Nidhi means nij
dhan: one’s personal and most precious wealth. As Shri Acharyacharan said
when blessing his followers with a swaroop, “I have given you my sarvasva."
Therefore any swaroop which Shri Aacharyacharan has made pusht for a
Vaishnava for Bhagwat seva, or for Nij seva, is called Shri Aacharyacharan's
Nidhi.
For example, Shri
Mathuresh Prabhu is Shri Mahaprabhuji's Nidhi and now Pratham Griha Nidhi
Swaroop. In the same way, when Shri Prabhucharan Shri Gusainji did swaroop
pusht for Bhagwat seva for any Vaishnav, or for His own Vanshaj, that swaroop
is Shri Gusainji's Nidhi.
If at present any
Vallabh Vanshaj does swaroop pusht for Bhagwat seva in your home, you can say
that this swaroop is your guru's Sarvasva Nidhi and is now your own Sarvasva
Nidhi. Nidhi is therefore your own Bhagwat seva residing in your own house. A
Vaishnava’s nidhi swaroop is that swaroop who is theentire wealth
of that Pushti jeev.
It is prachalit (commonly
accepted) that only Shri Mahaprabhuji and Shri Gusainji's pusht swaroops are
called Nidhi, but if we have correct bhava, then every Vaishnav’s sevya
swaroop is Shri Vallabh's Nidhi, and each nij swaroop is Pushti Purushottam.
Nidhi-svarupa varnan – Mangalacharanam
An auspicious praise of the ten main Nidhi svarupas of Shri Gusainji’s family
worship Shri Nathji’s lotus feet and young Navanita Priyaji, Who loves fresh
butter. Worship the eternal Shri Mathuradeesh, a Giver of pleasure, and the
ever-pleased Shri Vitthalesh. Adore Shri Dwarkadeesh, as well as Shri
Gokulnathji, the Lord of Gokul and Shri Gokul Chandramaji, the Moon of Gokul.
Worship Madan Mohanji, the enchanter of even Cupid. Worship the dancing Child
Krishna – Shri Natavar Prabhu, the supreme Actor and Lover, and divine infant
Shri Bal Krishna.
SHRI NATHJI
Shri Nathji not only
affords His intimate bhaktas the experience of His inner reality, but also is
the Liberator of all souls. Shri Gusainji explained Shri Nathji’s divine
nature to his disciple, a renounced Brahmin, thus: “Shri Nathji is the
Supreme Lord of the Lila bower. He stands by the door of a cave on the
Govardhan Hill and calls all of His Lila souls to Him with His raised left
hand.” Shri Nathji’s closed right hand rests on His hip and contains His
hidden nectar essence.
Shri Nathji’s left hand first manifested on top of the Govardhan Hill
(Girirajji) in 1410 CE. On Shri Vallabhacharya’s appearance day in 1479, Shri
Nathji’s face emerged from Girirajji. In 1493, Shri Nathji appeared to Shri
Vallabhacharya in Jharkhand and called him to the sacred Hill to establish
His seva. When Shri Vallabhacharya and his party arrived at Girirajji,
Mahaprabhuji climbed the Hill and embraced Shri Nathji. He then established
Shri Nathji’s worship and adorned Him with a dhoti, gunja-bead necklace, and
peacock feather crown. Shri Vallabhacharya named Him Gopalji, ‘Keeper of the
cows.’ Shri Gusainji named Him Shri Govardhan Nathji, and his sons later
called Him Shri Nathji, a name which continues to be used.
On Shri Nathji’s left are two smaller svarupas: Madan Mohanji, a standing,
flute-playing Krishna, as well as tiny Bal Krishnaji, a svarupa of infant
Krishna crawling on the floor, holding a sweetball. This svarupa was found by
Shri Vallabhacharya when he was bathing in the Yamuna River.
To Shri Nathji’s right is a shaligrama acquired by Shri Vallabhacharya in
South India and a Girirajji Shila – a stone from the
Govardhan Hill picked up when Shri Nathji left the Govardhan Hill. There is
also a single wooden sandal, called a paduka, which was worn by
Shri Vallabhacharya. In all of the main places of worship in the Pushti Marg,
other forms of Shri Krishna or items related to Shri Vallabhacharya or his
descendants are established in the worship alongside the main Krishna
svarupa.
