Shreenathji Temple

Here, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed by the banks of the holy Narmada river. There, a young women adorned from head to toe with celestial jewels came and bowed at Mahaprabhuji’s feet and said, “I know the reason ;for your appearance is solely for the upliftment of divine souls. You wander about sanctifying holy places and rivers by your mere logch please bless this Narmada river by bathing in her waters.”

After she left, Damala questioned, “please reveal to us who that women was.”

The guru then explained, “She is the goddess of the Narmada river.”
Shri mahaprabhu pleased the goddess by daily bathing in the river. Once many Mayavadians came there to debate with Shri Mahaprabhuji and within one hour Shri Mahaprabhuji proved to them that their theory of an illusionary world is not correct and that devotion and love to Shri Krishna is the inner purport of the Vedas.

Here, Shri Mahaprabhuji stayed by the banks of the Tapi river near Ashvini Kumar’s ashram and spoke on the Shrimad Bhagavatam.

There, one lady, after bathing in the Tapi river suddenly came and bowed to Shri Mahaprabhuji and stood by his left side and fanned him for the entire discourse. When the talks were over, she suddenly disappeared and Krishnadas Meghan wondered who the divine women was questioned his guru, “I have a feeling she is not earthly.”
 

Shri Mahaprabhuji revealed,” She is the divine form of the Tapi river, the daughter of the Sun God.” His disciples then praised him, “We can only understand your divinity when you shower your grace upon us."

Here in the midst of a dangerous jungle Shri Mahprabhu Vallabhacharya made camp. Lord Varadasen arrived there and advised, “You have picked a dangerous place to stay.” And then added, “Your descendants will shower grace on divine souls in the future. I would like to have their sights, but that might trouble you."

The guru made a seven days reading of the Bhagavata and uplifted countless souls there before heading onwards.

Here in the middle of a wild jungle Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya made camp. When Krishnadas Meghan mentioned that there was no water nearby, the guru explained that “Near to that Kadam tree on its south side is a large rock. Under it is a large lake filled with fresh water. After the lake was discovered it was named Vallabh lake.

The Mayavadians there coming to know of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s arrival sent to people to investigate the situation. When they asked Shri Mahaprabhuji where he expected to find water in such a dry place, Krishnadas showed them the newly discovered lake. Later, the rest of the Mayavadians arrived there and seeing the lake thought, “We have lived here a long time and never knew about this lake. Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya must be a spark of the original Godhead.”

They prayed to become disciples. Everyone present there experienced divine joy. After some days, Shri Mahaprabhuji proceeded onwoards with a few disciples while the other returned to their homes.

Here, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya halted in a lovely spot. Many Mayavadians lived there who worshipped a goddess. When they heard about Ahri Mahaprabhuji's arrival, they came there to debate with him. Within a short while, Shri Mahaprabhuji revealed to them the true meaning of the scriptures and the path of Grace and they became his disciples. Later, Lord Trilokbhanji appeared to Shri Mahaprabhuji and the guru offered him some fruits and made the lord's ornamentation. Shri Mahaprabhuji stayed there for a few days before proceeding to Totadri Mountain.

At vidhyanagar, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed by the Vidhya lake. It was here that Shri Mahaprabhu defeated the Mayavadians in a huge religious conference.

Once Shri Mahaprabhuji considered. “The king of Vidhyanagar is very religious man and it is in his kingdom that the four great Vaishnava lineages are being defeated in debate by the Mayavadians.” with those thoughts, young Vallabhacharya who was only eleven at that time proceed there. On his way, he passed through the town where Damodardas lived. Damodardas, father had recently passed away, and left his money to Damodardas and his three brother but Damodardas was unconcerned about such matters because his mind was absorbed in the thoughts of his future guru, Shri Mahaprabhuji. When Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya passed on the main street Damodardas, balcony, he immediately went to the street below and bow at the feet of his guru and took initiation.

He accompanied Shri Mahaprabhuji who stopped at his uncle’s house who was pleased to hear of Mahaprabhuji’s plans to attend the religious conference and because he was a minister in the King’s council, said he could arrange everything.

That night when they called Shri Mahaprabhuji to take his meals, he replied that he only partakes of food which he prepares himself. His relatives rebuked him, “How can you act like that with us” but he did not reply their harsh words.

