Hindu Society of North Carolina

Author(s): Hindu Society of North Carolina
Publisher: Hindu Society of North Carolina

Page 43

SRINATHJI श्रीनाथ जी
When Lord Krishna was seven years old, he took the form of Shrinath Ji. He lifted Govardhana mountain (near his birth place Mathura) with his little finger and Govardhan swaroop (form) came into existence. The Vaishnavas (those who worshipped Lord Vishnu) became the followers of Govardhanath, later migrated to Nathdwara in Rajasthan and established Lord Krishna as Shrinath Ji. The subsect "Pushtimargiya Vaishnavas" worship Shrinath Ji.
Shrinath Dhama is situated in the middle of outher four Dhamas (main places of pilgrimage). These Dhamas are Badri Nath in the north, Rameshwaram or Rangnath in the south, Jagannath in the east and Dwarika Nath in the west. Due to its location, Shrinath Ji is very popular in Rajasthan, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Shrinath Ji's form (swaroop) is black. He is in a standing form with Govardhana mountain in the background. His right hand is closed in a fist resting on his waist. It signifies that he has captured all sins in his hand and he is ready to relieve us of all our evils. His left hand is raised as if he is inviting all of his followers with the message "I am ready to relieve you of all the life's miseries!"
As time wore on, Shrinath Ji adopted seven different swaroops (forms). Nonetheless, the vaishnavas predominantly worship the main Shrinath Ji swaroop.
ॐ मात्रे नमः
वासुदेव सुतं देवं कंस
चाणूरमर्दनम्
देवकी परमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे
जगद्गुरुम् II
VASUDEV SUTAM DEVAM KANS CHAUR MARDANAM
DEVKI PARMANANDAM KRISHNAM VANDEY JAGAGURUM
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I salute Lord Krishna, the world-teacher, son of Vasudev, destroyer
of Kans and Chanur, the supreme bliss of Deaki
HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA CELEBERATION AND APPRICIATION (1976-2006)