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Home , Ambarisha, Jhulan Purnima, Matsya, Satyabhama

Orissa Review

Chakraraj Sudarshan

Durga Madhab Dash

ri Sudarshan belongs to the pantheon of Once the Sun-god prayed to S“Chaturdhha Murti” in the cult of Lord Narayan imploring, “Hey Prabhu, the redresser . Purana and Skanda Purana of the cries of the distressed, if thyself is really are eloquent on the worship of Sri kind to me, then be pleased to reduce Sudarshan as the divine weapon of Lord my excruciating luminescence which Jagannath. In the Grand Temple at , is unbearable not only to me but also Sri Sudarshan is seated on the left side to all the creatures of the universe.” of the Lord. As described in Skanda Lord Narayan was moved by the Puran, Sri Sudarshan is the embodiment Sun’s fervent prayer. Pleased with of a unique divine luminescence. His his humble prayer, the Lord reduced image resembles the form of a short post the unendurable effulgence of the Sun- made of wood. In the physical form, god and created with the estranged his colour is lilac red. In the theory of divine glow, three weapons-namely idols, he is the explicit expression of the a disc for himself, a trident for Lord Linga and he has descended on earth Siva and above all, the most powerful to favour devotees with divine bliss as thunder for Lord . This is how per the Saivite belief. the disc of Sri Sudarshan was created for Lord Narayan. How did Sri Sudarshan emerge in the cosmic creation ? Again, what is Brahma Purana has a different the background of his emergence in the story in this regard. The story runs pole-like form in the Grand Temple, Puri as follows: ? There are different spiritual expositions on this score. Once, the gods of the kingdom of heaven, upset by the constant Chakraraj Sudarshan, as per battle calls of demons, met Lord Puruna, was created out of the Narayan in the Milk-Ocean where cosmic sparkle of the sun-god. This the Lord was deeply immersed in was fostered under a special circumstance as per divine slumber. They prayed to the Lord with the divine wish of Lord Narayan/. profound devotion to save them from the atrocities

34 July - 2011 Orissa Review of the demons. When the Lord woke up, the vibrant in the cosmic creation. According to gods made a very humble appeal stating, “Hey, Balaram Das, Sri Sudarshan is the divine form of Prabhu, the protector of the helpless and the Atharba Veda while Sri Balaram is described as vulnerable, thou art the Lord of the universe. We the representative of Sama Veda, Ma know well that thyself is aware of our tormenting as the representative of Rig Veda and Lord concern. We are very often troubled by the Jagannath as the divine form of Jajur Veda. Sri demons. We therefore pray for Thy intervention Sudarshan is embracive of all weapons like in our case to humble the demons with Thy Conch, Disc, Pasa, Ankusa, Shula, Bajra, etc. uncommon prowess”. The all-merciful Lord was In his divine appearance, he has eight hands and immensely pleased. He immediately consoled the three eyes. He is in the form of wild and gods, saying, “Oh, the gods of heaven, you are tumultuous fire. He is the avenger of all enemies blessed with myriad divine powers. Your and all evil forces. He is the symbol of powerful weapons conjointly used in a composite immaculate divine force with the soaring effulgence form can annihilate the demons from earth. What of the great Lord. In that way, Sri Sudarshan is a I suggest in this connection is that all of you should very sturdy weapon of Lord Narayan. In the together part with some portions of your divine books of idols, Sri Sudarshan is christened in the power and create a composite divine weapon holy name of Chakraraj, the king of all weapons which would be not only very powerful but also in the cosmic creation. There is a unique anecdote far-reaching in its magnitude. We may use this in scriptures about his remarkable services to the weapon to humble down the wicked demons in a Lord and his matchless love for the devotees of ruthless way”. Hearing the kind words of the Sriman Narayan. Lord, the gods were greatly pleased. They immediately parted with portions of their divine Once upon a time, there was a good and power with the help of which the Lord created pious king. His name was Ambarisha. He was a Chakraraj Sudarshan. However, the Lord good devotee of Lord Vishnu. He considered preserved it under his possession. He wielded it his daily services as humble offerings to Lord only when it was necessary to annihilate the evil. Vishnu. On one occasion, he made up his mind to observe a spiritual austerity by an institution of In Srimad Bhagabatam, Sri Sudarshan is special worship of Lord Vishnu on the 12th day described as the king of all stars. He is present in of every lunar month for a period of one year for the all-pervading space. He represents the moon; his spiritual uplift. He and his wife performed the he is water and air in the universe. In the same ritual together with utmost devotion. When the way, he is the earth and the sky. Sri Sudarshan is completion of one year duration arrived, he also described as Jagnya. He exists as soul in all celebrated the concluding ritual in pomp and living beings. He represents the supreme ceremony. Just on that day, Maharshi Durbasa luminescence of the Supreme Purusha as came to his palace with his followers. The pious described in the . king and his wife offered their hospitality to the In Premabhakti Brahma Gita of great saint and invited him and his followers to Yossabanta Das, he is portrayed as great void the afternoon meal on the occasion of their representing the divine effulgence of Brahma. He concluding ritual. The saint with his followers went is devoid of feet, head, nose and ear. Yet he is all to Jamuna River for ablution. While taking bath,

