What is Pushtimarg

Pushti Marg means “the Path of Grace.” It is a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism, founded around 1500 AD by Shri Vallabhacharya, who is known as Mahaprabhuji. “Pushti” means divine grace, and “Marg” means path. Mahaprabhuji taught the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-Dualism), which forms the basis of Pushtimarg devotion.

During his second pilgrimage across India, Lord Krishna appeared before him as Shri Shrinathji. He instructed Mahaprabhuji to reestablish Pushti Marg and taught him the sacred Brahmasambandha mantra, the bond through which a soul is admitted into the path and made ready to pursue devotion to Him. The next day, Mahaprabhuji initiated his first disciple, Damodardas Harsani, and Pushtimarg was established.

Formal initiation, called Brahmasambandha, can only be given by the descendants of Mahaprabhuji, known as the Vallabhkul Goswamis. The disciple fasts for a day, then receives the sacred mantra in front of the deity and offers tulsi leaves at His lotus feet.

Seva, or devotional service, is at the heart of Pushtimarg. It includes Raag (Haveli music), Bhog (food offerings), and Vastra Shringar (dressing and adorning the deity). These are offered daily to Thakorji, so that devotees feel they are living alongside Shri Krishna in Gokul, serving Him just as the Gopikas once did.

Shri Mahaprabhuji

Shri Vallabhacharya lived from 1479 to 1531 AD. He is affectionately called Mahaprabhuji by his followers. He taught Shuddhadvaita, or Pure Non-Dualism, which became the philosophical foundation of Pushtimarg.

He performed three pilgrimages across India. During these journeys, he gave discourses on the Shrimad Bhagavat at 84 sacred sites. These places are known today as the Chaurasi Bethakji, and they remain important places of pilgrimage.

Mahaprabhuji’s son, Shri Vitthalnathji, known as Gusainji, carried this path forward. He organized the daily seva practices that Pushtimarg followers still observe today, and he made Gokul a center of devotion. Gusainji had seven sons, and to each of them he entrusted the seva of a particular swaroop of Thakorji. These seven sons, along with the swaroops they carried forward, are shown below.