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Descendants Of Vallabhacharya

Vallabha Sampradaya or Pushtimarg is part of Hindu religion following the teachings of Sri Vallabhacharya. Vallabha Sampradaya or Pushtimarg in Hinduism believes in obtaining pushti (grace) through loving devotion to Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The Pushtimarg is a part of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement of the medieval period. Here is a look at the descendants of Vallabhacharya.

Gopinatha, the eldest son of Sri Vallabhacharya, and, after him, Vitthalnath (the youngest son of Sri Vallabhacharya). followed Vallabhacharya as preceptors of the Pushtimarg. Vitthalnath had seven sons. Each founded or led a separate mission, which further got subdivided into a number of branches. That was how the Vallabha Sampradaya or Pushtimarg spread to different regions of India.

Vitthalnath organized a group of eight eminent disciples. Four of these were the followers of Vallabhacharya. They were Kumbhandadasa, Surdasa, Krishnadasa and Paramanandadasa. The other four were the disciples of Vitthaldasa. They were Govindaswami, Citaswami, Caturbhyadasa and Nandadasa. They were known as Ashtacapa. The eight were accomplished poets and eminent musicians. Tansen, Rasa Khan and Govindadeo were among the followers of Vitthalnath. He was held in high esteem by King Man Singh, Raja Todarmal, and Rani Durgavati.

The followers of Vallabha Sampradaya or Pushtimarg adorn their body with the twelve marks of gopichandana to represent the twelve forms of Vishnu and also carry the imprint of the weapons of Vishnu on their body.

The disciples of Vallabhacharya, especially the poet-philosophers and the poet-musicians, contributed to the enrichment of Vraja literature and Hindu music. The teaching of Vallabhacharya was carried on by his descendants to the regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The line of the family of Vallabhacharya continues to this day.