Orissa Review June - 2004 Sri Krishna and Lord Jagannath Somanath Khuntia efore dealing with the puja system of the "Srulantu Sarbe, Amrutasya Putrah" Bgreat Jagannath Temple of Puri, we must Let all sons and daughters hear they first look into the real definition of the terms are born from immortal source, and that Vaishnava and Vaishnavism. According to He will Protect You." Indian epics, there are three deities, known as In this Vedic sloka, it is stated simply Trishakti, Trideva, or Trio. They are Brahma, that it is the duty of God, who is the divine the Creator, Vishnu, the Protector, and Shiva, force behind every common man, every blade the Destroyer. These three attributes are of grass, every cosmos in creation, to come indispensable in all matters, even now in and protect His house. In Bhagavat Geeta the science and in the simple construction of a same is told; building. Every thing we think, feel, and hear is subject to these three influences, as told by "Jada Jadahi Dharmasya the ancient rishis in the days of yore. Glanirvabati Bharat Avyuthayan Swadharmasya It is most interesting to note, however, Jadatman Srujamyaham that Avataras, or Divine beings who incarnate Paritranayan Sadhunam." on earth as man from time to time to uplift humanity, are never born. They come to earth "Whenever Problems Overwhelm the World, in a divine way, from Vishnu, the protector to uphold Dharma, or Righteousness, Himself. There are no Avatars of Brahma or I incarnate from age to age." Shiva. According to Ishabashya Upanishad, the From the world "Vishnu", to maintain, whole creation is filled with Divinity. to protect, the word "Vishnava" is derived, that "Ishabasyamidam Sarba Jat Kichnitya is, one who worships Vishnu, the protector. This worship or spiritual practice is known as dagatya Jagat." "Vaishnavism". That which is created is easy to destroy, In Vaishnavism, we do not give so much but difficult to maintain and protect. For this emphasis to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, such as : reason, Lord Vishnu Himself comes in the form of a divine man, or Avatar, as a father would 1. Yama : Non-violence, having truth, come to protect his children. compassion, forgiveness, purity. 25 Orissa Review June - 2004 2. Nityama : Spiritual practice, puja, childhood days, Radha, was the foremost worship, Japa or telling holy names, giving example of this love. When Krishna left alms. Brindavan for Dwaraka, He did not return. Four days became four years and more, 3. Asana : such as Hatha Yoga. although He had promised to return. Radha one 4. Pranayama : breathing exercises. day tells her friends : 5. Pratiyahara : worship through forms, "Krishna is now busy in Dwaraka. He is not known as Sakara, formless worship, known as coming. I will die one day. Please, my dear Nirakara and seeing God in all known as sisters, you can do this one thing for me. At Atmabhava. that time, carry my dead body on the path where 6. Dharana : one-pointedness, or He once walked you throw a cloth over it on forbearance. which is written only Krishna, Krishna, Krishna. Write His name on my breasts. If by 7. Dhyana : meditation chance the sound of a sweet flute is heard, turn 8. Samadhi : God realization. my head so that its sweet music will enter my ear. This is my last prayer to you, my dear Here what alone is essential is Bishwasa sisters. Let my dead body also be content that I or Faith, and Anuraga, or Loyalty and Affection have been with Him and let all remember that and most importantly Abhimana or here is a lady who liked Him so much." Unconditional Love. In Vaishnavism complex rituals are not "Bishwasa" means having complete faith at all necessary. The essential thing is only this with no doubt, blind faith even. With such faith Radhabhava. The Love of Radha for Sri in her Lord Krishna, while utterring His name, Krishna and Anurakti. The feeling that Radha the poet-saint Mirabai drank poison. The was inseparable from God, this Anurakti is the poison turned to nectar. "Anuraga" is the feeling feeling of treating God as a man; no third party of loyalty, even if it is only one sided. The is required. There is just the devotee and God, child Dhruva meditated in the forest, not to get not a God made of wood or brass. What is any thing. But when he had a vision of Lord true to us is true to Him also. A true Vaikuntha Vishnu, he was given a place in the sky known or Heaven is not far away. But right here in the as Dhruva Star. When one gives flowers to God midst of the home. God is with us like a member brings food to God and meditates on Him out of the family. Krishna Himself said in Bhagavat of such deep affection with no thought of results, Geeta. but simply as an offering, this is Anuraga. "Mada