ShreeNathji-Mahaprabhuji Baithak At Champarayan

Baithaks in Pushtimarg religion are holy places where Shri Vallabhacharya, the founder of Pushtimarg, narrated the Holy Bhagvad Katha. They are total 84 in number and spread all over the country. Mahaprabhuji had circled the whole of India three times and done sthapna of these various Baithaks.

Each Baithak has its own particular Charitra (description).

Baithaks are holy places where there is no Idol or Chitra (Picture); sewa is done of Gaddi (Seating).

Here are some pictures displayed from the 32^nd Baithak of Mahaprabhuji, located at Champarayan, 60 km away from Raipur in Madhya Pradesh.

Though it is 32 in number, it is also the birthplace of Shri Mahaprabhuji and hence a very important pilgrim place for all Pushtimarg bhakts, as Shri Vallabhacharya is their primary Guru.

Shri Vallabhacharya was born in the VS 1535 or AD1478.

It was on Vaishak Vad Giyaras (11th) in Vikram Samvat 1535, or AD 1478; in Satbhisha Nakshatra on a Thursday; during the Abhijit mahurat, 12.40-1.00 in the afternoon; when ShreeNathji’s Lotus Face Appeared from Govardhan to give His divya Darshan to the lucky people of the village; According to Shree Krishn’s desire, on the same day but in the Abhijit mahurat, 12.40-1.00 at night, Shree Vallabhacharya also appeared at Champaran in a ring of fire.

ShreeNathji, Shri Yamuna Maharani, Shri Vallabhacharya

Mangala Aarti at Baithak

Close up of Mangala darshans

View from a distance

 

Beautiful architecture

See the lovely Kamal on the top at the entrance of the Baithak

Main entrance to Baithakji

 

 

This lovely entrance leads you to the main building

Inside the hall, please read the board, as it tells you the significance of this place

Walk through this beautiful place

This place is built in the middle of a jungle and luckily it has not been destroyed

Hall where bhakts can wait for darshans

Live darshans are shown here, as it can get very crowded during festive occasions

 

Painting which describes the birth and resurrection of Shri Vallabhacharya

Before the darshans open, a lone bhakt saying her prayers

Complete Shringar darshans of Gaadi sewa

Mukhiyaji with the jhoola. the tree in the background is the point where the original tree stood, this is a branch of the same tree. Under this tree Mahaprabhuji was found in a ring of fire

Entrance to Shri Yamunaji

A small Stream of Mahanadi river flows near the temple which is believed to be form Yamuna river and worshiped.

These are the Bumble bee which live on this tree. there are several holes in the trunk where they just disappear

The very old tree trunk with numerous holes

ShreeNathji-Mahaprabhuji pratham milan on Govardhan Parvat. Shreeji had summoned Vallabhacharyaji to come and start His sewa here, also to build His mandir

Divine Darshans
ShreeNathji-Merged Swarup of Shree RadhaKrishn

Jai Shreeji!!

(Details of Mahaprabhuji life and teachings,can be read on my website:  http://www.shreenathjibhakti.org

Details on the Baithaks can be read on website: http://www.vallabhkankroli.org/

 

Soul’s Demand

Walking on the spiritual path sometimes asks for the extreme in sacrifice and faith.

Also at every step one is put through exams, by the Superior Intelligence; to verify if one is truly ready to move on to the next step.

Jai Shreeji!!

 

Dil maange more…!!

 

The Heart and the Mind are always asking for more, give me more…always;

maybe for newer and better, it should be a little more exciting, a bit better than the last time..

So what is made to happen is, we always experience greed and hunger, for more, and more..

There are a few individuals running the mass intelligence – Marketing is the game of ‘Kalyug’.. (the present era according to Hinduism)

In the entire human history there always have been a few individuals influencing the masses.

The course of humanity depends on who these ‘Few’ are,  what is their quality!

If these few; themselves are not peaceful or content; and are so shallow, so hungry – what will they give humanity?

An illusion is created making us believe we are receiving a lot, we are progressing – yes progressing I would agree in a limited way – but towards what?

Loosing one’s humanness? Falling in the trap of greediness?

We have forgotten to even respect nature – the bounties of which we are totally dependent on.

In this time period the whole of humanity is being taken to the summit of materialistic and luxury living;

100% sense pleasures – drown yourselves in them – go deeper in it.

