Shri-kund in Kamvan, Vraj

Shri-kund in Kamvan is the 16th Baithak of Shri Mahaprabhuji. By Shri Vallabh’s Grace a spirit attained moksha here.

It has been a very busy week since the blog was uploaded for testing and some final changes. We made several modifications based on the feedback received from vaishnavs all over the world who reviewed the initial site. But I would like to stress that though it’s now in a better state, please do keep the flow of advice coming.

One request received from the majority stands out. In fact, it has been among the first reactions of almost all; and it is not even related to the workings of the website. While we patiently wait for everybody to review the blog so that changes can be incorporated as soon as possible, the sender of almost every message first demands to know the place where I am sitting in the main website photo!

So first let me put that down in writing, so that it is available to all and we can move ahead in our quest.

It is Shri Mahaprabhuji’s baithak at Shri-kund in Kamvan, Vraj. So, I think the curiosity for a vaishnav to know about it is quite instinctive. Let us discuss the significance of the Baithak here.

Shri-kund is Shri Vallabh’s 16th Baithak. Shri Vallabh arrived in Kamvan from Shri Girirajji, Jatipura and then proceeded onwards to Ghevarvan, Barsana. A route still followed in Vraj leelee parikrama and also by individual vaishnavs. Kamvan or Kaman as it is popularly called by Pancham Ghar vaishnavs is a major pilgrim centre for vaishnavs – pushti or maryada. Several important places like Shri Vimal-kund, Choriasee (84) Khamba, Charan-Pahadi etc; almost all related to the various leelas of Prabhu Shri Krishna are located here. (…more on Kamvan later).
Shri Vallabh resided at Shri-kund for 7 days. Gracefully, He re-sanctified the area by uttering the Shrimad Bhagvat from His own lips.

An incident occurred on the very first day of His stay that assumes significance as the ‘prasang’ (legend) of Shri-kund.
The chief hermit of the area advised Shri Vallabh that he could reside at Shri-kund during the daytime but by night it would be dangerous. A spirit of a Brahmin dwelled at night and put to death any human it found. Shri Vallabh but smiled at the suggestion and reassured the hermit. During the night as a sevak was washing the apras clothes of Shri Vallabh, he could feel the spirit roaming about the periphery. He informed Shri Acharyaji about it. Shri Vallabh then revealed the story behind the spirit. “He was a Brahmin in a former birth and ruled Kamvan. He donated a huge amount of land. But after some time he turned greedy and re-acquired everything causing misery to a lot of families. This is a great sin. As he had so much attachment for worldly things, after his death it prevented his ascent to the heavens and he became a spirit permanently bonded to this world. His sin is so great that he has been thus for the last 200 years and even the most sacred and pure of all places; the land of Vraj has not been able to free him from his bondage”. The sevak then requested Shri Vallabh that as now the spirit had had His darshan, he should be set free. Gracefully, Shri Vallabh ordered the sevak to just sprinkle on the spirit, some drops of water from Shri Vallabh’s seva clothes that he was washing. Thus after centuries the spirit was freed by Shri Vallabh’s almighty Grace and ascended to the heavens. The holy place of Shri-kund was free from all fear. Shri Vallabhadhish ki Jai!

I was going to write about Shri Gokulchandramaji as the first post, as it was His Patotsav yesterday. But in the marg of Pushti you can’t take a single step without the permission and grace of Shri Vallabhacharyaji Shri Mahaprabhuji. So this post is a humble offering, by one who has been humbled, in the lotus feet of Shri Vallabh.