SHRI NAVANITA PRIYAJI
Shri Navanita Priyaji
– “the One who loves fresh butter,” also affectionately called “Lalan,” is a
form of Child Krishna crawling on the floor with a mound of butter in His
right hand. He was found in the Yamuna River near Mahavan by a Kshatriya
woman and presented to Shri Vallabhacharya. Shri Navanita Priyaji was
worshipped by Shri Vallabhacharya, as well as Shri Gusainji, in Gokul.
Shri Gusainji himself wished to retain the seva of Shri Navanita Priyaji as
long as He remained on this earth. When he entered the eternal Lila, the seva
of Shri Navanita Priyaji was inherited by his eldest son, Shri Girdharji, who
later entrusted ‘Lalan’ to his second son, Shri Damodarji. Shri Navanita
Priyaji is the Nidhi svarupa of the Pradhan Peeth.
On major festivals, Shri Navanita Priyaji sits with Shri Nathji, but He also
enjoys His own separate Haveli just next to Shri Nathji’s. Shri Gusainji
explains, “Shri Navanita Priyaji is the form of Child Krishna who resides
with Mother Yashoda. Krishna as Shri Navanita Priyaji plays like an infant in
front of her.”
SHRI MATHURESHJI
Shri Mathureshji, also
called Shri Mathuradheesh and Mathuranathji, is a four-armed, dark form of
Shri Krishna. Shri Mathureshji emerged in a gigantic form, as tall as a large
tree, in the presence of Shri Vallabhacharya and his disciple, Padmanabhdas.
He then became small enough to sit on the bhakti master’s lap. Padmanabhdasji
lovingly made Shri Mathureshji’s seva, and was blessed with many divine
experiences. Shri Mathuranathji was later returned to Shri Vallabhacharya.
Shri Gusainji entrusted Him to his eldest son Shri Girdharji, who later
presented Him to his third son, Shri Gopinathji.
Shri Mathureshji relocated to Kota, Rajasthan during Aurangzeb’s reign. Today
He is worshipped by descendents of Shri Girdharji, the heads of the Pratham
Peeth. Shri Gusainji explained to his disciple, the renounced Brahmin, His
form and Lila:
“Then, when Shri Krishna becomes a young Lad and begins to herd His cows,
that form of Shri Krishna is Shri Mathuranathji. One day, Shri Mathuranath
went out with His friends to the Gopis’ homes to steal butter. When He
entered Shri Swaminiji’s home to steal her milk, curds and butter, Shri
Swamini quietly came in, grabbed the Blessed Lord with two hands, and said,
‘Today, I have caught you! Now I will bring you before Nanda and Yashoda and
tell them all about Your stealing.’
“At that moment, Shri Mathuranath manifested two additional arms and, with
folded hands, prayed to Shri Swaminiji, ‘I am under your control. Always keep
Me with you. I hold this conch in My lower right hand, because it is the form
of Your neck. In My upper right hand I hold a lotus, because Your face is
like a lotus. In My upper left hand I hold the mace, because it is like the
form of Your breast. My lower left hand holds the chakra discus; it is like
the bells on Your belt. I worship the bangles on Your wrist and put them on
My own wrist. Now please release Me.’ When she did, He gave Her a taste of
His nectar lips. This is the Lila of Shri Mathuranathji.”
SHRI VITTHALNATHJI
Shri Vitthalnathji was
found in the Ganges River by an ascetic, who presented Him to Shri
Vallabhacharya on the day his second son, Shri Gusainji was born. Shri
Vallabhacharya named both his son and the Krishna svarupa Shri Vitthalnathji.
Shri Gusainji later entrusted Shri Vitthalnathji to his second son, Shri
Govindaji.
Shri Vitthalnathji was brought to Kota in 1581 CE and then in 1662 to the
small town of Khimnor, Rajasthan. After Shrinathji moved to Nathdvara, Shri
Vitthalnathji was also brought there, and a separate Haveli was built for Him
by Shri Harirayaji.
Shri Vitthalnathji is a small golden and dark svarupa with His hands resting
on His hips. He is accompanied by one Swamini, who always resides to His
left. Shri Gusainji explains Their divine nature thus:
“When the Gopis worshipped Shri Katyayani Devi in order to secure Shri
Krishna as their Husband, Shri Krishna came to the banks of the Yamuna River,
stole their clothes, and climbed up a Kadamba tree. This is the form of Shri
Vitthalnathji. He remains absorbed in the bhava of Shri Swaminiji, and that
is why He became Her golden color. If Shri Vitthalnathji had appeared by the
banks of the Yamuna River as dark Krishna, the Gopis would have recognized
Him, and He would not have been able to steal their clothes. The Gopis were
delayed in meeting Krishna because they were too shy to emerge from the water
to receive their garments. Shri Vitthalnathji returned the Gopis’ clothes
divinely transformed. That is the Lila of Shri Vitthalnathji.”
