Shri Gusainji

When Shri Mahaprabhuji entered Pandharpur, Lord ShriVithoba ordered
Him to get married and informed that “He wants to appear as His son”.
On the ninth day of the dark half of the moon in Magshar month,
samvant year 1572, in Charnat, Lord Himself appeared at Shri
Mahaprabhuji’s place in the form of son. Still everyone was busy enjoying
the appearance of the Lord, at that time a Brahman came to
Shri Mahaprabhuji with Shri Vitthalnathji’s swarup he found from
Gangaji and gave it to Him and that’s why His second son’s was named
“Shri Vithalnathji”. Vithal means the one who enlightens an unlearned
individual with divine knowledge.

Shri Vitthalnathji was able to walk, run and speak at a very age of 15
months. Shri Mahaprabhuji gave Him Shri Balkrushnaji’s swarup to
play with and He would play with swarup as a friend. At the age of 8, He received Gayatri mantra and Brahmasambandh mantra diksha. At the age of 10, Shri Vitthalnathji was well versed in scriptures and had completed His studies.

Shri Vitthalesh right from his childhood was very interested in dance, music, painting and other artwork skills. He was very interested in Shri Thakorji’s different types of Lilas. He has composed many kirtans in sanskrit and Vrajbhasha.

After Shri Mahaprabhuji entered nityalila, Shri Vitthalesh was living with his big brother Shri
Gopinathji and His mother. After Golokvas of Shri Gopinathji, His son Shri Purushottamji got the
position of Acharya. But Shri Gusainji was handling all activities for him. When Shri Thakorji ordered
Krushnadasji adhikari for the benefit of Shri Gusainji to experience separation from Shri Thakorji, Krushnadas adhikariji banned Shri Gusainji’s entry in the temple for six months and Shri Gusainji lived in pangs of separation in Chandrasarovar. Shri Gusainji was actually grateful to Krushnadasji, because in mode of separation one’s love for Lord gets more intense. After Shri Purushottamji entered in nityalila, Shri Gusainji accepted the position of Acharya.

Shri Gusainji’s first marriage took place at the age of 16 with Shri Rukminiji. He had six sons from
His first wife. After Shri Rukminiji’s entered nitya lila, Shri Gusainji married Shri Padmavatiji and
had one son from second wife. Following are the names of 7 sons.

(1) Shri Giridharji        (5) Shri Raghunathji
(2) Shri Govindlalji      (6) Shri Yadunathji
(3) Shri Balkrushnaji   (7) Shri Ghanshyamji
(4) Shri Gokulnathji

Shri Gusainji used to live in Satdhara, Mathura and then He went onto live in Gokul forever.
During His time, moghul emperor Akbar was reigning in Delhi. Although he was a muslim but he was a devotee of Shri Gusainji. Even other members of his court Birbal, King Todarmal, Tansen – great singer were also sevaks of Shri Gusainji and used to obey Shri Gusainji’s orders. Emperor Akbar conferred Him the title of “Goswami” – means the one who protects and feeds the cow. Shri Gusainji name came from “Goswami”. Shri Gusainji would take jeevas under refuge without seeing caste, creed or religion of that jeev and also make them His sevaks. He had a rule that everyday He would take atleast 2 jeevs under
refuge and then only He would partake prasad. He had mainly 252 sevaks.

Shri Gusainji added more raag, bhog and shringar in Pushtimarga and also added more art skills to it and added glamour to it. Although Shri Gusainji had everything then also His life was simple, controlled, benevolent and full of seva bhav. Everyday Shri Gusainji would perform seva of Shri
Navneetpriyaji every morning and evening in Gokul, Vraj, India and would perform seva of
Lord Shrinathji everyafternoon for the Rajbhog service to Uthapan daily. Every night Shri Gusainji would give religious discourses.

Shri Gusainji Has also composed many Granthas like Bhaktihans, Bhaktihetu Nirnaya, Vidvaan mandal, etc. Seeing through Shri Gusainji’s life’s glimpses, there are many episodes in which one can see Shri Gusainji’s aloukik form both as Lord Himself and a Spiritual Guru.