Some General Views Of Shree Vallabhacharya
Shree Vallabhacharya is of opinion that in this Kali age
no Yagna will have effect, as directed by the Shastras. The Vedic Yagnas may successfully be performed only when Desh (the
place) Kala (the time) Dravya (The material) mantra (the formula) Karta (the performer) and the Karma (the action) are pure.
All this is impossible in this Kali age. So the chief way of obtaining God or salvation is Bhakti or devotion towards God
and nothing else. In Bhakti Seva or service of Lord Krishna is necessary. The seva has its nine characteristics and divided
in to three parts. Nine characteristics of Bhakti are:
- Shravanam
or the listening to the glory of Shree Krishna
- Kirtanam
or the singing the glory of Shree Krishna
- Smaranam
or remembering the glory of Shree Krishna
- Padasevenam
or worshipping Lord Shree Krishna's lotus feet
- Archanam
or worship of Shree Krishna
- Vandanam
or paying homage to Shree Krishna
- Dasyam
or being a servant of Shree Krishna
- Sakhyam
or being friend with Shree Krishna
- Atmanivedanam
or the total surrender to Shree Krishna
Seva means engrossment of mind in Shree Krishna. The Seva
is divided in three parts. Tanuja or the service done by one's body (physical activities), Vittja or the service performed
by one's wealth and Mansi is service adopted by one's mind. The service adopted by one's mind is considered the best.
The first step of Bhakti begins with "Shravanam" or the
listening of merits of God. The second step is Kirtanam or the singing the glory of God and so on.
The epithets of God should be uttered with Knowledge of
God and with pure feelings. Just as a heap of rubbish is carried away by flood similarly listening and singing the glory of
Lord, Shree Krishna, destroy the sins.
