#Gujarat #Saurashtra #BethakJi Yatra Ni Jhanki - You have always been fascinated by going on a pilgrimage to the BAITHAKS of Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhu. The idea itself generates immense pleasure and joy. The quite, serene ambience, exotic surroundings, fresh tranquil breeze, divine vibrations and above all the sheer presence of Shri Vallabha takes you in a state of transc. Isn't it ? I'm sure many of you must have experienced this. But, those who haven't, don't take long to visit the Baithaks.
But do you actually know what is a Baithak ?
The Baithaks are revered in three divine forms; the materialistic form (Adhibhautik Svaroopa), the spiritual form (Adhyatmika Svaroopa) and the transcendental form (Adhidaivika Svaroopa). The physical structure what we see with our eyes is its materialistic form. The series of events which took place in these Baithaks or the divine pastimes of Shri Vallabha is its spiritual form and the presence of Shri Vallabha at present in all the Baithaks is the transcendental form. The former can be seen by all but the latter two can be experienced only by the grace divine of Shri Mahaprabhuji.
Shri Mahaprabhuji is the founder of our “Pushtimarg”. He started His Bharat (India) Yatra, at the age of 11 years. He accomplished this thrice in his lifetime, on barefoot. During the time between these Yatra, he preferred to reside in a place, which was close to a river or lake. He would rest under a Chhokar tree. He loved nature and a peaceful environment. Throughout India, the places where Shri Mahaprabhuji during aapshri’s visits recited Srimad Bhagwat is called a Baithakji or the seat. Totally, there are 84 well known Baithakji of Shri Mahaprabhuji. Shri Gokulnathji has written Baithak Charitra where he mentions about the importance of each Baithak.Innumerable Vaishanavas visit these Baithakji in immense divine pleasure for Darshan and perform Seva. On this page we respectfully wish to gather information on Baithakji with the help of Granths and knowledge of Vaishanavas. We request you to give your experiences and suggestions on our posts so that we can share this important part of Pushtimarg among each other.
Devotees have been regularly visiting these Baithaks from the time of Shri Mahaprbhuji. The devotees have always wondered what instances must have taken place at that time or how Shri Mahaprabhuji must have spent His time during His stay at a particular Baithak. These secrets were not unveiled until Shri Gokulnathji, the fourth son of Shri Gusainji, who, in his daily satsang with his intimate disciples revealed the secrets of the pastimes of Shri Vallabha. The compilations of his teachings are known as 'Baithak Charitra' or the various pastimes of Shri Vallabha at the Baithaks.
Though the number of visitors have increased immensely to the Baithaks still, it is unfortunate that vaishnavas have somehow neglected to read Baithak Charitra in comparison to 84 and 252 vaishnava vartas. Shri Mahaprabhuji travelled extensively throughout India only for the deliverance of the divine souls and preaching the principles of the Shuddhadvaita Brahmavada. Residing in the Baithak He strongly condemned the theory of the mayavadis and firmly revealed the divine form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna.