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SRI
NIMBARKA SAMPRADAYA IS ONE OF
THE
MOST ANCIENT OF THE VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYS; AND IS BASED ON THE
DWAITADWAIT PHILOSOPHY FIRST PROPOUNDED BY HANS BHAGWAN TO SRI SANKADI
BHAGWAN THEN TO SRI NARADA MUNI AND THEN ON TO SRI SUDARSHANA;
CHAKRAVATAR; JAGAT GURU SRI NIMBARKACHARYA. THE BASIC TENET CONSISTS OF
THE WORSHIP OF SRI RADHA MADHAV , WITH SRI RADHE BEING PERSONIFIED AS
THE INSEPERABLE PART OF SRI KRISHNA.
THE UNBROKEN LINE OF THE SAMPRADAYA BEGINNING FROM BHAGWAN
SHRI
NIMBARKACHARYA HAS NOW CONTINUED FOR MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND YEARS; AND
EXTOLS THE FOURTH SAMPRADAYA OF VAISHNAVISM WHICH PROPOUNDS THE
DVAITA-ADVAIT; i.e THE BHEDABHED SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY .
AS PER SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM TRUE KNOWLEDGE WAS COMMUNICATED TO THE
SANAKADI RISHIS BY BHAGWAN IN THE FORM OF A SWAN (HANS) -(REF:BOOK XI
CHAPTER XIII) . THE SANKADI BROTHERS, THE MIND-BORN SONS OF
BRAHMA,QUERIED HIM ON HOW IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE LIBERATION WHEN
THE MIND CLINGS TO SENSE-OBJECTS AND THE SAME GETS IMPRINTED ON THEIR
MIND (AS LATENCIES). AS BRAHMA COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUERIES OF THE
SANAKADI RISHIS, HE MEDITATED ON SHRI HARI AND SHRI HARI
APPEARED
AS HANS BHAGWAN ,SYMBOLLICALLY SO, AS THE SWAN IS SAID TO POSSESS THE
ABILITY OF SEPERATING MILK FROM WATER AND HERE TO PROVIDE
TRUE
KNOWLEDGE SEPERATED FROM THE UNREAL. THIS WAS LATER COMMUNICATED TO
DEVARISHI NARADA AND FROM HIM TO SHRI SUDARSHAN CHAKRAVATAR SHRI
NIMBARKACHARYA.
THE ONLY PEETH OF THIS SAMRADAY WITH MORE THAN A MILLION FOLLOWERS
WORLD WIDE IS ESTABLISHED AT SRI NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH, NIMBARKA TEERTH
AT SALEMABAD, KISHANGARH, IN THE HOLY PUSHKAR KSHETRA OF RAJASTHAN
WHEREIN SHRI SARVESHVAR PRABHU AND SHRI RADHAMADHAV ARE
INSTALLED
. THE SEVA (SERVICE) OF THE LORD IS CONSIDERED THE PRIME ASPIRATION; OF
ALL NIMBARKI’S.
TOP
Bhagwan Shri Krishna moved by the pleading
of the multitude
devotees
directed his favorite weapon– the Sudarshan Chakra in the
following manner:
“ SUDARSHANA
MAHABAHO ! KOTISURYA SAMAPRABHA ! /
AGYANDA TIMIRANDHANAM VISHNOR MARGA
PRADARSHAYA” / /
Meaning : You (Sudarshan Chakra), resplendent with a crore
Suns,
quickly take birth on the earth and show the millions of people now
steeped in ignorance, the way of the Vaishnava Dharma”
by
spreading the knowledge on the path of Bhakti.Sri Nimbarkacharya , the
avatar of the Sudarshan Chakra ,was thus born of a great ascetic named
Aruna Muni and Jayanti Devin at Vaiduryapattnam,(presently known as
Moongipattinam) on the banks of the
Godavari, in Andhra Pradesh in Southern India, in the eleventh century
A.D and named Niyamananda. At the time of his birth as per the Hindu
calendar on Yudhishtar year 6 on 15th of the month of Kartik in Mesha
Rashi , five planets Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn were at
Ascendant. After they performed their son’s sacred
thread
ceremony they sent him to Rishikul (School run by
Rishi’s)
for learning the Vedas, Vedangas, Darshanas, etc.
Subsequent to the study he proceeded with family members to Nimbgram ,
near the Goverdhan hillock , in the holy land of Vraja for doing
penance. Here he obtained the “MANTRA UPADESH” from
Shri
Devarishi Narada and the service of Lord Sarveshvar in the form
of a Shaligram , which was once worshipped by the Sankadi
Rishis.
When Niyamananda was in his teens, Brahma, the Creator, came to the
Ashram of Aruna Muni in the disguise of a Sanyasi. The sun was about to
set. The Muni was not in his residence. The Sanyasi asked the wife of
the Muni for something to eat. As no food was available, the
Muni’s wife remained silent. As Sanyasi’s do not
take their
meals after sunset, the Sanyasi was about to leave the Ashram when the
Muni returned.
Niyamanandacharya said that he would soon provide him with
food
and till then the sun would not set. Soon he brought some fruits etc.
and provided a glimpse of the sun even after actual sunset by placing
his “Sudarshan Chakra” on the Neem Tree, as a part
of
Athithi Seva—Honour of guests, he being the Avatar of the
Sudarshan Chakra. The Sanyasi, who was none other than Brahma,
conferred on him the title of ‘Nimbarka’
(Nim—Neem tree;
Arka—Surya or the sun).
Of the many of his literary
works , the following are significant:
1.
VEDANTA PARIJATA
SOURABH—A BAHSHYA ON THE BRAHMA SUTRAS
2.
VEDANTA KAMADHENU DASHA SHLOKI
3.
MANTRA RAHASYA SHODASHI
4.
PRAPANNA KALPAVALLI
5.
RADHA ASHTAK
6.
PRATA SMARANADHI STOTRA
The Sutras of
Maharishi Veda Vyasa form the basis of Vedanta. From the various
interpretations of the same , four main schools of thought
emerged. The Keval Advaita of Sri Sankaracharya , the Visishta Advaita
of Sri Ramanujacharya , the Dvaita philosophy of Sri Madhavacharya and
the Bhedabheda or Dvaitadvaita philosophy of Sri
Nimbarkacharya.
