Mahaprabhuji
Jagat Guru Shreemad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji
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. "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 were 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 hug
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.
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 every-where. The universe and the soul are part and partial of Brahma, representing His being and consc iousness”. 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 Goverdhannathji.
Shri Bethakjies are the places, where either Shri Mahaprabhuji or any one of the members of his dynasty had stayed and recited Vedas or Gita or any Puranas like Ramayana.
Shri Mahaprabhuji started His pilgrimage (Yatra) of Bharat, at the age of 11 years, as you are aware that He always walked barefoot. He walked extensively, from Badrinath to Himalayas, Rameshwar in South, Jagannath Puri in the East and Dwarka in the West. He accomplished this thrice in his lifetime, on barefoot with certain vows. During the time between these pilgrimage (Yatra), He usually preferred to camp out in the open. He used to choose a place which was close to a river or lake, and He would rest under a tree, so as you can see, He loved nature and a peaceful environment. Now, in many of these places, He used to read the “Bhagvat”, as a “Parayan”. This would take at least 3 to 7 days. In many places He had also read Valmiki’s “Ramayan”, and the holy “Geeta”. This reading of religious books before an audience or alone within a limited period is called “Parayan”. Shri Mahaprabhuji stayed for longer periods at most of these places and did “Parayan”. It is the place, the particular spot, where he did “Parayan”, is called “Baithak”.
Here is the list of 84 Bethakji:
Jagad Guru Shreemad Vallabhacharyaji's 84 Bethakji
2. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BADI BAITHAKJI GOKUL - 281 303.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
3. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S SHAYYA MANDIR BAITHAKJI,SHRI DWARKADHISH'S TEMPLE,GOKUL - 281 303.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
4. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT VRINDAVAN BANSIBATBANSIBATT, VRINDAVAN-381 121.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
5. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJIVISHRAM GHAT, MATHURA - 281 001. (U.P.)
6. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MADHUVANMAHOLI - 281 141.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
7. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KAMODVANPOST USPAR, DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
8. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT BAHULAVANPOST BATHI, DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
9. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SHRI RADHAKRISHNAKUNDPOST RADHAKUND-281 504,DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
10. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MANSIGANGANEAR CHAKRESHWAR MAHADEV, VALLABH GHAT, MANSIGANGA, POST GOVARDHAN-281 504.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
11. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SHRI CHANDRASAROVARCHANDRASAROVAR-PARASOLI, POST. GOVARDHAN-281 504.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
12. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT ANYORSADU PANDE'S HOUSE, POST ANYOR - 281 502.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
13. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GOVINDKUNDOPP. SHRI GIRIRAJJI, POST ANYOR - 281 502DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
14. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SUNDERSHILAOPP. SHRI GIRRAJJI'S MUKHARVINDGIRIRAJI, POST JATIPURA - 281502DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
15. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GIRIRAJI (GUPT BAITHAK)INSIDE SHRINATHJI'S TEMPLE, ON SHRI GIRIRAJJI,POST JATIPURA - 281 502.DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
16. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KAMVANSHRI KUND, KAMVAN, POST KAMA - 321022.DIST. BHARATPUR (RAJASTHAN)
17. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GHEWARVANNEAR RADHAJI'S TEMPLE, BELOW MORKUTIR, POST BARSANA, DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
18. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SANKETVANIN THE GARDEN, KRISHNA KUND,POST BARSANA, DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
19. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT NANDGAMPAANSAROVAR, POST NANDGAM - 281 403DIST. MATHURA (U.P.)
20. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KOKILAVANPOST.BADHEL, MUKAM.JAV,DIST MATHURA (U.P.)
21. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT BHANDIRVANOPPOSITE BANK OF SHRI YAMUNAJI,MUKAM.BHANDIRVAN, TALUKA.MAAT,DIST MATHURA (U.P.)
22. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MAANSAROVAROPP. BANK OF SHRI YAMUNAJI,MAANSAROVAR (MAKHAN), POST.MAAT,DIST.MATHURA (UTTAR PRADESH)
23. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SUKARSHETRA (SORAMJI)SAURABH GHAT (BANK OF RIVER GANGA),POST - SORAM, DIST ETAHA-207403 (U.P.)
24. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT CHITRAKOOTMUKAM.KAMATA - CHITRAKOOT, DIST SATANA-485336 (M.P.)
25. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT AYODHYARAMGHAT ROAD, DIST FAIZABAD, AYODHYA-224123 (U.P.)
26. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT NAIMISHARANYAOPP. VEDVYASA ASHRAM, NAIMISHARANYA, TALUKA MISHRAK,DIST SITAPUR (U.P.)
27. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SHETH PURUSHOTTAMDAS' HOUSE JATANVAD, VARANASI-221001 (U.P.)
28. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT HANUMAN GHATHANUMAN GHAT, VARANASI-221001 (U.P.)
29. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT HARIHAR KSHETRA (HAJIPUR)NEAR MAHADEVJI'S TEMPLE, MAGARHATTA CHOWK,HAJIPUR-844001, ZILLA VAISHALI (BIHAR)
30. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT JANAKPUR (GUPT BAITHAK)BHAGWANDAS GARDEN, MANEKTALAV, JANAKPUR, DIST VAISHALI (BIHAR)
31. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GANGASAGARNEAR KAPIL ASHRAM, ON KAPIL KUND,KAKADVIPA BET (W.BENGAL)
32. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT CHAMPARANYACHAMPARANYA-493885, VIA RAJIM, DIST RAIPUR (CHHATTISGARH)
33. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT CHAMPARANYACHHATTHI BAITHAK,CHAMPARANYA-493885, VIA RAJIM, DIST RAIPUR (CHHATTISGARH)
34. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT JAGANNATHPURINEAR HARJIMAL DUDHWALA'S DHARMSHALA, GRANT ROAD,PURI-752001 (ORISSA)
35. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PANDHARPUROPP.BANK OF RIVER CHANDRABHAGA,SHEGAONDUMALA-413304, PANDHARPUR (MAHARASHTRA)
36. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT TAPOVAN - NASIKPARASRAM PURIYA MARG,PANCHVATI KARANJA, NASIK - 422 001 (MAHARASHTRA)
37. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PANNA NRISINHJI (GUPT BAITHAK)MANGALGIRI STATION, SHRI PANNA NRIUSINHJI'S MANDIR, VIJAYAWADA (ANDHRA PRADESH)
38. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SHRI LAKSHMAN BALAJISHRI VALLABHACHARYAJI MATH, SHRI LAKSHMAN BALAJI,
MEDHARAM METTA ROAD,TIRUMALA - 517 504 (ANDRA PRADESH)
39. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SHRIRANGJIBESIDES KRISHNA KOEL,21, NORTHGATE, SAUKARSTORE LANE, SHRIRANGAM,TRICHI - 620 006 (TAMILNADU)
40. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT VISHNUKANCHIVEGAVATI MUTTUKOLAM,VISHNUKANCHI - 631 503 (TAMILNADU)
41. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SETUBANDH RAMESHWARSHRI VALLABHACHARYA MATH,RAMESHWAR, JIILA. RAMNAD (TAMILNADU)
42. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MALAYACHAL PARVAT (GUPT BAITHAKJI)ON MALAYACHAL PARVAT - VIA COIMBATORE
43. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT LOHGADH (GOA)GUJARATI TEMPLE, BESIDES RUDRESHWAR TEMPLE,HARVANE-SANKHADI - 403 505, DIST PANAJI (GOA)
44. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI (GUPT BAITHAKJI)TAMRAPAR RIVER, TRICHINAPALLI (TAMILNADU)
45. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KRISHNA RIVER (GUPT BAITHAKJI)KRISHNA DHAAM, VADI JUNCTION,
1 KILOMETRE AHEAD FROM RAICHUR STATION ,KRISHNA DHAAM (ANDRA PRADESH)
46. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PAMPASAROVAR (GUPT BAITHAKJI)8 KILOMETRE AHEAD FROM HAMPI VILLAGE,
HASPETH RAILWAY STATION, BETWEEN GUMTAKAL AND HUBLI (ANDRA PRADESH)
47. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PADMANABHJI (GUPT BAITHAKJI)TRIVENDRUM (KERALA) OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE NEAR JALASHAYA
48. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SHRI JANARDAN KSHETRAJANARDAN, VARKALA - 695 141, (KERALA)
49. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT VIDHYANAGARA (GUPT BAITHAKJI)HUMPI VILLAGE, NEAR TUNGBHADRA RIVER (ANDRA PRADESH)
50. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT TRILOKBHANJI (GUPT BAITHAKJI)THE SITE OF THIS BAITHAKJI IS STILL NOT DECIDED (TAMILNADU)
51. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT TOTADRI PARVAT (GUPT BAITHAKJI)NAAGMERI, 30 KILOMETRE AHEAD FROM TENEVELI VILLAGE ON TOTADRI PARVAT (TAMIL NADU)
52. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT DARVASEN (GUPT BAITHAKJI)ADISETU VILLAGE - RAMNADPURAM (TAMILNADU)
53. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SURATASHWINIKUMAR GHAAT, NEAR TAPI RIVER, SURAT - 392 001 (GUJARAT)
54. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT BHARUCHBESIDES DIST PANCHAYAT, STATION ROAD,BHARUCH - 392 001 (GUJARAT)
55. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MORBI OPP.BANK OF MACHU RIVER, BEHIND L.E.COLLEGE,MORBI - 363 641 (GUJARAT)
56. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT NAVANAGARNEAR NAAGMATI RIVER, KALAVAD ROAD, JAMNAGAR - 361 305 (GUJARAT)
57. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT JAMKHAMBHALIYA, STATION ROAD, ON THE KUND, JAMKHAMBHALIYA - 361 305, DIST.JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT)
58. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PINDTARAK FROM NANDANA PATIYA VIA BHATIYA,PINDARA - 361 305, DIST. JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT)
59. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MULA GOMATANANA BHAVDA - 361 335, TALUKA. DWARKA, DIST. JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT)
60. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT HARIKUND, DWARKA NEAR GOMTI RIVER,DWARKA - 361 335, DIST. JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT)
61. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GOPITALAVAGOPITALAV - 361 335, DIST. JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT)
62. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT BET SHANKHODDHAR, ON SHANKHTALAV, BET DWARKA - 361 330 (GUJARAT)
63. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT NARAYAN SAROVARNARAYAN SAROVAR - 370 624, TALUKA. LAKHPAT, DIST. KUTCH (GUJARAT)
64. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT JUNAGHADHDAMODARKUND, GIRNAR ROAD, JUNAGADH - 362 001 (GUJARAT)
65. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PRABHAS KSHETRAON THE GHAT OF TRIVENI RIVER, PRABHAS PATAN - 362268, DIST. JUNAGHAD (GUJARAT)
66. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MADHAVPURON KADAMKUND, MADHAVPUR (GHED) - 362 230, DIST. JUNAGHAD (GUJARAT)
67. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GUPTPRAYAGDELVADA - 362 510, DIST. JUNAGHAD (GUJARAT)
68. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT TAGADION AHMEDABAD-BOTAD MARG, TAGADI - 382 250, DIST. AHMEDABAD (GUJARAT)
69. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT NARODASHRI VALLABHACHARYA CHOWK, SHRI VALLABHACHARYA MARG, NARODA, AHMEDABAD - 382 330 (GUJARAT)
70. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT GODHARARANAVYAS MARG, PATELVADA, GODHARA - 389 001, DIST. PANCHMAHAL (GUJARAT)
71. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KHERADUSHRI MADIVAS, KHERADU - 384 325, DIST. MEHSANA (GUJARAT)
72. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT SIDDHAPURBINDU SAROVAR ROAD, SIDHAPUR - 384 151, DIST PATAN
73. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT AVAMTIKAPURI-UJJAINMANGALNATH MARG, GOMTI KUND, NEAR SANDIPANI ASHRAM,UJJAIN - 456 001 (MADHYA PRADESH)
74. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT PUSHKARVALLABHAGHAT, BADI BASTI, PUSHKAR-305 022, DIST AJMER (RAJASTHAN)
75. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KURUKSHETRASARASWATI KUND, NEAR SHAKTI DEVI'S TEMPLE,THANESHWAR, TALUKA. KURUKSHETRA, (HARYANA)
76. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT RAMGHAT-KANAKHAL-HARIDWARNEAR GANGA RIVER, HARIDWAR - 249401 (UTTAR PRADESH)
77. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT BADRIKASHRAMBADRINATH - 246 422, (UTTAR PRADESH)
78. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT KEDARNATH (GUPT BAITHAKJI)KEDARKUND - 18 KILOMETRE AHEAD FROM HARIDWAR
79. SHRI MAHA.PRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT VYASASHRAMNEAR ALAKNANDA-BHAGIRATHI SANGAM,KESHAV PRAYAG - BADRINATH, (UTTAR PRADESH)
80. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT HIMACHAL PARVAT (GUPT BAITHAKJI)HIMACHAL PRADESH
81. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT VYAS GANGA (GUPT BAITHAKJI)ON VYASGHAT, HIMACHAL PRADESH
82. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT MANDARACHAL (GUPT BAITHAKJI)ON MANDARACHAL PARVAT
83. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT ADELTRIVENI SANGAM, DEVRAKH,NAINI - 211 008, DIST. ALLAHABAD, (UTTAR PRADESH)
84. SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S BAITHAKJI AT CHARNATACHARYAKUM, POST. CHUNAR - 231 304, DIST, MIRJAPUR (UTTAR PRADESH)