July - 2011 35 Orissa Review he remained immersed in the thought of the Lord In Kaliyuga, Sri Sudarshan, converse to and skipped the launch time which caused a great his disc like divine appearance, is portrayed in a hardship to the king. The king was supposed to pole-like form and seated on the divine throne in conclude his ritual in time or else it would act the Grand Temple, Puri on the left side of Lord against him in a reverse way. He consulted his Jagannath. There is a spiritual reason for this Brahmins. They advised him to conclude the ritual happening which may be described through a in proper time by breaking his fasting by taking at popular spiritual exposition as given below. least water as he was to wait for the arrival of Marharshi Durbasa. He followed the instructions In Dwapara Yuga, there was, on one of his Brahmins. occasion, a spiritual happening in a wintry night. The two chief queens of Lord , namely Maharsi Durbasa with his followers and Satyabhama were sitting on a swing returned to the palace of Ambarisha after bath at in the royal garden of their palace in Dwarika and a very late hour of the day. On arrival, when he discussing about Rasalila which the Lord could came to know what the king had done by then, not forget despite the entire regal splendour. It is he got very wild and by creating a demon called described in the Bhagabat that Rasalila is a unique Krutya, he ordered him to destroy the pious king form of cosmic game of the Lord with the Gopies in anger. The king was unperturbed at the of Brundaban. As described in other scriptures, impending danger and he prayed to Sri Sudarshan was the chief maiden of the Gopies. The for help. King Ambarisha was not at fault under Lord was unable to forget Radha from the core any circumstance. Sri Sudarshan instantly of his heart. In her painful separation, Krishna, it appeared at the palace to save the king from the is said, was succumbed to a state of stupor on impending catastrophe. At first, he killed the more than one occasion and called out Radha’s demon and then he followed the Maharsi to name off and on even while he was fast asleep in equally punish him for his audacious curse. night. Rukmini and Satyabhama wanted to know Durbasha ran from pillar to post for help. Even the past days of the Lord in Brundaban. the Lords, Brahma, Vishnu and Siva could not Satyabhama in particular was resentful as the Lord save him from the danger. Vishnu at last advised loved the Gopies more than anybody else in his the Maharshi to approach king Ambarisha for life. The Lord always eulogized the excellence of necessary help because it was Ambarisha who their devotion. This was intolerable even to his alone could save him from the wrath of Sri other chief queens. Rukmini was restless too. Sudarshan. At last the saint approached the king But she was not exposed like Satyabhama and for help. Ambarisha, by offering the fruits of all the other queens. his past religious achievements, prayed to Sri Sudarshan to calm down and save the life of the That evening, Rukmini suggested to Maharshi. Sri Sudarshan, was immensely pleased Satyabhama that they should go to their mother- with the King’s humble submission. At last Sri in-law, Rohini and hear the various aspects of Sudarshan saved the life of Durbasha. So it is Rasalila. All agreed to her suggestion. The eight said that Sri Sudarshan is kind to the devotees of queens went to Rohini’s apartment and told her the Lord to this extent. One can get his help when about the purpose of their coming. Rohini was one is in danger and prays to him for his blessings. very happy to see the chief queens in her