His uncle then went to the king, Krishnadeva and advised him, “Tomorrow, do not let any new Brahmin into the debate because he will only delay the victory of the Mayavadians and this debate has already been going on for twelve years and is costly for the government.

In the middle of the following night, Shri Nathji came and told Shri Mahaprabhuji, “How can you withstand such harsh words from your relatives. I am always with you. Why should you concern yourself about meeting this king when billions of kings will make the worship of your feet. Proceed immediately to the Vidhya lake.”

The Lord then disappeared and Shri Mahaprabhuji awoke his disciples and silently left his uncle’s house. The next morning, Shri Mahaprabhuji order his Kamandal {a type of water pot made out of a type of pumpkin} t proceed to the conference hall and notify all of his arrival. His kamandal then flew into the great hall room and everyone present there stood up and the king told the kamandal to brign his master to the conference. Later, when Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya arrived there shinning like countless suns, King Krishnadeva Raya bowed at his feet. Within a very short time, Shri Mahaprabhuji defeated the Mayavadians with his teaching of Brahmavada, that everything is God and nothing but God. The king then present Mahaprabhuji with 600 I bs of gold and honored him with a sacred bath. Shri Mahaprabhuji distributed the gold to all the Brahmins and when he made the king his disciple he was offered a large tray of gold coins. Shri Mahaprabhuji took only seven of those coins and later offered them to Lord Jagannath. The head of the Madhva lineage then requested Shri Mahaprabhu to take over his religious seat, but Shri Mahaprabhuji considered that his appearance was to establish the Vishnu Svami who once told me, “The Lord’s service is our only interested in their own pleasure. The Lord does as he pleases, we can only follow His wishes’

“Once the Lord told Vishnu Svami that the Lord would appear as Shri Vallabhacharya and that he will establish the path of Devotion. Vishnu Svami told me when he left for the divine abode that I should stay and head the Vishnu Svami lineage till you come her and defeat the Mayavadians. For the past 750 years I have been thinking about you.”

Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya then accepted the leadership of the Vishnu Svami lineage and Bilvamangal ascended to the eternal abode before the entire assembly. Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed in Vidhya Nagar for a few days giving discourse at the royal palace before proceeding onwards.

By a beautiful lake, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya halted. On the following day, joined by his disciples, they went to have the sight of Lord Janardan in the temple. After Shri Mahaprabhuji made the Lord’s ornamentation Lord Janardan said, “Today I have had the opportunity to experience the touch of your sacred hands.”

Shri Mahaprabhuj revealed to Lord Janardan the appearance of Shri Nathji. For seven days, Shri Mahaprabhuji spoke the Bhagavata and everyone present there became so absorbed in the devotional nectar that they became completely unaware of time. Here, many souls became initiation.

At a lovely spot, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya made his camp. Here Shri Mahaprabhuji told Damala, “From the navel of Shri Pdmanabhaji who lies resting on the serpent god, Braham the creator emerged on the stem of a lotus, “After saying that, Lord Padmanabhaji arrived and the guru greeted Him with folded hands.

The next day, Shri Mahaprabhuji proceeded to Padmanabhaji’s temple and made the Lord’s divine worship. The Lord insisted that Shri Mahaprabhu partake of the offering with Him. When the head Priest witnessed that, he had a vision of the eternal realm of Vrindavan and later requested to become Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciples. The Guru advised, “ You have the blessing of Lord Padmanabhaji, through his worship everything will come to you.” But when the Lord requested, “He is a divine soul, and deserves to be made your disciple.” Shri Mahprabhuji initiated him. Later, taking the Lord’s permission, Shri Mahaprabhu continued on this pilgrimage to spread the Path of Grace.

By the pampa lake, under a tree, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya halted. While the guru was preparing the offering he told Krishnadas to bring some leaves. When Krishnadas left, he saw a large terrible beast which resemble death, but unconcerned went about his business collecting leaves. Suddenly the beast called out ot Krishnadas, “Since the time of Lord Ram I have been sadly sitting here. Now that Shri Mahaprabhuji has arrived, I must pray to him for my liberation. The grace of the Lord’s devotees will enable me to attain my final release. Please request your guru to uplift me.”

