Pappa - Mummy say that we are 'Vaishanav'. What is the meaning of 'Vaishnav'?
The natives of Bharat are called Bharatiya. Bharatiya is derived from the
word 'Bharat'. Similarly from Vishnu comes 'Vaishnav'.
The word Vishnu has two meanings. 1. Name of Lord Vishnu 2. Name of demi God Vishnu. The word Vishnu is made from a combination of
two words Vish + Anu. Vish=to stay. Anu=the smallest particle. The one who in every minute particle in the world. So the first meaning of
Vishnu is God.
The one who is a devotee of God is called Vaishnav. One who believes that God exists in every molecule, in the entire universe, is a Vaishnav,
Anymate and inanymate, God exists and pervades in all. Having understood that, one who maintains compassion, mercy and love for all, assists
others with affection, is a Vaishnav. One who is benevolent but not proud about it, is a Vaishnav. One who does not cause misery and suffering
to others, is a Vaishnav.
There is another meaning of word Vaishnav. God resides in the entire Universe. God has created the whole universe. God is real. The world
that he has created is also real. This creation belongs to God. Hence, we also belong to God. He is our Father. We are his children.
A son's duty is to serve his father. Similarly our duty is to serve to God. One who understands this duty and serves God, is a Vaishnav.
Shri Krishna is God. Shriji Bava is God. Are Shri Krishna and Shriji Bhavaji one or different? In the pictures they appear different. Why?
Shri Krishna and Shriji Bava are one and the same. Shri Krishna who played in Gokul appeared about five hundred years ago form the
Govardhan mountain so we call him Shri Govardhan Nathji, we call him Shriji Bava with love. In Vraj language 'Bava' does not mean sadhu.
Bava means father or elder.
It is true that Shri Krishna and Shriji Bava appear to be different in pictures and paintings. The reason for this is that if you wear a pant-shirt
or a dhoti-kafni you are also going to look different in your pictures. The same also applies to Shri Krishna and Shriji Bava.
Why should we wear a tulsimala?
When you play a cricket match why do you wear a white dress? When you go to school, why do you wear a uniform? The main reason is
because that is the rule. The same rule is for Vaishnavas that they must wear a tulsimala.
From your uniform people recognize which school you go to. Similarly, a Vaishnav is recognized by his tulsimala. You are proud of your
school, when you wear your uniform, you decide mentally that I will not commit any such offence which will tarnish my school's and my
reputation. Hence by wearing a tulsimala, we mentally prepare ourselves that I am a Vaishnav. I am doing God's seva as His devotee.
I must not indulge in any bad act. I must live like a Vaishnav.
Tulsi is God's devotee. She stays in the lotus feet of God in the manner in which Laxmiji and Gangaji are permanently in the service
of the lotus feet of God. That is why they are pure and divine. Just by holding tulsi in our hands and on our chest we are inspired with
feelings of worship and reverence.
Tulsi contains many medicinal qualities. Just by touching it to the body, its medicinal quality has an effect. Shri Mahaprabhuji has given
the tulsimala. We are devotees and followers of Shri Mahaprabhuji. That is why it is absolutely necessary to wear it without hesitation
and shame.
In order to preserve this tulsimala and the tilak on the forehead, Shri Gokulnathji opposed Mogul Emperor Jehangir four hundred years ago.
He faced persecution and went on with tulsimala and tilak. It is very important to remember this and put on tulsimala and tilak.