36 July - 2011 Orissa Review apartment. She became happier still when she love, Narad said, “ Prabhu, all that has happened heard from them that they were interested to hear here today is fostered by Thy immaculate wish. Rasalila from her. (In other scriptures, it is said This happening has a divine purpose. All thy that Brunda of Gopapur, an ardent devotee of divine forms would appear in Kaliyug for the the Lord, was selected to explain the Rasa to the worship of your devotees.” It is thus believed eight queens. However, we would hold on to that in the context of this situation, the images of Rohini for our purpose here). All sat together in the Jagannath Pantheon have appeared on the perfect silence before Rohini. Subhadra, Rohini’s divine altar of the Grand Temple in deformed daughter was present in her mother’s apartment. appearances conforming to both Dwaita and She was asked to keep watch over the place and Adwaita philosophy which is the essence of the not to allow anybody inside-even Sri Krishna and Jagannath Cult. This is how Sri Sudarshan is in Sri Balaram, during the divine discussion. the pole-like form in Kaliyuga. Everything was arranged in proper order and Rasa was narrated to the queens in all sweetness and The story further goes on to say that when with utmost devotion. Satyabhama who was Sri Sudarshan was formed in to a vertical initially averse to Gopies could not believe her appearance and placed by the side of the Lord, ears as she heard the lovely episodes about the he developed a strange feeling of unusual Cosmic Lila between the Lord and the Gopies. greatness. He thought within that, because of his Things took a different turn when Sri Balaram and invincible power, he was shifted from the right Srikrishna arrived on the spot. While they were hand of the Lord and given an independent place on the divine throne of the pantheon of Chaturdha trying to enter the apartment of Rohini, Subhadra Murti. In that way, the Lord’s blessing was a big obstructed their way. She explained to them the reason of the obstruction. Sri Krishna was religious achievement for him. The Lord got the scent of his egoistic feeling and wished to teach however very happy at heart. As Sri Balaram him a lesson in the appropriate time. and Sri Krishna were standing at the entrance, splinters of the lovely discussion wafted on in to Once when the opportune time arrived, their ears. The expositions on Rasa were very he called Sri Sudarshan to his side and said, “ sweet. The two Lords were simply benumbed Sudarshan, I need the presence of at after hearing the sweet Rasa. Their sense organs my place immediately. So go to his place and finally began to melt. Sri Sudarshan was inform him to appear before me immediately.” At succumbed to a similar situation. Subhadra too this, Sri Sudarshan felt very small. He never was not free from the divine stupor. All the Lords thought that he would one day be enagaged by and Ma Subhadra hearing Rasa were reduced to the Lord to the extent of a silly messenger. Finding deformed appearances. By then, the feet and no way out to escape from the menial assignment, the front portions of their hands had got dissolved. he proceeded to Hanuman’s place while carrying Sri Sudarshan was converted to a short pole- like out the Lord’s mandate. Sri Hanuman took form. Just then, Maharshi Narad descended on reverential note of the divine mandate and that place. He could not believe his eyes when informed Sri Sudarshan that he would reach the he witnessed the deformed appearances of his Lord’s abode in a short-while from then. That Lords and their sister Subhadra and divine actually happened. Sri Hanuman reached the messenger, Sri Sudarshan. Swayed in divined temple of the Lord instantly. But to his surprise,

