Gopashtami

significance of Gopashtami in Pushtimarg, cow worship on Gopashtami puja vidhi, Krishna Lila stories – Gopashtami kahani, Shrinathji Darshan, Gopashtami ke pad, Kunnvaara Manorath bhav.

Gopashtami Tithi: Kartik Shuklapaksha Ashtami

” नंदके लाल चले गौचारन शोभा कहत न आवे ॥ “

cow
krishna standing dan lila
cow

“आगे गाय पाछे गाय , इत गाय उत गाय 

गोविंद को गायन मे बसवो ही भावे “

Shri Krishna Lila Story 

This Festival is purely belongs to Shri Krishna’s Vraj Lila

When our beloved Kanhaiya turned five, he insisted on herding the cows. But his mother refused. Despite her refusal, he did not relent. Because of his Desire , Nandraiji Performed Mundan Sanskara of Shri Krishna on Akshay Tritya. ( Read the whole story in our Utsav Section’s Akshay Tritiya Utsav).

Eventually, his mother, worn out, & on the day of Annakut,  Shukan of Gocharan Takes place. Yet, Kanhaiya was not Satisfied. And stubbornly insisted on herding the cows on the day of Kartik Sud Ashtami.

He assured his mother, saying, “Mother, I have grown up now, I am not afraid, and all my friends and Balram are with me, so do not worry.” His mother then agreed and adorned Sri Krishna with Mukut Kachhni Shringar beautifully.

To ward off the evil eye, she applied a black mark. She then brought the aarti. And performed Aarti for Kanhaiya’s first herding.

गोपाष्टमी - प्रथम गौचारण को दिन आज

She imparted teachings: do not venture into the jungle or water bodies, do not quarrel with friends, and eat on time. She also instructed Balram and Shridama to look after Kanhaiya. “Do not leave him alone, or he might lose his way and get lost in the jungle. Ensure he eats at regular intervals.”

प्रथम गोचारण चले गोपाल 

As Shrinathji, accompanied by the cowherd group playing the flute, arrives to herd the cows, all of creation becomes enchanted by the melody of Sri Krishna’s flute. The cowherds are absorbed in sacred play, like dancing and singing. The sight of Gopal’s splendid adornment has captivated all the Gopis.

Nature itself has taken on a new beauty. Birds have started to chirp, and Nandalal walks with a playful gait, engrossed in his lila.

गोपाष्टमी पूजा , कृष्ण लीला प्रथम गोचारण

Gopashtami in Pushtimarg

Today, Sri Krishna was bestowed with the honorific title of ‘Gop’, which is why we celebrate this day as Gopashtami. In Vraj, all of  Sri Krishna’s life activities were centered around cow herding, hence he is also known as ‘Gopal‘ Krishna.

Sri Mahaprabhuji was also fully devoted to the service of cows. During Aapshri’s childhood, Shri Vallabh had a beloved cow. When Aapshri was away, the cow passed away, but upon Shri Mahaprabhuji’s return and calling out to her sweetly, the cow was miraculously revived. When Shrinathji asked Mahaprabhuji for a cow, Aapshri sold his ring to procure one for the Prabhu.

Prabhu cannot live without cows, not even for a moment. That’s why, when Mahaprabhuji beseated Shriji in the temple in Vraj, Shreeji demanded a cow. Along with Mahaprabhuji, all the Vrajvasi offered cows, and soon a large number of cows gathered, leading to the establishment of a Gaushala (cowshed). The village was named Gopalpura (now known as Jatipura).

In Nathdwara, there is also a large Gaushala (cowshed) belonging to the Shri Govardhannathji. On this day, after the Utthapna Darshan, a buffalo fight is organized in the Gaushala, where thousands of townspeople gather to enjoy the spectacle. The cowherds prepare the buffaloes for this fight months in advance by feeding them well.

Today, all Pushtimargiya Vaishnavas especially visit the Gaushala to feed the cows fodder, grass, laddoos, and more.

Besides Shriji, all temples of the Pushtimarg Perform the Kunnvara Manorath today.

The  Kunnvara Manorath holds the same significance as the offering of Chhappan Bhog. The essence of Kunnvara is the sentiment that when Prabhu Shriji goes for cow grazing, it is performed with the intention of enjoying a Meal with His cowherd friends.

