Jagadguru Shree Vallabhachrayaji also known as Shree Mahaprabhuji was born at Champaranya in 1479 A.D. i.e. Vikaram Samvat 1535 on the 11th day of the dark half of lunar month of chaitra. He was born at a time when Hindu religion and culture were in danger of being destroyed by the fanatic invaders. The birth of Shree Vallabhacharyaji heralded a new era in the history of Hindu religion. He saved Hindu religion from the savage attacks of Muslim rulers. He breathed new life into the people of India who had lost all hope of redemption under the rule of sword and terror. He was born into a very noble and learned Tailang Brahmin family in South India in what is today called Andhra Pradesh. His ancestors had a very staunch religious background and included learned Brahmins like Shri Yagnanarayan Bhatt and Shri Ganapati Bhatt. According to devotional accounts, ‘Sri Thakorji’ (Krishna) commanded Yagnanarayana that He would take birth in their family after completion of 100 Somayagnas (fire sacrifices).Shri Vallabhacharya was the second son of Lakshman Bhatt and Illamagaru. Their ancestors had performed several Soma-yagnas and Shri Lakshman Bhatt completed 100 Somyagnas. After the destruction of Kankarkumbh by muslim invaders Shri Laxmanbhattji migrated to Banaras with a view to settle there.
Shri Laxmanbhattji spent most of his time in the worship of Lord krishna and the study of religious scriptures. Once he heard the news of the impending Muslim invasion on Banaras. Admist widespread panic and consternation, it was not possible to stay there peacefully. Besides, his wife, Illamagaru, was pregnant. He decided to leave Kashi for some safer place & started towards the South. When they arrived at Champarany, Illamagaru was overcome with fatigue. She began to experience pain in the abdomen and she gave birth to a premature child. Considering the child to be still – born and dead the mother enveloped the babe in leaves and put it in the cavity of a Shami tree. Having gone a little distance, the party resed on the bank of the river. Here the couple had divine vision. They heard the voice of God “I have come to you in the form of a newly born child. The child will protect Hindu religion and Culture.” Having heard this divine voice in a dream the parents immediately went back to the aforesaid Shami Tree where, to their great joy and surprise, the child was sporting about in the midst of the encircling flame of fire ! No body was ever happier or more fortunate than the parents of the child; There was a halo of divine light round its face. Its eyes we
re radiating grace and nectar as it were ! He was smiling. The wing was blowing gently. The ferocious animals forgot their cruel nature in the presence of the deer and gazed at the child with steady eyes. The moon and the auspicious constellation appeared in the sky. The mother Illamagaru picked and hugged it to her heart.
Education : He spent most of his time in the worship of Lord krishna and the study of religious scriptures. His father paid great attention to his studies & much of his early life in North India, in the holy city of Varanasi . At a very early age, he completed the study of the four Vedas. Since childhood he had deep interest in religion and Hindu Philosophy & born with great innate abilities, Vallabhacharyaji acquired total command over all the Vedas, Purans and Agamas by the tender age of 11 !! His education commenced at the age of 7 with the study of 4 Vedas. He acquired mastery over the books expounding the six systems of Indian philosophy. He also learnt philosophical systems of Adi Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka along with the Buddhist and Jain schools. He was able to recite hundred mantras, not only from beginning to end but also in reverse order. At Vyankateshwar and Lakshmana Balaji, he made a strong impression on the public as an embodiment of knowledge. He was now applauded as Bala Saraswati.
“Acharya” : A sensational debate was conducted at Vijayanagara between the Vaishnavaites of Madhva and Shankarites over the philosophical question whether God is Dualistic or non-dualistic – Vallabhacharyaji participated in the discussion considering it as a divine call. Vijayanagara was an empire in South India with its sovereignty over many states.The ruler of Vijaynagara King Krishnadev was also a scholar of Hinduism.
Shree Vallabhacharyaji who had earned an epithet of Bala Saraswati, was given the opportunity to discuss the question.The discussion continued for 27 days in the conference hall.During the debate he propounded that the universe and the soul are real and pure essence of the God. His philosophy is knows as Shuddha-Advaita. He reiterated “Everything is Brahma and Brahma is everywhere. The universe and the soul are part and partial of Brahma, representing His being and consciousness”. Everyone in the assembly praised his views. The views of Mayavadins have distorted the shrutis. Everyone regarded Sri Vallabha as a god sent missionary. The day of victory for Vaishnavas was celebrated with great pomp at Vijaynagara. He was honoured by the kanakabhisheka ceremony. The title of ‘Acharya’ and world preceptor was conferred on him. He was given vessels of gold weighing a hundred maunds (7000 coins). Vallabhacharya declined to accept them politely and distributed them among the poor brahmins and the learned only after keeping only seven gold cioins. They were used for preparing the ornaments of their Lord Govardhananatha.
Courtesy : http://www.shreekalyanpushti.org
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