Upon returning, he told Shri Mahaprabhuji about the beast who gave him some sacred water and told Krishnadas to sprinkle it over the beast. Upon doing so, the beast took on a divine form and ascended in a celestial chariot to the eternal abode of Vaikuntha.
 

After speaking the Shrimad Bhagavata Srhi Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and his disciples moved onwards.

By the banks of the Tamraparni river, under a tree three miles form a large city, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed. The king of the nearby state was very ill and someone told him, “If you construct a gold statue of yourself and gift it to a Brahmin, the Brahmin will die and you will be cured.”

The king immediately called for ninety pounds of gold and had when the statue was made he called a Brahmin to accept it but when he saw the form, he refused. He then called for his religious guide, but when he saw the statue. He fell down and observing many evil opened did not accept it. Then the king called for all the Brahmins of the city, but when they saw the statue as death personified they too refused the gift and said, “Even if you threaten to kill us, we will not accept this gift.”

The distressed king then retired to the banks of the Tamraparni awaiting his death. There he saw Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and said to him. “This land is doomed because the holy class is devoid of spirituality.”

The guru questioned “Is your world Godless?”

The king explained, “The right of a king is to make gifts to the Brahmins but my Brahmins have refused my offerings.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji replied, “I will come tomorrow to accept you gift.”

The king felt assured and returned to the palace. The next day the king made all the arrangements and when Shri Mahaprabhuji arrived he saw the statue had one finger pointing he pointed three back at it. The statue then bowed its head and Shri Mahaprabhuji called for a metal smith to melt the statue down and told the king to give a small amount of gold to the thousand odd Brahmins that had gathered there.

The king then asked, “why did the statue pointed one finger and why did you point three bach the guru explained, “the statue asked me if I make Gayatri mantra once a day. I raise three fingers to show that I do Gayali three limes a day. For that reason, it bowed to me.” He continued.

“You should never make such a large gift for the removal of your own pain, the person who accepts such a gift will certainly die. By giving small gifts to many Brahmins, no harm will come to anyone.”

Later the king and many other souls became Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple. Later Shri Mahaprabhuji returned to the river and repeated the Gayatri mantra for three days.

Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed here under a tree by a large rock which had the impressions of an elephant’s footprint. Damala requested the guru, “This scenic place is full of souls who are ignorant by nature. If you speak the Bhagavata here, all these souls will be uplifted. Krishnadas Meghan then Said, “The only problem here is that there is no water.”

The guru then revealed, “On this mountain there is a waterfall and on the adjoining mountain there is a lake and under the rock with the elephant footprint there is a cave with three ponds. In one pond celestial ladies bath, in the second celestial musicians and in the third the gods with Indra at their head every full mood.”

Here Shri Mahaprabhuji spoke the Bhagavatam and by the sweet smell of his lotus feet, thousands of ignorant souls were liberated.

Here in a sandalwood forest under a sandalwood tree Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya halted and Lord Henmagapal appear to the guru and said, “you have come to an area inhabitated by ferocious animals who are always fighting amongst each other. Although I live in the midst of a sandalwood forest, I always feel very hot, but by your mere sight, Ii have become cooled. You have appeared, although timeless to establish the path of Grace and wander about sanctifying the earth.”

Later, Shri Mahaprabhu Visited Lord Henmagopal’s temple and offered the Llord sandal paste, bananas and coconuts. After that the Lord would daily visit Shri Mahaprabhuji. On the last day of the discourse, Indara, the god of rain went to Lord Henmagapal’s temple and not find Him there waited for His return. When He did finally return, Indra questioned where He had been. The Lord replied, “I have been to hear Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya’s discourse. He is an incarnation of Krishna, It is he who held up the Govardhan mountain to protect the people of Braja from your rains. He is the Lord’s complete love-form appearing for the upliftment of divine souls. All the god’s witnessed his appearance at Charanath.”

Indra proceeded to see Shri Mahaprabhuji and after receiving his blessing returned to his heaven.

At Vishnu Kanchi, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed by the banks of the Surbhi river. Here, Shri Mahaprabhuji mentioned, “In India, there are 7 puris, {spiritual centers} three and one half are Vishnu’s and the three and one half are Shiva’s Vishnu’s puris are Mathura, Ayodhya, Dwarka and Vishnu Kanch is the last half.”

