While he was visiting the great Balaji temple during his first pilgrimage, he heard about a conference at Vijaynagar, a stronghold of Vedic dharma. It was a debate between the followers of Shri Shankar Acharya and the Vaishnavites of Shri Madhva Acharya. The controversy had been going on for some time and the Beloved felt it was his duty to uphold the devotional view. Shri Vallabh set out for the great southern Vedic kingdom where his uncle held a position as king Krishnadeva’s high priest. Upon arriving there, even though he was only eleven, the young Vallabh was allowed to participate in the debate. Vyas Tirth presided over the discussion.

Despite his age, Shri Vallabh’s view was spiritually mature. He based his teachings on the Vedas, Brahmasutra, Upanisadas, Gita, as well as the Shrimad Bhagavatam and explained that the “Gayatri is the seed, the Vedas are the tree and the Bhagavata is the fruit.” The Bhagavat contains the lilas of Shri Krishna and is therefore most beloved to him. Shri Vallabh was a non-dualist like Shankara, but did not accept Shri Shankar’s view of the universe. He refused the idea that souls are unreal and merely a product of maya. He felt as if Shri Shankar and his followers appeared upon the stage of the world to proclaim that the stage is false. If the stage is false, then so are the players as well as what they say. Their non- dualism was mixed with maya and did not reflect the true non-dualism of the ageless Vedant. Furthermore, it was not conducive to devotion. Shri Vallabh also differed with Shri Ramanuja’s Vishistadvaita philosophy wherein he considered the universe and the soul as Brahman’s qualities. Shri Vallabh saw everything as a pure part and parcel of Brahman, full of God’s being and consciousness. Shri Vallabh also opposed the great Vaishnava Acharya Shri Madhva. Shri Madhva was a dualist and accepted Brahman as a creator, yet considered the universe and the soul as different from Brahman whereas Shri Vallabh only saw unqualified Brahman everywhere he looked.

Shri Vallabh explained to the assembled Vedic practitioners in front of king Krishnadeva, “The Upanisadas teach a pure non- dual view. This is the correct view of Brahman and is in consonance with all scriptures. God is real in every form. Maya is not in objects, but exists only in faulty perception like when a dizzy person sees a stable pot spinning. The pot is real, but the spinning aspect of the pot is a product of maya, it is an illusion. In a similar way, the world is a perfect result and maya arises when we do not see it properly. Maya misconstrues the view of the ideal real world. To consider the world as false or mayic is contrary to the spirit of the Vedant. The only time the world is ever mentioned as being mayic is to enforce a sense of detachment from worldliness in the practitioner, otherwise it is quite clear that the world is God’s creation. It is only ignorance that makes it appear otherwise.

“ Understand my point with reference to the Ganges river. She has three forms and all of them are real. One form of the Ganges is comprised of water, the second is a holy place of pilgrimage, while the third form of the Ganges is the divine goddess. The river Ganges is seen by all, Her holy aspect is known to those who have faith and knowledge, while her goddess form is known only to those who love her and see a unity between her water, her holy pilgrimage aspect and her divine form. In a similar way, Brahman has three forms. Brahman manifests as the world, as well as the unmanifested source of creation (the goal of the Yogi’s abstract meditation) and as the divine Krishna who is known by those who have attained not only wisdom, but have developed a firm and all-encompassing love that is felt in every atom of creation. For them alone Krishna appears everywhere.

“The followers of Shri Shankar have distorted the Vedant in order to popularize their own theory which actually follows certain Buddhist views and not the pure teachings of the Upanisadas. The Upanisada claim, “This is all Brahman” and inspire us when they reveal, “He is comprised of pure nectar. Whoever knows this becomes fearless.” Brahman manifests creation because Brahman did not feel totally complete until He became many. Brahman is devoid of difference, unlimited, and when Brahman is formless His joy is almost perfect, but understand that Brahman’s essential form is Shri Krishna, comprised of perfect truth consciousness and bliss. When knowledge of Brahman is mixed with all-encompassing love, then it becomes devotion. This is the way to liberation. Like impure water that joins the Ganga becomes the Ganga and is no longer considered as pure or impure, but as sacred Ganga, similarly, everything that is offered to God becomes God. After understanding the meaning of scriptures, serious practitioners should serve Shri Krishna with their minds, bodies and speech. Dedication is the way.”

Hearing the young Vallabh’s enlightening words, the entire court rose in applause and offered him the highest seat of honor. He was given the title Acharya and from that day he was known as Shri Vallabhacharya. He was hailed for his great learning and clarity of thought. The king stood up and bowed to him. Shri Vallabh was declared victorious.

In honor of his victory, king Krishnadeva annointed the young Bhakti Master with water from golden vessels and then presented him with many kilos of gold. Shri Vallabh took only seven coins that he later made into ornaments for Shri Krishna and distributed the rest to other brahmins. Shri Vallabhacharya stayed and gave teachings in Vijaynagar for about one year. Vyas Tirth requested him to become head of the Madhva lineage, but he humbly declined.

Remembering what Shri Nathji had told him in South India,

Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya then proceeded from Gokul to the Govardhan Hill and reached Saddu Pande’s house in Anyore. Many local Braja Vasis came to see the him and thought, “He is truly a great soul.”

Suddenly, Shri Nathji called from the top of the Govardhan Hill and Shri Vallabhacharya overheard Him say to Saddu Pande’s daughter Naro , “O Naro, bring Me some milk.”

Naro replied, “Today we have a guest.”

“Good for the guest, but could you bring Me some milk please.”

