Odisha Review June - 2014

Lord , the Deity of Mankind

Om Prakash

disha and Lord Jagannath’s temple in the past of Srimandira and appointed an A.D.M. to look Ohas faced the attacks of Mughal (Muslim) into the matters of Srimandira Management. th rulers for many times. During the 18 century King Ganapati Bhatta and Lord Jagannath Ramachandra Dev was the then ruler of . Odisha was frequently experiencing the terror of Ganapati Bhatta was born in a Brahmin attacks from the powerful Subedar Taki Khan. family of Kaniari village of Karnatak State. From his very childhood he was interested in spiritual Taki Khan by nature was an anti discussions and worshipping Lord Ganesha. As natured person. So he was always with intention he was deeply loving Lord Ganesha he thought to demolish the temple of Lord Jagannath. At that that only Lord Ganesha is the Bramha (Supreme time few parts of Odisha was also under the regime Soul). Once when he was reading the book of the Mughals. So King Ramachandra Dev was Bramha Purana he found it that in Kaliyug Bramha worried for the safety of Lord Jagannath’s temple. has appeared at Nilagiri () and his name is Finally according to the conditions of Taki Lord Jagannath. This really created an interest in Khan King Ramachandra Dev accepted Islam Ganapatti Bhatta to see who this Lord Jagannath and got married to Taki Khan’s sister. Thus though is? After a long travel finally he reached Puri and Lord Jagannath’s temple got secured but king there he thought to go to meet Lord Jagannath Ramachandra Dev lost his rights to enter into the instantly. Again he was with the thought that those temple and finally Lord Jagannath’s idol was who will see the supreme soul (Bramha) they will constructed near Lion’s Gate (Singha Dwar) for achieve salvation instantly and they will not take him. And the idol was named as Patitapabana rebirth. Thus after reaching Puri when he found who continued to give Darshan to the devotees people returning from Lord Jagannath’s temple deprived of entering into Srimandira. with Mahaprasad on their hand he got seriously King Divyasingha Dev and Lord Jagannath confused. He thought it that if Bramha is really existing here then how these people are returning Prior to 1972 the managerial aspects of back instead of getting salvation? Thus he thought Srimandira were under direct control of the it that Bramha (supreme soul) is not existing here. Gajapati king who is regarded the first servant of Thus he started returning with a sorrowful heart. the Lord Jagannath. Subsequently the Lord Jagannath knew this and he appeared before Government of Odisha removed the power from Ganapatti Bhatta in the guise of an old Brahmin. them to get involved with the managerial aspects He asked Ganapati Bhatta that what is the reason

