Shri Vallabhacharya guides us deeper into his world of grace, revealing the diverse natures of beings. At the absolute level, all is Brahman. Yet, souls manifest in this world with unique temperaments. Each soul’s path and reward are distinct. By recognizing this variety – the unique origins and activities of souls – we can deepen our understanding and cultivate our own devotion. In the master’s words:


The paths of Grace (puṣṭi), Mundane Flow (pravāha), and Lawful Limitations (maryādā) are distinctly separate (viśeṣeṇa pṛthak pṛthak). Each is characterized by differences in souls (jīva), bodies (deha), actions (kriyā), movements (pravāheṇa), and results (phalena).

I will explain (vakṣyāmi) [these distinctions] so that all doubts (sarva-sandehā) arising from the scriptures (yat-śruteḥ) will be dispelled (na bhaviṣyanti). By the description (kathanāt) of the path of devotion (bhakti-mārgasya), it is certain (iti niścayaḥ) that God’s grace (puṣṭiḥ asti) exists.

From the statement "There are two types of created beings" (dvau bhūta-sargau iti ukteḥ), the path of mundane flow (pravāhaḥ) is also established (api vyavasthitaḥ). Due to the existence of the Vedas (vedasya vidyamānatvāt), the path of lawful limitations (maryādā) is also established (api vyavasthitā).

Indeed, only a few are truly devotees (kaścid eva hi bhaktaḥ), as it is said, "He who is My devotee" (yaḥ mad-bhaktaḥ iti īraṇāt). Everywhere, the excellence (sarvatra utkarṣa-kathanāt) of devotion is proclaimed, hence the existence of Grace (puṣṭiḥ asti) is certain (iti niścayaḥ).

Not everyone (na sarvaḥ) is distinct (bhinnaḥ) from the mundane flow (pravāhāt hi) or from the Vedas (vedāt ca bhedataḥ), due to their distinctions. According to the statement (yadā yasya iti vacanāt), I am not known by the Vedas (na aham vedaiḥ iti īraṇāt).


Even if (api) the two end paths (mārga-ekatve ced-antyau) are considered to be devotion (bhakti) and scripture-based knowledge (āgama), that is not proper (na tat-yuktam). For the Vedic path (vaidikaḥ) is indeed distinct (bhinnaḥ), both according to the Sutras (sūtrataḥ hi) and by reasoning (yuktyā hi).

The distinctness (bhinnatvam) of souls (jīva), bodies (deha), and actions (kṛtīnām) is established by the eternal nature spoken of in the Śrutis (nityatā-śruteḥ). Similarly (yathā tadvat), in the path of Grace (puṣṭi-mārge), both (dvayoḥ api) are prohibited (niṣedhataḥ).

Due to the difference in authoritative sources (pramāṇa-bhedāt), the path of Grace (puṣṭi-mārgaḥ) is indeed established as distinct (bhinnaḥ hi nirūpitaḥ). I will now explain (pravakṣyāmi) the differences in creation (sarga-bhedam), along with their nature (sva-rūpa), components (aṅga), and actions (kriyā-yutam).

By mere will (icchā-mātreṇa) and through His mind (manasā), Hari created the flow (pravāhaṁ sṛṣṭavān) of mundane existence. Through His word (vacasā), He established the Vedic path (veda-mārgaṁ hi), and certainly (niścayaḥ), Grace (puṣṭiṁ) arose from His form (kāyena).

In the world (loke), the results (phalam) arise from fundamental desires (mūla-icchātaḥ) and are explained in the Vedas (veda-uktaṁ), even in the Vedic path (vaidike api ca). However (tu), in the path of Grace (puṣṭau), the results (phalam) stem from His form (kāyena) and are influenced by distinct desires (bhinna-icchātaḥ), making them non-uniform (api na ekadhā).

From the statement, "I repeatedly cast those ungodly, cruel-hearted souls into demonical wombs" (tān aham dviṣataḥ vākyāt), the souls involved in the mundane flow (pravāhiṇaḥ) are distinct (bhinnā-jīvāḥ). Therefore (ataḥ eva), the other two paths—the Vedic path (itaraḥ) and the path of Grace (puṣṭi)—are clearly distinct (bhinnau sāntau), leading ultimately to liberation (mokṣa-praveśataḥ).

Therefore (tasmāt), the souls (jīvāḥ) on the path of Grace (puṣṭi-mārge) are indeed distinct (bhinnā eva), without any doubt (na saṁśayaḥ). Their creation (tat-sṛṣṭiḥ) is solely for the purpose of serving the divine form of the Lord (bhagavat-rūpa-sevārtham). It cannot be otherwise (na anyathā bhavet).

