Shrinathji

Srinathji, the presiding deity at Nathdwara, is the form of seven year old Krishna – who lifted the Govardhana hill to protect Vrindavan from a downpour of rain sent by Indra. It is believed that Lord Krishna’s arms and face first emerged out of the Govardhana hill, and you can see that in Shrinathji’s Moorthi roopam! - He appears with his left hand raised and the right hand closed in a fist and resting on his hip as Bala –Krishna. He lifted the Govardhan hill for 7 days on his left small finger and this we see in Sheenathji’s swaroopam.

The great Sri Vallabacharyar initiated Shrinathji’s worship in the Vaishanava sampradaya of Pushtimarg and built a temple in Mount Govardhan in AD 1519.The legends have it that the idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. And the Lord chose this place, Shri Nathdwara (a pathway to Lord Shri Krishna), 20 miles away from Udaipur.

The Lord is worshipped by everyone in the form of sevas which are offered out of sheer love for the deity, than the formal pujas and this process of spontaneous development of love for Krishna is referred to as “Pushti Marga” or the nourishing path. Shrinathji is worshipped as a living deity at his Haveli at Nathdwara. The total worship is done as had established by Shri vallabacharya – his clothing, food preparations, way of seva, celebration of festivals etc., His dress follows many styles - Muslim, Brajwasi, Rajasthani; as He has followers from a long time ago in many states and religions.

Shrinathji gives Darshan eight times a day – Ashtyaam sewa, and each darshanam timings are no more than 15 minutes. He lives in the form of a small child, all His Darshans are regulated accordingly. From morning when he is woken up till he goes to bed – there are eight Darshans open to bhakthas – Mangla, Shringar,Gwala, Rajbhog, Utthapan, Bhog, Sandhya Aarthi and Shayan. As Govardhan Parvat has eight doors. Shrinathji has Ashta Sakha-s – They are the eight poet friends, who wrote and sang various bhajans on Shrinathji and each are used today with each Darshan.

All his bhog is prepared to the various seasons and days – only black pepper and rock salt is used in his food, and no chillies. A lot of sugar is added for his sweet preparations; during hot summer months he is offered water with chandan and rose and in winters with Kesar. No one is allowed to watch Him when he takes His meals. There have been times when He refuses to accept certain ornaments or vastra. It is believed that if he has pushed them away three times, it is assumed that Shrinathji does not want this. A new pair of the same is always kept ready, which is then used. New Vastra are used daily for Shrinathji and none of his clothes are repeated! Unlike the other Hindu temples, there is no Gopuram on the the top; over his Nij Mandir there is a roof top with the Dhajaji flying, and His Sudarshan Chakra.

In addition to the eight Darshanams, the eight-syllable mantra, śri kṛṣṇaḥ śaraṇaṃ mama (Lord Krishna is my refuge) of Shri Vallabacharyar is the main mantra which will get rid of all the impurities of the soul. Srimad Vallabacharya belonged to a telugu family and his bhakti was more than devotion and he sees Lord everywhere and everything. The Madhurashtakam, composed by Sri Vallabhacharya (1478 A.D), is a unique stotra, describing the Sweetness of Lord Sri Krishna. It is interesting to note that in Madhurashtakam, which is an eight stanza hymn in Sanskrit – one adjective - "Madhuram" is repeated seven times each in stanza!

Adharam Madhuram, Vadanam Madhram,
Nayanam Madhuram, Hasitham Maduram,
Hrudhayam Madhuram, Gamanam Maduram,
Madhuradhipather Akhilam Madhuram.

Sweet are thine lips, Krishna,
So are thine sweet cherubic face,
Sweet are thine jet black eyes, Krishna
So is thine soulful laugh,
Sweet is thine loving heart, Krishna
So is thine beautiful gait,
Hey king of all sweetness in this world,
Everything about Thee is sweet.

Whilst listening to a discourse of Bhakta Meera of Vishaka Hari, she narrated a story of Surdas at Srinathji temple. Surdas was a blind poet and he was sitting behind the curtain with the rest of the people, waiting for the Lord to be dressed up and the curtain to be opened. Surdas started describing the Lord, the clothes and decorations He was wearing. After the curtain was opened the description in the song fit the Lord exactly!

May the Lord bless us all to have all the eight Darshans when in Nathdwara!