Baethaks of Shri Vallabhacharyaji
One of the most important thing He did, was to recite the Shrimad Bhagvatam at a suitable spot at each of the pilgrimage sites. The spot chosen was usually a quite grove outside of the main town, on the banks of a river or a lake. Aside from reciting the original sholkas from the scriptures, He gave His commentaries on the text and thus imparted valuable knowledge / wisdom to those present. Later, this was compiled in the AnuBhashya and Subodhiniji written as His commentaries on the Brahma Sutra and Bhagvatam of Maharshi Vedam Vyasa.
The 84 most sacred spots where Shri Vallabhacharyaji recited the sacred text are hallowed as seats of spiritual power and divine grace. These are revered amongst followers of Pushti Marg as "baethak" - literally "a place to seat". Later, small shrines were erected on these sites to honour the event. (click here to see Shri Vallabh as he would have been at a baethak)
To this day, followers of the sect go to these sites for worship and contemplation. As Acharyashri abstained from taking any food during his sacred recitals and only drank water to sustain Himself, devotees offer fresh drinking water to the "sacred seat" (baethakji).
Reflecting on His visits around India, there are baethaks from the Southern most tip of India - Rameshwara - to the Northern most outpost - BadriNath. Other main baethaks are at Dwarka on the Western coast, Puri on the Eastern coast, Tirupati - at the shrine of the family's tutelary deity, Varanasi - the most sacred and longest living city in India, Champaranya - His birthplace, Prayag - at the confluence of the three most sacred rivers of India and at several holy sites in Vraj.
Following Shri Vallabhacharyaji's excellent lead, GopiNathji and VitthalNathji also gave religious discourses at sacred sites and established baethaks around India. Ever since than, this tradition has been carried on by other learned descendants of Shri Vallabhacharyaji.
A baethak usually contains a sacred (hand-written) text and personal artefact(s) of the great Acharya. It is these relics of great men that make the spot even more sacred and hallowed to the members of the Pushti Marg. Unlike a haveli, no image of the great Acharya sits on the main throne / seat (gadi). Dhoti and uparna are usually offered to the gadi. Gadiji is offered Shringar and when expertly done, it evokes the image of a great teacher sitting there, just waiting to talk ! Like a haveli, there are usually darshans at seven times a day and various rich foods are offered to the gadiji.
Click here for useful info on MahaPrabhuji's 84 baithaks. - Some history and full postal address of the baithak are listed here.
© Bhagwat Shah