By His intrinsic nature (svarūpeṇa), incarnation (avatāreṇa), symbolic characteristics (liṅgena), and qualities (guṇena), there is no hierarchy (tāratamyaṁ). There is no gradation (na tāratamyaṁ) in His essential form (svarūpe), body (dehe vā), or actions (tat-kriyāsu vā).

Even so (tathāpi), He performs (karoti hi) as much work (yāvatā kāryaṁ) as is necessary (tāvat tasya). Indeed (hi), they (te) are divided into two (dvidhā): pure (śuddha) and mixed (miśra-bhedāt). Among the mixed (miśrāḥ), there are again three types (tridhā punaḥ).

For the fulfillment of the Lord's purpose (bhagavat-kārya-siddhaye), beings are distinguished (vibhedena) by the mundane flow and other factors (pravāha-ādi). Those mixed with Grace (puṣṭyā vimiśrāḥ) are omniscient (sarva-jñāḥ), while those associated with the mundane flow (pravāheṇa) are immersed in actions (kriyā-ratāḥ).

Those who follow the path of lawful limitations (maryādayā) are knowers of divine qualities (guṇa-jñāḥ). The pure ones (te śuddhāḥ), achieved through love (premṇā), are exceedingly rare (ati-durlabhāḥ). Thus (evaṁ), the creation (sargaḥ tu teṣāṁ) of these beings has been explained. Now (hi), their results (phalaṁ tatra) are being described (nirūpyate).

Indeed, the Lord Himself is the ultimate result (bhagavān eva hi phalaṁ), as He manifests on earth (sa yathā avirbhavet bhuvi). The results of individuals (teṣāṁ phalaṁ) vary according to differences (tathā) in their qualities (guṇa) and inherent nature (svarūpa-bhedena).

When one becomes attached (āsaktau), the Lord Himself (bhagavān eva) sometimes imposes a curse (śāpaṁ dāpayati kvacit). Due to pride (ahaṁkāre) or worldly desires (athavā loke), it is done for the re-establishment of the proper path (tan-mārga-sthāpanāya hi).

They do not fall into heresy (na te pāṣaṇḍatāṁ yānti), nor are they afflicted by diseases or other disturbances (na ca roga-ādi-upadravaḥ). They are generally great-souled (mahā-anubhāvāḥ prāyeṇa), and the scriptures (śāstraṁ) serve as a means for their purification (śuddhatva-hetave).

They indeed worship (bhajanti hi) in accordance with the hierarchy (tāratamyena) of the Lord's greatness (bhagavat-tāratamyena). Their worldly (laukikatvaṁ) and Vedic activities (vaidikatvaṁ) are, however, motivated by deceit (kāpaṭyāt) and not otherwise (teṣu na anyathā).

Indeed, Vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavatvaṁ) is natural (sahajaṁ) to these souls, and anything else (tataḥ anyatra) is contrary (viparyayaḥ) to their nature. However (tu), there are other souls (sambandhinaḥ ye jīvāḥ) who are connected yet remain established in the mundane flow (pravāha-sthāḥ tathā apare).

They are referred to as "wanderers" (carṣaṇī-śabda-vācyāḥ), and they engage in all paths (te sarve sarva-vartmasu). They attain universality momentarily (kṣaṇāt sarvatvam āyānti), but they do not develop attachment or preference anywhere (ruciḥ teṣāṁ na kutracit).

According to their actions (teṣāṁ kriyā-anusāreṇa), they receive results (sakalaṁ phalam) in all spheres (sarvatra). I will now describe (pravakṣyāmi) those who are established in the mundane flow (pravāha-sthān), along with their nature (sva-rūpa), components (aṅga), and actions (kriyā-yutān).

Those souls (jīvāḥ te) are described (varṇitāḥ) as entirely demonic (āsurāḥ sarve) and engrossed in improper behavior (pravṛttiṁ ca iti). They are further divided (te ca dvidhā prakīrtyante) into two types (hi): the ignorant (ajña) and the wicked (durjña), based on their characteristics (vibhedataḥ).

The wicked (durjñāḥ te) are described by the Lord (bhagavat-proktāḥ) as such, and those who follow them (tān anu ye punaḥ) are the ignorant (ajñāḥ). Even when coming into the mundane flow (pravāhe api samāgatya), those established in Grace (puṣṭi-sthaiḥ) do not associate with them (taiḥ na yujyate). Even if someone is born (saḥ api taiḥ tat-kule jātaḥ) in their family, it is due to karma (karmaṇā jāyate yataḥ).


Thus ends (of avaliable) the 'Puṣṭi-pravāha-maryada-bheda' composed by Shri Vallabhacharya.