July - 2011 37 Orissa Review he found that, his way at the main entrance of the Lord Siva. Devotees in general have a religious temple had been blocked by Sri Sudarshan in his faith that since Chakraraj is the accompanying actual appearance. Sri Hanuman could smell the spiritual force of Lord Jagannath, the latter is disaster lying ahead. A fierce dual followed imbued with the spiritual power of Lord Siva and between Sri Hanuman and Sri Sudarshan. At last in that way, He is the most powerful Lord in the Sri Sudarshan was relegated to a pitiful situation cosmic creation. Sri Sudarshan goes in the front of crushing defeat in the hands of Sri Hanuman. of Lord Jagannath in all His spiritual journeys. On That was also the divine wish of the Lord. The the occasion of the Car Festival, he goes first in aura of Sri Sudarshan had faded by then. He Pahandi and is then seated in Debadalana Chariot was trembling in the dazzling divine resplendence of goddess Subhadra ahead of all other images. of Sri Hanuman. Sri Hanuman carried Chakraraj As per another view in scriptures, the wood-god to Lord’s citadel in his hands and set him free by of Adivasis (meaning Chakraraj Sudarshan) is the rolling him on the ground at the instance of the foremost deity of the Jagannath Pantheon. In one Lord. Sri Sudarshan could now come to know sense, he is the path finder. Sri Sudarshan is the the divine greatness of Sri Hanuman. He could cosmic caretaker of Sri Balabhadra, Ma Subhadra also feel Sri Hanuman’s close proximity to the and Sri Jagannath. In all public functions, he is Lord. He apologized for his mistake. The Lord idolised first. Vaishnavites worship the disc-form pardoned his behavioural aberration and allowed of Sri Sudarshan. They carry his mark on their him his original place on the divine throne. bodies as a mark of profound faith in his supreme Nonetheless, the defeat of Chakraraj was a great divine prowess. In the usual spiritual order, Sri snub to his invincible supremacy. It rebuffed his Sudarshan is illustrious in myriad ways. glory as the divine messenger of the Lord. He looked morose in his usual behaviour. The Lord On three different occasions every year, could know his feelings well. To replenish his Sri Sudarshan moves out in slow procession lost glory, he bestowed on him a more illustrious outside the Grand Temple. These rituals take and honoured place by elevating his place to the place on Sraban or , Radhastami pinnacle of the Grand Temple. The Nilachakra and Kumar Purnima in pomp and ceremony. that we see today at the spire of the Temple is the graceful reward of the Lord to Sri Sudarshan. Sraban Purnima generally falls in July- He was established at the pinnacle in Chakra- August every year. This auspicious day is like form as the avenger of all sins and all evils. observed as the birth day of Lord Balabhadra. Since then, the devotees have a belief that before This is observed in the presence of Chakraraj entering Puri, if one pays one’s obeisance to Sudarshan near Markandeya Tank not very far Nilachakra with devotion, one will have one’s sins from the Grand Temple. After the afternoon washed followed by the bestowal of divine glory. offering , Sri Sudarshan is carried from the divine altar to Jagamohan. He is then seated in a As per Markandeya Purana, Sri palanquin at this place. Next he is worshipped in Sudarshan is worshipped as the divine symbol of a definite ritualistic order. The servitors place Sun-god in the Grand Temple. Vaishnavites have garlands of flower on his crest and adorn him with a belief that Chakraraj is the divine prowess of ceremonial robes and ornaments. He is then Lord Jagannath. Saivites believe that Chakraraj carried to the Jhulan Mandap nearby in the same is the Linga Purusha. He is the divine symbol of Palanquin. Here again other rituals are observed