However , Sri Nimbarkacharya has been able to reconcile all the other
school of thoughts and his Bhashya on the Brahma Sutras appears to
pre-date all other Bashyas on the Brahma Sutras , as there is no
reference, comment on the other Bhashyas by Shri Nimbarkacharya . Hence
it can be safely construed that Shri Nimbarkacharya’s era is
earlier to the other three sampradays of Vaishnavism.
Brindavan, Nandgram, Barsana, Govardhan and Neembgram are the chief
Kshetras or holy lands of the followers of Nimbarkacharya. Parikrama of
the 168 miles of Brij Bhumi is their foremost duty. To pay visits on
different occasions to Sri Nimbarka’s temple in Neembgram,
two
miles from Govardhan, is their Sampradayik duty.
TOP
BRIEF ON
THE SUCCESSOR ACHARYAS
Shri Shrinivasacharyaji Maharaj , the foremost disciple of Shri
Nimbarkacharya , wrote a masterly analysis of the Vedanta Parijata
Sourabh, composed by his Guru,
named
“VEDANTA KOUSTUBH BHASHYA”. The Vedanta Kamadhenu
Dashashloki composed by Shri Nimbarkacharya was further explained by
Acharya Shri Purushottamacharyaji, under the name of VEDANTA RATNA
MANJUSHA , which is well respected. In this tradition , Shri
KeshavKashmiriBhattacharyaji Maharaj elaborated on the
Vedanta
Koustubh Bhashya in his well received work titled, PRABHAVRITTI. This
acharya’s work named KRAMDIPIKA on Tantra is very famous. He
is
also known for defeating the purpose of the YANTRA placed by Yavan Kaji
at the Vishram Ghat in Mathura , by using his
own
Yantra, thus upholding the Hindu Culture and also the Vedic Vaishnava
Sampradayas.
This Acharya’s main disciple Shri Rasikacharya Shri
Bhattacharyaji Maharaj composed the SHRI YUGAL SHATAK in the
language of the Brij people. This famous work is known as the ADI VANI
(First Voice) of the language of Braj people. His
disciple Rasik Rajeshvar Shri HariVyas Devacharyaji Maharaj
composed the great literary epic known as MAHAVANI in the language of
Braj, which extols the nectarine flow of joy from
Nikunj—the celestial residence of Radha
Madhav. This
acharya is also known for sanctifying the Vaishnovi Devi temple
at Jammu , by giving diksha (Guru Mantra) to
Vaishnovi Devi
and stopping the practice of her receiving animal sacrifices.
He
has also blessed us by composing a detailed explanation of the Vedanta
Kamadhenu Dashashloki composed by Shri Nimbarkacharya, named
as “SIDHANTA RATNANJALI”.
The formost amongst the 12 disciples of Shri Harivyasdevacharyaji
Maharaj was Shri Parushramdevacharyaji Maharaj , who was instrumental
in establishing the Akhil Bharatiya Shri Nimbarkacharya Peeth at
Salemabad in the famous Pushkar Area of Rajasthan. This acharya
had defeated the designs of the famous Tantric Yavan Fakir
Mastiganshah and averted the designs on the
Hindu
Religion as such. The acharya has also composed the monumental work
called as “PARASHURAM SAGAR” . Legendary Mirabai,
the
foremost of devotees of Radhe Krishna , received the Guru Mantra and
blessing from this acharya and presented her with an idol of Shri
Giridhara Gopal to enable her to serve the Lord. This idol is
now
installed at Shri Parashuram Dvar at Pushkar, which
was the
meditation place of the Acharya. Interestingly, the Emperor of Delhi ,
Sher Shah Suri was blessed with an offspring later named as Salem, with
the blessings of this acharya. The Emperor overwhelmed with happiness
requested the acharya to establish a town named Salemabad, in honour of
his son, at the Nimbark Teerth. For this the Emperor had granted 6000
bighas of fertile and forest land . Subsequent to
India
gaining independence, the forest area has been under the
Ministry
of Forests, Government of India.
In the tradition of the earlier Acharyas, ShriVrindavandevacharyaji
Maharaj composed the great work known as “ SHRI GITAMRIT
GANGA”. The Prince of Kishangarh, Shri
Savansinghji,
also known as the prime devotee Shri Nagaridasji , was also this
acharya’s disciple. The mother of the Prince,
Shribankavati
Vrajkunvari also obtained the Guru Mantra from this acharya and with
the blessings of the acharya, converted the Shrimad
Bhagavat Puran into 20,000 verses in the beautiful work known as
ShriVrajdasi Bhagavat., which has recently been published by the the
Shri Nimbarkacharya Peeth.
In the same tradition , Shri Govind Sharana Devacharyaji Shri
Shriji Maharaj has also added to the growing literature by
composing the DIVYA VANI. This acharya was instrumental in installing
the deity of Radha Madhav, which was revered by Poet Laureate Shri
Jayadev –famous for his work –GitaGovind,
at the Shri
Nimbarkacharya Peeth at Salemabad.
Shri Nimarkasharandevacharyaji Maharaj sent over 300 saints
to
help defend the ShriVihariji Temple at Bharatpur Fort from the English
forces. Most of the saints were killed in the fierce battle., thus
rendering glorious service. The guru of the present Acharya , Shri
Balakrishna Sharana Devacharyaji Maharaj provided refuge to
Freedom Fighters Thakur Shri Gopalsinghji and Shri Modsinghji when they
were incognito.
Thus all the acharyas have contributed to the strengthening of the
Acharya Peeth by way of Literature, Compositions and spread of this
ancient sampraday.
| SN |
NAME
OF ACHARYA |
SN |
NAME
OF ACHARYA |
| 1 |
SHRI
HANS BHAGWAN |
25 |
SRI
BHURIBHATTACHARYAJI |
| 2 |
SHRI
SANAKADI BHAGWAN |
26 |
SRI
MADAHAVABHATTACHARYAJI |
| 3 |
DEVRISHI
SHRI NARAD BHAGWAN |
27 |
SRI
SHYAMABHATTACHARYAJI |
| 4 |
SHRI
SUDARSHAN
CHAKRAVATAR JAGAT GURU SRI NIMBARKACHARYA |
28 |
SRI
GOPALBHATTACHARYAJI |
| 5 |
SHRI
SRINIVASACHARYAJI |
29 |
SRI
BHALABHADRABHATTACHARYAJI |
| 6 |
SHRI
VISWACHARYAJI |
30 |
SRI
GOPINATHBHATTACHARYAJI |
| 7 |
SHRI
PURUSHOTTAMACHARYAJI |
31 |
SRI
KESHAVABHATTACHARYAJI |
| 8 |
SHRI
VILASACHARYAJI |
32 |
SRI
GANGLABHATTACHARYAJI |
| 9 |
SHRI
SWAROOPACHARYAJI |
33 |
SRI
KESHAVAKASHMIRIBHATTACHARYAJI |
| 10 |
SHRI
MADHAVACHARYAJI |
34 |
SRI
SRIBHATTADEVACHARYAJI |
| 11 |
SRI
BALABHATTACHARYAJI |
35 |
SRI
HARIVYASDEVACHARYAJI |
| 12 |
SRI
PADMACHARYAJI |
36 |
SRI
PARUSHURAMDEVACHARYAJI |
| 13 |
SRI
SHYAMACHARYAJI |
37 |
SRI
HARIVANSHDEVACHARYAJI |
| 14 |
SRI
GOPALACHARYAJI |
38 |
SRI
NARAYANDEVACHARYAJI |
| 15 |
SRI
KRIPACHARYAJI |
39 |
SRI
VRINDAVANDEVACHARYAJI |
| 16 |
SRI
DEVACHARYAJI |
40 |
SRI
GOVINDADEVACHARYAJI |
| 17 |
SRI
SUNDARBHATTACHARYAJI |
41 |
SRI
GOVINDSHARANADEVACHARYAJI |
| 18 |
SRI
PADMANABHATTACHARYAJI |
42 |
SRI
SARVESHVARSHARANADEVACHARYAJI |
| 19 |
SRI
UPENDRABHATTACHARYAJI |
43 |
SRI
NIMBARAKASHARANADEVACHARYAJI |
| 20 |
SRI
RAMCHANDRABHATTACHARYAJI |
44 |
SRI
VRAJASHARANADEVACHARYAJI |
| 21 |
SRI
VAMANBHATTACHARYAJI |
45 |
SRI
GOPISHVARSHARANADEVACHARYAJI |
| 22 |
SRI
KRISHNABHATTACHARYAJI |
46 |
SRI
GHANSHYAM SHARANADEVACHARYAJI |
| 23 |
SRI
PADMAKARBHATTACHARYAJI |
47 |
SRI
BALAKRISHNASHARANDEVACHARYAJI |
| 24 |
SRI
SRAVANBHATTACHARYAJI |
48 |
SRI
RADHASARVESHVARSHARANADEVACHARYAJI (SRI JI MAHARAJ) |
TOP
Jagat Guru Shri Radha Sarveshvar Sharan Devacharya- Shri Shriji
Maharaj
, the present acharya
of
Nimbarkacharya Peeth , Salemabad , was born to Shri Ramnathji Sharma
Goud Indoria and Srimathi Swarnalata ,on the auspicious day of 1st
Vaishaka Sukhla , Friday in Vikram Samvat year of 1986 i.e. 10th May
,1921 at Salemabad . At the tender age of 11 years , you had
been
consecrated as the heir to the Nimbarkacharya peeth by Shri
Nimbarkacharya Shri Balakrishna Sharan Devacharya and
obtaining
the Vaishnava Deeksha. At the young age of 20 , consequent to
the
passing away of the acharya , you had ascended to the Acharya of
Nimbarkacharya peeth on the 5th of June 1943. Till
the year
1948 you were under the tutelage of Shri Mahant Dhananjayji (Katiya
Baba) learning Vedanta & Grammar .
At the tender age of 14,you had been bestowed with the
leadership
of the Akhil Bharatiya Sadhu Sammelan at Kurukshetra. At the
sammelan , Jagatguru Shankaracharya and Puri Peetadhishvar
were
also present. Seeing the young acharya holding the
Chairmanship
of the organization, the Jagat Guru Shankaracharya said
“
We are very proud to see the young Shri Nimbarkacharya as the
Chairman of this august gathering. People -”…. do
not
fret about his tender age- The Tulsi Leaf and the Shaligram
idol may be small or large , but does not make a
difference in their
importance”
In this way, since the age of 14 itself you have been
rendering
service to Shri Sarveshvar Prabhu. You have traveled extensively in
India. You have undertaken to organize and conduct various
religious activities at the Mahakumbh festival at Nashik, Ujjain,
Vrindavan, Prayag and Haridwar. Here Non-Stop kirtan, Service to
saints, Ras-Lila, Preaching’s etc, are carried out
with
religious fervor at the NIMBARK NAGAR especially constructed for the
purpose , thus ensuring the spread and rejuvenate the
Vaishnava Sampraday.
In 1970 , along with over three thousand devotees you had undertaken
the Shri Vraj Chourasi Kos Yatra. This Yatra
started and
ended at Vanshi Vat in Vrindavan . The devotees who were
fortunate to be part of the yatra state that neither in the past nor in
the future would one be able to witness such a massive, spontaneous
participation, flow of Bhakti ras and devotion of the village
folk all along the route.
In 1976 , a massive Akhil Bharatiya Sanatana Conference was conducted
at the Nimbarkacharya Peeth which is considered very significant. A
similar conference was conducted 19 years later
to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of Shri
Shriji Maharaj ascending to the Acharya of the Peeth.
