MHAUTSAV

"MAHAUTSV " IS KNOWN AS A BIRTH FESTIVAL OF SHREE GOKULNATH JI .

THIS FESTIVAL IS CELEBRATED IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER EVERY YEAR 

                                                    

                                                      

SHREE GOKULNATH JI

INTRODUCTION : gokulnath ji is known as lord of gokul ,four armed image  of the lord , lifting the "GOVERDHAN"  mountain and playing his flute ,he is accompanied by 2 swaminis 

                                                         JANAM VARTA 

                                                              SHREE GOKULNATH JI 

Shri  Vitthalnathji went to Jatipura after celebrating Rathyatra utsav. At the time of departure for Jatipura (near Mathura) he told to his daughter Shobhabetiji that supernatural and divine child would be born so perform Arati. Shri Gokuleshji the fourth son of Shri Vitthalnathji was born at Adel (near Prayag) on the seventh day of the bright half of the month Magsara in V.S. 1608 (1512 A.D.) 

At that time Shobhabetiji performed Arati. The disciple of Shri Vallabhacharyaji named Krishnadasi was present there. She told delightfully "Mera Gokulnath Aya" This was the day of ecstasy for all the people of Adel. A messenger was sent to Jatipura.

The messenger reached Jatipura on foot after several days to convey this auspicious information to Shri Vitthalnathji. He broke this auspicious news to Shri Vitthalnathji. Hearing this happy news Shri Vitthalnathji was very much pleased and he at once took out the precious pearl "necklace" from his neck and gave it as present to the messenger for bringing auspicious news.

After that the same auspicious news was given to Shri Goverdhandharan, Shrinathjibava. Hearing this auspicious news Shri Goverdhandharan became very happy and told him what he would give to him as a present. Then Shri Vitthalnathji said "The Lord ! you are all in all to me. Whatever I have is your's I will give to your Lordship whatever your holiness wishes to have from me". 

Then Shri Goverdhandharan asked for the precious golden bangles (kada) worn by him with love and affection he took out these kada from his hands and gave them to the lord. He then took his leave for going to Adel.

"CHCHAT FUNCTION"

 Meantime all his disciples came there and began to shout this auspicious information and with great pleasure and merriment they celebrated this festival of Joy (Nand Mahotsava). 

The auspicious sixth day of Birth was celebrated on the 12th day of the bright half of the month Magasara. The auspicious day was Wednesday and on the second day of the dark half of the Posha - Monday the 12th day of Shri Gokuleshji's birth was celebrated.

"THE NAMING CEREMONY "

In a few days Shri Vitthalnathji came to Adel. There his Holiness at once visited the harem (janana). At that time mother Rukmani Vahuji was rocking here beloved son in a cradle. Shri Vitthalnathji was very much pleased to see this child.

Shri Vitthalnathji himself chose the name "Shri Vallabh" for addressing. In the horoscope the child was given the name Shri Krishna, but he became more popular by the name Shri Gokuleshji.

"ANNA PRASHAN "(food eating ceremony )

CHILDHOOD OF SHREE GOKULNATH JI 

On the ninth day of the bright half of the month Jehta in V.S. 1609 the food eating ceremony (Annaprashan) was celebrated. Generally by the childish gestures the prophecy of the child will turn out is prophesied by the childish pranks and gestures. After the completion of the food eating ceremony (Annaprashan) some toys, Shrimad Bhagavata and Tulsi Kanthi were put before the child. Shri Gokuleshji walked on all fours (Crawled) and came to the book of Bhagavata and Tulsi Kanthi taking, Tulsi kanthi in one hand & putted the other hand on Shrimand Bhagavat. Inspite of so many beautiful attractive toys Shri Gokuleshji put his hands on Tulsi Kanthi (mala) as well as Bhagavata. Seeing those gestures Shri Vitthalnathji declared as a prophecy that the child would protect Bhagavat Dharma (Veda-Dharma) as well as Mala-Tilak in future. He would be protector of these two.

