Significance of Pavitra Ekadashi in Pushti Marg
Right from his birth, Vallabhacharya knows he has to fulfil a divine mission. His “Pratham Milan” with Shrinathji reaffirms his intuitive insights. Shrinathji often conveys His thoughts to Vallabhacharya subtly. And Vallabhacharya always listens keenly when He does so.
On one such occasion, Shrinathji says, “O Vallabha, look at the plight of mankind. All these Jivas are born in this mortal world because they are ignorant about their true divine nature. They indulge in sinful activities without understanding what they are doing.
These Pravahi Jeevas are so embroiled in their material lives, that they are under the impression that worldly pleasures and possessions alone will bring them lasting happiness. O Vallabha, enlighten them with your wisdom. Create awareness in their hearts and minds.”
Vallabhacharya nods his head in assent. But every time he ponders over Shrinathji’s message, he becomes worried and perplexed. He knows what he has to do. Vallabhacharya knows why his mission is so crucial. All these Jivas did need help. But Vallabhacharya feels helpless because he does not know how to fulfil this mission.
It is in this state of mind that Vallabhacharya spends yet another restless night in Gokul Ghat beside the Yamuna. He tosses and turns in fitful bouts of sleep wondering how exactly he should begin his assigned task.
And on this auspicious day of the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Shravan, Krishna, his dear Krishna, manifests before him in a flash of blinding light. In yet another form. As usual.
Vallabhacharya wakes up in a trance-like state from his sleep. And witnesses the beautiful swaroop of Gokulchandramaji manifesting before him. Vallabhacharya feels overwhelmed with Ananda. And instantly composes the Madhurashtakam to describe Gokulchandramaji’s divine swaroop.
Gokulchandramaji says,” O Vallabha, I, Gokulchandramaji am one of the many aspects of Shrinathji. As Shrinathji, I had promised to help you in your divine mission. These Pravahi Jivas can absolve themselves of their sins, get purified and become one with me if they surrender to me. I have manifested here to bless you with the Brahma Sambandh Diksha.
Brahma Sambandh Diksha
Initiate them into the path of seva with the Brahma Sambandh Mantra: “Shree Krishna Sharanam Mama.” “By uttering this Brahma Sambandh Mantra “Shree Krishna Sharanam Mama” the Jivas can transform themselves slowly internally.
These mortal beings will become aware that have lost touch with the divinity that dwells within them. They will stop identifying themselves with their bodies, material pleasures and worldly relationships. And realize that I dwell within all beings as the Atma.
Help them shed their ego. And look beyond their pettiness. Teach them how to forge a deep divine personal bond of love and affection with their own small swaroops. Initiate them into the concept of performing seva to their Nidhi Swaroops with Baal Bhaav. Gradually they will nurture Daas Bhaav. And understand the value of Bhakti. And when they connect to the Brahman (supreme consciousness) that dwells within them with Bhakti they will know how to attain Moksha.”
Vallabhacharya accepts the Brahma Sambandh Diksha from Gokulchandramaji with Ananda. He goes on to establish the Pushti Bhakti Marg to create awareness amongst the people. And with Shrinathji’s divine support Vallabhacharya manages to fulfil his divine mission too.
Today, we attempt to recapture the essence of this entire experience on Pavitra Ekadashi.
Vallabhacharya fulfils his mission
With GokulChandramaji’s Brahma Sambandh Diksha and Shrinathji’s support, Vallabhacharya introduces many Vaishnava regional festivals, traditions and rituals into Pushti Marg. These rituals and festivals have added a lot of richness to Pushti Bhakti Sampradaya. And most certainly helped us all forge a strong personal bond of Bhakti with Krishna.
But Vallabhacharya took great care to customize the rituals before blending them into Pushti Marg. And ensured that he retained the essence of each festival. Pavitra Ekadashi is one such festival that Vallabhacharya probably adopted from Tirupati.
Pavitra
Pavitras are small garlands made out of cotton yarn. Each Pavitra has 365 strands in it. And usually has 24 sections. The 365 days represent each day of the year. And the 24 sections the Ekadashis.
We offer Pavitras to our deities on the Ekadashi that falls in Shukla Paksha of Shravan. And seek forgiveness for all the sins of commission and omission that we may have inadvertently committed while performing our daily poojas or seva kram.
The essence of Lord Balaji’s Pavithrotsavam
In Tirupati, we celebrate the Pavithrotsavam for three days. We honour and revere lord Balaji’s big swaroop whenever we pray to Him. Like in all other rituals that are practised here, we chant Vedic hymns during the Pavithrotsavam too.
We adorn lord Balaji with huge garlands. And offer Him piping hot food. All of us can do lord Balaji’s darshan when these elaborate poojas and rituals are performed. What’s more, lord Balaji also goes out on a grand procession with His consorts on the streets.
And we extol the virtues of lord Balaji when we do His darshan and perform the daily poojas and artis. With the hope that He will fulfil our desires.
Yes, the Pavithrotsavam is truly a wondrous divine experience. And the focus is on connecting to the Brahman that pervades through the cosmos.
Vallabhacharya blends Pavithrotsavam into Pushti Marg
In Pushti Marg, we focus on recreating the Daas Bhaav and Bal Bhaav when we perform the seva of our Nidhi swaroops on Pavitra Ekadashi.
But we adorn and garland our Nidhi swaroops behind closed doors. We offer food only at a temperature that a child can eat. We perform the arti with the Bhaav of protecting our Bal Krishna from invisible evil forces. And allow everyone to do Krishna’s darshan only for a short time because like a child, our Bal Krishna too tires after a while.
Instead of chanting Vedic hymns, we sing keertans about Krishna’s divine leelas. And we take our Nidhi Swaroops for symbolic yatras only within the small temples that we have enshrined in our homes. Not out on the streets.
But the starkest difference of all is this: In Pushti Marg we surrender to Krishna. If at all we ask Krishna for something, it is the strength to perform His seva every day without any hindrance.
In Pushti Marg, the focus is always on connecting to the Brahman that dwells within us.
Pavitra Ekadashi in Pushti Marg
So, when we offer the Pavitra to our Nidhi swaroops we say, “O Krishna, I have performed your seva with utmost sincerity throughout the year. But my intense love and affection for you compels me to doubt myself. I feel I may have inadvertently missed out on or done something incorrectly while performing your seva. And I deeply regret these oversights. Do cleanse me of these doshas. I know you will forgive my transgressions and accept my Pavitra. For Kshama too is one of your many divine aspects.”
And when we connect quietly with our Krishna in this manner, we are filled with a deep sense of contentment.
One thing becomes clear immediately. When we worship lord Balaji, we are connecting with the Brahman that pervades the universe. And when we perform the seva of our Nidhi swaroops, we focus on connecting to the Brahman that dwells within us.
Yes, the festivals and rituals may vary. But the essence of every festival and ritual is the same. Always. Ultimately, they all connect us with some aspect of Brahman. And that is what matters the most. Isn’t it?
Input given by Pappaji. Photos given by Veena, Amma, Hardevji and Purushotham bhai.
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