Mantra Procedure Points to remember Necessity
A person becomes a 'Pushtimargiya vaishnav' only after being initiated into Pushtimarg by the 'Brahmasambandh diksha' and not by simply being born in a vaishnav family as is a mis-conception. Brahmasambandh is the entry of a jiva into Pushtimarg. It is a diksha which can be given by any of the existing Vallabhkul acharyas ONLY, not by any other person on this earth. The first brahmasambandh was given by Shri Vallabhacaryaji to Shri Damodardasji Harsani more than 500 years ago.
The word 'Brahmasambandh' is made up of two words 'brahma' meaning prabhu and 'sambandh' meaning relation/attachment. Simply put by taking brahmasambandh a jiva (person) becomes attached to prabhu.
The Brahmasambandh mantra is a sanskrit mantra containing 84 letters. This mantra is not man-made, it was first given to Shri Vallabh by Shri Thakurji Himself (in the form of Shri Gokulchandramaji) at Thakurani Ghat in Gokul on Shraavan Sud 11 in the year 1492 AD. Shri Thakurji had promised to Shri Vallabh - "To whoever you or your descendants give this diksha, I'll consider him/her as my own and so will not look at the faults of that jiva".
This mantra is an oath taken by the jiva wherein he/she does samarpan of all his worldly wealth and relations MENTALLY to Shri Thakurji. After taking brahmasambandh the jiva believes that all worldly attachments (like wealth, family, etc.)are given by prabhu with His kripa, the jiva does the effort like business but it is prabhu who gives fruit in the form of wealth. This mantra is secret and pure, it cannot be read, written or recited in public. We cannot publish this mantra on the website.
There is a set procedure for taking brahmasambandh which has been followed strictly since centuries. Here we give the details on what should be the ideal procedure (may vary slightly depending on the agya of Vallabhkul Acharya) that has to be followed by anyone willing to take the diksha. (Example : Supposing a person wants to take Brahmasambandh on 15th August). Here are the steps he/she should follow :
Take permission from a Vallabhkul Baalak a few days before the diksha.
Do complusory Upvas - taking only fluids and fruits/dry fruits - a day before the diksha is to be taken (here 14th Aug)
Go to the haveli/place where the diksha is to be given the the fixed date (here 15th Aug).
Gents should take a new (kori) dhoti(complusory) and bandi/uparna(optional) and ladies should take new (kori) saree or chaniya/choli to the place of diksha. (Tip : Also take new towel to dry the body alongwith the clothes mentioned above)
One should take bath in one's house and shampoo the hair. Remove ring (angoothi), nail polish, mehendi or any kalai dora at one's house. Go to the place of diksha wearing normal clothes.
On reaching the place of diksha, take bath a second time in apras and wear the dhoti/saree and sit in a pure place. Keep reciting the Ashtakshar mantra (Shri Krishna Sharanam Mama) till you are not called to take the diksha.
Once you have taken diksha from Vallabhkul balak change into normal clothes after taking permission.
Do bhet & charansparsh of Diksha guru and leave for your home. Remember to ask for a photo of your guru before departing and always keep the photo at a safe place where darshan can be done.
After taking the diksha we are not free. We must realise that from the day of Brahmasambandh we have just entered the sampradaya and so must take care of some basic things :
This diksha is necessary if the vaishnav wants to do Jhari-Charansprash or any other activity like sewa in Pushtimarg
There are many who believe that there is no need to take the diksha if one is born in a vaishnav family, this is not true. Each and every jiva has to independently do samarpan to prabhu in the presence of Shri Vallabh and tulsiji
Children of a vaishnav family should compulsorily be given the diksha as it can be helpful in case of emergency related to sewa
Many vaishnavs believe that Brahmasambandh should be given only to those who are willing to do sewa, this is also not a practical approach as the wish to do sewa may arise at a later part in one's life. If the diksha is not given citing the above reason then the jiva - under no proper guidance - may go away at a young age to another marga whereby being deprived of his/her right of doing Bhagwat-sewa
The ideal age of taking the diksha is 7-15 years