Bhaka Jatra Gayanti Tatra Tistami "Abhimana" is the highest feeling for a Narad." Vaishnavite. It is that found only between a husband and wife, or a devotee and God. It is "I do not live in Vaikuntha or Dwaraka. love of the deepest kind, as in the union of the But where my devotees sing and remember Me, sun and its ray, a flower and its scent : or sugar I am there." and its witness. So mixed with good feelings A true Vaishnavite is a selfless servant is it that even anger is not anger, and sadness and surrenders to this presence of Almighty is not sorrow. The main Gopi of Krishna's before acting. He does not believe in his own 26 Orissa Review June - 2004 strength or worldly power or wealth. To him, called the "Poorna Avatar." The full Avatar his body and the whole world consist of only having all 16 Kalas, or divine arts or attributes two things. Chetana and Achetana. "Achetana" within Himself. means lack of awareness and refers to the They are as follows : physical transient blood and bones that make up the body. "Chetana" means awareness and 1. Daya - Compassion refers to the invisible and pure supreme 2. Dharjya - Patience purusha, or divine being residing within this 3. Kshama - Forgiveness shell. When a Vaishnavite surrenders, he forgets the misery of "Achetana" and 4. Nyaya - Justice communicates directly with the invisible God 5. Nirapeksha - Impartiality dwelling inside himself. 6. Niraskata - Detachment Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, 7. Tapasya - Meditation and Adhishankar, Chaitanya, Ramakrishna, they all Spiritual Powers had glimpses of Godhood. Their ways and means were different. But their goal was the 8. Aparchitta - Invincibility same. But Sri Krishna came to be the symbol 9. Danasheel - Beneficience, for Vaishnavism because what He said and did Bestower of all no one before or after was able to do in Garge wealth in the world Sanhita, the following sloka tells. and nature. "Purmh Puranah Purusottam 10. Saundarjyamaya - Beauty Incarnate Parataro Jah Purushah Parameswar. " 11. Nrityajna - Best of Dancers I am full, all the epics in one, 12. Sangitajna - Best of Singers yet I surrender to the wish of My Devotee, and come in whatever form he wants. 13. Neetibadi - Embodiment of Honesty If a devotee thinks God to be his inner master, closer than the eyelid to the eye, Krishna 14. Satyabadi - Truth Itself comes as Krishnachandra; as Gopi Krishna : 15. Sarvagnata - Perfect master of all as cowherd boy, Gopala Krishna, as the one arts, such as poetry, who steals all hearts, Chitta Chora; as the most drama, painting etc. attractive in the world, as Krishna Himself. 16 Sarvaniyanta - Controller of All The word "Krishna" means to attract and from the derivative word of Krishna, "Karsayati eti So even though many sages and seers Krishna." His name also means the one who have come, having divine attributes, such as excuses all mistakes. Taking any one name and compassion, Dharma, Sacrifice, which have its substance, a devotee can reach Krishna. In helped the World, none was having the spiritual such a way was He a peculiar and unique power of Sri Krishna. Avatar to the World. In Brahma Sanhita, it is also stated by Many divine souls and Avataras have Saint Narada. "Govindamadi Purushan come to the World, but only Sri Krishna was tamahanvajami" 27 Orissa Review June - 2004 "Krishna is the Supreme Being, the full In the last part of Mahabharat, a Avatar, whose name should be taken and mysterious connection is made. Sri Krishna told repeated by devotees. Arjuna : now that the war is over, hear what I want, I wish to take rest in Seealee Lata, a From Garge Sanhita, it is stated. distant forest of Creepers. I know all. There "Asankhya Brahmandapati, Golakedhanyi while sleeping. I will be killed by a tribal man rajate". of Kali Yuga." That dense forest was the ancient Krishna is Brahmandapati. Lord of all site of Jagannath Puri, as stated in Rig Veda. the universes of which this world is only a "Ato Jutta daru Plabate small part. There are numerous universes not Sindhupara aparuseya." even seen or known. Narada tells that for this "Ato" means here. "Jutta" means that. reason alone all should take shelter in Him. "Daru" means Wood. "Plabate" means floating. In the Oriya version of Bhagavata it is "Sinshupare" means that side of the ocean. told, "Aparuseya" means not man-made. "Brahmanda mala mala hoi, "Some thing will be carved from a log to Lomakupe Jhuluthai." of wood floating on the ocean here (describing the origin of the murti of Lord Jagannath along "Whole universes are revolving around Me. the beach of Puri) that can not be man made." I am here to care for all." About that dense forest more details are In Narada Pancharatna, it is said.