When Shri Mahaprabhu did not make plans to visit the sacred temple of Lord Varadraj Svami, Damala questioned why. The guru explained, “This place has been graced by the residence of the great Sanskrit poet Jaya Deva and on the 26 steps leading up to the temple, Jaya Deva’s poems are willen. I will not place my foot on top of the Lord’s names.”

Lord Varadraj Knowing Mahaprabhuji’s feelign had all the 26 stone steps removed and only then did the guru visit the temple. For two hours, Shir Mahaprabhu had intimate discussion with the Lord. Later he offered seven golden coins to the temple and special offerings wer prepared. The head priest there, realizing Shir Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya’s divinity fell into a trance and when the guru awoke him the priest said, “I was having the divine sight of the Govardhan Hilll and the yamuna river, why did you awake me?”

Shri Mahaprabhuji revealed, “Now, you are only able to see that much but by faithfully serving Lord Varadraj, you will again have a vision of the eternal realm of Vrindavan.”
Shri Mahaprabhu discussed the Shrimad Bhagavatam for seven days and other events occured here, but only these have been recorded.

At Shri Rangji under a tree by the banks of the Kaveri river Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed. There, Lord Rangji came from His eternal abode to see Shri Mahaprabhuji. And asked the guru about the divine appearance of Shri Nathji atop the Govardhan hill. Shri Mahaprabhuji later went to Lord Rangji’s temple where the head priest upon seeing Shri Mahaprabhuji had a vision and later took initiation form the guru.

During Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya’s seven day reading of the Shrimad Bhagavatam, many followers of the Mayavada arrived there and impressed with his teaching became his followers.

Here, Shri Mahaprabhuji’s father Lakshman Bhatt left his body.

When Shri Vallaabhacharya lived with his father in Benares many religious scholars use to come and discuss religious topics with him before he had even turn 10 years old. Once his father invited all the priests for a feast and at that time, young Mahaprabhuj prove to everyone there the supremacy of the path of Loving Devotion. Mahaprabhuj then felt an urge to head south and made a pilgrimage to all the sacred places. His father, attached to his son, could not bear such a period of separation and accompanied him with his wife journeyed to Lakshman Balaji and camped at a lovely site. Later, when the entire family went to the temple of Lakshman Balajiwhile Mahaprabhuji’s father was adorning the Deity, the Lord yawned and Mahaprabhuji’s father entered into His mouth and achieved the final liberation. His mother was grieved but was confronted by the soothing words of her son who explained that his father’s spiritual form is the divine radiance of Shri Krishna and that he had just returned to his eternal position.

After performing his father’s last rites, he told his mother to proceed with his brother to his uncle’s house at Vidhyanagar while he stayed for 15 days under a tree near the temple. There he gave a seven day discourse on the Shrimad Bhagavatam and Lord Lakshman Balaji came to participate. After the discourse was completed Shri Mahaprabhuji went to the temple and made the Lord a food offering and perform His divine worship. The Lord appeared to Shri Vallabhacharya three other times, but these meeting have not been recorded.

Once while Mahaprabhuji was seated under a tree, Lord Nirsingh appear before him. Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stood up and payed his respect t him and said, “why have yo troubled yourself to come heri. I was about to go and see you”

The Lord replied, “you are my very self and have appeared on this earth for the upliftment of divine souls and to sanctify all of the holy places. Please bless my temple.”

Mahaprabhu the toold Krishnadas to prepare banans in sugar and rose water, Damla asked, “why do you offer bananas in sugar.”

The guru replied, “when Nirsingh killed the demon Hiranakashyap he became very exhausted. Bananas and sugar will give him energy. Also, He is very fond of it.”

With the offering, Mahaprabhuji and his disciples went to the temple. Meanwhile, Nirsing told the head priest of the temple to receive Mahaprabhuji. After he arrived in the temple and offered Nirsing the bananas, the Lord took ;half and gave the remains to Shri Mahaprabhu.”