Till the year 1992, during his travel all over the country not only was
the spread of Vaishnava Sampradaya evident but also saw the
construction of many Religious Centers and Temples. The gigantic
Madanganj Temple of Shri Radha Sarveshvar, Shri Nimbark kot at
Ajmer, Bhagawan Shri Nimbark Tapas (Rigorous
Prayers) site
at Nimbgram was developed and a new Temple of
RadhakrishnaVihariji was constructed in addition to renovating the
ancient temple there, a new Temple at Sri Pushkaraj , Construction of a
new temple at the revered site of the birth of Bhagwan Shri
Nimbarkacharya at Moongi-Paitan , presently in Maharashtra, Buildings
for both the Vidyalayas of the Acharyapeeth, Building for
conducting satsang, RadhaMadhav Cow– farm, Site for
conducting
Yagnyas (Rites) , Dispensary , Shri Sarveshvar Park, Cottage for the
Acharya, Hostel for students of the Vidyalayas , Shri Hanuman Mandir,
Guest House, are amongst the few.
In the field of Education , Shri Sarveshvar Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Sri
Nimbark Darshan Vidyalaya and Ved Vidyalaya were established and run by
the Acharya Peeth , from where students
enter various
fields of Religion,
Service and Education successfully and are in very
high
positions. The entire cost of Food, Clothing , Boarding and Books of
the students is borne by the Acharya Peeth.
In the field of dissemination of literature your influence has been
considerable . By establishing the Shri Sarveshvar Press and publishing
of periodicals , the common man / devotee has now access to the
Sampraday, mode of worship , Mantras and Literary pieces. Sri Sriji
Maharaj is an erudite scholar with mastery over Sanskrit, Hindi ,
Brajbhasha , Bangla and Hindu religion . He also
has in
depth knowledge of Ayurveda and Musicology.
In this manner , millions of devotees have been blessed by your Diksha,
Upadesh, Writings and Teachings. There is no doubt that this Acharya
Peeth has seen unparalleled multi disciplinary growth. In spite
of indifferent health your commitment to the
sampraday ,
your piety, simple lifestyle and your blessings to one and all is a
magnificent symbol to all devotees. Many devotees have their
questions and doubts answered and now lead a successful pious
life.
In this Kali-Yug as stated in the Granths , it is only the GURU who can
lead us devotees out of the cycle of Birth and Death , the
world
of duality . It is only by complete faith in the GURU, observing
the systems of the Sampraday, Total Surrender, Bhakti,
Sat-Sang
(being in the company of pious souls) and Nama–
Smaran
(Repetition of the Lords Name) that devotees can cross this
ocean—known as life.
Some of the literary works are:
A.
SANSKRIT:
B.
HINDI
1.
BHARAT-BHARATI-VAIBHAVAM
SHRI SARVESHVAR SUDHA BINDU
2.
YUGALGITI
SHATAKAM
BHARAT-KALPATRU
3. SHRI NIKUNJ
SOURABHAM
VIVEL
VALLI
4.
SHRISTAVARATNANJALI
UPADESH DARSHAN
5. SHRI
SARVESHVAR
SHATAKAM
HINDU SANGHATAN
6. SHRI
RADHAMADHAVA
SHATAKAM
SHRI MADHAV PRAPPANASHTAKAM
7. SHRI
YUGALSTAVAVINSHITI
CHATRA VIVEK DARSHAN
8.
SHRI NIMARKGOPIJANVALLABHA
ASHTAKAM
BHARAT-VEER-GOURAV
9. SHRI
JANAKI
VALLABHASTAVA
SHRI
RADHASARVESHVARLOK
10. SHRI
HANUMAN MAHIMA
ASHTAKAM
SHRI RADHA SARVESHVAR MANJARI
11. BHARAT
KALPATRU
SHRI PARASHURAM RATNAVALI
12. SHRI
NIMBARKASTAVARCHANAM
SHRI RADHA-ARADHANA
13. NAVANEET
SUDHA
SHRI SITARAM STHAVADARSH
14. SHRI RADHA
SHATAKAM
SHRI RADHA
MADHAVAVILAS
15. SHRI NIMBARKA CHARITRAM
16. GOU SHATAKAM
17. ACHARYAPANCHAYATN STHAVANAM
18. SHRI MADHAVSHARANPATTI STOTRAM
19. MANTRARAJ BHAVARTHA-DEEPIKA
20. YUGAMATATTVA PRAKASHIKA
The literary masterpiece BHARAT-KALPATRU was released by the then
President of India , Hon. Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma and the
BHARAT-BHARATI-VAIBHAVAM was released at the hands of the
then
Chief Minister of Rajasthan Hon. Shri Haridevji Joshi and
BHARAT-VEER-GOURAV was released by the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan
and later Vice President of India Hon. Shri Bhairon Singh
Shekawat. The epic SHRI NIMBARK CHARITAM was released by the then
Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Hon. Shri Harishankarji Bhamda.
SHRI RADHAMADHAV VILAS was released at the hands of Yugsant Shri Murari
Bapu. It is a matter of immense pride that some of the above literary
works are now part of the syllabi of Colleges and schools in Rajasthan
. Even more awe inspiring is that many researchers have been
researching on Shri Shriji Maharaj’s persona and
writings
and many of these have been published. This is undoubtedly a feather in
the cap for Sanatana Dharma as a whole.
Hiis poetic composition " Radha Madhav Vilas" (In Hindi)
personifies him as immersed in the divine love of Radha Krishna and the
following few couplets from the chapter titled - "Vrindavan
Swarup " aptly portrays this :
' KUNJ KUNJ PRATHI KUNJ MEIN , KUNJ VITHI MEIN GOONJ |
JAI RADHE JAI RADHIKE , "SHARAN" NINAD KHAG PUNJ ||
TARU-LATIKA-ARU-DAL PAR, PATRA- PUSHP PAR NAAM |
RADHE- RADHE- RADHIKE, PUNI-PUNI "SHARAN" PRANAM ||
SHRI
SHYAM SHARANDEVJI
Yuvacharya- Shri Shyam Sharandevji has been designated as the successor
to the present peetaadheshvar Shri Sriji Maharaj. Belittling his young
age , his grasp of the subject leaves one overawed. His melifious
voice, his charm and
magnetic presence holds the devotees spell bound. His discourses are
largely attended and devotees listen with rapt attention as he
propounds
the intricacies in a simple and understandable manner. His
explanation of the Gopi Geet leaves one and all enthralled .