In the forest, there are no vessels of gold or silver; Prabhu Shriji, along with His cowherd companions, brings offerings in earthen pots from Nandalaya, or else the gopis deliver these offerings to Him.

The Manorath is celebrated with the belief that Prabhu Shriji enjoys offerings in earthen pots, not in golden ones, in the natural setting of the forest.

Sajavatis of Temples are performed by keeping this Bhav in mind, to bring joy to the Shreeji and to let the devotees experience the Divine Lila. The Samgris are arranged in multiples of four. The ritual includes Samgris such as:

  • Patiya (wheat flour laddoos)
  • Kheer
  • Mathri
  • Wheat flour Sheera
  • Dahi Bhat (Curd rice)
  • Goras (milk products)

These items are offered to Prabhu as part of the Kunnvara Manoratha, emphasizing the simplicity and devotion inherent in the Pushtimarg tradition of Gopashtami.

गोपाष्टमी पूजा , कृष्ण लीला प्रथम गोचारण , कुंडवारा मनोरथ पुष्टिमार्ग श्रीनाथजी
Kundwara Manorath Krishna Lila Darshan

..

Shrinathji Darshan-Gopashtami 

गोपाष्टमी पूजा , कृष्ण लीला प्रथम गोचारण , श्रीनाथजी दर्शन

प्रभु को मुख्य रूप से तीन मुख्य लीला (शरद रास, गौ चरण , दान ) मे मुकुट का शृंगार धराया जाता है | आज अंतिम बार मुकुट काछनी का शृंगार धराया जाता है | अब से शीतकाल मे प्रभु को मुकुट काछनी का शृंगार नहीं धराया जाएगा |

सभी द्वार में डेली मढ़े,बंदरवाल बंधे।जमनाजल की झारी जी भरावे।राजभोग व आरती में थाली की आरती होवे।

साज :– आज श्रीजी में श्याम आधारवस्त्र पर खण्डों में गायों के कशीदा वाली पिछवाई धरायी जाती है | गादी, तकिया के ऊपर लाल एवं चरणचौकी के ऊपर हरी बिछावट की जाती है |

वस्त्र:- चोली – मेघस्याम दरियाई की।पीताम्बर -लाल दरियाई को। बड़ी काछनी हरी छापा की।छोटी काछनी लाल छापा की।ठाड़े वस्त्र स्वेत लट्ठा के।पिछवाई स्याम धरती पे स्वेत गाय की।

आभरण:- मुकूट टोपी हीरा के।आभरण सब उत्सव के।हीरा की प्रधानता।कली कस्तूरी आदी सब धरावे।वेणु जी,दोनों वेत्र हीरा के।सोना की कूदती भई बाघ बकरी की।आज चोटीजी नहीं आवे।आरसी चार झाड़ की।

आज संध्या आरती में छोटो वेत्र श्रीहस्त में धरावे।आरती पीछे सन्मुख की गाये विदा होवे।दोनों काछनी बड़ी करके मेघस्याम चागदार बागा धरावे।छेड़ान के श्रृंगार होवे।श्रीमस्तक पे लाल कूल्हे व तनी धरावे।

दूध घर की हाडी,केसर युक्त पेठा,मीठी सेव,दही भात आदी सामग्री अरोगे।गोपिवल्लभ मे मनोहर के बड़े नग अरोगे।तले हुए सूखे मेवे अरोगे।आज से गन्ना को रस नित्य में अरोगे।

मंगला – प्रथम गौचारण को दिन आज 

राजभोग – नीके नीके री गुपाल माई चलत 

आरती – लटकत चलत जुवती सुखदानी 

शयन – घेनन को ध्यान निस दिन 

मान – बोलत काहे नागर बेना 

पोढवे – पोढ रहो घनश्याम बलैया ले हो

Seva kram  courtesy: Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara Management | shrinathji nitya darshan Facebook page 

Utsav’s Pad – Kirtan from Dhan teras to Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi.

such as Dhan Teras ke pad , Roop Chaturdashi ke pad , Diwali ke pad , Dip Malika ke pad , Hatri ke pad, Kan Jagai ke pad,Govardha pujan ke pad , Annakut ke pad, Bhai duj ke pad, Gopashtami ke pad, Dev Prabodhini ekadashi ke pad are in Below givan E-Book.

धन त्रयोदशी से देव प्रबोधिनी एकादशी के पद

This E-Book is also available in our Padhya Sahitya Section.

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