Vaishnavism and cultures of devotion
Vaishnavism is one of the major forms of modern Hinduism, characterized by devotion to the god Vishnu and his incarnations. A devotee of Vishnu is called a Vaishnava. The Vaishnavite tradition is known for the loving devotion to an avatar of Vishnu, and as such was key to the spread of the Bhakti movement in South Asia in the second millennium CE. For Vaishnavas, absolute reality is manifested in Vishnu, who in turn is incarnated in Rama, Krishna, and other avatars. Through his avatars, Vishnu defends traditional righteousness in keeping with the moral law.
Vaishnavism is the worship and acceptance of Vishnu. The various sects of worshippers of Vishnu pray to him in different ways. For some, the goal of religious devotion to Vishnu is liberation from the cycle of birth and death. For others, it is health and prosperity in this life, good crops, success in business, or thriving children.
Vaishnavism comprises many sects and groups that differ in their interpretation of the relationship between the individual and God. It has four main categories of sub-schools: the medieval-era Vishishtadvaita school of Ramanuja, the Dvaita school of Madhvacharya, the Dvaitadvaita school of Nimbarkacharya, and the Pushtimarg of Vallabhacharya. The Srivaishnava sect, for example, emphasizes the doctrine of qualified non-dualism of Ramanuja, according to which, although the differentiated phenomenal world is illusory, it is nevertheless the medium through which devotees may gain access to God. Another group professes the dualism of the philosopher Madhva, the belief that God and the soul are separate entities and that the soul’s existence is dependent on God. The Pushtimarg sect maintains the pure non-dualism doctrine of the theologian Vallabhacharya, which does not declare the phenomenal world to be an illusion. The Gaudiya sect, founded by Chaitanya, teaches inconceivable duality and non-duality, the belief that the relation between God and the world is beyond the scope of human comprehension.
HDH Shashthpithadishwar Pujya Pad Goswami 108 Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshree hails from the Pushtimarg tradition of Vaishnavism as the direct descendant of Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji, the founder of Pushti Bhakti Marg and one of the five great Acharyas in Hinduism. His Divine Holiness is enthroned as the 14th Gadipathi of Shashthpeeth at Vadodara, one of the seven thrones of Shri Vitthalnathji Gusainji, the son of Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji. He is not only the head at Kalyanraiji Mandir, Vadodara but also at several temples/ Havelis in India, the UK, the USA, and Canada.
The first supreme omnipresent Jagad Guru Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji established the Vaishnav religious system to grace upon the Universe, the Divine Grace, also known as Pushtimarg. Jagad Guru Vallabhacaryaji had two Divine Sons – Shri Gopinathji & Shri Viththalnathji-Gosainji. Shri Viththalnathji-Gosainji had seven sons. His sixth son was Shri Yadunathji. Shashthapithadhishwar Param Pujya Goswami 108 Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshri is the 14th Generation of Shri Yadunathji. For the past 13 generations based on the traditions of Shashthapithadhishwar, he resides on every Gaadi-Pati (Throne) as Raj-Tilak. He is presently residing in Vadodara as Raj-Tilak in Seva of Mohini Swarup Shri Kalyanrayji. This is the same Swarup that beloved Vallabhacharyaji served (Sevya).
Pujyapad Goswami 108 Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshri is presently the Raj-Tilak Gaadi-Pati of Vadodara, Ahmedabad-Naroda (Shri Mahaprabhaji’s Bethakji), Gondal, Baria, (Gujarat), Gokul (Uttar Pradesh), Dhanpur, Shergad (Rajasthan), Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh), Sikandarabad (Telangana). Likewise, in Atlanta-Gokuldham, Ocala-Pushtidham, Connecticut-Vallabhdham (All-USA) & Leceister-Shreeji Dham (UK). Moreover, he is serving various other religious establishments around the world as an Advisory.
Pujya Maharajshree has been an inspirational religious, social and cultural leader as well as a guiding force for the young and old alike and strong support for the disadvantaged members of society. He has motivated thousands of youngsters to embrace Pushtimarg through various religious, cultural, educational, and charitable institutions throughout India and the world. Over the years, HDH has been honored for His profound philosophical and poetic writings as well as for His religious, social, and humanitarian work.
He is a renowned PushtiMargiya propagator, philosopher, and teacher. He is an embodiment of love, compassion, and friendship. Along with these attributes, he is extremely practical and tolerant. He is a guiding leader in social welfare and is associated with various social organizations in the country & abroad. In his lectures, he motivates and inspires many individuals & organizations and strives to find solutions to various problems faced by society. His inspired guidance is always for the people of the society for self-development and progress of the society.
He appreciates antique collections and art & artistry. He is very proficient in playing Mrudang (Pakhawaj) in the music area. He is articulate in preparing and adorning jewelry for Shree Thakorjee. He has written several ongoing poetries in Gujarati, Hindi & Vraj Bhasha. He is the author of various religious and philosophical articles and texts. He has an interest in ancient & modern, known-unknown ghazals’ collections. He displays a keen interest in national geographic and current affairs of past and present times…
He has received several accolades and awards including the prestigious “Glory of Gujarat” award in 2015 for promoting social well-being, Indian culture, and religion as well as for His valuable contributions to economics and religious research. Most recently in August 2021, His Divine Holiness was awarded an honorary doctorate by North American University, USA.
Pujya Maharajshree continues to travel tirelessly throughout the world with great enthusiasm and fervor to preserve, maintain and propagate Hinduism with the teachings of Pushtimarg through religious institutions, spiritual discourses, cultural programs, humanitarian projects, and education. In fact, the world has to learn a lot from this modern spiritual leader to structure the global society in a harmonious way for peaceful living for all. The Bhakti Marg (love & compassion) professed by Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharaj is the only practical solution for mankind to live peacefully in an ever-shrinking, resource-crushed world.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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