Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji
Jagadguru Srimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji (1479-1531 CE) was the philosopher-saint who founded the Pushtimarg (Path of Grace). Born on Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi, Vikram Samvat 1535 (1479 CE) at Champaran, Chhattisgarh to a Telugu Brahmin family, his birth was marked by a ring of fire protecting him, representing Agni (the divine fire of devotion).
He completed three barefoot Prithvi Parikramas (circumambulations of India) during his lifetime. At each of the 84 sites where he stopped to recite the Shrimad Bhagavatam and debate scholars, holy 'Baithakjis' are established today. His philosophy of Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-Dualism) teaches that the universe is a real projection of Brahman (Lord Krishna) and not an illusion. On Shravan Shukla Ekadashi in Gokul, Shri Yamunaji appeared and gave him the sacred Brahmasambandh mantra to initiate divine souls.
He completed three barefoot Prithvi Parikramas (circumambulations of India) during his lifetime. At each of the 84 sites where he stopped to recite the Shrimad Bhagavatam and debate scholars, holy 'Baithakjis' are established today. His philosophy of Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-Dualism) teaches that the universe is a real projection of Brahman (Lord Krishna) and not an illusion. On Shravan Shukla Ekadashi in Gokul, Shri Yamunaji appeared and gave him the sacred Brahmasambandh mantra to initiate divine souls.
