Shri Mahaprabhuji

Date of Birth:

Eleventh day of the dark half of Chaitra month of V.S. 1500

Place of Birth:

in the forest named Champaranya in India.

Left the World:

At the age of 52 on the day of Rathayatra in V.S. 1587 he entered into the river Ganga and one bright bundle of light merged into the Sun and disappeared from the world.

Family:

His father’s name was Lakshman Bhatta and mother’s name was Sri Illammagaru. Born in Vellanateeya community of Brahmana which is regarded as yet a pious and well educated community of India, his gotra was Bharadvaja and Sutra Apastamba. His ancestors were in study of the Taittireeya Shakha of the Krshna Yajurved. He had two sons. The elder one named Shri Gopinathji and the younger named Shri Vitthalnathji (popularly known as Shri Gusaiji).

Different aspects of personalities:

As a father:

He trained his two sons Shri Gopinathji and Shri Vitthalnathji so as to become able Acharya of Pushti Bhakti Sampradaya in all aspects. He established his own mahatmya (greatness) in all respects in his two sons.

As a son:

He learnt from his father. He showed his extraordinary genius by completing study of all religious scriptures like Veda, Purana, Smriti, Tantra etc. at the age of only 11 years. In his childhood itself he used to participate in so many debates and defeat all opponents. He maintained that scholarly approach making his parents feel always proud of him.

As an ideal Guru:

An expert jeweler buys a jewel by putting it to a touchstone. Similarly, a Guru does not make anybody his disciple, without taking test. Bhagwan had ordained Shri Vallabhacharya to reveal the path of Pushti-Bhakti for the upliftment of only Pushti-Beings. Hence, the devotional path of Pushti is meant only for the Pushti-Beings, it is not the religion for the people of the whole universe. Shri Vallabhacharya would grant initiation only after taking test of the candidate so that a non-Pushti being may not enter into this Path. After granting initiation Shri Vallabhacharya did not leave any of his disciples on his fortune. He would stay at his home and teach him everything until he has proper knowledge of the doctrines and the course of path of Pushti-devotion. If any person came to his place for receiving initiation he would welcome him at his place and teach him everything about the doctrines and method of worship etc.

Post Balya Avastha:

Bharat wise tour:

In the assembly-hall of king, Bhagwan Himself supported the doctrines propounded by Shri Vallabhacharya by the abovementioned verse. Considering it as the ordainment of Bhagwan, Shri Vallabhacharya went on Bharat wise tour to publicize those doctrines. Three times barefooted Shri Vallabhacharya went on tour throughout Bharat. During it he had debated with the great learned Pundits and Acharyas on the true meaning of scriptures and competently established the theory of Shuddhadvaita- Brahmavada and the devotional path of Pushti. He led towards Sanatana-Hindu-Dharma the people who were flung far from it and got converted by the terrorism of cruel converter Mogul intruders from the north-west of Bharat.

The Renouncement:

In old time kings took it as their fortune in doing honor to the learned. Hence, they arranged for scriptural-debate inviting the learned to solve difficult problems. The learned man who was able to prove the worth of his doctrine was honored with ceremonies like Kanakabhisheka, Rajatabhisheka etc. Sri Vallabhacharya, too, would participate in such scriptural-debates and establish his doctrine. As a result of this, kings would honor him with Kanakabhisheka, Rajatabhisheka etc. and dedicate to him with gold-coins, elephants, horses, gold and silver utensils etc. as gifts. But accumulation of money spoils the mind and one is not able to apply it into Bhagwan. Again, it is said in the scriptures that the wealth received from a king is somewhat more harmful. With this thought in mind, Shri Vallabhacharya would give away all such wealth in donation to Brahmans!! For this reason he has been praised in Sarvottama-Stotra as “Mahodara-charitravan”. This means: One having extremely generous character.

Simplicity:

The life of Sri Vallabhacharya was extremely simple even though many of his disciples were kings and prosperous persons. He used to wear only ‘Dhoti’ and ‘Uparana’, travel on foot and prepare offerings by himself. During tour he would stay in a lonely place at the outskirts of a village. He would give instruction to his disciples not to let anybody in the village know about his arrival as he had firm faith that those who were divine beings would come to him on their own accord.