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Shodash Granth

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Shodash Granth (Hindi: षोडश ग्रंथ) (literally sixteen books) is a collection of 16 books (or doctrines) written by Shri Vallabha Acharyaji. They are the main doctrine of Pushtimarg, a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism. The granths serve as a lighthouse for devotees. They speak about increasing love for Shri Krishna through Seva (service) and Smarana (remembering). These doctrines are Shri Mahaprabhuji’s way of encouraging and inspiring devotees on this path of grace. The central message of the Shodasha Granthas is, total surrender to the Lord Shri Krishna. A Goswami can initiate an eager soul to this path of Shri Krishna’s loving devotion and service. The verses explain the types of devotees, the way to surrender and the reward for Seva, as well as other practical instructions. The devotee is nurtured by the Lord’s grace.

Contents

List

They are following:

  1. Shri Yamunashtakam : An ode to Shree Yamuna Maharani
  2. Bal-bodh : A guide for beginners on the path of devotion
  3. Siddhant Muktavali : A string of pearls consisting of the principles/fundamentals of Pushtimarg
  4. Pusti-Pravaha-Maryada-bhedh : The different characteristics of the different types of souls (Receptivity of the Lord’s grace)
  5. Siddhant Rahasya : The Secret behind the Principles
  6. Navratna : Nine jewels of instructions (Priceless instructions for a devotee)
  7. Antah-Karan-Prabodhah : Consoling one's Heart (Request to one’s own heart)
  8. Vivek-Dhairya-Aashray : Of discretion, patience and surrender
  9. Shri Krushna Aashray : Taking Shree Krishna’s shelter
  10. Chatuhshloki : A Four Verses (Verser) illustrating the four principles of life; Dharma, Arth, Kaam, Moksh
  11. Bhakti-Vardhini : Increase of devotion
  12. Jal-bhedh : 21 types of Orators (Vakta)
  13. Pancha-Padyaani : 3 types of Listeners (Shrota)
  14. Sannyasa-Nirnayah : Decision on taking Renunciation
  15. Nirodh-Lakshanam : Identifying characteristics of detachment
  16. Sevafalam : The reward of performing seva (worship) of the Lord

Yamunastakam

Starting with the grace of Yamuna in Yamunashtaka Vallbhacharya says,

  • It purifies body, mind and senses.
  • The devotee has no other desire except union with God and enjoyment of God's love after purification of heart, and change of nature.

    • Balbodh

  • Vallbhacharya teaches in Balbodha what one (junior stage in spiritual life as their spiritual sense is not sufficiently developed) should do, once we have desire to union God.
  • Food develops Body, education develops knowledge, and Dharma to world develops you as a good person, Dharma to Pushti marga develops as a good vaishnav, and Dharma to soul brings closer to God.
  • Balbodha teaches what our soul should act in these four principals to soul (1) Dharma (Duty) (2) Artha (wealth) (3) Kama (happiness) and (4) Moksha (Salvation) under two main categories (1) Vedic i.e. considered by the Vedas (2) Lau-kika-considered by the sages.

    • Siddhant Muktavali

  • At the end of Balbodha, Vallabhacharya concludes that the salvation is the goal and goal is to offer seva.
  • A devotee of God who wishes to understand and to reach Krishna, must offer service (seva) to Krshna, with selfless devotion and love not by knowledge or worship. This Seva is of three kinds-Tanuja (to be done with his body), Vittaja (to be done with his money) and Mansi (mentally). The last one is the best because we spend more time outside than inside Seva.
  • Vallabhacharya then explains that the God has three forms like the river Ganges-the physical -what you see (Aadhibhau-tika), the spiritual- what you feel (Adhaytmika) and the divine- the presence you see (Adhidaivika). Like these three forms of the Ganges, God also has three forms-the physical (the world), the spiritual (Akshara), and Divine (Krshna). God is described in the Upa-nishadas as Sat-chit-A nand (Being, consciousness and joy).

    • Antahkaranprabodhah

    It was composed by ShriVallabh in Adel.

    Krunasharay Stotram

    In this stotra ShriVallabh has sorrowfully described the worst situation of society due to Kaliyug to ShriGovardhannathji. It tells about the lack of Dharmas, the vedas, witness, patience in the people of Kaliyug. Vallabh worries how he can establish relation between Lord Krishna who is so pure and the people are so lowered by ethics and sinful. Again he prays to uplift people as you (Shrinathji) saved sinful Ajamil. It was composed in Adel.We can read this stotram in front of lord krishna as per vallabh said.

    References

    Shodash Granth Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA