The
eleventh day of the moon during the month of Shravan is observed as 'Pavitra
Ekadisi'. It is the inception of Pushti Marg and on that auspicious day,
vaishnavs offer a pavitra to Shri Thakurji. The following day, 'Pavitra
Baras' is the twelfth day of the new moon and on that day, Goswami Acharyas
place a pavitra around each other's necks, feed misri to each other and
without giving any thought as to who is elder or younger, touch each other's
feet and do dandvat. Following this all vaishnavs place a pavitra around
their Guru's neck, feed them misri and experience this to be the ultimate
good fortune. |
In the
year 1549, third day of the new moon in the month of Sravan, Srimad Vallabhacharya
Mahaprabhuji began a one week discourse on Srimad Bhagavat and completed
it on the night of the eleventh day.
That night in Gokul, on Govindghat, Shri Mahaprabhuji was deeply immersed
in thought, 'During the age of Kaliyuga souls are pervaded with imperfections.
In what manner can they be freed entirely from these faults and realise
Bhagavad swarup?'. The sacred spot of this momentous event was Govindghat.
'GO' means sense organs, 'VIND' means attain and 'GHAT' means beautiful
form. Souls are pervaded with fault. When all their sense organs are transformed
into a divine form then only Prabhu will accept their seva.
As Shri Mahaprabhuji was pondering in this way at midnight, Shri Thakurji
manifested and decreed that any soul who would take 'Brahm sambandh' from
Shri Mahaprabhuji would become freed of all faults and HE would accept them.
Following this, Shri Mahaprabhuji sang Madhurashtak Stotra and placed a
360 cotton thread pavitra around Shri Thakurji's neck and fed him misri.
The eleventh day of Shravan is called Putrada (giver of sons) Ekadisi. Shri
Acharyaji worships with balbhava and therefore ShriNathji manifested at
mid night with the balbhava swarup of Shri Gokulchandramaji.
The presiding devta for the month of Shravan is Bhagvan Vishnu Himself and
therefore it is highly sacred. It is said that this month facilitated Bhagavad
attainment. During ascension each day the moon's power and radiance increases
dispelling darkness, freeing daivi souls of their adhibhautik faults. On
the eleventh day upvas (fast) is kept. 'UP' means near and 'VAS' means reside.
One is freed from worldly activities and resides in Prabhu's presence. On
that day the five sense organs of action, the five sense organs of knowledge
and the mind, totaling eleven are all applied and utilised in seva, thus
the name 'upvas' is given in which the adhyatmic faults of daivi souls are
'removed.
For the salvation of 'nisadhan' daivi souls (i.e. souls without any means
or practice for salvation) Saraswat Kalp, Prabhu manifested at midnight
on the eleventh day of shravan to bestow upon these souls Brahmsambandh
through Shri Mahaprabhuji for removing all adhidaivic faults.
16
continued |
