ANNAPRASHAN

Food Eating Ceremony:

On the ninth day of the bright half of the month Jehta in V.S. 1609 the food eating ceremony (Annaprashan) was celebrated. Generally by the childish gestures the prophecy of the child will turn out is prophesied by the childish pranks and gestures. After the completion of the food eating ceremony (Annaprashan) some toys, Shrimad Bhagavata and Tulsi Kanthi were put before the child. Shri Gokuleshji walked on all fours (Crawled) and came to the book of Bhagavata and Tulsi Kanthi taking, Tulsi kanthi in one hand & putted the other hand on Shrimand Bhagavat. Inspite of so many beautiful attractive toys Shri Gokuleshji put his hands on Tulsi Kanthi (mala) as well as Bhagavata. Seeing those gestures Shri Vitthalnathji declared as a prophecy that the child would protect Bhagavat Dharma (Veda-Dharma) as well as Mala-Tilak in future. He would be protector of these two.

Childhood of Shri Gokuleshji:

Shri Gokuleshji was very fond of cows. In his childhood he used to go to gaushala (the cowshed) and play with the small calves and heifers (he calf and she calf) and coax the cow with love and affection. He was very fond of sports and games. He had great interest in the games and sports like hide and seek, blind man's buff, playing with small sticks, exercise, the royal game of dice, chess, horse riding, swimming etc.