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Orissa Review June-July - 2007

Shree and Shree Ram

Prabhat Kumar Nanda

Many scholars have enunciated that Shree Ram They believe in "Gyana Mishra " i.e., is none other than Shree Jagannath as depicted in offering devotion which is supported and accepted our religion. On careful analysis, it has been by knowledge and proper reasoning. observed that virtues of Shree Ram are mostly as Lord Jagannath has been accepted all over such of Shree Jagannath. Shree Jagannath has the world as the master of entire universe (Natha been accepted as the origin of incarnations. means Master and Jagata means Universe). Hence, in he is named as incarnator Hence, anything found on this earth is created by (Avatari) and ten others created by Shree Him. He is the supreme creature and all others Jagannath are called ten incarnations (Dasa are his creations. Accepting such analogy, Shree Avatara). In Oriya literature, it has been Ram is one of the virtues of Shree Jagannath. established that Shree Jagannath is the embodiment of sixteen virtues. Lord is The other name of Lord Jagannth is "Shree one of such virtues. Hence, Lord Jagannath has Purusottam" i.e., the best personality (Uttam been accepted in the religious literature as means Best and Purusa means Person). The "Parambrahma" i.e., the absolute supreme, as the activities of Shree Jagannath from dawn to dusk philosophy accepted by scholars of Orissa. Such are exactly as that of a benevolent person of scholars have named as followers of Baishnab in human society. In the present age i.e., "Kalijuga", Orissa (Utkaliya Baishnab). Such theory has not Shree Jagannath preferred to be like a worldly been accepted by the followers of Gaudiya person because of greater acceptance by the Baishnav. Shree Chaitanya, an eminent saint of people of world in the age of knowledge tried his level best of fostering the explosion. Shree is named as "Maryada importance of Shree Krishna on Shree Jagannath. Purusottam" i.e., personality with dignity. The People of Orissa and "Muktimandap Sabha", the creation of incarnation of Shree Ram was to house of scholars of Jagannath temple, accepted upheld the dignity of personality. Shree Ram, as Shree Krishna as one of the incarnations of Shree the obedient son, fostered high regards to the Jagannath, but did not accept the "Raga Nuga words of his father. Shree Ram preferred to leave Vokti" i.e., expression of Love and total surrender the kingdom of for fourteen years. To to Shree and Shree Krishna without any uphold the dignity of his kingship and querry and debate. People of Orissa and followers administration, he did not hesitate to send his wife of Lord Jagannath are named as "Utkaliya Sita to the dense forest after reaching Ayodhya Baishnav" i.e., followers of Baishnavs of Orissa. to honour the feelings of the people of Kingdom.

110 Orissa Review June-July - 2007

Though Shree Ram was convinced of the of sun (). Shree Ram also belongs to Surya innocence and the sacred life of Sita, preferred clan. With such convincing narration by Balmiki to put more importance to the views of common , scholars accept Shree Jagannath as people of Ayodhya by sending her out of Shree Ram. Different rites in Jagannath temple Kingdom. Hence, there is no doubt equalizing also prove the influence of Shree Ram on the cult the dignity of Shree Ram and Shree Jagannath as of Shree Jagannath. During Car Festival the king Purusottama, the excellent person. Bibhisana offers special prayer to Shree Jagannath Shree Jagannath was more established as on the full moon day of month Pusya. Shree Shree Ram by saint Tulasi Das. Like that of all Jagannath is also decorated in the dress of Shree religious scholars who visited the temple of Shree Ram during Ramayana Festival in Jagannath Jagannath at , saint Tulasi Das also visited Temple. and saw Jagannath, Balabhadra and During the birth month of Shree Ram i.e., on the grand throne. Saint Tulasi Das, Chaitra, for fifteen days, processions with idol of an ardent devotee of Shree Ram, was Shree Ram, Laxman and Sita are organized in disappointed not to see Sri Ram on the grand different areas of Puri. Specifically, idols of throne of the Grand Temple at Puri. Later, he Parsuram from Harachandi Sahi, Ravana from was astonished to see Ram in Lord Jagannath, Balisahi, Maya Ravana from Dola Mandap Sahi Shree Laxman in Lord Balabhadra and Sita in are organized with pump and ceremony. Such Goddess Subhadra. Hence, he immediately ceremony is popularly named as "Sahi Jata" of accepted Lord Jagannath as Shree Ram. In his Puri. famous writing, he has also expressed in Hindi ; As a king of Surya clan in Benta Festival "Johi Rama Sohi Jagadisha, (Benta ) during Basanta Panchami of Dola, Dina Hi Ke Antana the idol of Shree Ram is carried to Jagannath Pabata Shesa, "Shesa Bhaya Lachhiman Balav garden and hunting of animals are organised Anuchari, Bhadra So Siya Rajkumari" and surrendered to the forefathers. The rites of The gist of the above is, "He is Ram, Who Lord Jagannath and Shree Ram depict and is Jagannath". Taking the above writing of saint synthesise the culture of Shree Ram and Lord Tulasi Dash, the devotees of Shree Ram all over Jagannath. accept Shri Jagannath as Shree Ram. After Bahuda yatra i.e. Return Car Festival, In Balmiki Ramayan, it has been narrated Lod Jagannath is worshipped as Shree Ram that Shree Ram advised devotee and during Niladri Bije i.e., returning to the Grand the king Bivisana to worship Shree Jagannath after Temple after nine days of Car Festival. All above the age of Tretaya. The version of Balmiki narrations prove that Shree Ram is accepted as Ramayana is produced below: Shree Jagannath. Hence, saint Tulasi Das has correctly enunciated that "Johi Rama Sohi "Aradhya Jagannatham Ekshyaku Jagadisha" i.e., He is Ram, who is Lord Kula daibatam, Jagannath. It is one of the illustrations of excellent Aradhaniyo Manisham Debanam synthesis of different cults of our nation in Shree Basabai Sahah " Jagannath Temple. As per determination of Baidik clan of every person, Shree Jagannath belongs to Surya clan. (Surya Bansha) Ekshyaku is the other name Prabhat Kumar Nanda is the Secretary, Paradip Port Trust, .

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