38 July - 2011 Orissa Review in the usual way with the blowing of trumpet and previous year. As per the customary belief among other musical instruments of the temple. Sri the devotees, Jameswar is the chief accountant Sudarshan next moves around the temple under of Lord Jagannath. He keeps the accounts of the the ceremonial canopy and at last he is carried in temple and reads them out before Sri Sudarshan, a slow procession to Makandeya Tank. Next the representative of Lord Jagannath on follows the birth-day celebration of Lord Balaram. Radhastami day. Sri Sudarshan, for this purpose, Sri Balaram’s form is created out of the sticky is known as Panji Suna (listener of detailed soil supplied by the temple potter. The servitor accounts) Sudarshan. Sri Sudarshan thereafter thereafter infuses life into the earthen image of Sri returns to the Grand Temple in his route which is Balaram through religious incantations. The well defined and meticulously followed. celebration is next performed in a ritualistic order with offerings in the presence of Sri Sudarshan. The third annual function of Sri Sudarshan Thus goes the religious celebration. After is observed on Kumar Purnami day i.e. on the completion of the ritual, the earthen image is auspicious full-moon-day of Aswin month which immersed in water. Thereafter, Sri Sudarshan falls sometime during September-October as per returns to the Grand Temple after visiting the the English Calender. In the usual ritualistic order, Ashrams of saints, Pandu, Angira and Bhrugu on Sri Sudarshan, on this day too, moves along in a the way. slow procession to Angira Ashram in Dolamandap Street Via-Chotoraya Purahat (Palace gate) and Another function of Sri Sudarshan is held Uttar Patna (Marichakote by-lane) . Sri th on the Radhastami day i.e. on the 8 day of the Sudarshan is received here with a mass ovation bright fortnight of Bhadrab month every year. followed by different offerings. Next, he moves Generally this auspicious day falls in the period along and appears in Sri Sudarashan Mahala between August and September as per the English (Harachandi Street) Jameswar Pandu Ashram, Calender. The function goes on in a regular order Bhrugu Ashram ( Bali Street) and then he every year. After offering of evening divine light proceeds to the Western Gate of the Grand (Sandhya Alati) on the Radhastami day, Sri Temple Via-Uaasa Danda and Gandagaura Sudarshan is specially worshipped at his place Chhak. After performace of usual rituals, he at on the divine altar for this ritual. After observance last proceeds to the sanctum sanctorum via- of all other ritualistic formalities, Chakraraj moves Jagamohan. on to Jagamohan and is seated in a special palanquin. From there he is carried in the same There is a significance of these divine palanquin to Jhulan Mandap like the Gamha journeys. The area of his journey was once the Purnami function. From there, he moves around area of SriKshetra Puri. Today, with the increase the temple once and then proceeds to Jameswar of population, the area of the pilgrim centre has Temple, Via- a definite route outside in slow definitely increased. But Sudarshan’s area of procession. His palanquin is next placed near journey still remains the same as before. the bull image of the temple. This is a ritual where the main servitor of Jameswar Temple would read There is a place called Chakratirtha at out to the image of Sri Sudarshan the detailed Puri. Here there is a temple of Sri Sudarshan. accounts of the Grand Temple pertaining to the His disc-form is worshipped here before the

July - 2011 39 Orissa Review images of Lord Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra and Grand Temple. Here there is a beautiful image of Lord Jagannath sitting on the divine altar. Sri Sudarshan Mahapravu made of black granite Chakratirtha is a pilgrim centre. It is as famous as stone. It contains in the middle the inscription of the other pilgrim centers like Kasi, Narmada, an eight-armed Narayan image seated in lotus etc. pose. On the right side of this image, there is a tiny mark of Sri Sudarshan in disc-like form. On There is a beautiful spiritual illustration in its left side, there is a small mark of Linga. Sri Skanda Purana which describes that Chakratirtha Sudarshan in this spiritual pose depicts his overall was created by Lord Narayan/Vishnu against the cosmic existence both in the Vaishnavite and the following spiritual background. Saivite forms. Once there was a battle between the Sri Sudarshan like Sri Jagannath is a demons and Lord Narayan on behalf of gods of mysterious deity. He is the symbol of all cults heaven. The demons were wiped out by Lord and all spiritual faiths. He is the composite Narayan with the help of Sri Sudarshan. As a expression of both Purusha and Prakriti in actual result of this, Sri Sudarshan was smeared with divine dispensation. When he is seated by the blood-stains of the demons. To wash Sri side of Ma Subhadra in Debadalan Chariot on Sudarshan of the dirty-stains, the Lord created a the occasion of Car Festival, he is expressive of sacred pool. This was known as Chakratirtha. the Adya Sakti of Lord Jagannath. On all other He created this sacred poll in the presence of the occasions, he is adored as the resplendent Brahma presiding deities of 10 million pilgrim centres. Purusha in the Pole-like form known to the Chakratirtha is thus visited by all pilgrims who devotees as Chakraraj Sudarshan. visit the Grand Temple, at Puri.

There is a temple known as Chakranarayan Temple in the flower garden Madhab Dash, House No-138, Ananta Vihar, situated on the side of the western gate of the Ph-II, Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar.

Jagannath Temple, Paradeep

40 July - 2011