“Is that true friendship? You must take all.” Shri Mahaprabhuji insisted. The Lord consented ;and gave ;the guru a little of what was left. After returning to the camp. Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya spoke the Shrimad Bhagavatam and Lord Nirsing came daily to listen. There, countless souls steeped in Ignorance were uplifted by the dust of Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya’s lotus feet.

At panchvati at the Nasika Tap forest Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya said to Damala, “Lord Rama stayed in this forest and this is where Sita was stolen away by Ravana. I will make a Bhagavata saptah here and establish the path of Dvotion.”

Followers of the Mayavada came to discuss the meaning of the scripture with Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and within one hour revealed to them the import of the Vedas and they requested to be initiated. After bathing in the Ganges, Shri Mahaprabhuji gave them the sacred tulsi necklace and Krishna mantra. From here, he proceeded south.

By the banks of the Bhinarath river, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya made his seat and Lord Vitthalnathji came out and greeted the guru. It was here that Shri Mahaprabhu was told by the immortal lord to become a householder so that He could appear as his son, hence, Shri Mahaprabhuji’s named his son Shri Vitthalnathji.

There is a story about pandarpur in the puranas were it is explained that one Brahmin pundarik use to trouble his parents greatly. Once he headed out to have a bath in the Ganges river. The divine river appeared to him as a goddess and she told him, “For that person who faithfully serves his parents. I will give him a sacred bath within his home”

Through the goddess’ grace the boy’s mind change and he felt that his real duty in life was to serve his parents. Returning home, he pleaded to his parents to forgive him for all the sins he had previously incurred. He humbly walked around his parents and bowed at their feet and requested to make their personal services. Overjoyed to see their transformed son, they welcomed him back into the household. The Lord of Vaikuntha, seeing his outstanding devotion came to bless the lad with his consort Lakshmi. Arriving there the Lord said, “Because you have served your parents with such devotion, we have come here to bless you.” The boy replied, “please wait one minute, I have to finish massaging my father’s other foot.”

Giving the Lord and His consort a mat to sit on, he went off to finish his parent’s service and then taking their permission went back and respectfully bowed before the Lord who was so pleased with him that he offered him three boons of his choice. The lad requested that the Lord always remain in his home, to always speak His names, and to have His divine sight of the Braja land. The Lord agreed and explained, “I will appear as pandurano Vitthalnathji and those people who will come to my temple here, regardless of how sinful they are will have their impurities removed. You will have the sight of the Braja land when Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya arrives here. When Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya arrived there many years later on his all India pilgrimage he went to Lord Vitthalnathji’s temple and offered seven golden coins which were made into anklets. The he took the I ad pundarik and seven other Vaishnavas into a deep for our and their after resting under a large shady pepul tree he sprinkled some water over everyone, and they all had the sight of Krishn’s eternal Braja land. When the lad ask why he was blessed with that vision, Shri Mahaprabhuji told him, “Because you serve Lord Vitthalnathji.”

Many other pastimes happened here, but these were the main incidents.

Madhaananda, a celibate, performed austerities on the banks of the Ganges river. After 28 years, the river blessed him with a boon and he requested to have the sight of Krishna’s divine realm, The river replied that his wish would be fulfilled at the Champaranaya forest where the Lord was going to take birth. Meanwhile another renuncated, Mukundads lived in puskar Rajasthan where he daily read the entire Shrimad Bhagavatam. He was also blessed with a boon and he too requested to have the sight of Krishna’s Braja lila and was advised to proceeded to the Champaranaya forest. They both reached just after Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya was born and told Lakshman Bhatt the purpose of their visit. When they saw the divine child they receive the sacred sight of the divine abode and they both left their material bodies and entered into the eternal lila.

After leavingChamparanaya, they proceeded to the town of Choura where the king warmly greeted them and supplied then with horses and escorts for the trip back to Benares where Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya spent his childhood.

At Champaranaya, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachary always resides for his play is eternal Gopaldas sings about those divine souls which were separated from the Lord’s lila.

The Lord considered his creation and made tow types of souls divine and ungodly.

For the Lord’s graceful glance came the divine souls and from his glance of maya came te demonical souls. Shri Mahaprabhuji appeard to uplift divine souls. That is the reason for his appearance. Shri Vitthalnathji said that if Shri Mahaprabhuji did not appear, “The creation of the divine souls would pass wasted.” He also revealed that, “Fro th eupliftment of divine souls, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya appeard upon the earth.”

