Rules of conduct in Pushti Marg are in accordance with scriptural laws of
Sanatan Dharm, which hold a position of great importance. It is said that
rules of conduct are the foremost of ones' duties.
The reason for this is that every human being brings with him a vast range
of desires at birth itself. The fulfillment of these desires is a birth
right as well as a duty. On understanding this, the question arises as to
how these desires can be satisfied. To avoid the spread of chaos due to
stealing, plundering, violence, etc., saints and sages of ancient times
contemplated deeply on this to determine as to how to structure a disciplined
society. What is the proper daily routine? What is appropriate behavior
and what is inappropriate behavior? After deep contemplation, a number of
treatises were written containing the teachings of a disciplined life, appropriate
behavior, inappropriate behavior, corrupted behavior, etc. and a delineation
of rules of conduct. Originally, these rules of conduct were practiced only
by high caste Brahmins, but by SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI'S grace, those from the
other three castes also began to practice them. Through these rules of conduct,
the Bhavatmak oneness of all the four divisions of caste were established
and became stable in Pushti Marg. In the tretises on conduct, mother, father
and teacher were supposed to give trainng to the children at a young age.
It is said 'mother is Bhagavan, Father is Bhagavan. Teacher is Bhagavan'.
It should be understood that just as moist earth can be shaped into a pot,
similarly a child will behave according to the rules of conduct that are
taught to him at an early age. Accordingly, it is said that proper rules
of conduct is of atmost importance. The code of ethics of ancient times
has deteriorated over the course of time and all guidelines have been destroyed
in present era.
“Yedha yedha hi dharmas-siya ghala-niir-bhavti bharatah
Dharma sans-tha-panar-tha-yah sam-bhava-mi yuge yuge”
In one of the famous shlokas from Bhagavad Gita, Shri
Krishna has told to Arjun 'In every yuga, whenever dharm is destroyed,
Bhagavan will take a divine Avtaar (birth) to re-establish the Dharm'.
According to that law, Srimad Vallabhacharya manifested in a divine Avtaar
(birth), to re-establish the pure Vedic values and spread the teachings
for the highest realization. Seeing the imperfectness of human souls,
Mahaprabhuji felt deeply worried and became lost in contemplation. He
questioned himself. “How can the fault pervaded soul experience the unblemished
perfection of Purnaprushotam?” At that time Prabhu appeared before him
and ordained, 'I will remove the five innate faults of anyone to whom
you would give 'brahm sambandh'. The five type of faults are due to natural,
place, time coincidence and touch manifestation.
“Aaniya-tha sarvah dho-shanam na niv-ra-tih kan-tha-chan
Aa-samar-pitham vastunam tasmadh: varjan-ma-cha-ketah”
Further, he stated 'Other than surrendering all things,
there is no way to remove the innate faults. Therefore, one should abstain
from using any thing which has not been surrendered to Him first. The
question then arose as to what could be the correct rules of living to
establish and maintain this way of surrender. For developing this in his
sevaks, Srimad Vallabhacharya prescribed rules for a dedicated life with
devotion and on that, his teachings are founded. By living according to
these guidelines, one will become physically and mentally disciplined
and purified and will become worthy and capable to perform seva of the
ultimate supreme, Parabrahm.
In the early days of Pushti Marg, "after taking 'Brahm Sambandh', vaishnavs
used to ask, 'What is my duty?' At that time either the guru himself or
a scholar of Pushti Marg would teach the vaishnav the rules and methods
of seva and remembrance. These teachings have been forgotten these days
hence once again they should be understood and followed.
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