What happens? What do we experience?

As the satisfaction achieved is very temporary, more and more is required for the same results, and the fun part is ‘the more you have the more you want’; the greed and appetites are never satisfied; contentment is never felt for any lasting period.

As the slogan of our times – ‘Dil maange more’, is so apt for the dissatisfaction and unrest we experience in our lives today.

The whole media is  manipulated into creating a demand which is never satisfied.

We are being led to a truth of ‘Jet age gurus’, ‘Instant spirituality’, ‘Quick Kundalini rise’, ‘Immediate peace and better health’ etc 

             All sound religious – but what’s the goal?

Greater peace, better health, more religion, more knowledge, all leading to what?

Only so that you can go on living and enjoying the ‘maya’ in a deeper way.

Sad is to see how the youngest of our generations has been influenced by the media towards so much negativity. The ‘Sanskriti’ and religion of our country has become a joke in various social settings. The whole environment has been made so sensual, how can the younger people escape from its influence?

It’s become uncontrollable – as children blinded by what they see and read, go berserk in fulfilling themselves.

The need for everyone is joy that is ever lasting – love that  

 will never fade with time – And of course total bliss and Anand.

 Intellectually, we may even know where it is and how to get there – but how many are able to put themselves in the open for the inner dimensions to be touched by the light?

Taken from my book Zero2Dot: http://www.zero2dot.org/

 

ShreeNathji-Shri Gusainji

Shri Vitthalnathji also known as Shree Gusainji, shared the utmost closeness and love with ShreeNathji.

Govinda Swami, the Asht Chap poet and disciple of Gusainji, has described the amazing relationship of Shri Gusainji with ShreeNathji:

“Love like that, I have never seen.

 The son of Yashoda is like the son of Vallabh.

Shesh’s thousands tongues cannot recall His glories.

 When Shri Vitthalnathji is going to Gokul,

He asks ShreeNathji’s permission.

 The Blessed Lord then goes to His temple window

Just to watch him leave”.

Also in the eighth Akhyan, 20, by Gopaldas, it is mentioned that Shree Navneet Priyaji, a form of Child Krishn, was Shri Vitthalnathji’s personal Krishn Deity in Gokul. Today Navneet Priyaji resides in Shri Nathdwara.             

(Paragraph taken from the english translation by Shri Shyamdas)

We have also updated Shri Gusainji page in our website for Shreeji.

Do please visit; http://www.shreenathjibhakti.org

Jai Shreeji!!

 

Sacred Gaumata

Importance and true meaning of the sacred Cow,Gaumata, as explained to us by Gurushree Dr Sudhir Shah.

In Hinduism it is considered very important to do sewa for Gaumata.

My MahaGurushree Thakurjee ShreeNathji, who loves His Gaumata

 

My ShreeNathji

A few words for Divine ShreeNathji – My MahaGurushree:

Some words in love for my ShreeNathji – my ShreeKrishn;

with whose blessings and grace;

in whose Bhao and Mahabhao I have realized my divine nature; my reality

“YOU are the dawn of everyday to me, the Hope that sees me through,

The Light that guides the way for me, the Love that’s always true –

YOU are the Joy that fills the heart in me

The BLISS that completes the dreams in me.

YOU are the reason for my tomorrows

YOU are the reason for today

YOU are the reason for my life’s living

YOU are the reason for my soul’s shinning.

YOUR love, friendship, grace

Has shown a new dimension -

I had never thought

I’d attain such contentment.

I want to be possessed by YOU.

I want to belong to YOU.

In my deepest thoughts

I want to hold on to “YOU”.

In total surrender and Bhakti

I offer my total to “YOU”.

…Abha Shahra Shyama

 

 

World Of Beggars…

…There is an age old belief, “One can give (to the other) only, what is there on his inner side”

So in a world of beggars, who will give?

All are empty in themselves, hungry for various things –

Greater name, more money, higher power –

Simply the strong desire to tower above the rest of the humanity in what ever capacity – could even be in the mask of religion!

So, unless there is an overflowing of love from within, and the person totally contained in himself, how will he be ever expected to give JOY to others around?

And, “Except in the people  who have merged with the consciousness and are close to God , can such a quality be available;

Which is very rare…

Taken from my book: Zero2Dot.  http://www.zero2dot.org/

Jai Shreeji!!

