Vallabha
Hindu philosopher / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Vallabha, Vallabha Acharya or Vallabhācārya (1479–1531 CE) was an Indian saint and philosopher. He founded the Krishna-centered Pushtimarg sect of Vaishnavism in the Braj (Vraja) region of India,[1] and propounded the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita.
Vallabha | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Born | 27 April 1479 |
Died | 26 June 1531 (aged 52) Banaras (now in Uttar Pradesh, India) |
Religion | Hinduism |
Children | Gopinātha and Viṭṭhalanātha |
Organization | |
Order | Vedanta |
Founder of | Puṣṭimārga |
Philosophy | Śuddhādvaita |
Vallabha was born in a South Indian family that was residing in Varanasi. They escaped to Champaran in Chhattisgarh state while expecting a Muslim invasion during the late 15th century.[2]
Vallabha studied Hindu philosopy from early age, then traveled throughout the Indian subcontinent for over 20 years.[2] He became one of the important leaders of the devotional Bhakti movement. He won many philosophical scholarly debates against the followers of Advaita Vedanta.
Vallabha rejected asceticism and monastic life, suggesting that through loving devotion to the deity Krishna, any householder could achieve salvation. This idea became influential all over India and was upheld by his 84 Baithakjis (places of worship) across India.[3][4] He is the prominent Jagadguru Acharya of Rudra Sampradaya.[5] He authored many texts including but not limited to, the Aṇubhāṣya (his commentary on the Brahma Sutras), Shodash Granth or sixteen tracts and several commentaries on the Bhagavata Purana.
Vallabha's writings and kirtan compositions focus on baby Krishna and his childhood pranks with Yashoda (unconditional motherly love), as well as a youthful Krishna's protection of the good (divine grace) and his victory over demons and evils, all with allegory and symbolism.[4] Pushtimarg, the sect he founded, is followed to-date in the Braj region as well as the Nathdwara and Dwarkadhish Temple in Mewar region of India.[4]