MARRIAGE CEREMONY : of shri gokulnath ji 

 

In V.S. 1624 Shri Gokuleshji married to a daughter of Venabhattji resident of Mathura. Shri Gokuleshji's wife had three daughters. Shri Vitthalnathji had a keen desire to see Gokuleshji's son. So he told Gokuleshji for a second marriage. But Shri Gokuleshji refused to do so and said that he would be unhappy by his second marriage. To his mind daughter and son were the same. By the grace of God and blessings of his father Gokuleshji's wife Parvati Vahuji gave birth to three sons.  His wife Parvati Vahuji was a very serviceable lady. She was very expert in culinary arts, drawing, sewing etc. She was clever in many fine arts and she used to utilize these arts in the devotional service of Shri Thakurji.

                          GOKULESH BAL LEELA 

Shri Gokuleshji was very fond of cows. In his childhood he used to go to gaushala (the cowshed) and play with the small calves and heifers (he calf and she calf) and coax the cow with love and affection. He was very fond of sports and games. He had great interest in the games and sports like hide and seek, blind man's buff, playing with small sticks, exercise, the royal game of dice, chess, horse riding, swimming etc.

"GYAN DAN"BY VITHAL NATH JI TO HIS SON :

Father Shri Vitthalnathji made Shri Gokuleshji study Shrimad Bhagavat, Subodhiniji, Shodash Grantha, Anubhashy and other religious scriptures written by Shri Vallabhacharyaji. And made a deep study to those scriptures. At the young age of ten Shri Gokuleshji was able to make detailed exposition of the meaning of the five shlokas of the Yamunastaka. Seeing this sharp and subtleintellect, Shri Vitthalnathji was very much pleased and he did the detailed explanation of one and a half shloka. He allowed Shri Gokuleshji to go further in the critical study of Yamunastaka. In this way the writing work of the review of the Yamunastaka was started by Shri Gokuleshji.

 

MHAUTSAV CELEBRATION 

By keeping all aspects of janam varta of shree gokulnath ji mahautsav is celebrated 

it is celebrated in the same way what leela he did before 

This function happens for 4 days every year in mathura in the month of december  

1 day - chchat function (birth night of shree gokul nath ji )

2 day - "SAPTAMI "   (birth day of shree gokul nath ji)

3 day - "ASHTHMI" (nand utsav of shree gokul nath ji )

4 day - "NAVMI" (marriage of shree gokulnath ji )

1 day - CHCHAT CEREMONY PROCESS  : This day shree gokulnath ji was about to get in this world on this day we do abhishek of shree goverdhan bava by panchamrit (which is made up of curd, honey ,milk ,sugar, ghee ) 

2 day - SAPTAMI  FUCTION : kesar snan (saffron bath ) happens on this day of thakurji (shree gokkulnath ji ) before  kesar snan  vaishnavas (disciples ) apply fulel (oil) to gokulesh ji this day Thakurji there disciples wear orange cloths .

3 day - "ASHTHMI" is known as nand utsav , on this day disciples  offer dry fruits,cash ,colors to the people and celebrate 2nd day of  birth  ,this day thakur ji wears white cloths .

4 day - "NAVMI" - is known as marriage celebration of thakur ji ,this day desciples organize procession of thakurji's marriage on this day thakurji and disciples wear red (bandhni ) cloths

MAHAUTSAV SEVA SAMAGRI (TANGIBLE OBJECTS )

1ST DAY - CURD , HONEY, MILK , SUGAR, GHEE

2ND DAY - SAFFRON AND OIL, orange saaj (cloths )
3RD DAY - dry fruits , colors , cash
4TH DAY - red badhni saaj ,heavy jewellery                                            

BHAV ROOP (INTANGIBLE OBJECTS )
PEACE
HAPPINESS
JOY
BLESSING