Jay Shri Nathji Jay Shri Krishna

Shrinathji (Shree Govardhan nathji) is name given to 7 year child form of Shri Krishna. Shrinathji resided in a cave in Govardhan hill till found by people around Braj. Shree Vallabhacharya started formal worship of lord by setting up a small temple on the hill. Shrinathji continued to stay there till a new temple was constructed by Puranmal Kshatriya on the hill and the temple still exists. After Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, Shrinathji was served by his sons Gopinath and Vithhalnath. Later Vitthalnath elaborated and added Raag(music), Bhog(food offering) and Shringar in Lord's worship according to season/festival/time of day. The customs are followed till day.

After Vitthalnath, his family continued to serve Shrinathji on the hilltop till Aurangzeb attacked north Indian temples and erected mosques on them. Shrinathji was shifted to Nathdwara (Near. Udaipur) after a hiding/journey of almost 6 and a half year. Shrinathji currently reside in Nathdwara and still served by descendants of Vallabhacharya. In today's scientific age, for using technology and science in our day to day lives, we do not call ourselves scientists, but we call ourselves as humans, people who believe and have faith.

One such culture in Hinduism is Vaishnavism. It is a culture dedicated to service of Lord Vishnu, this would just be a very broad heading having many sub-classes, which can be found all across India due to the diverse Geography and Cultures. One of its most important parts is Pushti Marg i.e. Kripa Marg (devotional path), founded by Shri Vallabhacharya in the 15th decade. Sewa of Shrinathji according to Pushti Marg. The story begins in Vrindavan, Vikram Samvat 1466, Shravan Vad Tritiya, Shravan Nakshatra, in the holy land of Krishna stood the mighty Govardhan (Girirajji) even after thousands of years of being blessed by the merged form of Radha-Krishna.

The cowherds who lived in the vicinity had no clue of who was coming their way after many centuries to bless and liberate them. Not a day passed without thinking about their Lalla, Krishna in their lives. One of the residents (Brajvasi) was Sadhu Pande. His family consisted of his wife Bhavai, daughter Naro and his herd of cows. One of them was a cow named "Ghumaar", who was a descendant of Nanda Baba's herd of cows. During the everyday routine of grazing, Ghumaar would disappear into the woods and return only in the evening.

Vrindavan. Naro observed this and decided to follow the cow one day. Going to the Govardhan mountain, Ghumaar was pouring all her milk on a hand, that was the hand of Gokulnathji (ref. to as Shrinathji), which is called the "Alokik Bhuja"(Divine arm). At the same time, Shri Vallabhacharya was born in Champaran village. Ghumaar Cow was feeding Shrinathji. Many years later, Shrinathji radiant and beautiful face appeared with a contagious smile which captured every emotion of a cowherd (Gwal Bhav) and protector (Gohardhandhari) in his eyes. Vallabhacharya went on a journey around the world thrice in his lifetime. Shrinathji appeared in his subconscious dream one night. He ordered Vallabhacharya to go to Govardhan.

When Vallabhacharya reached the villages in the vicinity of the mighty hill, the villagers welcomed him with great pomp and joy. He neglected all this and ran towards the hill. Seeing him, Shrinathji was so pleased that after stepping down from his seat for the first time, he hugged Vallabhacharya like an awaited brother. This is called 'Shriji-Vallabh bhet'(Shrinathji-Vallabhacharya meet). Shrinathji hugged Vallabhacharya by stepping down from his royal seat (Top-right). The worship of the lord is done with a specific emotion and mood. It could be motherly love and protective emotions(Yashoda bhaav) or a friendly mood and loving mood ( Sakha Bhaav). Shrinathji longs for love. Shrinathji gave his aadesh (ordered/demanded)Vallabhacharya to start his service.

After thinking of Nandalaya (Nand Baba's house- home of Shri Krishna), he kept Yashoda Bhaav and started eight darshans so that the lord doesn't exert himself. In Gokul, as Gopika would come in large numbers to see Krishna, Yashoda started darshans such as when he got up, after getting him ready, before going out with his friends, after eating and before sleeping, etc. Eight Darshans of the Lord during the day. Did you know that Vallabhacharya has gone to Pandharpur twice in his life? He married on Vitthala's command after the Lord promised that he would come in the form of his son, Gusainji.

Another legend goes that when Krishna was leaving for Mathura, Yashoda was crying inconsolably. So, Krishna promised to her that he would return one day to his beloved Gokul. He then asked her which form of his did she cherish and love the most, he would take that form itself. Upon this request, Yashoda said that she loved his Goverdhan-dhaari form( The Form of Krishna where he Lifts up the Govardhan hill). Thus, many thousand years later, he returned as Shrinathji. Jay Shrinath Ji