TOP
NIMBARAKA
PHILOSOPHY
HANS
BHAGAWAN
NARADA BHAGAWAN
SANAKADI RISHI
SRI NIMBARKACHARYA
Nimbarka’s philosophy is known as Dvaitadvaita ,
meaning
existence of duality and non duality at the same time. All existence
falls into three distinct groups namely Brahman (Ishvar) ,
Chit(
Jiva) and Achit (Everything other than Chit—Prakriti (Nature))
This aspect can be better understood by the example of Waves
on
the ocean . They exist because of the ocean , yet are
distinct
entities. The water in the wave is the same as that in the
ocean , that is to say a part of the ocean is in the wave.
The
wave has no separate existence other than in the ocean. Similarly ,
Chit and Achit have the essence of Brahman in them , yet are distinct
and dependent on Brahman. Thus is explained the philosophy of
Bheda-Bhed—Duality and Non-duality existing simultaneously.
“Difference” or “duality”
refers to the
separate but dependent existence of soul and matter
(para-tantra-sattva-bhava), while “non-difference”
or
“non-duality” means that it is impossible for soul
and
matter to exist independently of God (svatantra-sattva-bhava). Nimbarka
perceives the relation between Brahman, and souls (cit) and the
universe (achit) as a relation of natural difference-non-difference
(svabhavika-bhedabheda), as seen in the example earlier; so the souls
and the universe, though nothing but Brahman (brahmatmaka), are
different from Him because of their own peculiar natures and
attributes. According to Nimbarka, Brahman (God), souls (cit) and
matter or the universe (achit) are three equally real and co-eternal
realities. Brahman is the Controller (niyantra), the soul is the
enjoyer (bhokta), and the material universe is the object enjoyed
(bhogya).
God
God as Radha Krishna, is the Supreme reality, free from all defects
personifies goodness, Radha being the “Ahladini
shakti
” or latent power of Shri Krishna . God is both the efficient
and
material cause of the universe. The world and the Jiva are only partial
manifestations of this power. Brahman , Jiva and the Universe are not
absolutely distinct and is a natural relationship of difference and
non-difference (svabhavika-bhedabheda). If the universe were absolutely
identical with God, with all of its imperfections, God would no longer
be perfect. If, however, the universe were completely distinct from
God, then God could not be its controller. The school of
thought considers worship of Radhe
Krishna, attended
by thousands of gopi's, as our prime devotion - achieved by
total Surrender (Prapatti)
Jiva
Just like a spider spins a web from itself, similarly Brahman
has
the Jiva & Universe out of Himself. Hence he is both
the
efficient and material cause. The relationship between Jiva
and
Brahman is one of formal difference and identity. Jiva is
different if seen from the perspective of being a phenomenal aspect but
identical when seen as a indivisible whole. Jiva is atomic (Anu) in
size , in the form of
knowledge and
possessor of knowledge. It experiences pain and
joy
of the body and merges with the Brahman during the
“Pralaya”.
Universe
According to Shri Nimbarkacharya, the Universe is not an Illusion , as
it is a manifestation of Brahman. Sakti of Brahman is the
material cause of the world. The three defining principles are :
1. Aprakriti: The material of the Divine form of
the God
not obtained from Prakriti.
2. Prakriti: The Universe with its triad of Gunas
(Qualities) - Sattva , Rajas, Tamas
3. Kaal : The Time concept
Liberation
from bondage
Avidya, the ignorance of one’s true nature and relationship
with
God, is the cause of karma, and of attachment to the senses, body and
matter. Only True knowledge brought about by complete surrender
(Prapatti) can lead to release from this bondage.
Bhakti as
generated in the devotee by the grace of God leads
to
understanding the Jiva and lifting the veil of ignorance from the
devotee. The individuality of the individual soul is
maintained
even in this liberated state wherein Brahman is revealed . Since the
Jiva realizes itself to be a inseparable part of Brahman , it is
released from the bondage. It is now full awareness and is liberated
from the cycle of Birth and Death.
The basic tenets of the philosophy are thus :
· The three categories Brahman, Jiva and Prakriti
are
beginingless. Brahman is independent and Jiva and Prakriti are
subservient to Brahman.
· Jiva has three categories:
1.
Baddha : (Sansari) - One who is totally immersed in this world
of
Maya.
2.
Baddha Mukta : (Liberated from the Sansar) - One who has obtained
liberation by Bhakti (Devotion)
3.
Nitya Mukhta: ( Ever Liberated) - One who has never been in the grip of
Maya
· Entire Universe is a part of Brahman and is in existence
due
to Prakriti. Hence harming any thing—living or Non-Living
tantamount’s to harming Ishvar.
· For Nimbarka the highest object of worship is Krishna and
His
consort Radha, of the celestial Vrindavan. Devotion according
to
Nimbarka, consists in self-surrender.
The Supreme Being is absolutely free form all defects. He is full of
all auspicious qualities. In Nimbarka, worship of Radha Krishna (Yugal
Sarkar) gains pre-eminence. Historical studies confirm that
it
was after the advent of Shri Nimbarkacharya , that Radha and
her
glory has been portrayed as the eternal consort of Shri Krishna.
The Five Sadhanas
Karma (Ritual
action)
Performed conscientiously in a proper spirit in
tune with
ones stage of life leading to knowledge as a means
to
salvation.
Vidya (Knowledge)
For persons who can spend countless hours in
gaining
knowledge, yet is still not an independent means.
Upasana
or dhyana (meditation)
It is of three types. First is meditation on the
Lord as
one's self, Second is meditation on the Lord as the Inner Controller of
the non sentient. Third the meditation on Lord
Himself.
Gurupasatti
Devotion and self
surrender to guru.
Nimbarkacharya says in
"Dasha Shloki" on the worship of the divine couple
ange
tu vame vrishabhanujam muda, virajmanamanurupasaubhagamsakhi
sahasraih
parisevitam sada, smarema devim sakaleshtakamadam
"To the left hand side of Goloka Bihari
is the
daughter of King Vrishabhanu, Sri Radha, who is as beautiful as the
Lord and is worshipped by thousands of handmaidens. She fulfills the
wishes of all. Sri Kishori is eternally remembered as Sri Ji. ."