SHRI DWARKADHEESHJI
Shri Dwarkadheesh, or
Dwarkanathji is a four-armed, dark Krishna svarupa. He appeared in ancient
times from the Bindu lake and was worshipped by the sage Kapildevaji. During
the times of Shri Vallabhacharya, the Blessed Lord appeared to the tailor
Narayana in a dream and told him to retrieve His svarupa from a broken shrine
at Mount Abu in Rajasthan. Later Shri Vallabhacharya instructed Damodardas
Sambhalvare to obtain Shri Dwarkadheesh from the tailor Narayana and begin
His seva.
The Lila of Shri Dwarkadheesh arises when He plays hide-and-seek with Shri
Radha and the other Gopis. Shri Gusainji explains, “The Shrimad Bhagavatam’s
five chapters on the Rasa Lila describe how all the Gopis came and sat by the
banks of the Yamuna River, surrounding Shri Swaminiji. Shri Thakurji suddenly
arrived in the form of Shri Dwarkanathji. With His two lotus hands, Shri
Dwarkanathji covered Shri Swaminiji’s eyes. He then manifested two additional
hands and pleased Her with His flute playing. Shri Dwarkanathji’s Lila is
filled with nectar.”
Shri Dwarkadheesh’s lower right hand holds a lotus, which is Radha’s palm
trying to push Krishna’s hand away from Her eyes. His upper right hand holds
a mace, and is said to represent Radha’s hand moving up to embrace Krishna.
The upper left hand holds a discus, representing the impressions left by
Radha’s bracelets during Their embrace. His lower left hand holds a conch. It
reminds Shri Krishna of Radha’s neck. Shri Dwarkadheeshji was returned to
Shri Vallabhacharya, and when all of the seven svarupas were distributed,
Shri Dwarkadheesh was presented to Shri Gusainji’s third son, Shri Balkrishnaji.
In 1670 CE, during the times of Aurangzeb, Shri Dwarkadheesh was relocated to
Ahmedabad. In 1720 CE He was installed in a palatial mansion in Kankroli,
Rajasthan near Nathdvara, where He has remained ever since.
SHRI GOKULNATHJI
Shri Gokulnathji is a
small golden Krishna svarupa with two Swaminis, one on each side. His right
raised hand holds the Govardhan Hill, while His lower left hand holds a
conch. He plays a flute with His other two hands. The Swaminis on either side
of Him are Shri Radha and Shri Chandravaliji.
Shri Gokulnathji belonged to the family of Shri Vallabhacharya’s wife and was
presented to him at the time of their marriage. During Aurangzeb’s regime,
Shri Gokulnathji moved to Jaipur. In the mid-nineteenth century He returned
to Gokul and now resides there, in a Haveli believed to have been constructed
around 1511 CE.
Shri Gusainji speaks of His form and Lila: “The form of Shri Gokulnathji
appears when Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill and protected all the
Vraja bhaktas. He picked up the Hill with His left hand and then held it with
His right hand while playing the flute with His other two hands, filling all
the residents of Vraja with nectar. Sometimes He even held the Hill with the
end of His flute. Shri Gokulnathji’s lower left hand holds the conch, the
divine form of water.”
SHRI GOKULCHANDRAMAJI
Shri Gokul Chandramaji
is the Moon of Gokul and stands in a tribhangi posture, bent
in three places, His legs crossed at the ankles. He is poised to play the
flute. A Kshatriya woman found Him and Shri Navanita Priyaji in the Yamuna
River while she was on her way to Mahavan. She presented the svarupas to Shri
Vallabhacharya, who then established Shri Gokulchandramaji in the home of his
follower, Narayanadas Brahamachari. After Narayanadas passed away, Shri Gokul
Chandramaji returned to Shri Vallabhacharya’s family, and Shri Gusainji later
entrusted Him to his fifth son, Raghunathji.
