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The name of our sect is Pushti Marg.
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The 'Principal Guru' of every vaishnav is Srimad
Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji.
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Every descendent of Sri Mahaprabhuji is 'guru-dwar',
meaning they symbolize 'Him' as Guru.
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The Goswami from whom we have taker 'Brahm Sambandh'
initiation is our Guru.
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Although Brahm Sambandh initiation may have been
taken from any particular Goswami, still every descendent of Shri
Mahaprabhuji should in every way, be given equal regards and should
be worshiped as Guru by vaishnav.
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'Brahm Sambndh' or 'Atma Nivedan' is given when one
bathes in 'apares' and with Tulsi in hands pronounces 'Gadya Mantra',
as would be told by Guru in front of Shri Thakurji. Then tulsi leaves
are offered to Prabhu's lotus feet.
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In Pusti Marg only male Goswami descendents of Srimad
Vallabhacharya are qualified to give Ashtakshar Maha Mantra and Brahm
Sambandh initiation. In pustimarg, traditional seat of Guru is not
passed on to disciples and therefore, initiation should be taken only
from a descendent male Goswami.
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Many people mistakenly refer to fasting as 'apvas'
but the correct word is 'upvas' Apvas means to reside in hell and
'upvas' means to reside near Thakurji. Hence the correct word 'upvas'
should be used.
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After taking Ashtakshar Mantra and Brahm Sambandh
initiation, a vaishnav should greet each vaishnav by saying '||JAI
SHRI KRISHNA||'.
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In writing a letter to a vaishnav, one should use
the greeting “||JAI SHRI KRISHNA||”. Even if the vaishnav is our relative
and older than us, '||JAI SHRI KRISHNA||' is to be used in conversation.
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It is not the tradition to greet a Goswami with '||JAI
SHRI KRISHNA||'. The reason is that a sevak does not have the worthiness
to convey Bhagavad remembrance to the Guru. Through the grace of the
guru, the sevak has obtained Bhagavad remembrance. In meeting a Goswami,
one should say 'dandvat'. In writing a letter 'Sashtang Dandvat Pranam'
should be written and on the phone my 'Sashtang Dandvat Pranam' should
be spoken to be followed by any other matters.
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Panchang Dandvat is done before Thakurji and Sashtang
Dandvat is done before Gurudev.
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Females do not do Sashtang Dandvat.
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Before going to one's Guru or any Goswami, one should
first say 'Dandvat' and then do pranam. After this, one should ask
'May I take charan sparsh?'. After receiving permission, one should
touch both feet with the right hand and then with that hand one touches
one's own both eyes, forehead and heart.
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In seva or in any work being done for a goswami that
does not require two hands, one should use only the right hand and
not the left hand Accordingly, touching of the feet is done with the
right hand only.
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Thakurji's and Gurudev's touching of the feet is
done in the following manner. Place the left hand under the right
forearm and then with the right palm in the upwards position, very
softly touch the left charan (foot), then the right, then again the
left.
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One should not sit before the guru with crossed arms.
One should not sit with feet extended towards guru and also should
not sit with his back behind him. One should not touch the guru's
cushion or cloth spread beneath him. The feet should not be kept in
an upwards position or in any other undisciplined manner. One should
sit with crossed legs in a well mannered way and with humbleness.
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One should be careful at all times that one's feet
should never touch the guru's cushion pillow, clothing, the bed spread
or any of his things.
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When the guru is sitting at a higher level, one should
not sit at the same level but should sit at a lower level. If the
guru is sitting on a chair one should not sit on a chair. In the presence
of the guru, a well-learned person, a person of royalty or any other
highly placed person should not keep an attitude of self importance.
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One should not pass wind in the guru's presence.
One should not sing or hum film songs or other such things loudly
in the guru’s presence.
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While in the guru's presence, vaishnavas should not
discuss household matters or any other worldly matters but they should
only discuss matters related to Bhagwad importance.
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In the guru's presence, one should not discuss the
teachings or blessings of any other person. While in the guru's presence,
one should not touch the feet of any other person even if such behavior
is in accordance with family or any other worldly relationship. According
to the tradition of the Bharatiya scriptures, while in the guru's
presence, only he should be shown worshipful sentiments.
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Once in the guru's presence, one should take permission
before leaving.