Sri Nimbarkacharya wrote the following books:
- ·
Vedanta Parijat Saurabh– Commentary on the Brahma Sutras;
- ·
Sadachar Prakasha– Commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita
- ·
Rahasya Shodasi- Sri Gopala Mantra explained
- ·
Prapanna Kalpa Valli-Sri Mukunda Mantra explained
- ·
Prapatti Chintamani– On Supreme surrender
- ·
Pratah Smarana Stotram
- ·
Dasa Shloki or Kama Dhenu– Ten Verses
- ·
Savisesh Nirvisesh
- ·
Sri Krishna Stavam.
TOP
DAILY
NIYAMAS
The Sastras are very emphatic that mantras which are provided
as
diksha to the follower alone enables the devotee to cross this sansar
sagar. It is the responsibility of the devotee to then follow the
systems and rituals laid down. The basis of this sampraday is the
“ashtayama service of Sri Radha Krishna”
. Ashtayama
meaning that which is spread over the entire 24 hours each day
(ashtam—8 quarters). This includes the waking up , bathing,
decorating , prayers, Mantra recitation , offering of all
food
prepared to the lord and then imbibing the same as
“Prasad”
, afternoon siesta of the lord, evening wake up , pooja aarthi after
sankirtan and finally resting the lord for the night after
supper. This is to be done with immense devotion , love and joy as if
the entire time revolves around the devotion to the lord and hence
leads to ultimate complete surrender to Radha Krishna by
appropriating the events in life , good or bad to their feet. This way
of life is easy, simple and being a part of daily life does not
necessitate elaborate rituals or self denial.
The essential Niyams can be stated as:
1. Applying gopichandan at twelve designated points
,including
the tilak, on the body based on the twelve names of Sri
Krishna.
| Forehead |
om
keshavayah namaha |
| Belly |
om
narayanaya namaha |
| Chest |
om
madhavayah namaha |
| Neck |
om
govindaya namaha |
| Right
Belly |
om
vishnave namaha |
| Right
Arm |
om
madhusudanaya namaha |
| Right
Shoulder |
om
trivikramaya namaha |
| Left
Arm |
om
vamanaya namaha |
| Left
Belly |
om
shridharaya namaha |
| Left
Shoulder |
om
hrishikesaya namaha |
| Upper
Back |
om
padmanabhaya namaha |
| Lower
Back |
om
damodaraya namaha |
2. Permanently wearing a Tulsi mala (necklace) (Double Strand)
3. Reciting the diksha mantras using the
mala daily.
4. Doing the ashtayama service for the installed
Radhe
Krishna idols daily. Here the” Bhav” (the thought
/emotion)
during the service is of paramount importance.
5. Imbibing the
“teerth” ( holy water)
obtained by the abhishek of the lord.
6. During Dhyana (Meditation) one should
always keep
one’s concentration on the image of Shri Yugal Kishore Radha
Krishna.
7. Leading a very simple and religious life devoted
to seva
, bhakti and learning the scriptures.
8. Engaging in the thought of
Sri Radhekrishna
always and undertaking fast on Ekadashis(11th day after New
Moon/
Full Moon)
9. Celebrating all festivals
particularly,
Janmashtami, Radhashtami and Guru Purnima.
DAILY
MANTRAS
1.
While applying Gopi Chandan:
GopiChandana Papagna,Vishnudeha samudhbhava,Chakrankita
Namastubhyam Dharanam Muktido Bhava
2.
Gopala Gayatri Mantra:
Om
Gopalaya Vidhmahe, GopiVallabhaya
Dhimahi/ Tannah Krishnah
Prachodayat/
3.
Dasakshara– Gopala Mantra:
Gopijana
Vallabhaya Svaha/
4.
Shri Mukunda Sharanagati Mantra:
Shri
Mukunda Charanou Sada Sharanamaham Prapadhye //
5.
Shri Radha Chalisa
6.
Shri Radha Kavacham
7.
Shri Radha Kripa Kataksh Stotra
8.
Shri Krishna Kripa Kataksh Stotra
9.
Vedanta Dashashloki
Urdhva
Pundra
Vidhi for applying Tilak
Urdhva means upwards, Pundra means Lotus –herein
lotus like
feet
The Padma Purana says that those devotees on whose neck is
the
tulasi kanti mala and on whose shoulders there are the markings of
conch and chakra and on whose body there are 12 tilak markings, they
purify the entire universe immediately.
The tilak , representing a temple is made of Gopi-Chandana
. The tilak represents the footprint of Krishna
and
starts at the bridge of the nose and continues as two vertical lines to
the top of the forehead, curving away gently near the roots of the hair
. Within these lines, between the eyebrows is a black dot
which
represents God as Radha and Krishna together.
The logo is of the Shri Nimbarkacharya peeth with
the three
symbols of Vaishnavism , Chakra , Tilak and Shankh (Conch shell) . The
chakra here represents the Sudarshan Chakra , the most potent of
weapons of Shri Krishna and whose avatar is Sudarshan
Chakravatar
Shri Nimbarkacharya. The tilak is the one all nimbarkis are to adorn on
their foreheads as explained above. The conch shell , auspicious in its
own right , is a means to spread the divine
“sound”.
The Sri Garga Samhita explains the greatness of gopi-chandana as
follows:
tasmac chata-gunam punyam
gopi-candanakam rajah
gopi-candanakam viddhi
vrndavana-rajah-samam
It is hundred times more sacred - this dust of Gopi-Chandana. Know that
gopi-candana is equal to the dust of Vrndavana.
TOP
1.
SHRI SARVESHVAR PRABHU:
AMONGST THE MAIN DEITIES AT NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH , THE SARVESHWAR
PRABHU– IN THE FORM OF THE SHALIGRAM IS THE MOST
AUSPICIOUS AND MOST WORTHY OF DARSHAN. IT IS
CONSIDERED AS
ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD. THIS SHALIGRAM HAS BEEN WORSHIPPED OVER
THE AGES FROM THE SANAKA BROTHERS , DEVARISHI NARAD , JAGATGURU SHRI
NIMBARKACHARYA AND ALL THE FOLLOWING ACHARYAS OF THE NIMBARKACHARYA
PEETH. WHEREVER THE ACHARYAS PROCEED SARVESHVAR PRABHU IS
ALWAYS
WITH THE ACHARYA.
