: Shrinathji :
The Lord is an important swarup in Pushti Marg, representing Krishna at the age of seven. He with his left arm holds Mount Goverdhan while his right hand rests on the his waist. There is a parrot on the top centre. Two sages are meditating near Shrinathji’s left hand and below them is a snake while another below it is a tiger. Beneath the tiger there are two peacocks. On the other side is one sage beneath him is the snake and two cows. They are evidently inhabitants of Mount Goverdhan watching Shrinathji reverently.
Shrinathji’s left hand was first seen in 1410 on the summit of Mount Goverdhan. It was offered milk because the inhabitants worshipped as a single deity. The face (Mukharvind) of the Lord emerged in 1479 when Vallabhacharya was born.
Hence the birth of the Mukharvind(Lotus like face) of Shrinathji.
In 1493 Vallabhacharya found Lord Shrinathji at midnight in Gokul. He was overcome with emotion and garlanded Lord Shrinathji with pavitra and offered misri.
Anyor is the village below the hill at Mount Goverdhan. A Brahmin known as Sadhu Pande was staying. He had a cow of Nandvash (Gumer) who was grazing on the hill with other cows. One fine morning Gumer poured milk and offered to Lord Shrinathji while he was feeling hungry. Gumer gave less milk and hence he doubted on Gumer that people were pilfering milk. Next day Pandeji secretly followed Gumer offering milk to Lord Shrinathji. He was surprised to see this incident and was glad to have his Darshan.
The next morning everybody climbed the hill and saw that the divine child running forward and embracing Vallabhacharya, lord then asked him to place him in a shrine so that regular seva could be performed, and said that divine grace would descend on those who worshipped him further adding “That is why I have revealed myself here.”
(1) MANGLA:
This is the first Jhanki of the day and in winter it takes place before the sunrise while in summer, it is later. In summer he wears a Dhoti while in winter he wears a Coat. Arati is offered and this darshan is dedicated to the memory of Parmanandji (Poet).
(2) SHRINGAR:
An hour after Mangla is the next darshan where Shrinathji is well dressed with a mala of flowers. He is then shown in the mirror and a flute is placed in his hand. He is supposed to play with the children during this time. Dry fruit is offered to Shrinathji and his dress varies according to season and festival. The songs are sung by the poet Nandadas.
(3) GVAL:
This is the third Jhanki when Shrinathji takes his cows to the field. During this darshan Dhoop Deep is performed. The singer in this Jhanki reminds about the singer, Shri Govind swami, Kheer and Rabdi is offered to Shrinathji.
(4) RAJBHOG:
The main darshan of the day is Rajbhog. Shrinathji is well dressed and served with most delicious and nutritious food. An Aarti is performed. The Kirtankar is poet Khumbhandas.
(5) UTHAPAN:
At about 3 p.m. Shrinathji awakes after his noon sleep. Vina is played and Kirtankar is supposed to, be Surdasji.
(6) BHOG:
During this darshan, Shrinathji is offered fruits and light meal. Shrinathji holds conferences with other Gods & Goddesses and one should ask to shrinathji and request him to fulfill the desires. It is in this Darshan one will find Chadidar who is the guard. The kirtankar in this Jhanki is Chaturbhujadas. Dhruv Bari is the place where one can request lord to fulfill his wishes.
(7) SANDHYA ARTI:
This seventh Jhanki is at dusk when the Lord used to bring his cows back to home. The kirtankar is supposed to be Chitarswami. Evening Arti is performed.
(8) SHAYAN:
This is the last Jhanki which emphasis for Shrinathji to retire for the night. An arti is performed. This darshan is usually held for six months. Thakurji is offered paan. The kirtankar is supposed to be krishnadas.
