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Home , Jagannath, Purushottama, Vasudeva

Orissa Review July - 2008

The Distinct Speciality of Lord

Dr. Harihar Kanungo

During the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, the and drinking of Soma-rasa. Under the influence Bhagabat religion in was wrongly acclaimed of Lord Srikrisha's diplomacy during the as under the patronage of the then war, people shifted their attention rulers. Subsequently its impact was also felt in from yagna and worship of elements and turned Orissa. Rationally speaking, Bhagabat religion is them into introspective spiritualism. In keeping with markedly different from Vaishnavism. The latter that basic change, the post-Mahabharata era is associated with the worship of different contexts witnessed the advent of introspective religions like in India literature, history and and . These religions had such religion. The word Vaishnav a profound impact on the contemporary is derived from the word society that the practice of Sun-worship . Word like and worship of the elements of nature Vishnu or Vaishnav characterising Brahminism was totally is wrongly discontinued. In associated with fact, right after Lord Vasudev the end of the Shrikrishna. When Mahabharata Brahminism War, the revived under the Bhagabat patronage of the , Gupta dynasty during 3rd - 4th century, this introduced by Srikrishna along with deliberate attempt was made in religion, literature Jainism and Buddhism had greatly influenced the and history. The reason can be found in the fact people and put an end to Brahminism. It could that, prior to Mahabharata war, Brahminism was not revive even by 3rd - 4th century. associated with Sun-worship. The alien Aryans Protagonists of Brahminism cleverly who invaded India were accustomed to conspired, by means of jargons to identify worshipping the elements of nature as : hence Vasudeva Srikrisna with the Sun- or Lord Sun-worship. Vishnu and nearly succeeded in getting public Sun-worship was mainly confined to yagna support for their endeavour. The derivation of the (holy offerings to the fire-god), sacrifice of animals word Vishnu can be found in 1,85,7:6,48,14

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Mandalas, Sukta and in the Rg. Veda.1 greatly influenced and inspired the contemporary Elsewhere in the Rg Veda, the Sun-god or Lord society as symbols of inward consciousness. Vishnu has been portrayed as a God of Sacrifice. Unfortunately, the protagonists of Brahminisrn, in Can there be any justification for identifying such the Puranic literature purposefully created by a god of external and inanimate nature with them, identified these gods with the worship of Vasudeva Sri ? The latter is the presiding the inanimate Sun-god or Vishnu. The state power of an introspective religion and hence the no doubt encouraged and patronised such efforts of the torch bearers of Brahminism to treat propangandas. The people, though confused, Vasudeva Srikrishna on par with the Sun-god or rejected such notions outright. Alongwith the Vishnu, god of outward and inanimate nature is mythological characters like Ram, Srikrishna highly unrealistic. The reason is that when the and Nursingha, the historical religious leader like supporters of Brahminism discovered that the Gautam Buddha were propagated as the worship of Vishnu or the Sun-god cannot stand incarnations of the Sun-god or Vishnu. The the powerful influence of Saivaism, the Bhagabat confusion these attempts created can be traced religion, Jainaism or Buddhism, they propagated to Lord Jagannath of . rather fraudulently about Buddha, etc being the Historically and ethically speaking, Lord incarnations of Vishnu or the Sun-god. By massive Jagannath, the presiding deity of the land of Odra propaganda, they managed to ensure the was worshipped by the Vajrayanist Buddhists perpetuation of Sun-worship which prevails even during the 7th and 8th centuries as the overall today. Such endeavours led to revival of manifestation of the spiritual consiousness of Brahminism during the rule of the Gupta dynasty. different tribal groups like the Odras and the This attempt no doubt eluded the people. But, Nagas. The Buddhists accomplished unanimity in still, they never accepted Vishnu as Sun-god at the diverse religious beliefs of these different tribal any time. The patrons of Brahrninism derive a great races like Nagas and Odras and this gave rise to mental satisfaction by keeping the Sun-god in the the practice of worshipping Lord Jagannath. That guise of Lord Vishnu. is why we find the influence of Buddhism in the The Protagonists of yagyajna (Sacrificial cult of Lord Jagannath even today. Such offerings to the fire-god) and Sun-worship, under synchronised religious feeling and reasoning the encouraging patronage of State-power penned reflect an introspective consiousness having its several Puranic literature where they invariably own speciality and distinction profoundly affecting propagated that all the and religious beliefs the minds of all Indians. That is why during the worshipped and sustained by the people 7th and 8th centuries, Lord Jagannath was irrespective of caste or creed were mere parts of acclaimed as the presiding deity of the entire Odra incarnations of Lord Vishnu or Sun-god. region. We find in Madalapanji that with the rise Therefore we find in the that Lord , of Keshari dynasty, Yajati became the monarch. (the Son of Kaushalya), Vasudeva Srikrishna, He searched for this state deity of Orissa and Gautam Buddha and Nrusingha have been installed Him in Puri. By the time of the Lord's portrayed and propagated as parts of the so- installation, the popular gods like Lord Shri Ram called Lord Vishnu or Sun-god. Lord Sriram, and Vasudev Shri Krishna were given the title of Lord Srikrishna, (the son of ), Lord (The perfect man)and the Nrusingha who emerged out of a shattered pillar propaganda of their being parts or incarnations

