Is Pushti Marg Universal ?

  

I have agonised about answering this prickly question on the net.

With all due respect, its impossible to answer it without upsetting someone.  In my humble view, this is the sort of thing best discussed in a satsang where people are talk rather than email and have to wait days for answer.

With all due respect, I would like to answer the question in the following way -

  

Is Shudhadvita universal ?

 

Yes !!

As philosophy, Pure Monism, as expounded by Shri Vallabh, has a universal appeal.  The fact that over half the world follows monism in one form or another, is proof enough that it is a philosophy that has great attraction for the human physic !

In their own time, Shri Vallabh, Shri GopiNathji and Shri Gusaiji converted thousands !  Later, to give role models to the contemporary vaishnavs, Hariraiji and others isolated 84 + 252 best known examples for people to follow.  If you read the stories, a number of vaishnavs in them are not even named.  They are simply referred to as "an old rajput lady in such and such a place".  These were meant to be allegorical stories, stories of people whom we could emulate in our lives.  Hence, examples of "ordinary" lives were sought to show how they achieved "extraordinary" bhava !  They wanted to inspire everyone and say, "Look, they did it !!   Even you can achieve this !" 

This is all stated in the vartas.  Let us read them with an open mind and see how we can learn from them - rather than just "read" them parrot fashion.

  

Pushti Marg as we know it now, with all the elements of seva, universal ?

 

No.

It requires a refined appreciation of the world, and not everyone is capable of putting this in to practice in their daily lives.   The seva, and all that it entails (raag, bhog, shringar), is a heady mix of “materialism” that is actually supposed to be directed to “spiritualism” – not something even those born into the sect always know how to achieve.  Seva is a very special form of sadhana.  Most of us are never taught it.  In reality, once initiated, our Gurus should do this, as this is an essential aspect of the marg.

 

Is Pushti Marg part and parcel of Hinduism ?

 

Yes.

The basic pillars of its precepts, Vedas, Vedangas, Brahma Sutra, Shrimaad Bhagvatam, and Shrimaad Bhagvad Gita, are all Hindu, and hence it is a facet of the Hindu philosophy.  Indian constitution defines Hindu as someone who has faith in the Vedas - we certainly are suppose to !

 

Is it unique ?

 

Yes !

But, so is ever other sect !! 

In ancient India, to establish a new sect (vaada), you had to first establish that it was a new and unique perspective on the truths established in the Vedas and Vedangas.  You also had to face stiff competition from the established sects and had to debate with their pundits to establish that yours was a valid and logical interpretation of the Vedas.

Unless and until you could do that, you could not “establish” a new vaada / sect.  Shri Vallabh, through his immense efforts, managed to convince fellow intellectuals on two major occasions – at Datia and at Vijayanagar.  This does not mean he proved them "wrong", he proved that his arguments were equally valid and a new interpretation of the Vedas.  We have such a prejudiced view of what happened at these debates, that we often forget the greatness of Adi Shankara or Shri Madhava etc.   These were great men, with great ideas and ideals.  Shri Vallabh did not debate with "them", only their followers centuries later, and even than only to prove that his was an equally valid view of God.

So, yes, ours is a unique marg, but than so are others.  They are all equally valid, because they too are rooted in the Vedas.

If we isolate ourselves from the rest of Hinduism, we risk being separated from that which strengthens us – DHARMA.   We must stand as one.  Together, we can keep the various aspects of Vedas together.  Separated, we will dissipate our strength and find our enemies will overwhelm us due to our own isolationist attitude. 

Let us not forget that even now, after 50 years of independence, Hinduism is not free in India.  While the government takes over temple after temple, our hard earned freedom and money are used to support non-Hindu and even anti-Hindu activities of the state.  Just as a matter of interest, Andra Pradesh gov has over 30,000 temples under its belt ! and yet, no mosque or church is taken over by them !! Money donated to such gov administered temples is wasted, as it is taken away by the gov for its own use and only a fraction ever gets back to the temple.  We must stand together and fight for our voices to be heard, otherwise, the majority, will soon be over ruled by the minority once again.  We must work together to make sure Hindu friendly laws are introduced for us all.

 

Is our philosophy “right” ?

 

Tell me one person / group / sect / nation that thinks it is not !?!

To assume that we are “right” and others are “wrong” is the root of all conflict – big, small, local or global. 

Jews think themselves to the chosen people, the Christians think themselves to have unique access route to heaven and the muslims think they have the ultimate answer !  Europeans think that having “discovered the world”, they have the right to meddle in everyone’s affairs.  Americans, being the impetuous new kid on the block, think they have god given right to do as they please and exploit the world’s meagre resources at will, while China, the old dragon of the world, fumes that no one is listening to its answers to the world’s ills !

Are we to add our names to this list of “unique” people ? 

I certainly hope not ! 

  

Ours is the philosophy of Lila !

 

In Gita, and else where, the Lord has stated that all that is, was and will be, is HIM !  So, whom shall we call “right” and whom shall we call “wrong” ?   Shri Vallabh’s philosophy says the Lord IS the universe !  He resides in its every atomic and subatomic article !  Nothing can exist without Him !

Enjoy this lila of Madhuradhipati !!   remember what Shri Vallabh said – and know that everything associated with Madhuradhipati is madhur (akhilam madhuram !)

His is the universe.
His are the glories there in. 
His are the mountains and the valleys. 
Enjoy them all – as they are part of HIM whom we adore as Shri Nathji !!

Ofcourse, this does not mean we should be complacent !  Arjun is asked to fight, despite the fact that the Lord has showed him that all his enemies are dead.  "With or without you, this has all been accomplished.  So, why not be a part of it and enjoy the lila and the glories there-in !"

We must work towards bettering ourselves and our world.  The Lord is best served when we act for improvement !!
Please click here to read how we can improve Pushti Marg for our children.

 

Bhagwat Shah ©

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