Lord Krisnna ordered Shri Mahaprabhuji to manifest upon the earth along with the other residents of the divine abode and so the 84 Vaishnavas as well as Shri Vitthalnathji’s 252 Vaishnavas and his lineage appeared upon the earth.

In the south of India, in the town of Kankarvad appeared Shri Vallabhacharya’s forefather Narayanbhatt who was an incarnation of the Vedas and knew th esacred texts by heart. He started to perform the sacred soma. Sacrifice and complete 32 such rites in the course of his lifetime. When they were completed a celestial voice came from the sacrificial pit fire and said, “Narayana Bhatt, you are blessed; the primal Godhead has accepted your offerings. Within your family the Lord will take birth and from the sacrificial fires my Deity will appear.”

Later the Lord’s Deity did appear which is still be served by the Vallabh’s lineage. In the mul purusha poem it is said,

Form the sacrificial pit Hari’s voice resounded,

“I will take birth in your clan.”

Narayana Bhatt was very famous and taught taught thousands of Brahimins the Vedas. One day someone challenged, “To teach humans the Vedas is easy; if you can teach a water buffalo to speak the Vedas, that would be an accomplishment.”

Narayan Bhatt then acquired a water buffalo and when it began to speak the Vedas everyone was astonished. His son, Ganagadhar Bhatt was also very powerful. He daily feed many Brahmin and gave many gifts He perform 28 soma sacrifices and was considered to be an incarnation of Shiva. Once, when a pundit questioned, “Shiva held the holy Ganges river in his matter locks, can you? “suddenly, from Gangadhar’s hair the Ganges river began to flow. His son, Ganapati Bhatt was very generous and performed 30 Soma sacrifices and was considered to be an incarnation of Ganapati, the elephant god. When someone questioned, “If he is really Ganapati, then he can shower copper pots from the sky. “Ganapati Bhatt then made many copper pots rain from the sky over a large area for three hours. His son was Vallabh Bhatt who was also very powerful and performed five Soma sacrifices. Some said that he was an incarnation of the sun god, once someone his divinity and he made night appear within an area of 24 miles during the middle of the day. His son, Lakshman Bhatt was an incarnation of Vasudeva. He was very magnanimous and after he performed 5 Soma sacrifices he heard a celestial voice, “Lakshman Bhatt, you are very blessed. Your clan has now performed 100 Soma sacrifices. You will have three sons, one will be the Lord Himself.”

Hearing that, he made an offering to the fire and feed one thousand Brahmins. After his first son was born he saw Rahda Krishna within a dream and They told him that after a few days the Lord would appear as his son and advised, “Proceed to Champaranaya, there everything for the lila is ready.” After saying that, the Lord left Lakshman Bhatt a yellow shawl, some chewed betal nut, and two rosaries, one with little beads, the other with larger ones and advised him, “The smaller rosary, place around your son’s neck, on the larger one, recite my names. Wear this shawl and take this nectar. “After saying that, the Divine couple vanished.

Awaking from the dream, Lakshman Bhatt was surprised to see that everything that was given to him in the dream was there besides him. He awoke his wife Ilamgaru and they quickly proceeded. When they reached Benares, the Mughals started to attack the city and so according to the Lord’s wish they proceeded to Champaranaya near Nagpura. There in a dense forest where tigers and other ferocious animals live Ilamagaru has a miscarriage. Lashman Bhatt remembering the Lord’s order reasoned that the Lord would not appear in a normal way, and put the seemingly still born child into a hallow of a tree and proceeded to a nearby town. Hw was well versed in astrology and noticed that it ias a very auspicious time, the forest shined, the birds all started to sing, while the stare moved into favorable positions. That night, the lord told Lakshman Bhatt to return to the place were they had left the child and on the previous day upon arriving there, they found a child, as beautiful as a million cupids resting within a ring of fire. This incident occured on the eleventh day during the dark half of the onth of Madho at mid day. (late April) At that time, the celestial serpent Shesa appeared to shade the area with his hoods while light drops of cooling rain fell from the sky. At the same time, Shri Nathji (Lord Krishna’s) face appeared on the Govardhan Hill. A celestial voice told the mother to fearlessly take her son and she entered through the ring of flames and took the divine child. At that time, all the gods played instruments and showered flowers upon the child. A divine palace suddenly appeared and there was a celebration like the one which appeared for Krishna’s appearance. Lakshman Bhatt put the shawl and rosary the Lord had given him in the dream on the child and put Shri Krishna’s chew betal leaf into his son’s mouth. At that time, Nanda, Yashoda as well as Shri Radha, Shri Yamunaji and a host of other Gopis arrive all superbly adorned in pearls and diamonds and sang songs suitable for the festive oceasion. Cowlads brought gallons of milk and curds and spilled them during the celebrations. After Lakshman Bhatt has take the ceremonial bath, he proceeded to give gift to everyone present while the Vedas were recited. Gargacharya arrived and revealed that the child would have unlimited fame and would uplift countless divine souls through his graceful glance.