2.THAKUR SHRI MADHAV– GOKULCHANDRAMAJI:
THE IDOL OF GOKULCHANDRAMAJI INSTALLED AT NIMBARKPEETH FINDS MENTION IN
THE SHRIGOPALTAPANI OF THE ATHARVA VEDA AS THE
ANCIENT IDOL
THAT CAUSED REALISATION OF THE SRI GOPAL MANTRA.THE FORTUNATE FEW WHO
OBTAIN THE DARSHAN OF THIS BEAUTIFUL IDOL EVEN ONCE THEN IT
IS
SAID THAT HE IS ONE BLESSED. THE IDOL HAS ALSO BEEN
WORSHIPPED BY
POET LAUREATE SHRI
JAYADEV OF “GITA
–GOVIND” FAME . THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THIS
IDOL IS AS
FOLLOWS:
AFTER A FEW YEARS AFTER THE PASSING AWAY OF SHRI JAYADEV , THE IDOL WAS
INSTALLED AT THE SHRI NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH AT SHRI RADHA KUND
,
VRINDAVAN. SHRI GOVINDSHARANADEVACHARYA , THE THEN ACHARYA OF THE
NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH , GOT INSTRUCTIONS FROM
SHRIRADHAMADHAV TO EMBARK ON THE ACHARYA’S RATH ( CARRIAGE)
WITH
THE IDOL TO SALEMABAD, RAJASTHAN. AS INSTRUCTED THE ACHARYA PROCEEDED
ON THE RATH TO SALEMABAD. ENROUTE AT BHARATPUR WHILE THE ENTROUGE
RESTED FOR THE SEVA OF SHRI MADHAV , RESIDENTS OF VRAJ PLEADED WITH THE
ACHARYA NOT TO TAKE AWAY THE IDOL TO SALEMABAD BUT RETURN IT
TO
BRAJ. THE ACHARYA EXPLAINED THAT AS IT WAS THE INSTRUCTIONS OF SHRI
RADHAMADHAV HIMSELF HE WAS HELPLESS. THE PEOPLE APPROACHED THE RULER OF
BHARATPUR , WHO TOLD THE PROTESTORS THAT IF THEY COULD PULL THE RATH
BACK TO BRAJ IF THE LORD WAS WILLING THEN HE HAD NO OBJECTIONS. TRY AS
THEY MAY, THE RESIDENTS OF VRAJ , THE RATH DID NOT MOVE AN INCH.
HOWEVER,AFTER THE SEVA, WHEN THE ACHARYA , PLEADED FOR THE
RATH
TO MOVE AND ASKED THE DEVOTEES TO PULL TO THE ASTONISHMENT OF
ALL
DEVOTEES, THE RATH MOVED AND PROCEEDED TO SALEMABAD , WHERE THE IDOL IS
INSTALLED IN THE TEMPLE AT THE CENTRE OF THE NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH
3. ACHARYA MANDIR(TEMPLE):
THE ACHARYA MANDIR IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTHERN DIRECTION FROM
THE SHRI RADHAMADHAVJI AND SARVESHVAR BHAGAVAN. HERE DEVOTEES
GET
A WONDERFUL VISION OF SHRI HANS, SHRI SANAKADIK, SHRI NARAD, SHRI
NIMBARK AND SHRINIVASACHARYA. TO THE NORTH OF THE SHRI
SARVESHVARPRABHU IS THE VED MANDIR WHERE ALL THE FOUR VEDAS
ARE
TOGETHER
ESTABLISHED.
TOWARDS THE
SOUTH OF THE ACHARYA MANDIR IS THE SIDDHA PEETH .
SHRI NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH
INSTITUTIONS
1. SHRI NIMBARAKA MUDRANALAYA(PRINTING PRESS) -
PUBLICATIONS , NEWS LETTERS PERTAINING TO THE ACHARYA PEETH ARE PRINTED
HERE.
2. SHRI NIMBARK FORTNIGHTLY–
PUBLISHED EVERY
FORTNIGHT WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE ACHARYA ON THE FRONT PAGE
AND
INCLUDES ARTICLES ON RELIGION, FESTIVALS OF THE ACHARYA PEETH .
3. SHRI SARVESHVAR SANSKRIT MAHAVIDHYALA
(UNIVERSITY)
: THE UNIVERSITY DULY APPROVED BY THE RAJASTHAN
GOVERNMENT OFFERS STUDENTS UPADHYAY AND SHASTRI COURSES AS
PER
THE SYLLABUS OF THE RAJASTHAN GOVERNMENT BOARD.
4. SHRI NIMBARK DARSHAN
VIDYALAYA: THE SCHOOL
OFFRES STUDENTS OF ALL STATES PRATMA, MADHYAMA, SHASTRI AND
ACHARYA EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED UNDER THE AEGIS OF SHRI SAMPOORNANADA
VISHVA VIDYALAYA , VARANASI(UP).
5. SHRI
RADHASARVESHVAR CHATRAVAS(HOSTEL)
: PROVIDES ACCOMADATION FOR 60 STUDENTS OF BOTH THE ABOVE VIDYALAYAS.
THE FOOD, CLOTHING, BOOKS, FEES, EXAM FEES ALL ARE BORNE BY
THE
NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH.
6.
SHRINIMBARK PUSTAKALAYA
(LIBRARY) : THIS ANCIENT LIBRARY HAS OVER 5000 PUBLISHED AND
HANDWRITTEN UNPUBLISHED WORKS.
7. SHRI
HANS VACHANALAYA (READING
ROOM) : IN THIS READING ROOM , ALL THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE PEETH AND
OTHER
PERIODICALS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ALONG WITH THE DAILY NEWS PAPERS.
