Shri Nathji, literally the "Husband of the Goddess of Wealth", has a magnificent mansion in the Rajasthani town of Nathadwara, India. This sumptuous 17th Century mansion serves as a seat of the Pushti Marg, a Vaishnav sect founded by MahaPrabhu Shri Vallabhacharyaji in the 15th Century. Expounding his philosophy of "Vishudhadvaita", the great Acharya set up the Pushti Marg, the Path of Grace, with divine blessing in Gokul. Vallabhacharyaji wrote a number of great Sanskrit works to expound his philosophy, and was honoured as an "Acharya" by the South Indian Emperor of Vidyanagar, Krshnadevrai.
The sect flourished under his son Shri Vitthalnathji (popularly called Shri Gosaiji), and soon adopted the graceful lifestyle of the 16th Century royal courts of North India. The temple servants still serve the beloved prince of Vraj with all the respect and deference due to a reigning monarch. The hoards of devotees who come to the Haveli for a darshan, see the Lord as "Ladelelal", the endearingly mischievous son of Yashoda.
Gosaiji and his decendents have kept the alive the spirit of the sect around India. The current Tilakayat (the goswami in charge of looking after ShriNathji at Nathadwara) is in direct line from Shri Gosaiji and along with about 150 other Goswamis, they look after the welfare of the sect.
The main form of the Lord worshipped in Pushti Marg is that of Shri Govardhan Dharan, the Lord lifting the Mount Govardhan to protect the denizens of Vraj. More popularly, this form of the Lord is lovingly called "Shri Nathji" by the followers of Shri Vallabhacharyaji.
Shri Gosaiji established seven separate Havelies for his seven sons in Gokul. The form of baby Krshna (Navanit priyaji), whom he inherited from his father, was permanently housed with Shri Nathji at mount Govardhan. Navanit Priyaji officiates for Shri Nathji when ever the Lord is required to perform any rituals outside the inner sanctum. All in all, Shri Gosaiji set up nine main forms of the Lord to be worshipped by his disciples. These are commonly called "Nidhies" of the Lord. Nidhi means an Ocean - these Lords are indeed the oceans of great honours and wealth for those who have the great responsibility to look after them.
During Auranzeb's vicious rule in Delhi, the Goswamis of Vraj judged the area to be too dangerous to live and practice their faith in. Apart from GokulNathji and his descendants, they all emigrated to various parts of Rajputana - the only secure Hindu controlled area in North India at the time. Over the centuries, these Nidhis have come to reside in various parts of India. Here I have listed the various Nidhis and where they currently reside.
Shri Nathji :- Lord Shri Govardhan-dharan, who has lifted mount Govardhan for us all (Nathadwara - Rajasthan)
Navnit Priyaji :- Baby Krshna, with a butter ball in his right hand. (Nathadwara - Rajasthan)
Mathura-Dhish :-Lord of Mathura - four armed image of the Lord. (Kota - Rajasthan)
Vitthal Nathji :- Lord, waiting with his hands on hips, for his devottees. (Nathadwara - Rajasthan)
Dwaraka-Dhish :- Lord of Dwarak - four armed image of the Lord. (Kakaroli - Rajasthan)
Gokul Nathji :- Lord of Gokul - four armed image of the Lord. (Gokul - UP)
Gokul Chandramaji :- The "moon" of Gokul - dark wooden image of the Lord playing a flute. (Kamvan - UP)
Maadan mohanji :- Lord playing his flute during the Rasa-uttsava. (Kamvan - UP)
Bal-Krshnaji :- Baby Krshna, with a butter ball in his right hand. (Surat - Gujarat)
Natavarlaji, Mukundraiji and Kalyanraiji, though not set up as Nidhies, were also worshipped by Shri Gosaiji and are accepted as semi-nidhis in Pushti Marg.
© Bhagwat Shah