Vallabhacharya Jayanti is celebrated because of a popular belief that on this day, Lord Krishna in the form of Shrinathji was seen by Vallabhacharya, who is said to be the founder of Pushti Sect. Vallabhacharya Jayanti is observed on the Magh Shukla Paksha Pratipada. Vallabhacharya Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Vallabhacharya, a prominent philosopher and theologian in Hinduism. He was the founder of the Pushti Marg, a devotional tradition that emphasizes pure devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna. Vallabhacharya Jayanti is observed with prayers, discourses on his teachings, and devotional singing. It usually falls on the 11th day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Magha in the Hindu calendar, which typically corresponds to January or February in the Gregorian calendar.
Vallabh Acharya Jayanti
Lord Krishna is said to be the supreme God and it was considered that his blessings could help any human being to attain Moksha. So, worshiping Lord Krishna in the form of Shrinathji was introduced and justified by Vallabhacharya, who was one of the most popular saints belonging to the Vaishnava Sect. Because of this very fact, Vallabhacharya Jayanti is celebrated with great fervor and zeal every year by the devotees of Shri Vallabhacharya and Lord Krishna alike.

Legends

  • Divine Birth: According to one legend, Vallabhacharya was believed to be a reincarnation of Lord Krishna's beloved companion, Madhavendra Puri. It is said that his birth was miraculous and foretold by saints and sages.

  • Encounter with Krishna: It is said that Vallabhacharya had a divine vision of Lord Krishna at the age of 11, where Krishna imparted spiritual knowledge and a deep sense of devotion to him.

  • Establishment of Pushti Marg: Vallabhacharya is known for founding the Pushti Marg or the Path of Grace. Legend has it that he received the idol of Lord Krishna known as "Shri Nathji" from the Govardhan Hill in Vrindavan, which became the central deity of his worship and the Pushti Marg tradition.

  • Miracles and Devotional Acts: There are many stories of Vallabhacharya's miracles and acts of devotion, demonstrating his close connection with Lord Krishna and his ability to inspire deep faith and devotion among his followers.

  • Philosophical Debates: Vallabhacharya engaged in philosophical debates and discussions with scholars of various traditions, showcasing his profound understanding of Vedanta and his ability to articulate the principles of Shuddhadvaita with clarity and conviction.

  • The legend associated with these festivals states that Shri Vallabhacharya was once moving towards North northwestern part of India and there he observed a mysterious phenomenon near Mount Govardhan. He saw a cow that was shedding milk daily on a particular spot in the mountain. On digging that place, the idol of Shrinathji was found. So, it is believed that Lord Krishna hugged Vallabhacharya and gave darshan to him in the form of Shrinathji.

    Vallabhacharya is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Agni by some people. The followers of Vallabhacharya worship Bala Krishna or Young Krishna and this jayanti is more popular amongst them only.

The significance of Vallabhacharya Jayanti lies in honoring the life and teachings of Vallabhacharya, who made significant contributions to Hindu philosophy and devotional practices:

  1. Founder of Pushti Marg: Vallabhacharya established the Pushti Marg or the Path of Grace, which emphasizes loving devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna as the means to spiritual liberation.

  2. Doctrine of Shuddhadvaita: He expounded the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita (pure monism), which teaches that the individual soul (jivatma) and the supreme soul (Paramatma, represented as Krishna) are not different, but one in essence. This philosophy emphasizes the soul's complete dependence on God's grace for spiritual attainment.

  3. Promotion of Bhakti: Vallabhacharya's teachings focused on the path of loving surrender (bhakti) to Krishna, stressing that sincere devotion and service (seva) are the most effective ways to attain spiritual realization.

  4. Literary Contributions: He composed numerous devotional hymns and commentaries on Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam, which continue to inspire followers of Pushti Marg.

  5. Cultural Impact: Vallabhacharya's influence extends beyond philosophy to cultural practices, including the celebration of festivals such as Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday) with fervent devotion and elaborate rituals.

Traditions

On this day the temples are decorated beautifully with flowers all over and Abhishekam of Lord Krishna is done early in the morning followed by a proper Aarti. Bhajans and chants in the name of Lord Krishna are sung all day long. People worship Lord Krishna and special prayers, speeches, and yajnas are held all day. Then, images of Lord Krishna are kept on a rath and a type of Jhanki and are rotated towards every home in the streets of the followers of Shri Vallabhacharya.

Then, at last, Mangal Abhishek of Lord Krishna is done and Prasad is being offered to all the devotees inside the temple. The important literary works of Shri Vallabhachara are observed and praised on this day. These are written and available both in Brij and Sanskrit languages.

This Jayanti is observed basically on Varudhini Ekadashi which occurs in the Krishna Paksha of Vaishakh month according to the North Indian calendar and Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month according to the Tamil calendar. It is predominantly a festival of Hindus and is celebrated in many parts of the country especially in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chennai, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

There are as such no typical types of rituals that are being performed on this day. People keep fast all day long though it is not a compulsory act. Special prayers and chants are held for Shri Vallabhacharya on this day. His preachings are spread through speeches popular amongst the devotees. People celebrate this festival with utmost dedication and faith towards Shri Vallabhacharya and Lord Krishna.

The Pushti Marg tradition, founded by Vallabhacharya, is a prominent devotional path within Hinduism that emphasizes loving devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna. Here are some key aspects of the Pushti Marg tradition:

  1. Bhakti and Seva (Devotion and Service): Central to Pushti Marg is the practice of intense devotion and loving surrender (bhakti) to Lord Krishna, particularly in his child form as Shri Krishna (Shri Nathji). Devotees engage in various devotional practices such as singing hymns (kirtan), chanting mantras, and performing rituals with deep reverence.

  2. Grace-Centered Philosophy: Pushti Marg teaches the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita (pure monism), which emphasizes the soul's complete dependence on God's grace (Krishna's grace, or "pushti") for spiritual liberation. Vallabhacharya taught that through sincere devotion and surrender, one can attain spiritual fulfillment and union with Krishna.

  3. Iconography and Worship: The central deity in Pushti Marg is Shri Nathji, a deity of Krishna as a child, worshipped with great devotion and elaborate rituals. The worship rituals include daily ceremonies (seva) where offerings of food (bhog) and garments (vastra) are made to the deity.

  4. Literary Contributions: Vallabhacharya composed numerous devotional hymns, poems, and commentaries on Hindu scriptures, which are revered by followers of Pushti Marg. These texts provide philosophical insights and practical guidance for spiritual seekers on the path of devotion.

  5. Community and Festivals: Followers of Pushti Marg often gather in temples (havelis) dedicated to Shri Nathji, where they participate in collective worship and celebrations. Festivals such as Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday) and Annakut (offering of food to Krishna) are celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.

  6. Guru Parampara: Pushti Marg maintains a lineage of spiritual teachers (gurus) who guide devotees in their spiritual journey. The guru-disciple relationship is highly valued, with the guru transmitting spiritual teachings and practices to their disciples.


इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

Forthcoming Festivals