Braj is the land divine, synonymous with all aspects related to the ever playful Pushti Purushottam Prabhu Shri Shrijibava; for it is the blessed bhoomi created by Him for His own enjoyment.

One of the meanings of the word ‘Braj’ is – that which is in motion. Thus the meaning of Braj in a broader sense would be – that which is never inert and which is full of life, energy and activity; qualities that describe the Natkhat Nandanandan Himself.

It must be the reason why Shri Krishna Himself has chosen Braj to be the name by which His raman sthali should be referred to.

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The utsav of Rama Navmi is celebrated with a special fervour in Pushtimarg. Tilak, panchamrat, badhais of ‘Shri Raghunath palne jhoole…’ (Shri Rama is resting in the cradle…) are sung sanmukh of Shri Thakurji.

Let us understand why the utsav of Maryada Purushottam Shri Rama is so eagerly celebrated by vraj-bhakta vaishnavs for whom centre of all attraction is Nandanandan Shri Krishna.

Shri Harirai Mahaprabhu has gracefully revealed the bhav of the gopis in celebrating the utsav. He states,

“As a manifestation of Purna Purushottam Shri Krishna, it was Shri Rama who granted the boon of madhurya bhav to the rishis in Dandak-aranya (Dandak forest). So He has the status of Guru for the gopis. So they celebrate it with an enthusiasm equivalent to Janmashatami.”

To understand this revelation of Shri Hariraiji we must first be acquainted with what He has referred to by the mention of the boon of Dandak-aranya.

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