During Aurangzeb’s reign, Shri Gokulchandramaji was taken to Jaipur and then
in 1687 CE to Bikaner, Rajasthan, where the ruler, Sardar Singh, was a great
devotee of the Pushti Marg. Shri Gokulchandramaji resided there for six years
before shifting to Kamvan in Vraja, where He resides today. Shri Gusainji
speaks of this divine form of Shri Krishna, “Shri Gokulchandramaji entices
even the love god, the enchanter of all other hearts. When Shri Krishna
disappeared from the Gopis, they cried for their Beloved. Then Shri Krishna
appeared before them as Shri Gokulchandramaji, with a lovely form bent in three
places. He danced the Rasa Lila with the Gopis, played the flute, and gave
all the bhaktas of Vrindavan the gift of His own nectar. The seven holes in
the Blessed Lord’s flute are His six divine virtues plus His Dharmi aspect,
wherein He contains the other six virtues. Krishna places His fingers over
those holes and consoles the bhaktas, ‘I am under the control of your loving
devotion. I will always be in debt to you.’ Shri Gokulchandramaji also makes
Rasa Lila, and His appearance is full of divine elements.”
SHRI BALKRISHNAJI, SHRI KALYANRAYAJI, AND SHRI MUKUNDARAYAJI
The small Shri
Balkrishnaji svarupa, who was among the Nidhi svarupas present in Shri
Gusainji’s 7-Nidhi svarupa manorath, was presented by Shri Gusainji to his
sixth son, Yadunathji. However, Yadunathji preferred to worship the svarupa
of Shri Dwarkadheeshji together with his elder brother (Shri Gusainji’s third
son, also named Shri Balkrishnaji). He therefore placed the Child Krishna
svarupa of Balkrishnaji just in front of Shri Dwarkadheeshji. Balkrishnaji
was later taken from Kankroli to Surat, where He resides today.
The dark, four armed Krishna form of Shri Kalyanrayaji, now residing in
Baroda, is worshipped by Shri Yadunathji’s direct descendants. Shri
Yadunathji’s sons were granted this seva by Shri Gokulnathji (Shri Gusainji’s
fourth son). Shri Gusainji’s seven sons all learned to make Shri Krishna’s
adornment with Shri Kalyanrayaji.
Shri Mukundarayaji, a form of infant Krishna, was originally worshipped by
Sanchora Ramdas, aMukhiya (head assistant) in Shri Nathji’s
temple. Ramdas entrusted Shri Mukundarayaji to the bhakta Padmanabhdas, who
worshipped Mukundarayaji together with his own svarupa, Pratham Grha Nidhi
Shri Mathureshji. When Padmanabhdas left his body, Shri Mukundarayaji was
brought to Shri Nathji’s temple, where He was worshipped alongside Shri
Nathji until 1829 CE. At that time, Shri Mukundarayaji was given to Shri
Girdharji of Benares. Pradhan Peeth Tilkayat Shri Dauji Maharaj II had
studied the Vedas and shastras from Shri Girdharji and was obliged to make
this offering to his guru, Shri Girdharji. Shri Mukundarayaji resides in
Benares to this day.
SHRI MADAN MOHANJI
Shri Madan Mohanji was
given to Shri Gusainji’s youngest son, Shri Ghanashyamji. Shri Madan Mohanji,
a small, golden form of Shri Krishna playing the flute, is accompanied by His
Swamini, Shri Radha. Shri Madan Mohanji appeared during the course of a soma
sacrifice performed by Shri Yajnanarayan Bhatt, Shri Vallabhacharya’s great
great great grandfather. Shri Madan Mohanji currently resides in Kamvan,
Rajasthan. Shri Gusainji explains His form and Lila:
“Then, there is Madan Mohanji. His bhava is found deep in the Lila bower, where
many different types of lilas are made. Billions of love gods are put to
shame by the single beauty of Shri Madan Mohanji. He makes many types of
lilas. He plays the flute, calls the Vraja bhaktas, and then appears before
them and arouses their Krishna awareness.”
Shri Gusainji ends his description of the Krishna svarupas by explaining to
the renounced Brahmin, “While taking the darshan of these Krishna svarupas,
contemplate their corresponding bhavas which I have related to you.”
Shri Harirayaji then gives the following teaching: “Both Shri Krishna’s seva
as well as His darshan should be undertaken full of bhava. In the Path of
Grace, the bhavas of Krishna’s forms, His lilas and various divine moods are
the main subject matter and should always be contemplated. Then the heart
turns divine and becomes bound by Krishna.”