He also said that the reason while their son was born in a thick forest was because Vishnu, Brahama, and Shiva as well as the other divinities would only appear in a isolated place.

After Gargacharya and all the god returned to their respective abodes while the residents of Shri Krishna’s eternal merged into their, Shri Mahaprabhuji’s parents realized that their son was an incarnation.

Madhaananda, a celibate, performed austerities on the banks of the Ganges river. After 28 years, the river blessed him with a boon and he requested to have the sight of Krishna’s divine realm, The river replied that his wish would be fulfilled at the Champaranaya forest where the Lord was going to take birth. Meanwhile another renuncated, Mukundads lived in puskar Rajasthan where he daily read the entire Shrimad Bhagavatam. He was also blessed with a boon and he too requested to have the sight of Krishna’s Braja lila and was advised to proceeded to the Champaranaya forest. They both reached just after Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya was born and told Lakshman Bhatt the purpose of their visit. When they saw the divine child they receive the sacred sight of the divine abode and they both left their material bodies and entered into the eternal lila.

After leavingChamparanaya, they proceeded to the town of Choura where the king warmly greeted them and supplied then with horses and escorts for the trip back to Benares where Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya spent his childhood.

In the dense forest of Kapilban at Kapilashram, Shri Mahaprabhuji spent six months finishing the third canto of his Subodhani. At that isolate place, inhabited by ferocious animals, Mahaprabhuji was accompanied by only five disciples.

Once Krishnadas prepared a wonderful dish of maize for Mahaprabhuji who pleased with the preperation granted him a boon. Another time just after sunrise, Shri Mahaprabhuji bathed in the ocean and returned to his seat to ponder over Shri Krishna’s command to command to him to uplift divine souls. He thought, “Souls are ignorant by nature; only by making their connection with the Godhead can their ignorance be removed, then they an be qualified for the Lord’s grace that the soul receives devotion. It is said that After the demoness Putana’s ignorance was removed, only a divine fragrance remained. “Shri Krishna removes the ignorance connected with the body, sense, inner witness, breath and forgetfulness of our true form. When these five types of ignorance are removed, connection to the Supreme is achieved. This can all be realized by resorting to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.”

Once when Shri Mahaprabhuji went to the top of a seall mountain with his five disciples, while they were sitting there, a divine smell emerged from the guru’s feet. Snakes and other ignorant beings who came into contact with that divine aroma dropped their bodies and the fragrance of kusturi emerged from their bodies. They all achieve human birth and became qualified for the Lord’s personal service. His disciples seeing this divine pastime were all very astonished.

Above the Mansi tank which was sanctified when Sita and Lord Rama were married, in a garden, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya stayed. There, Kevalram Naga of the Vishnu Svami Sampradaya came and praised him on his on his establishing the path of devotion and disproving the Mayavadian philosophy. He requested him to initiate himself and the 500 hermits who lived there into the path of Grace, After initiating Kevalram, the guru told him to initiate the other 500 hermits. Kevalram asked Shri Mahaprbhji if he could accompany him n his pilgrimage but was advised to undertake his own. Kevalram then requested a feast for all the hermits. Being the day after Lord Ram’s appearance day, there were abundant milk sweets, Even after yadvendrads had served all of the hermits, the quanity of sweets did not diminish. This greatly astonished Kevalram. Yadvendradas then distributed the pest of the sweetballs to the publice. It was her that Bhagavands became Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple.

