Religion:Shodash Granth

Short description: Collection of books defining the main doctrine of Pushtimarg, a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism

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 the path to grace. The central message of the Shodasha Granthas is total surrender to Lord Shri Krishna. A Goswami can introduce an eager soul to the path of Shri Krishna’s loving devotion and service. The verses explain 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.

Books

The sixteen books are:

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: On discretion, patience and surrender
9. Shri Krushna Aashray: Taking Shree Krishna’s shelter
10. Chatuhshloki: Four verses (Verser) illustrating the four principles of life; Dharma, Arth, Kaam, Moksh
11. Bhakti-Vardhini: Increase of devotion
12. Jal-bhedh: Nineteen types of orators (Vakta)
13. Pancha-Padyaani: Three 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

Shuddha Advaita

In which the entire universe is the manifestation of Brahman. This philosophy relies only on the "Brahman" to explain the creation of the universe, without depending on the concept of «Maya». Therefore, it is «pure». Brahman is the truth, the universe (the creation of the Brahman itself) is also true and the soul (Jiva) is a part of Brahman. Therefore, it is «Advaita».

Shri 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.

Bal-bodh

• In Balbodha, Vallbhacharya provides teaching on what to do when one is in the junior stage of spiritual life and has the desire to unite with God, without having sufficiently developed spiritual sense.
• Food develops the body, education develops knowledge, and dharma to the world develops one as a good person. Dharma to Pushti marga develops as a good vaishnav, and dharma to the soul brings one closer to God.
• Balbodha teaches how the soul should act in these four principles: dharma ('duty'), artha ('wealth'), kama ('happiness'), and moksha ('salvation') under two main categories: Vedic, i.e. considered by the Vedas, and Lau-kika, considered by the sages.

Siddhant Muktavali

• At the end of Balbodha, Vallabhacharya concludes that salvation is the goal, and the goal is to offer seva.
• A devotee of God who wishes to understand and reach Krishna must offer service (seva), with selfless devotion and love, not by knowledge or worship. This seva is of three kinds – tanuja (to be done with the body), vittaja (to be done with money) and mansi (mentally). Mansi is the best because one spends more time outside than inside seva.
• Vallabhacharya states that God has three forms like the river Ganges: the physical – what is seen (Aadhibhau-tika), the spiritual – what is felt (Adhaytmika) and the divine – the presence one sees (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

This was composed by ShriVallabh in Adel.

Krunasharay Stotram

In this stotra Shri Vallabh sorrowfully described the worst situation of society due to Kali Yuga to Shri Govardhan Nath ji. It tells about the lack of dharmas, the vedas, witness, patience in the people of Kali Yuga. Vallabh worries how he can establish a relationship 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.