SHRINATHJI (Shri Govardhannathji)
Presently Residing in – Nathdwara ( Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav – Phalgun Krishna 7
Appearance Place – Shri Girirajji
Swaroop Bhavna – Nikunj Nayak
Mukhya Dwar – Aanyor
Seva First done by – Ramdasji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Aacharyacharan Shri Mahaprabhuji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Pradhan Peethadheeshwar Tilkayat 108 Shri
Indradamanji Maharajshri
SHRI NAVANEETPRIYAJI (Lalan)
Presently Residing in – Nathdwara (Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav - Poush Krishna 6
Appearance Place – Shri Yamunaji
Swaroop Bhavna – Bal Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Surabhi Kund
Seva First done by – Gajjan Dhavan
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Prabhucharan Shri Gusainji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Pradhan Peethadheeshwar Tilkayat 108 Shri
Indradamanji Maharajshri
SHRI MATHURADHEESH PRABHU (Shri Mathureshji)
Presently Residing in – Kota (Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav - Phalgun Shukla 7
Appearance Place – Karnaval, Shri Yamunaji
Swaroop Bhavna – Gocharan Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Chandra Sarovar
Seva First done by – Padmanabhdasji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Girdharji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Pratham Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri
Vithalnathji (Lalmaniji) Maharajashri
SHRI VITHALNATHJI
Presently Residing in – Nathdwara (Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav – Vaishakh Krishna 7
Appearance Place – Kashi
Swaroop Bhavna – Chirharan Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Apsarakund
Seva First done by – Shri Mahaprabhuji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Govindraiji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Dvitiya Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri
Kalyanraiji Maharajashri
SHRI DWARKADHEESHJI
Presently Residing in – Kankroli (Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav - Aashadh Shukla 5
Origin – An ancient Swaroop from Kannauj
Swaroop Bhavna – Aankh Micholi Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Kadam Khandi
Seva First done by – Damodardasji Sambhalware
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Balkrishnaji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Tritiya Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri Varajesh
Kumarji Maharajshri
SHRI GOKULNATHJI
Presently Residing in – Gokul
Paat Utsav – Shravan Shukla 5
Origin – From Shri Vallabhacharyaji’s Sasural (in-laws)
Swaroop Bhavna – Govardhan Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Rudra Kund
Seva First done by – Aacharyacharan Shri Mahaprabhuji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Gokulnathji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Chaturth Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri Devakinandanji
(Shri Suresh Bava)
SHRI GOKULCHANDRAMAJI
Presently Residing in –Kamvan (Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav - Shravan Krishna 4
Appearance Place – Shri Yamunaji
Swaroop Bhavna – Maha Ras Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Mansi Ganga
Seva First done by – Narayandas Brahmachari
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Raghunathji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Pancham Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri
Vallabhlalji Maharajashri
SHRI KALYANRAIJI
Presently Residing in –Baroda (Gujarat)
Paat Utsav - Jyestha Krishna 2
Appearance Place – Kada Gaam
Swaroop Bhavna – Sakhi Bhek Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Shri Gokul
Seva First done by – Baba Venu
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop - Shri Yadunathlalji and his Son
Presently Sevya Swaroop of –Shashtham Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri
Dwarkeshlalji Maharajashri
SHRI MUKUNDRAIJI
Presently Residing in – Kashi
Paat Utsav - Maagh Shukla 4
Origin – Govindacharyaji / Janardan Bhattji
Swaroop Bhavna – Putana Uddhar Lila
Seva First done by – Shri Lakshman Bhattji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Aacharyacharan Shri Mahaprabhuji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of –Vishesh Adhikar Shashtham Peethadheeshwar
108 Shri Shyammanoharji Maharajashri
SHRI BALKRISHNALALJI
Presently Residing in – Surat (Gujarat)
Paat Utsav – Ashwin Shukla 12
Appearance Place – Gokul Karnavedh Koop
Swaroop Bhavna – Putana Uddhar Lila
Seva First done by – Shri Balkrishnaji / Shri Yadunathji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Balkrishnaji / Shri Yadunathji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – ?
SHRI MADANMOHANJI
Presently Residing in – Kamvan (Rajasthan)
Paat Utsav - Margshirsh Shukla 5
Appearance Place – Agni Kund of Shri Vallabhacharya’s father, Lakshman
Bhattji
Swaroop Bhavna – Laghu Ras Lila
Mukhya Dwar – Bilchu Kund
Seva First done by – Aacharyacharan Shri Mahaprabhuji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Ghanshyamji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – Saptam Peethadheeshwar 108 Shri
Ghanshyamlalji Maharajashri
SHRI NATVARLALJI
Presently Residing in – Ahemdabad (Gujarat)
Swaroop Bhavna – Natvat Varvat Lila
Seva First done by – Shri Girdharji
Mool Aacharya’s Sevya Swaroop- Shri Mathuramalji
Presently Sevya Swaroop of – 108 Shri Vrajnathji Maharajashri
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