Grace of the Almighty

ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Grace of the Almighty Er. Raghunath Patra Inevitably a man looks back and memories crowd Looking at portrait of Lord Jagannath, in. Some of my memories, I have expressed hanging against wall. I cried and blamed Him for before my Jagannath Temple associates in course such chalk out, dehousing me from Puri. I strongly of talk. Meanwhile few friends pressed hard to resolved not to purchase that land. get those published for spiritual inspiration of Days later, He accorded a patch of land others. So I ventilate few of the lot fervently in a in between Jagannath and Lokanath on which precise way. present residence, ‘Brundaban Dham’ stands. 1) How He accords a patch of land for 2) How I became a bilingual writer, residence : poet : Many years back, when I was Asst. Nearly forty years back,at the time of Engineer, my Sadu Bhai i.e. brother- in-law wrote ‘darshan’, I requsted Lord Jagannath “Suna ! You a letter for purchase of a patch of land close to are my beloved son, prime of love and affection. his residence, adjacent to the compound wall of Please make my life praiseworthy, immortal. the High School, Tangi. I replied, originally I belong to Puri proper, close to Jagannath Temple. Why Months later, ‘Bala-dhupa’ ritual was should I purchase a land at Tangi ? Then he wrote going on in Srimandir in the month of Karttik. “High School, Police station, Primary Health Temple was crowded by devotees. Centre and Bus stand are very near and Kalupada Sitting on the verandah of ‘Dakshina station is not very far. The price of the land is Gruha’ I was talking of gods and goddesses. And very cheap. Days later, I received such like letter the people nearby were sincerely hearing. from my wife staying then in father-in-law’s house. Then I wrote a letter even if Tangi is a good place Meanwhile an unknown priest (servitor no doubt, I intend to breath my last at Puri only. of Lord Jagannath) came out of Dakshin Gruha To me, Baikuntha or Golaka is no other but Puri. and told ‘Patra Baboo ! Let us go to Jagamohan. I shall stay with Lord Jagannath. I can’t part with I told, “All are prohibited by Police. How can Him. I enter in ?’ He advised to go with him. The 80 JUNE-JULY - 2019 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 moment I entered inside and looked at Jagannath, Years later, when I shared this experience He came rushing forth and embraced me with His with Dr. H.K. Mahtab, he told “This is due to shoulders, tight. I shivered, thrilled. Abruptly I told your divine relationship with Him. Due to divine ‘Dhana’ what has happened to you. “Why did grace, you possess unique and exceptional genius you embrace today !” I kissed all in Ratna in literature and philosophy although you are Simhasan on my palm as usual till I came out. technocrat, a Civil Engineer by profession.” Next day, on ‘Dakshin-gruha’ verandah, same 4) How could I see ‘Pralaya’ in my priest called me inside and I got divine perception, dream : of Lord Jagannath as before. Both the days, the priest went inside ‘Garva Gruha’ leaving me in Years back, I was going through Jagamohan. I have not seen him thereafter. Later Markandeya Purana in our old house. I asked I thought “He is no other but Jagannath.” Jagannath affectionately, “Hati ! Markandeya My pen became perrenial since then in Rushi was so dear and near to you, You could two languages Odia and English, prose and poetry. show ‘Pralaya’, the great catestrophe to him Hundreds of articles have been published in where as I being father of yours deprived of.” leading dailies and magazines. Meanwhile two years elapsed. I was 3) How could I see divine flame in naked sleeping with family members at night in our eyes ! present residence. One night, in dream, I could behold “Pralaya, catastrophe or great disaster. I was going regularly to the ‘Garva All were inundated in black waters. No trace of Gruha’ of Jagannath Temple in every morning. land, tree and leaving soul. I was alone in the No restriction was there as it prevails now. Once water, struggling for life. To my good luck, I could after circumambulation of Ratna Simhasan. I stood see Jagannath floating alone. Immediately I rushed leaning to the wall in front of Jagannath. forth and embraced. He too embraced me. Repeatedly requested Him to exhibit something Although I was panting heavily out of fear, got new, miraculous so that I can remember ever. solace When I recovered from dream my heart Minutes later, I noticed the size of the deity was throbbing. expanded to double with circular eyes.The entire 5) Miracles in front of Gundicha body became blue. A blue coloured flame from the bottom of scarlet lip moved upwards crossing Mandir : diamond studded gold bud like ornament, (a) Car festival time. All three cars were ‘Mathamani’ on the forehead, I exclaimed out of standing in front of Gundicha Mandir. That was astonishment. the day of ‘Gundicha.Vijay’ i.e. all gods and One Mekap Sevak, standing infront of goddesses will enter inside temple. Cordon rope goddess Subhadra came rushing forth and encircled three cars by police. None was allowed smeared camphor on both the eyes at once. I to go front, With much difficulty. I could see one could not see divine flame. Later I thought of, eye of Lord Jagannath only. I flared up and told Subhadra, ‘Yogamaya’ did not allow me to see “Perhaps other two do not want me. I was on further. my way back in pensive mood. JUNE-JULY - 2019 81 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Just behind Subhadra Car, I noticed and told. The boy told “Have you paid prostration police lowered down cordon rope and advised to gods ?”. I told ‘Banak lagi is going on’. He one young lady carrying flower basket. “Maa ~ told “You come with me, you will see Them. He Madam pass on” Meanwhile I had gone near. guided me to the hole of the door, which was Police thought me her father perhaps and advised open then.Through hole, I could see Banak lagi. to cross cordon at once to go inside. I could Thereafter he made me stand with a request ascertain ‘she is no other but Subhadra’. I crossed “Please wait. I am coming from Garuda cordon rope and went to front space. Paid Stambha’. I remained standing for 5 minutes. Boy prostration to all without any prohibition. But that did not return. Meanwhile Lingaraj baboo, a young lady was not available. Vanished, I admired train mate of mine reached there and asked “Why Subhadra for Her divine miracle. are you standing here. Sir,” I told all - “How did b) Years back, all the three cars standing in I avail darshan through that hole.” Then he told front of Gundicha Mandir. Atmosphere thronged “that remains closed. How could you see ?” Then with sound of gongs and tabor. Articulation sound I told because of that boy only, I could avail. Hole of ladies (Hulahuli) and Haribol of devotees was was not covered then. Then he exclaimed “that filling atmosphere at frequent intervals. Flash of boy is no other but Jagannath, Himself. I fireworks, was making the function majestic. wondered and thanked. ‘Pahandi Vijay’ of Lord Balabhadra was going Miracle in front of Singhadwar (Lions gate) : on. (a) Return Car festival was over. All three Meanwhile it started drizzling. I told cars were standing in front of Singhadwar. There Balabhadra ‘Baba ! it may rain, I can’t attend was great rush of devotees on the cars for Pahandi - Vijaya of Jagannath. Suddenly touching, embracing gods and goddess. Only top Balabhadra turned black taking shape and size portion of Balabhadra and Jagannath was visible of Jagannath with rotund eyes. I saw Pahandi and Subhadra sank behind multitude. I and Vijay of Jagannath and Balabhadra. Mahapatra Baboo, Ganjam went to the platform Thanked Balabhadra from core of heart of Raghunandan Library in front and paid and murmured “you both are one and the same.” prostration to Balabhadra and Jagannath. While Then I came to Jagannath temple to pay descending from platform in front of Subhadra prostration. Heavy rain came after my reach in Car, I told abruptly in Odia. “Maa Aji Gela residence. Habuniki !” Maa ! would you not be fondled 6) Miracle inside Gundicha Temple : today !” A lady standing in front, turned her face and repeated my words smiling. Banak lagi was going on in Gundicha Mandir. So I could not have a glance of gods and Suddenly Subhadra with innumerable goddess.Simply circumambulated temple, I was hands on both the sides removed the people away, coming back with pensive mood, dissatisfied. I could see Her in fullest form from bottom to Meanwhile one unknown black boy called from top. Embraced and kissed out of affection on my behind “Patra babu ! please tell all, what palms. Mahapatra Babu was astonished. When I happened in Mehesana during marriage ceremony asked him “Could you see innumerable hands of of your elder son. I sat down in the court yard Subhadra, both the sides ?” He denied. 82 JUNE-JULY - 2019 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 (b) Miracle of both the brothers in dehydration, I took sufficient water and eagerly disguise : waiting for morning but could not. Ultimately at Once, standing near Aruna Stambha of about 3.30 AM, took more than one thousand rupees with me and started for general hospital. Singhadwar, I was talking to a young man.

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