Vallabha Acharya
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Sri Vallabha Acharya (1479 - 1531) was a devotional philosopher, who founded the Pushti sect in India, and the philosophy of Shuddha advaita (Pure Non-dualism). He is regarded as an acharya and guru within the Vaishnava traditions. Within Indian Philosophy he is known as the writer of sixteen 'stotras' (tracts) and produced several commentaries on the Bhagavata Purana, which describes the many lilas (pastimes) of the avatar, Krishna. Vallabha Acharya occupies a unique place in Indian culture as a scholar, a philosopher and devotional (bhakti) preacher. He is especially known as a lover and a propagator of Bhagavata Dharma. He was born in a region that currently lies in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, though the bulk of his fame lies in the area of land now in the modern state of Gujarat.
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[edit] Manifestation
The ancestors of Vallabha acharya lived in Andhra Pradesh. According to devotional accounts, 'Sri Thakorji' (Krishna) commanded Yagnanarayana that He would take birth in their family after completion of 100 Somayagnas (fire sacrifices). When Laxmana Bhatta, his descendant, completed 100 yagnas then Vallabhacharya was born in 1478 A.D. (V.S. 1535) on 11th day of the dark half of lunar month of chaitra at Champaranya. The name of his mother was Yallamma garu. Due to terror and physical strain of the flight suffered by the mother, there was a premature birth of child, two months in advance. As the child did not show signs of life, the parents placed it under a tree wrapped in a piece of cloth. It is believed that Krishna appeared in a dream before the parents of Vallabha acharya and signified that he had taken his birth as the child. The blessed mother extended her arms into the fire unscathed; she received from the fire the divine babe, gleefully to her bosom. The child was named as Vallabha since he was very dear to his parents. Great persons are believed to have been born under extraordinary circumstances. The same thing happened with Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji.
[edit] Study of Sri Vallabha
His education commenced at the age of seven with the study of four Vedas. He acquired mastery over the books expounding the six systems of Indian philosophy. He also learnt philosophical systems of Adi Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka along with the Buddhist and Jain schools. He was able to recite hundred mantras, not only from beginning to end but also in reverse order. At Vyankateshwar and Lakshmana Balaji, he made a strong impression on the public as an embodiment of knowledge. He was now applauded as Bala Saraswati.
[edit] Victory at Vijayanagara
A sensational debate was conducted at Vijayanagara between the Vaishnavaites of Madhva and Shankarites over the philosophical question whether God is Dualistic or non-dualistic - Vallabhacharyaji participated in the discussion considering it as a divine call. Vijayanagara was a empire in South India with its sovereignty over many states. The rulers of Vijaynagara were champions of Hinduism. Vallabhacharyaji who had earned an epithet of Bala Saraswati, was given the opportunity to discuss the question. The discussion continued for 27 days in the conference hall. The vaishnavaites expounded the nature of Brahman better than Mayavadins. The views of Mayavadins have distorted the shrutis. Everyone regarded Sri Vallabha as a god sent missionary. The day of victory for Vaishnavas was celebrated with great pomp at Vijaynagara. He was honoured by the kanakabhisheka ceremony. The title of ‘Acharya’ and world preceptor was conferred on him. He was given vessels of gold weighing a hundred maunds. Vallabhacharya declined to accept them politely and distributed them among the poor brahmins and the learned only after keeping only seven gold mohurs. They were used for preparing the ornaments of their Lord Govardhananatha.
[edit] Piligrimage of India
Vallabhacharya performed three pilgrimages of India, barefooted. He wore a simple white dhoti and a white covering to cover the upper part of his body. (known as ‘Uparano’). He gave discourses on Bhagavata. He looked very bright, brilliant and his body depicted magnificent brilliance as a celibate. He gave discourses on Bhagavata at 84 places and explained the subtle meanings of the Puranic text. He used to stay in Vraja for four months in each year.
[edit] Acharya
Acharya, the leader of spiritual preceptors, is one who has written his personal views and comments on the ‘Brahmasutra’, ‘Bhagavad Gita’ and ‘Upanishads’. Shankarcharya, Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya had written their comments and obtained the designation of ‘Acharya’. Vallabhacharya was the fourth ‘Acharyaji’ of Indian culture. People then addressed him as Shri Vallabhacharya.
[edit] Establishment of Pushti Marg
When Vallabhacharyaji entered Gokul, his mind was revolving on the important question of restoring people to the right path of devotion. He closed his eyes and meditated on Krishna who appeared to him in a vision in the form of Shrinathji. He could clearly hear the BrahmaSambandha, mantra, a mantra of self dedication or consecration of self to Krishna. Vallabha Acharya related this experience to his worthiest and most beloved disciple, in the early morning,“Damala, did you hear any voice last night” ? Damodaradasa replied in negative. He became the first vaishnava. He wanted to preach his message of devotion to God and God’s grace called Pushti - Marga. He undertook three pilgrimages of India. He performed the initiation ceremony of religious rite by conferring on them ‘NamaNivedana’ mantra or ‘Brahma Sambandha’ mantra. Thousands of persons became his disciples but 84 devoted servants are famous and it is known as ‘Story of 84 Vaishnavas’.
[edit] Family
Vallabhacharyaji strictly adhered to three rules :
- (1) He would not wear stiched clothes and hence always wore Dhoti and uparna(a cloth covering the torso)
- (2) He always performed pilgrimages bare footed
- (3) He always resided at the outskirts of the village. His sons and their descendants are known as‘Goswami Maharajas”.
He was to remain a life-long celibate but the guru Vitthalanatha of Pandharipur commanded him to marry and live the life of householder. He married a woman named ‘Mahakanya’ and had two sons: Gopinatha and Vitthalanatha (also known as Shri Gusainji).
[edit] Asura Vyamoha Lila
In 1530 A.D. Shrinathji commanded Vallabha acharya to leave the worldly life and to come near Him. Shrinathji had commanded previously to abandon worldly life at Madhuvamji and Gangasagarji. The third command was accepted by him as the last verdict. He reached Kasi and lived in a Parna Kutira (a cottage of leaves) on the Hanuman ghat for about a week. He spent his last days in contemplation of Vishnu and suffered agonies of separation from Him. The members of his family assembled near him for his last darshan. He wrote in the form of three verses and a half on sand by way of counsel. Krishna manifested visually on the spot and wrote in the form of a verse and a half. It is known as ‘ShikshaSloki’. He entered into the waters of the Ganges on the day of Rath Yatra (A festival that is celebrated on the second or third day of the bright side of the lunar month of ‘Ashadha’) A brilliant flame in the form of God arose from the water and it ascended to heaven and was lost in the firmament. This divine brilliant flame lived in the sky for three hours and it finally entered the cave of Giriraj mountain near ‘Dandavati Shila’. This episode is known as ‘AsurVyamohLila’. The forms of divine give up their lives at their sweet will and reach the region of permanent abode of the Divine. Goswami Maharajas and Vaishnava Society are indispensable part of Indian culture. Grace of God and love of God must go hand-in-hand. They make him as the be-all and end-all of all their desires, aspirations and efforts. They consider Krishna as the Supreme God, Supreme Transcendental Divine and Supreme Spirit.
[edit] See also
- Ramanuja
- Madhva
- Nimbarka
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
- Champaran (Chhattisgarh) (birthplace)
[edit] External links
- Vallabha Acharya (boloji.com)
- Acharya Vallabha and His Pushti Sampradaya (neovedanta)
