The Birth of Shri Vallabh

There is a very interesting tale connected to the birth of Shri Vallabhacharyaji.His parents were on their way to their native village from Banaras (Varanasi) when Shri Illamaji experienced labour pains in the forest of Champa (Champaranya).There she gave birth to Shri Vallabh.But both Shri Laxman Bhattji and Illamaji thought that the child was born dead and so they put him under a tree and advanced on their journey.At might Shri Thakurji gave a dream to Shri Illamaji that he himself was born as her child.On hearing this Shri Illamaji and Shri Laxman Bhattji rushed to the tree where they had placed Shri Vallabh.There they saw that Shri Vallabh was playing happily while a ring of fire had encircled him to protect him.As Shri Illamaji neared Shri Vallabh the ring automatically disappeared and she took Shri Vallabh into her lap.