ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review

Shree Jagannath Consciousness

Prof. A.V.P.R.Rao

he awareness of Self / Brahman as Texperienced by us at different stages of activities, like waking, dreaming and sound sleeping is called consciousness. The General Consciousness in the light of Shree Jagannath is referred to as Shree Jagannath Consciousness. We shall now discuss Mandukya Upanishad before we come to Shree Jagannath Consciousness.

Mandukya Upanishad says :

“Sarvah etat Brahmayamatma Brahma Swayamatma Catuspat” (2nd Sloka) The very self is signified by ‘Om’ and exists (All this is surely Brahman. This self is Brahman. as higher and lower Brahman. It is chatuspat, The self as It is possessed of four quarters) possessed of four quarters as mentioned earlier.

Isa Upanishad also says : Prajna connects outer world with inner Brahman. It is mass consciousness. It is threshold “Isa vasyam idam servam yat kim ca. to other quarters, Viz. Viswa / Vaisvanara and Jagatyam jagat” (1st Sloka) Taijasa on the side of mundane world while it can absorb, “Turiya” on the inner self. (There is no place in this world where there is no self / Brahman). Prajna, if reached through the path of jnanam, is not bound by mind and vital force Brahman permeates through prakriti / (Hiranya garbha) and hence it remains in its natural Jagat. Brahman appears to be different at every free state. We can coin this state as yoga nidra stage because of ‘Maya’. Brahman, if pointed out or divine sleep. It is contrary to deep sleep where directly and specifically is “Ayam atma Brahman”. self is enveloped in Maya. We are now discussing It means self is Brahman. Prajna in its natural free state.

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Mandukya Upanishad describes prajna as : During the waking state, one experiences “Esha sarveshwarah, Esha Sarvajya, Esha external world with sense organs. It is full of Antarjami Esha Yonih sarvesyahi prabhava- activity. It is the cause and effect. Vedas say it is apyayau bhutanam” (Sloka 6) represented by right eye. Prajna is the Lord of all and it is omniscient. He Taijasa is also cause and effect and enjoys directs every thing, staying inside the heart. He is internal things within mind. Vaisvanara merges into the sustainer of entire universe. He is the origin Taijasa and Taijasa into deep sleep, known as and also dissolution of all beings. Thus he is the 3rd quarter, Prajna state about which we have Sarveswarah. already discussed. The fourth quarter of consciousness is Turiya. Mandukya Upanishad He is Purushotham as described in describes it - Bhagawad Gita. In chapter XV, it is said, “Nantah Prajna Na bahish prajna “Na tad bhashyate surya Na prajya ghanam……..” (sloka 9). Na Sasanka na parakash”. Turiya is neither conscious of internal Prajnan Brahman at this stage is said to world nor external world, nor both the worlds, in yoga nidra / Divine sleep) Sri Ranganath Swamy nor mass of consciousness nor uncousciousness. of famous Srirangam temple, at Srirangam on the It is seer of every thing. It is inner witness banks of beautiful Kauvem river in Tamil Nadu is (sakshibhutam). “Maha Vishnu” in the posture of divine sleep, carved on shining black stone. On Vaikunta ‘Om’ is comprised of three letters ‘a’, ‘u’ Ekadasi Tithi the doors of sanctum sanctorum, and ‘m’ known as three quarters. The waking commonly known as swarga dwaram (door) are state, Vaisvanara is denoted by ‘a’. The second opened in brahma muhurtam at early 4 0' clock letter, ‘u’ indicates the dreaming state, Taijasa. in the morning when Sri Ranganath Swamy makes The third letter ‘m’ indicates prajna. It amounts his divine presence before his devotees, waiting to saying that Prajna state absorbs first two stages, from midnight in a long queue for these auspicious Vaisanara and Taijasa. ‘There is a gap of silence moments to have a glance at him which is between the end of one syllable ‘Om’ and considered as maha bhagyam (blessed beginning of second one. This gap is known as opportunity), taking one direct to Vishnu Lokam ‘Turiya’, the IVth quarter. after one's demise. Turiya is partless ‘Om’. It is culmination Srirangam is an important one among one of three states, viz, gross, dream and deep sleep. hundred and eight punya sthalas (sacred places) The knower of Brahman /Self enters into ‘Self’ to be visited surely according to Vaishnavaisrn. by burning away third state of latency of creation,

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Prajnam state. This is Turiya State. So while permeates into our lives through different stages practicing ‘Om’ with its meaning, there will be of consciousness. gradual merging of 1st quarter into 2nd one, The act of taking original idols of Lord 2nd into 3rd and 3rd merged completely into Shree Jagannath, Shree Balabhadra and Devi silence, i.e. Turiya. Subhadra is famous and unique “Pahundi Yatra”, It should be remembered that ‘Om’ is not a classic example of its own and found nowhere ‘Self. But it is a vehicle to take individual ‘Self’ in any Vaishnava temple, strikingly reminds you into ‘Self’ / Brahman. the practical demonstration how Self / Brahman Now let us discuss Shree Jagannath diffuses into gross world, crossing different stages consciousness. Shree Jagannath temple and its of consciousness. Similarly the idols, going back idols — their shape and placement in sanctum to sanctum sanctorum in return car festival seems sanctorum — the rituals and customs and having to us as if 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters of no bar for the idols being touched by anybody consciousness merge one another into Turiya state. irrespective of caste, creed and faith all clearly Now Shree Jagannath is only Sakshibhuta or reflect how Shree Jagannath / Brahman witness “whose vision can never be lost:” as Brahadaranyaka Upanishad pinpoints out.

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