After giving Shri Nathji His milk, she brought down His bowl that contained some of His leftover milk and Shri Mahparabhui Vallabhacharya said, “Please give me some of that leftover milk.”

Naro replied, “Maharaja, we have alot of milk in the house. Take as much as you like.”

“I am not interested in any other milk, just what is in that bowl.”

Saddu Pande then told Shri Vallabhacharya all about Shri Nathji’s appearance and the Bhakti Master’s heart filled with joy. On the following day, Shri Vallabhacharya joyfully climbed up the Govardhan Hill and Shri Nathji greeted Shri Vallabhacharya with a warm embrace. Shri Vallabhacharya then established Shri Nathji’s daily worship on top of the Govardhan hill for he knew that without seva, there is no entrance into the Path of Grace.

Nearby, next to the Apsara Lake, there is a cave where the great bhakta Ramdas lived. Shri Mahaprabhuji went there and after Ramdas become his disciple, the guru told him, “Perform Shri Nathji’s seva.”

“I don’t know anything about seva.” Said Ramdas.

“Don’t worry, Shri Nathji will teach you.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji then had a peacock feather crown prepared and made Shri Nathji’s ornamentation. He later instructed Ramdas in the arts of seva and explained to him, “Everyday after you bathe in the Govinda Lake, take a pot of water and bathe Shri Nathji. Then put some clothes on Him just as I have done. Adorn Shri Nathji with a peacock feather crown and and a gunja bead necklace. Whatever you are able to attain through His wish, prepare it and offer it to Shri Nathji. The Braja residents will bring their milk and curds for offering.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji then told Saddu Pande and the other Braja residents, “Shri Nathji is my all and everything. Remain attached to His seva and be ever ready to react to any complication. Most of all, keep Shri Nathji happy.”

Then with his own hands, Shri Vallabhacharya prepared an offering of cooked grains. Until that day, Shri Nathji had only taken milk and curds. After Shri Vallabhacharya cooked Shri Nathji His first meal, the Blessed Lord started to grab food from the Braja Vasis’s lunch boxes as they went out to herd their cows.

In the year 1499 during the second day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, Shri Nathji appeared in Purnamall’s dream and told him, “Come to Braja and build a large temple for Me.”

He gathered his wealth and left his town of Ambalya and travelled to the Govarhdan Hill where Shri Mahaprabhuji told him, “Yes quickly build the temple.

Shri Mahaprabhuji asked the Govardhan Hill if He would mind if a temple was constructed upon the sacred stones. The Govardhan Hill replied, “Shri Nathji always resides in My heart. I will not be troubled. With pleasure, construct the temple.

When a design was brought for Shri Nathji’s temple, Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya noticed the temple towers and told Hiramani, the designer to make another design without any towers. When the second design also included two towers, Shri Mahaprabhuji again told Hiramani to make a third design without any temple towers. When the third design came, it also had temple towers. Shri Mahaprabhuji told Damodardas, “It must be Shri Nathji’s wish to have a temple with towers on it. Shri Nathji will stay in this temple for a while, but when conflict with the Mughals arises, Shri Nathji will move west. He will stay there for some time and will again return to Braja to live by Punchari on the south end of the Govardhan Hill.”

It was Shri Nathji’s wish that His temple along with its towers be built and seen by all. While Shri Vallabhacharya perferred to live in isolation, Shri Nathji was the uplifter of not only divine souls, but of all souls. For the time being Shri Nathji played with his local bhaktas and waited twenty years for His temple to be finally completed. Then Shri Mahaprabhuji returned to Braja and established Shri Nathji in His new temple in the year 1519 on the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaishaka.

Shri Vallabhacharya loved living in Shri Krishna’s Braja. Mahaprabhuji’s followers called him, “The One who adores Braja.” Shri Krishna’s lilas, the focus of Shri Vallabhacharya’s teachings could easily be felt in the sacred forests of Vrindavan and Shri Vallabhacharya revelled there in Shri Krishna’s constant divine presence.

After Shri Nathji began to reside in His new temple, Shri Vallabhacharya blessed Purnamall, “Ask anything you desire from me.”

Purnamall replied, “I would like to offer Shri Nathji some very fine sandalwood oil with my own hands.”

“Happily offer your oil.”

Then Shri Mahaprabhuji adorned Shri Nathji with clothes and ornaments. On that day, the joy experienced there was ineffable. There was a huge festival. Afterwards, Shri Mahaprabhuji put Madhavendrapuri in charge of the worship and appointed his disciple Krishnadas, as manager. Kumbhandas was the temple singer. Shri Mahaprabhuji told them what foods should be offered to Shri Nathji daily and Saddu Pande made sure that the necessary ingredients were delivered to the temple.

On the day before Shri Mahaprabhuji was going to leave, Shri Nathji told him, “I want a cow.”

“I will arrange for one.”

Shri Vallabhacharya then told Saddu Pande, “Shri Nathji wants a cow. Sell this golden ring of mine and purchase a cow for Shri Nathji with the money.”

Saddu Pande replied, “I have so many cows and buffaloes. They are all yours. Just tell me how many cows you want.”

“If you give your cows to Shri Nathji then I have not truly given Him any. So sell my ring and purchase a cow for Shri Nathji!”

Saddu Pande purchased a cow and brought her before Shri Nathji. He was very pleased. When all the Braja Vasis heard that Shri Nathji loves cows, one by one they all started to present Shri Nathji with cows. Someone gave Shri Nathji four cows and someone else gave Him eight. Many people gifted Shri Nathji cows and His herd grew into thousands. Shri Mahaprabhuji started to call Shri Nathji “Gopal”.