 

Connection with God..

Connection with God is not easy, and at the same time very easy; which may sound very  contradictory, yet is very simple; because what He wants from His bhakt is very little; his purity of bhao!

 

Jai Shreeji!!

 

Money Sanskar..

                                                                 “THE MONEY SANSKAR” – Abha Shahra Shyama

“As consciousness moves deeper and purer, a new outlook develops.

The same world and the same people stand in a different light; and visions of day to day life undergo some changes.

Vision instead of being straight begins moves in a 3D manner – it’s like 360 degrees of viewing.

Though giving greater joy on the whole;  this powerful consciousness could show some truths which are  truly ugly and difficult to accept and  digest.

It’s not easy to see the different sides of people close, when perspective changes and reality stands naked in front of us.

One of the ugly realities of our outer world I ‘experienced’ was the negative influence of money power. 

“All sanskars and spiritual values take a back seat, and all actions justified as the only sanskar majority follow is money power”.

I like to call it the “Money Sanskar’

We all live in the gross level of realities – ‘Instant gratification’ in all degrees of living’, and for this money power is important.

But “God cannot be cheated – Intelligence cannot be fooled”.

All is known in the fields of Intelligence, and the karmic result one receives is always not only on the actions but also the intentions.

(Don’t get me wrong please, I consider money very important and sacred, but making materialism and Dikhava the only reason to live is not right; in my eyes and understanding)

 

…Taken from the book on my spiritual journey:                           http://www.zero2dot.org/

Zero2Dot

spiritual book

 

Jai Shreeji!!

 

God as Gate keeper?

Short conversation of a bhakt with his God…a dream sequence

Human to ShreeNathj (God):

“Kaunsi naukri karte hain aaj kal? (What service do You do now a days?)

ShreeNathji (God):

“Dekho, darwaze ke bahar bithaya ha, chokidari karne ke liye”.

‘God as gatekeeper”

(See, I have been made to sit outside the door, to protect their premises.)

Human:

“Acha-acha, to Aapko bahar bithaya hai, gate keeper bana diya?

(Ok, Ok; so You have been turned into a gate keeper and have been made to sit out?)

ShreeNathji (God):

“Koi baat nahi”; “Mujhse prarthna karte hain – ‘Hey Bhagwan, hamara taala laga hai, aap  dhyan rakhna”.

(But its okay, they pray to me, “God, my room is locked, please look after the safety’)

Human:

Aur Aap kya kaam karte hain aaj kal?

(And what other service do You do, nowadays)?

ShreeNathji (God):

Aur dekho, Mujhe public deewaron pur bhi sajate hain, safaie rakhne ke liye Lekin dekh lo,

ShreeNathji painted on a stairway, to prevent people from spitting!

loag to mere uper bhi thook dete hain.

Aab main kya karon; safaie rakhne ke kaam bhi nahin aa sakta”?

(And see, humans have painted me on public walls, so that people maintain cleanliness there;

sadly it does not serve that purpose also as people spit on me also.

What do I do now, I don’t seem to be useful for maintain cleanliness also”?

People spitting on God’s image also!

I felt sad, very sad indeed!!

What if God’s actually were watching this happen in our world?

 

 

 

 

Jai Shreeji!!

 

Sharad Purnima-MahaRaas Purnima

Purnima of Ashwin Shukl Paksh is called Sharad Purnima.

The day is also referred as Rasa Purnima or Raas Lila Day.

Sharad Purnima Moon

It is considered that the Moon and Earth are at a closer distance on Sharad Purnima night and the rays of the moon have several curative properties. So it is believed that eating food (specially ‘kheer’) that has been exposed to the moonlight  for a few hours, nourishes the body and soul.

The religious significance, of this beautiful night, as described in the Shreemad  Bhagvadji, is the divine MahaRaas Leela played by Thakurjee Shree Radha Krishn; at Shree Vrindavan Dham many thousands of years ago.

That famous Sthal today at Vrindavan, is known as Banshi Vat.

ShreeKrishn played the famously Divine Maha Raas  on  Sharad Purnima night.

Banshivat is Thakurjee’s most loved Raas leela sthal.

“Brindavan so van nahi, Nandgaon so gaon

Banshivat so vat nahin, Shree Krishn naam so naam”.

