A disciple of Shri Vittalnathji (Shri Gusaji ), shri Vishnudas Joshi (of Umreth) disciple of Shri Vittalnathji (Shri Gusaji ), shri Vishnudas Joshi (of Umreth). Shastriji was born in a highly religious Brahmin family who were devoted followers of the Pushti Marg. This resume gives a brief account of some of the revered ancestors of Shastri family.Shri Gaud – As per an ancient legend, once Laxmiji had a desire to perform a ‘yagya’. For that purpose she invited from Kashmir those holy Brahmin who were scholars in the Vedas. The Brahmins performed the ‘yagya’, as desired by Laxmiji. Pleased by the effective performance carried out by the Brahmins , Laxmiji bestowed on them the title of , ‘Guruji’. Laxmiji is also known by her other name, ‘shri’. So the Brahmins were recognised as the ‘shri Guruji’. But in our languages also, there are many words which are mispronounced. Here, too was a similar case. ‘Shri Guru’ got converted into ‘Shri Gaud’. Since then, they are known as ‘ShriGaud Brahmin’.Kashmiriya – As these Brahmin families lived in Kashmir, they came to be known as ‘Kashmiriya Shri Gaud’.

In Gujarat Brahmins are found converged in four towns mainly. They are: Bhadran,Vadodara, Kavi and Chhani, the last named is near vadodara. In these Brahmin families there was the family of revered shri Vishnudasji Joshi. It was some six hundred years ago that shri Vishnudasji came to Gujarat and with his family settled down here.The Tradition of Pushti Marg – Shri Vishnudasji was a pious, pure hearted, devoted and scholarly Brahmin. With the generosity of Shri Vittalnathji (Shri Gosaji ), the second son of Shri Vallabhacharyaji , bestowed on Shri Vishnudasji he earned initiation (diksha) of Pushti Margiya Mantra (Brahma Sambandha mantra). But he could not bear separation from Shri Gusaiji and expressed his desire to settled down permanently with his family in Gokul. However, Shri Gusaji, who fulfilled the desires of his devotees appeared before Shri Vishnudasji in a dream and asked him to stay in Umreth and promised that occasionally I will keep appearing before you. Since those days of Shri Gosaji this family, generation after generation has lived under the benevolence of Vallabha dynasty. So far regular activities of Shri Vishnudas Joshi and his family members were the reciting of Puranas, astrology and performing religious rituals. In fact, these were the family’s traditional vocations.