Where the Ganges river and Gallika rivers meet, resides Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya’s disciple Bhagavandas. Here, the guru eternally resides. After Shri Mahaprabhuji’s physical dissappearance for the world, all of his followers were deeply grieved. Some bhaktas went to the house of Bhagavandas to tell him the news. Bhagavandas immediately consoled them, “Our blessed teacher is still here.” When he opened the doors to his private temple, all the Vaishnavas had the sight of Shri Mahaprabhuji sitting there reading the Shrimad Bhgavatam.

Many years previous to that incident when Bhagavandas took initiation, when Shri Mahaprabhuji was leaving, Bhagavandas felt intense pains of separation from his blessed guru and felol unconscious. Shri Mahaprabhuji seeing this, invited him to join his pilgrimage. When they reached Jagannath puri, his guru told his to return home and gave him a pair of his wooded sandal and advised him, “whenever you have a yearning to see me, I will appear from these sandal. “From that day Shri Mahaprabhuji daily appear to him.

At the Hanuman Ghat by the Ganges river, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya stayed after he took sanyas, the highest order of renunciation. He live for one month on a stone completely silent without eating or drinking anything. There, Shri Mahaprabhuji wrote a work about true renunciation which cleared the doubts of many misled people who had taken an outer renunciation neglecting the true inner one. On the day of Rath Yatra, Shri Mahaprabhuji entered into the Ganges river up to his waist and while singing the glorious Gopi Gita, ascended to the divine abode in a stream of light before thousands of people. Everyone who considered him to be only a ordinary man, after seeing his divine departure realized his divinity.

Here, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya stayed at the house of Purushttamdas and celebrated Lord Krishna’s appearance day. During the festivities, Krishna’s parents and friends all appeared. Everyond present had this divine vision and Shiva joined in the celebrations.

During those days the followers of the Mayavading school of thought were harrassing Shri Mahaprabhu Vallaaabhacharya. In order to silence them, he wrote a short work called patravalamam and put it up on the wall of the main Shiva temple in Benares and Shiva confirmed that, “Shandaracharya appeared to establish the false theory says is correct.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji stayed in Benares for many days. In the holy city he received his sacred thread and was later married.

Here by the Gomati lake, under a tree, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya spoke the Bhagavatam for seven days. Once while he was making his t their sacrifice. After beginning the sacred rite, they all set down and offered worship to him and requested to know the true import of sacrifice. For nine hours Shri Mahaprabhuji unlightened then before returing to his lamp many other events happened here,but this was the main once.

At Ayoudhy on the bands of the Sarji river, at Gossainji ghat, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhachrya spoke the Bhagavata. Once while he was wandering in that area, he found someone speaking the Ramayan with Hanuman listening. Later, Hanuman approachec Mahaprabhuji and asked, “Beign a devotee of Shri Krishna, what has brought you her to the land of Shri Rama.”

Shri Manaprabhuji replied, “I am visiting the home of Krishna’s inlaws.”

Hanuman questioned, “How is that possible?

Shri Mahaprabhuji replied, “Agnijet was the king of Ayodhya. Once he proclaimed that the person who could tame his sever fierce bulls couls have his daughter Satya’s hand. Kwishna suceeded in taming the bull and took her to wife, therefore, Shri Ram and Lord Krishna are related.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji then told Hanuman, “you should not listen to holy discourse in a nude state. “From that day Hanuman always wore some clothing. Later, Shri Mahabpabhuji met with Lord Rama and mentioned during their talks that Shri Rama was the Godheac governed by law. Hanuman hearing this doubted its validity. Ram, knowing of Hanuman’s doubt told him to bring Shri Mahaprabhuji some foodstuffs. When Hanuman present him the offereing he saw as Lord Ram. When he reported this amazing even t Shri Ram, the Lord said, “Shri Mahaprabhuji Vallabhacharya can take my form, but I cannot take his.”
The reason for this is that Ram is the laugh avatar of Krishna while Shri Mahaprabhuji is Shri Krishna’s entire faces therefore, Shri Ram is only a partial manifestation, while Shri Mahaprabhuji is a complete manifestation of Krishna.