‘Gopika shat kati bhi Raas leela vibhu sith

Banshi Rav sama keerm Banshivat namo stute”.

“Brindavane vate banshi, praoage maoarath:|

Gayanya akshay khyat, kalpastu Purushottume||

Nishkumbh: khal lankaya, eategha panch gha vat:|

Eaitesu vat mulesu, sada nivsati makhav”|

Banshivat is Thakurjee’s most loved Raas leela sthal.

The divine Vat tree at Banshivat

ShreeKrishn played the famously divine Maha Raas here on the Sharad Purnima night. This is the spot where many famous loving divine leelas of Radha and Shyam along with the gopis took place.

This sacred mandir is located in the Banshi Vat area in Vrindavan.

It is a Siddh Sthan and the original MahaRaas Sthali of Shree RadhaKrishn.

This particular place has the original Charan(foot prints) of RadhaKrishn, and the whole aura of the place feels magnetized.

Divine Charan and the Maharaas Pichwai

A complete website dedicated to this divine place can be read at:   http://www.banshivat.org.in/

History in the scriptures:

Thakurjee ShreeKrishn’s leela bhoomi Braj is like Krishn’s body and Shree Vrindavan is like His heart, where Thakurjee even today plays and does leelas. According to Shreemad Bhagwad Krishn has said:

“I do not leave Vrindavan for even a moment’.

Vrindavan is famous as God played Raas leelas with the gopis. In today’s times there are many places which have been proclaimed as the Raas sthali; but with the proof available, Banshivat is the only place which is mentioned in many scriptures and holy books and history by various saints.

Banshi means the flute; Vat means the Banyan tree.

Banshivat is the spot where the Divine couple spent a lot of time.

This is the spot where many famous loving divine leelas of Radha and Shyam along with the gopis took place.

Some of the main reasons spoken about in the olden scriptures as reasons for playing the Leela of Maha Raas, are  fulfilling the many commitments made to various bhakts in the many different avatars by Him; and granting of anand and bliss to His many rasik bhakts.

                    Shree Krishn’s victory over Kaam Dev at this place, is another reason Banshivat is famous for.

This katha goes as follows;

For complete details please visit:  http://www.banshivat.org.in/

 

Nathdwara-Chaitri Gulab

Chaitri Gulab

Chaitri Gulab is a breed of pink rose which has a very sweet fragrance. Chaitra is the month of March-April, and these roses flower for just these couple of months every year.

Haldi Ghati, near Nathdwara is famous for this rose qualiy.

This place is located at a distance of 42 Km from Udaipur City and 17 Km from town Nathdwara amidst hills of Aravalli ranges.

Haldi Ghati is the place where the famous battle was fought in 1576 between Maharana Pratap and Emperor Akbar. The colour of the soil here is yellow like Haldi (turmeric).  Hence the valley is known as Haldighati.

ShreeNathji has His own Baug, Bageecha(garden), where the Chaitri Gulab are grown and processed for His sewa.

Chaitri Gulab

Chaitri Gulab at Nathdwara

During this month the flower Chadiji which are offered to Shreeji , mostly the Kamal,are replaced with a Chadi made of Chaitri Gulab.

Gulab being collected from the fields

Chaitri Gulab feild just below the Aravali hills

Majority of the pure, good quality of Attar and rose water, sherbet, gulkand, essential oil is made from this rose.

Processing plant for making rose water of different concentrations

Various products being made from the flowers

 

 

 

 

Jai Shreeji!!

 

ShreeNathji-”Pavitra Ekadashi”

 

In 2012, “Pavitra Ekadasi” falls on the 29^th July, Sunday. The mahurat for offering “Pavitra” for ShreeNathji this year is early morning, 6.05 – 7.33 am. We go to the two ShreeNathji Haveli close by and have some divine darshans of Shreeji being offered “Pavitra”. Here the Presence of Dear Shreeji is total at His Haveli, as He gives us divine darshans of His natkhat Plays!

I feel very lucky, as my birthday also falls on this very auspicious day; which was 16^th August 1956, Shravan Shukla Giyaras, in the afternoon at 1.03 pm, at the Abhijit mahurat. Every birthday on “Pavitra Ekadasi”, Gurushree changes my sankalp thread also, after completing his offering for Shreeji “Pavitra”, in his office and home.