94 Orissa Review July - 2008 of Lord Vishnu or (The Sun god)went on The ancestors of the monarchs belonging unabated. These theories originated from the to the Soma or Keshari dynasty made Sripur of Puranic literature since the 3rd and 4th centuries their capital and ruled in that and are still in vogue. state. Nrusingha, the Purushottama, was their house-hold deity. From an inscription preserved After Lord Jagannath's installation in Puri in the Museum of Raipur, it is learned that, in the by royal effort, he too has been termed as a part 8th century, Basatta , a queen of the Soma or incarnation of Lord Vishnu or the Sun god. dynasty, had built a temple in Sripur and installed His name, therefore has acquired the prefix of her house hold-deity, Nrusingha, the Perfect Man, Purushottama or the Perfect Man. Initially, Lord there. In the years that followed, descendants of Jagannath was described as a miraculous Soma dynasty who ruled Sonepur in Orissa also derivation of Nrushinga and subsequently, He is built a temple in the mountain region of identified with Vasudeva Srikrishna. But from the Gandhamardan, installed Nrusingha, the Perfect historical and logical view point, even by His Man in that temple and worshipped Him. That is acquiring this prefix of Purushottama, he can the famous Nrusinghanath temple of Paikmal. We neither be identified with Nrusingha nor with Shri learn from history that,years after, the descendants Krishna, the Purushottama. The word of Soma dynasty also built a temple at Puri, for Purushottama or the Perfect Man, fails to convey the worship of their household deity, Lord the full significance of the omni present Lord Nrusingha, the Purushottama. Having conquered Jagannath, from the ethical point of view. Possibly, different regions in Orissa, the Somavanshi kings this is the view expressed by Dibakar Das, a 17th installed the statues of Purushottama Nrusingha century poet in his book of verse 'Jagannath in those places and encouraged His worship. They Charitamrita' - "Lord Jagannath is cent percent also patronised many books of verses eulogising complete with Divine Qualities, a part of which the deity, Purusottam Nrusingha. "Anargha went to Srikrishna, the son of . But he Raghav," a drama by Murari Mishra, "Prabodha turned this part into one hundred percent and Chandrodaya," another drama by Krishna Mishra. moved around in the land of Gopa." 2 "Vaswati" by Satananda, 'Krutya Kalpataru' and ' Yamalatantra' are some of these books From this, we find that Purushottama or lauding Lord Nrusingha, the household deity of the Perfect Man is a qualitative concept. But a the Somavanshi rulers, brought from Sripur of deliberate attempt has been made to attach this Madhya Pradesh. Puri was widely propagated term to Lord Jagannath who defies any qualitative as Purushottama Ksetra (or the Land of the description (Gunatita). He is far beyond logical Perfect Man) only because the Somavanshi kings reasoning and some one very special. So from installed the deity Nrusingha in Puri. These kings this view point, Lord ShriRam has been called tried to popularise Nrusingha-worship throughout Maryada Purushottama'(the Perfect Man of Orissa. Hence Puri earned the epithet Glory). Srikrishna or Nrusingha also carry this Purushottama Ksetra. But in later period, Lord prefix as all of them have been propagated as Jagannath earned the status and recognition of belonging to the category of Lord Vishnu. Lord being the presiding deity of the Odra land and Jagannath is altogether a different phenomenon was installed in Puri and in due course of time and beyond qualitative description. replaced Nrusingha who had earned the same

