श्री वल्लभ शरणम्Shri Vallabh Sharanam

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Why is Shri Mahaprabhuji's son Shri Vitthalanathji called Shri Gusaiji?

Shri Vitthalnathji had looked after cows a great deal. So the Mughal Emperor Akbar named him 'Goswami' - Lord of the cows. By conferring this title on him, Akbar had honoured Him. So everyone called Him Shri Goswamiji.

Words of a language change with time i.e. 'Chandra' become 'Chando'. So Goswami changed to Gusain. All the Vaishnav call him Shri Gusaiji. Goswami become their lineage's new surname. Till Shri Mahaprabhuji's father Shri Laxman Bhattji's time, their surname was 'Bhatt'.


Why is Shri Goverdhan- nathji called Shrijibava?

Shrijibava is an affectionate name of Shri Goverdhannathji. Just way, your name is Taral, but at home they call you 'Taru'. Where is love, the name is shortened.

Shri Govardhannathji was shortened to Shri Nathji. Shri Nathji became Shriji. In Vraj language, 'bava' implies respect. In Gujarati it means a sage, but in Vraj language, an elder is called 'bava'. So we call Shri Goverdhannathji, Shriji - bava.


Why is Shri Yamunaji called Shri Maharani?

There are many gopies in Vraj. They all love Shri Krishna. We all know that friendship is built with like-minded people. They form a group. Similarly there are four main groups of Gopies in Vraj. Every group has a leader. So each of these four groups has a main Gopi. She is very dear to Lord Krishna. That is why she is called Shri Swaminiji. Shri Radhikaji, Shri Chandravaliji , Shri Radha-Sahehariji and Shri Yamunaji are the four main Gopies - Swaminiji. As much as Shri Yamunaji loves Shri Krishana, She love the Gopies and all devotee as much. She does not have any trace of selfishness in her. Others happiness make her happy. That is why she is called 'Maharani'.


What does the word 'Vraj' mean?

In Sanskrit language 'Vraj' has many meanings & e.g.

  1. Motion, entry,
  2. A small village,
  3. A forest, abode of shepherd's huts.

The villages Vraj and Nandraiji has to keep moving from place to place, to seek fresh pastures for their cows. Therefore they had no permanent home. So they called this place Vraj.

These Vrajvasis (natives of Vraj) lived in straw and mud huts. They called it Vrajbhoomi (land). These small husts formed into villages and they called it Vraj. Shri Krishna used to roam all over this land, with his friends and cows, because of their movements, it was called 'Vraj'.