Today again we are graced with the  Presence of my Dear Mahagurushree, Divine ShreeNathji on this occasion as He tells me, “Tum kitni naseeb wali ho ki har saal, aaj tumhara janmdin hai, aur tumhara sankalp thread bhi badla jata hai, mere “Pavitra” ki tarah!” (He also calls me His ‘best friend’- you can read further details here : http://abhashahra.wordpress.com/about/ )

Today we have also updated the ShreeNathji Application for the Bhog Darshans:

http://www.shreenathjibhakti.org/m/index.htm

 

Shravan Shukla Giyaras, or “Pavitra Ekadasi”, is a very auspicious day for all Vaishnavites and Pushti maarg followers. This day comes once every year, when ShreeNathji is offered a ‘Pavitra’ (a reshmi or cotton thread). Today is the day when Shreeji accepts this offering from all His bhakts everywhere. This ‘offering’ darshan can be had in Shreeji Haveli’s all over the world. The bhakts who have personal sewa in their homes also change the “Pavitra” for their ShreeNathji Swarup or Chavi.

This day is important for bhakts, as today is the day when Shri Vallabhacharya received Brahm sambandh from Shree Krishn – ShreeNathji, Himself.

Nearly 520 years ago, on Vikram Samvat 1549,AD 1492, Shravan Shukla Giyaras, Shree Krishn Himself Appeared in the Form of ShreeNathji before Shri Vallabhacharya. He told Shri Vallabhacharya to initiate people in the ways of total surrender and sewa, through Brahm sambandh. Thakurjee promised Shri Vallabhacharya He would accept the sewa of all the devotees who were initiated with the Brahm sambandh. Shree Krishn gave him the Mantra for initiation on this day.

Shri Mahaprabhuji then garlanded ShreeNathji with a “Pavitra” (cotton thread garland) and offered Him some misri (crystals of sugar). After this divine meeting ShreeNathji disappeared. Shri Mahaprabhuji composed “Shri Madhurashtakam” praising the form and beauty of Shree Krishn the way He appeared before him.

Shri DamodarDas Harsaniji was the first vaishnav to be initiated into Pushti Bhakti marg by receiving Brahm-Sambandh from Shri MahaPrabhuji.

 

This occasion is celebrated as Pavitra Ekadashi. It is also known as the day of the Birth of Pushti marg – The path of Grace and Bhakti.

JAI SHREEJI!!

http://www.shreenathjibhakti.org

 

ShreeNathji being offered “Pavitra”

Above picture courtesy:  http://pushti-marg.net/index.html

 

 

 

Kripa and Blessings

Kripa and Blessings from the super powers create miracles in our lives.

As pure and soft as these dewdrops, they enter us in the most subtle manner, many times without us even being aware of the divine miracle that has happened in our life.

Miracles may look like coincidences to the unbelieving, but in reality are part of the perfect plan in God’s work.

Blessings and kripa open us to some wonderful happenings. Blessings from the super powers transform our lives positively to the greatest extent and very few souls in our world can be worthy of receiving them. It has to be some very positive karmas of the past, that one’s life becomes worthy of being showered with kripa and blessings.

God showers blessings through the divine guru.

In my life the super powers are my God and Guru.

God – MahaGurushree – ShreeNathji

Divine Guru – Gurushree – Sudhir bhai

I bow down with gratitude for their love and kripa on all my family.

Jai Shreeji!

 

ShreeNathji Mukharwind Pragatya

Shreenathji
Complete Shringar Darshans

Today is Vaishak Vad Ekadashi,Vikram Samvat 2068, AD 2012, a very auspicious day : ShreeNathji’s Mukharwind Pragatya on the Govardhan Parvat was today.

A very Happy Birthday to My Dear MahaGurushree, Shreeji!!

ShreeNathji pragtaya was on Vikram Samvat 1535, AD 1478.

Shreeji is 534 years old today!!

He has been at Nathdwara for 340 years.

Govardhan Parvat today. Original Pragatya Sthan of ShreeNathji, Thakurjee at Braj Dham

ShreeNathji Gaushala at Nathdwara

Congratulations to my Gurushree on his marriage anniversary also today!!

ShreeNathji application update launched today for the Gwal and Rajbhog Darshans.

Jai Shreeji!!

ShreeNathji – Merged Swarup of ShreRadhaKrishn