8. SHRI
HARIVYAS OUSHADALAYA
(DISPENSARY): THE DISPENSARY PROVIDES FREE MEDICINES TO THE POOR
PATIENTS . DEVOTEES DONATE TO THIS NOBLE CAUSE .
9. SHRI
RADHAMADHAV GOSHALA( COW
FARM) : THE FARM HOUSES MORE THAN 200 COWS . THE MILK IS USED FOR THE
SEVA OF SHRI RADHA MADHAV AND THE NIGHT SOIL IS USED AS
MANURE IN
THE FARMS.
10. SHRI SARVESVAR VED VIDYALA:
STUDENTS ARE
VED PATH HERE. THE ENTIRE COST OF BOARDING , FOOD OF THE
STUDENTS
AND THE SALARY OF THE TEACHERS ETC. IS BORNE BY THE NIMBARKACHARYA
PEETH AND IS HELPED BY THE DONATIONS FROM DEVOTEES.
11. SHRI NIMBARK
GRANTHMALA:THE
INSTITUITION PUBLISHES WORKS IN HINDI AND SANSKRIT SOME OF WHICH ARE
VERY RARE.
12. SEVA
NIDHIS: DEVOTEES CAN
DONATE TO THE SEVA NIDHIS FOR THE SANSKRIT MAHAVIDYALA AND THE DAILY
SEVA FOR SHRI RADHASARVESHVAR.
ATTACHED
INSTITUTIONS
1.
SHRI SARVESHVAR PRESS, PRATAP BAZAR,
VRINDAVA.
2.
SHRI NIMBARKA SHISHU MANDIR(SCHOOL), VRINDAVAN
3.
SHRI SARVESHVAR CHATRAVAS(HOSTEL), VRINDAVAN
4.
SHRINIMBARK DARSHAN VIDYALA (SCHOOL) , NIMBGRAM
5.
SHRI NIMBARK CHATRAVAS( HOSTEL) , NIMBGRAM
6.
SHRI NIMBARK OUSHADALAY(DISPENSARY), NIMBGRAM
7.
SHRI NIMABRK GOSHALA( COW FARM) , NIMBGRAM
TEMPLES
ABOUT 35 IMPORTANT TEMPLES LOCATED AT VRINDAVAN , AJMER, KISHANGAD,
INDORE, SHOLAPUR, NAGPUR, AMRAVATI , NAGORE AND MOONGI PAITAN AMONG
OTHER PLACES ALL OVER INDIA ARE UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF THE
SHRI
NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH AND FOLLOW THE SYSTEMS AND TRADITIONS OF THE
SAMPRADAY
SOME
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED AT/ BY NIMBARKACHARYA
PEETH
1. Akshaya Trithiya: Shri RadhaMadhav is decorated
with
Sandal paste.
2. ShriRadhaMadhavji’s Patotsav: Splendid
Darshan of
the Lord in Flower-Cottage
3. Rath Yatra Mahotsav: Festival of
drawing the Rath
(Carriage of the Lord)
4. Shri Guru Poornima: Devotees together
conduct
ShriAcharya Charan (Feet of the Guru) pooja
5. Jhoolan Utsav: Celebrated in Vrindavan
in the
presence of Poojya Acharyaji.
6. Shri Krishna Jayanthi– Nand
Mahotsav:
This is a historic event and is the main celebration
7. Shri Radha Jayanthi Mahotsav: The
event organized
by the Acharya Peet as a big festival at Shri RadhaSarveshvar Temple
every year.
8. Shrimad Bhagwat Jayanthi Mahotsav:
Conducted by
the Peeth at Shri Nimbark– GopijanaVallabh Temple at
Nimbarkkot,
Ajmer
9. Nimbarknagar at MahaKumbh
etc: During the
Maha Kumbh celebrations at Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and
Vrindavan, a sprawling Nimbark Nagar is
constructed
wherein the service of Shri Sarveshvar Prabhu and
vision to
devotees is the highlight. Shri Bhagvan
Naam
Sankirtan (Repetition of Radha Krishna names together ) , Readings,
Ras-Lila, Service of the Saints,
Library,
Dispensary are some of the highlights of the month long
festivities which draws devotees from all the
world
like a magnet . Devotees immerse themselves in the heavenly ambrosia of
bhakti ras
HOW TO
REACH ACHARYA PEETH
1 THE
ACHARYA PEETH IS EASILY ACCESIBLE BY ROAD FROM THE NEAREST RAILWAY HEAD
OF KISHANGARH (18 KM) ON THE JAIPUR–
AJMER ROUTE. BUS
AND AUTO FACILITY ARE AVAIBLE FROM KISHANGARH TO THE ACHARYA
PEETH.
2. THE
NEAREST AIRPORT IS JAIPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THAT IS ABOUT 135 KM
AWAY .
3.DEVOTEES
CAN STAY AT KISHANGARH OR AT THE GUEST HOUSE AT THE ACHARYA PEETH
CONTACT US
NIMBARKA
TEERTH (SALEMABAD),
PUSHKAR
KSHETRA, KISHANGARH, AJMER,
RAJASTHAN– 305815
TELEPHONE:
01479-227831 , 01479-227821
MOBILE
: 09414365775 / 09414496966
E-MAIL
: response@shrijagatgurunimbarkacharyapeeth.org
DOWNLOADS
1. SHRI
RADHA KRISHNA KRIPA KATAKSHA STOTRA
2
VEDANTA DASHASHLOKI
3.
SHRI
KRISHNA KRIPA KATAKSH STOTRA
4.
SHRI
RADHA CHALISA
ALL
DONATIONS TO THE AKHIL BHARATIYA SHRI NIMBARKACHARYA PEETH , SALEMABAD
ARE EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 80G OF THE INCOME TAX ACT 1961
UNDER C.I.T AJMER
ORDER NO. 116/64/723 DATED
24-06-2009.
©
Copyright
Akhil Bharatiya
Nimbarkacharya
Peeth
2006-2010
No part of
this web site may be reproduced without the explicit permission from
the Akhil
Bharatiya
Nimbarkacharya Peeth. Some
material
put up on this web site are protected by individual copyrights of the
concerned
organisations
TOP
SHRI
NIMBARKACHARYAYA NAMAH
