All About Shrinathji Bhagvan

Brief

Shrinathji is an anthropomorphic form of Hindu god Krishna, manifest as a seven year old child (Balak).[1] The principal shrine of Shrinathji is situated at the temple town of Nathdwara, located 48 Kilometers North-east of Udaipur city in Rajasthan. Shrinathji is the central presiding deity of the Vaishnava sect known as the Pushti Marg (The way of grace) or the Vallabh Sampradaya or Shuddhadvaita, established by Shri Vallabhacharya. Shrinathji is worshipped mainly by the followers of Bhakti Yoga and the Vaishnava in Gujarat and Rajasthan,[2] among others. Vitthal Nathji,[3] son of Vallabhacharya institutionalised the worship of Shrinathji at Nathdwara.[4] On account of the popularity of Shrinathji , Nathdwara town itself is referred to as ‘Shrinathji’.[5] Initially, the child Krishna deity was referred to as Devdaman (The conqueror of Gods – Referring to over-powering of Indra by Krishna in the lifting of Govardhan hill).[6] Shri Vallabhacharya named him as Gopala and the place of his worship as ‘Gopalpur’. Later, Vitthal Nathji named the deity as Shrinathji.

Reference to Shrinathji in ancient Texts and Literature

Shrinathji specifically refers to the narrative in the Bhagavata Purana wherein Krishna lifts Govardhan hill to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavan from a downpour of rain sent by Indra, the King of Devas. The most ancient description of Shrinathji appears in the Giriraja-khanda of the Garga Samhita, wherein the deity has been referred to as Devadaman Shrinath.

Pushti Marg legend of Shrinathji

The followers of Pushtimarg assert that the deity's arm and face first emerged out of the Govardhan hill, and thereafter, the local inhabitants (Vrajavasis) under the spiritual leadership of Madhavendra Puri started the worship of the Gopal (Krishna) deity,.[7] This Gopala deity was later termed as Shrinathji. Thus, Madhavendra Puri is attributed to discovery of the deity of Gopala near Govardhana, which was later adapted and worshiped by Vallabhacharya [8] as Shrinathji. Initially, Madhavendra Puri, carried out the worship of the deity's upraised arm and later, the face. Shrinathji was originally worshipped in a humble shrine at Jatipur village near Govardhan and subsequently, moved to a larger temple on top of the hill. According to Pushtimarg literature, Shrinathji appeared to Shri Vallabhacharya,[9] in the Hindu Vikram Samvat year 1549 and directed the Vallabhacharya to proceed to the Govardhan Hill to begin worship.

Vallabhacharya discovers Sri Nathji, at Mount GovardhanVallabhacharya made arrangements for the worship of this deity, and this tradition was carried forward by his son, Vitthalnathji.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinathji