Pushtimarg is one of the many sects in the Hindu religion. Prevailing through more than 500years, Pushtimarg was founded by Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji. Shree Mahaprabhuji is one of the five main Acharyas of the Hindu Religion, the other four being Shankaracharya, Shri Ramanujacharya, Shri Madhavacharya and Shri Nimbarkacharya. These acharyas have a very significant contribution towards the revival of the Bhakti movement and upbringing of the Hindu Religion.
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Instalation
During Shree Mahaprabhuji’s second pilgrimage, Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Lord Shrinathji in front of him and told him to establish Pushti Marg and propagate the Pushti kind of devotion among the chosen souls and bring them back to their original state in God's own domain. i.e. Golok-dham. But the question in Shri Vallabh's mind was that the divine souls in this world too are highly influenced by the materialistic world and their souls and body have lost the kind of purity that is needed for their reunion with the Supreme entity i.e.. Lord Krishna.
Brahmasambandh
In simple terms meaning, establishing a relationship with the Lord. 'Brahmasambandh' is the entry of jiva into the path of grace i.e Pushtimarg. The absolute and exclusive rights to grant bramhsambandh in the path of grace in order to transform an ordinary jeeva (soul) into pushti jeev lie only with a Vallabhkul goswami[1] balak whom vallabhi vaishnavs respectfully and lovingly refer to as ‘Bava or Jeje or Jairaj’. Vallabhkul balaks are direct descendants of Shreemad Vallabhacharyaji.
A person becomes a ‘Pushtimargiya vaishnav’ after being initiated into Pushtimarg by receiving ‘Brahmasambandh’. The first brahmasambandh was given by Shree Vallabhacharyaji to Shree Damodardas Harsaniji more than 500 years ago. The Brahmasambandh mantra is a Sanskrit mantra containing 84 letters. This mantra is not man-made; it was first given to Shree Vallabh by Shree Thakurji Himself at Thakurani Ghat in Gokul on Shravan Sud 11 in the year 1492 AD. Brahmasambandh is a process where after fasting for one full day, one is given the Gadhya Mantra in front of Thakorji’s Swaroop by a Vallabhkul goswami balak after which tulsi leaves are offered to the lotus feet of the lord.[2]