95 Orissa Review July - 2008 status before. So Puri, previously called of and the , thou whose soul wept Purushottama ksetra (or the Land of the Perfect witnessing the religious sacrifice of animals, Man) came to be known in due course of events incarnated thyself as Lord Buddha. Glory to thee, as the land of Lord Jagannath, who was installed O Jagadish (Lord of Universe) ." there as the presiding deity and was worshipped. It is obvious that was referring So "Purushottama Ksetra" the land of the to Lord Keshava or Srikrishna reincarnating Perfect Man and "Jagannath Dham", the land of Himself as Lord Buddha or Lord Jagannath. But Lord Jagannath are not at all synonymous. despite all the apparent similarities these deities "Purushottama" and "Jagannath" are different have, research scholars have proved that they are terms, the former referring to "Purusottam not inseparable. As has been said earlier, under Nrusingha" and not to Lord Jagannath. However, pressure of circumstances the patrons of the effort is on to identify Jagannath with Vaishnavism or Brahminism had drawn Vasudeva Purusottama as well as to equate Lord Jagannath Srikrishna into their religious fold. However, the with Lord Vishnu. From time to time, this effort cult of Lord Jagannath is very special and distinct. has obtained royal patronage which encouraged Conforming this dinctinctive aspect of Lord the writing of puranas like Skanda Purana.3 Jagannath, Dr. Harekrishna Mahatab has aptly observed in his "History of Orissa":- "Three We can also mention the age-old attempts factors prevent us from accepting Jagannath as to equate Lord Jagannath with Purushottama the Lord of Brahminism. They are, Nrusingha. And at a later stage, the Vaishnavites adopted a different strategy to identify Lord i. The name, "Jagannath" (The Lord of Universe) Jagannath with Vasudeva Srikrishna, the Presiding ii. The very image of Jagannath deity of Bhagabat religion. Of course, taking a closer look, we can not find any marked difference iii. The presence of with him, between the religious aspects of Vasudeva So how did the name "Krishna Vasudeva" Srikrishna and Lord Jagannath. But still, both are vanished and was replaced by Jagannath ?" certainly not identical. Just as Vasudeva Srikrishna Along with their efforts to proclaim, Lord of Bhagabat religion is distinctly different from Sriram, Lord Srikrishna and Lord Nrusingha Vishnu or Surya worshipped by the Vaishnavites, Vishnu or Surya incarnate, the patrons of similarly, the cult of Lord Jagannath, enunciated Brahminism spared no pains in encouraging the by the Buddhists, is different from that of special worship of Surya or Vishnu in Orissa. This Vasudeva Shrikrishna. But as a result of attempts effort was very expensive. The Sun Temple at made by the Vaishnavites, many Puranic works (Arka Ksetra or the Land of Sun) testifies proclaiming Vasudeva Shrikrishna as the to this. All the revenue Orissa earned in twelve incarnation or part of Lord Vishnu came into years was spent for the construction of this temple. being. In a similar manner, efforts to identify Lord The Sun Temple, no doubt, is a marvellous object Jagannath with Vasudeva Shrikrishna with the help of art. But the basic purpose (Sun-worship) for of Puranas have never stopped. which it was built went flak with the people of Possibly noting this, Jayadeva, a 12th Orissa. Although they are proud of this beautiful century poet wrote in his Dasavatara Stotram - artistic work, they have never taken to "Thou, O Keshava ! who discredited the rituals worshipping Vishnu or Surya. That is why the Sun-

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Pillar (Arun Stambha) of the Konark Temple was Temples have cropped up time and again shifted to Puri and was placed in front of the Lion's with much pomp and ceremony in different parts gate of Jagannath Temple facing the Grand road. of India. The state - power has encouraged their Many people attribute the dilapidated state of construction and has tried forcibly to impose them Konark temple to natural and geographical on the people. But since they have failed to touch factors. But this is not true. Both the Jagannath their hearts, people have outright rejected them. temple of Puri and the Sun-temple at Konark are As a result, many of the temples are in shambles. situated near the sea -shore. But the latter is of a But, in contrast to this, Lord Jagannath more 'recent' build. One hundred years after the draws millions of people from every part of the Puri temple was built (1115-1147 AD) by world to Puri and it is a humanitarian religion. Chodagangadeva of Ganga dynasty (1078- 1147AD), King Narasingha or Langula So it is clear from the above discussion that Narasingha Deva (1238-1264 AD) built the Sun- Jagannath is different from Purushottama temple at Konark with much gusto; the place was Nrusingha or Vasudeva Shrikrishna. He has a named Arka-Ksetra (the land of Sun-God) and place of his own. He is a God of Humanism. found a glorious mention in latter Puranas like the References : Purana. Despite these much hyped 1. The Vedic Age- (Edited) R.C. Mazumdar, propagandas, the temple remained unused for London, 1952, P.367 worship. Only on the day of Magha Saptami, 2. Jagannath Charitamrita, Chapter-18, P.83, 84. devotees gather here to take a holy dip in the nearby Chandrabhaga. This rite has nothing to 3. Chateswar Temple Inscription, Re-edited by Dr. do with the Konark temple. Of course, the B.C. Chhabra in Epigraphia , Vol. XXIX, PP.121-123 devotees are certainly enchanted by the artistic excellence of the temple, but it does not arouse 4. Mahatab, Hare Krushna-Orissa Itihas, Students Store, Berhampur-, 1948, P.433 any religious feelings in their hearts. The temple does not have any priests or servitors. Thus for the want of use and sheer disinterest of the public, the temple collapsed, ruined and abandoned. This rather than natural factors is a greater cause for its devastation. In contrast to this, the temple of Lord Jagannath is a crowd - puller and primarily in public interest, timely repairs and preservation Dr. Harihar Kanungo is a Sr. Reader in Oriya, BJB of this sacred monument have been done. (Autonomous) College, Bhubaneswar-751014.

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