Pushti Marg Vaishnavism, established by Vallabhacharya, is a Krishna-centered devotional tradition that understands spiritual life as a “Path of Grace.” At its heart lies the conviction that liberation is bestowed by Krishna’s grace rather than earned through asceticism, intellectual effort, or ritual merit. This grace, called pushti, is seen as a kind of divine nourishment that draws the soul into intimate relationship with Krishna. The tradition’s theological foundation is Shuddhadvaita, or “pure non-dualism,” which affirms that the world is a real manifestation of Brahman, identified with Krishna, and not a mere illusion. In this vision, spiritual fulfillment is not escape from the world but participation in Krishna’s presence and play.

Devotional life in this path is centered on Krishna in his form as Shrinathji, especially associated with the lifting of Govardhan Hill and often envisioned as a youthful, endearing deity. The primary mode of worship is seva, loving personal service to Krishna, in which the deity is treated as a living presence to be bathed, dressed, fed, entertained, and honored. Rituals are often aesthetically rich, involving music, poetry, art, and seasonal celebrations that seek to delight Krishna rather than to display the devotee’s austerity. This style of worship is suffused with raga-bhakti, a passionate, emotionally charged devotion modeled on the love of the gopis, where the devotee approaches Krishna as beloved, child, or intimate companion.

A distinctive feature of this tradition is its orientation toward householders rather than renunciants. Renunciation of the world is not held up as an ideal; instead, ordinary family life is embraced and sacralized through continuous remembrance and service to Krishna. Devotees are encouraged to fulfill their worldly duties while inwardly dedicating their lives and resources to seva, allowing domestic spaces to become extensions of the temple. Spiritual initiation and guidance are mediated through the guru-parampara, especially the lineage of Vallabhacharya’s descendants, the Goswamis, who serve as hereditary spiritual leaders and custodians of the tradition’s temples and practices.

Within this framework, practices such as sharanagati, or complete surrender to Krishna, and satsang, or gathering for devotional singing and reflection, help orient the heart toward reliance on grace rather than on self-willed discipline. The Bhagavata Purana holds a central place as scriptural foundation, shaping the community’s understanding of Krishna’s nature and pastimes. Temples, often referred to as havelis, house revered forms of Krishna and serve as focal points for communal worship, especially in regions where the tradition is most deeply rooted. Through this synthesis of non-dual philosophy, intimate devotion, and householder spirituality, Pushti Marg offers a way of life in which every aspect of existence can be reinterpreted as an opportunity for loving service to Krishna.