mahaprabhuji visited Charnadri (Chunar in the district of Mirzapur U.P) on the request of the King and stayed there for sometime. On the 9th day of Paush Margashirsha Krishna, in Samvat 1572, he was blessed with a second son.

A saint approached Shri Vallabhacharyaji in Charnat and presented him with the idol of Shri Vitthalnathji. On receiving the idol, Shri Mahaprabhuji remembered his meeting with Shri Vithalnathji in Pandharpur (that the Lord would appear in his family as his son). Shri Mahaprabhuji decided to name his newborn son as Vithalnath (Later to be known as Gusainji).

Tridanda Sanyas:

At the age of 52 years he accepted Sanyas from Madhavopadhaya according to the method of Bhagavat Sanyas. He was declared to be knows as Purnanand. Then on Jyeshta Krishna 10 of Samvat 1587 (1531 A.D.) Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya entered into Tridanda Sanyas, which means three sacrifices ie., Renouncement of Domestic Pleasure, Abnegation of Food, and Relinquishment of Speech.

For six days he stayed at his own place, and then for eight days on the banks of River Ganga. Then he went to Kashi for eighteen days. At Kashi, he entered the final stage of his Sanyas. He stayed at Hanuman Ghat for seven days, with a vow of not speaking to anyone.

Shri Gopinathji and Shri Vitthalnathji asked for the orders regarding their duties. In reply, Shri Mahaprabhuji wrote three and a half verses on the slab of a stone with a piece of chalk. These verses were known as Shiksha Shlokas.

Delivering his last message, Shri Vallabhacharya began walking in the currents of River Ganga, he closed his eyes on entering the mid-stream of the river and meditated upon the Lord in His form of bliss.

This was Ashadh Shukla Beej (second day of the bright half of Ashadh - Samvat (1531 A.D) when the beloved eternal Guru, the founder of Pushti Marg, the propagator of Shuddhaitwait, and the greatest devotee of Shri Krishna left this mundane world to reside forever in Golok-Dham, the eternal abode of Shri Krishna.