146 June - 2014 Odisha Review and why are you feeling sorry? Then Ganapatti I will donate this bell to him. The man told it that Bhatta explained everything and the Brahmin told if you all pray before Lord Jagannath, I am sure it that you are thinking wrong Bramha is existing he will save us because I have seen it in my life here and he is satisfying the desires of the devotees that whenever I have prayed the Lord, He has according to their demand. Thus Ganapati Bhatta helped me. The captain became confident with got satisfied with this answer of the old Brahmin these words and all started praying Lord and then he went to see the lords. That day was Jagannath. Finally at the end of the prayer they Snana Purnima, so the Lords were preparing for found it that the storm has gone away and they all the rituals. Ganapati Bhatta saw the Lords and saluted Lord Jagannath with their heart full of thought it that Lord Ganesha is the supreme soul devotion and finally keeping his words captain and when the Lord here is not Lord Ganesha, came to Puri and donated the bell to Lord then how can he be the Bramha? Thus he got Jagannath, which is still found in the temple confused again. He was about to leave, premises. Mudhiratha, one of the Lord Jagannatha's Sevayat Jabana Haridas and Lord Jagannatha at the instance of the Lord ran to Ganapati Bhatta and told that the Lord can exhibit any form as per Jabana Haridas was born in west Bengal the will of the devotees. When Bhatta returned, and he was brought up in a Muslim family. But he saw the Lord in the form of Ganesha with big from the very childhood he was interested in trunks. From that day onwards, the Lords are worshipping Lord . He was so deeply dressed in Ganesha form on the Snana Purnima immersed in love with Lord Krishna that all times day. he was chanting the name of Lord Krishna. As his parents were dead from an early childhood Sailor and Lord Jagannath that is why at a very young age he left his home Captain Bito was a sailor and that day he and reaching near the river Ganga he started was bringing a big bell from a port of France to staying at the place called Phulia. There every the church of Pondicherry. The ship was floating day he started singing devotional songs and on the chest of ocean and the sunny morning was chanting the name of Lord Krishna. Seeing this creating a quite pleasant atmosphere. But at that people became attracted towards him and he time the boy at the deck saw it that a big animal is became popular. That made the Kazi of that rushing towards the ship and that may destroy locality envious towards him. He complained to the ship. The boy got terrified he screamed and the Muslim ruler that being a Muslim, Haridas is called the captain. Instantly the captain ran to the going against the religion by chanting the name of deck and could see the alarming situation of a Lord Krishna, the Lord of Hinduism. Listening storm. All the crew members got terrified. But this, the king became angry he called Haridas and the captain found it that amidst all these trouble a asked the reason. Haridas replied it that only person is sitting with confidence in front of a photo names are different but God is one. which has two big black eyes. The captain went Thus listening this king became angry and to him and asked him about what is he doing ? ordered his soldiers to kill Haridas. The soldiers The man told that he is praying to his Lord carried away the order but nothing happened to Jagannath who can save all from the danger. The Haridas. Seeing such incident the soldiers were captain initially did not believe him but finally he scared and they told Haridas that if he will not die got persuaded by the words of that man and he then the king will kill them. Haridas went for told it that if the Lord Jagannath can save us then meditation and the soldiers thought it that he has

147 Odisha Review June - 2014 gone dead. Then Haridas was thrown to Ganga the idols but he will not be able to burn the Bramha, but again floating on the water of Ganga he reached so he jumped into the water of river Ganga. And at Phulia. The ruler after seeing such incident got as a result of that he found the Bramha there. But afraid and begged pardon from him. After that a with the fear of attack he kept the Bramha in the Jamindar tried to prove him characterless but his mridanga. Finally he returned to Kujanga Garh. effort also got ruined. Then Haridas went to Again after a long time Orissa’s king Ramachandra Adwaitacharya, and there he learnt a lot about Dev got his empire back and at that time the Lord Lord from Adwaitacharya. After that with again returned to Shrimandira. Again all the temple Srichaitanya he reached at Puri. Haridas finally rituals started once again and the day on which breathed his last when Srichaitanya was Mahaprasad got reintroduced after a long interval performing Kirttan with great devotion. that day Bishar Mohanty prayed Lord Jagannath Bishar Mohanty and Lord Jagannath to make him closer for all times. Due to the introduction of Mahaprasad once again that day Bishar Mohanty was the record writer in the temple was in a festive mood and at the the court of King of Kujanga Garh of evening all found it that Lord has taken Bishar district of Odisha. Though by his closer to him. profession he was the record writer but he was not interested with his profession. He was always Madhabendra Puri and Lord Jagannath interested in listening about Lord Jagannath and Madhabendra Puri was born in West always thought that the servitors of Lord Jagannath Bengal. The man was a great lover of Lord are very lucky as they are serving the Lord in a Krishna. He was always engaged in worshipping close proximity. He was always interested in Lord Krishna and he was also engaged in chanting listening about Lord Jagannath and when any the devotional songs of Lord Krishna. Finally he servitor from Puri visited Kujanga Garh at that got so deeply immersed in the love of Lord time he was happy to listen about the glory of Krishna that he left for Brindaban. After reaching Jagannath. at Brindaban he started searching for Lord Once it happened that one servitor came Krishna. He was tired and feeling hungry and to Kujanga Garh but he was not happy. He was thirsty. At this time it happened that a boy from a with the bad news of the death of King Mukunda milk man family came to him with milk pots and Deva and the attacks of Kalapahad who was offered him milk to take. So he took milk. The always with the efforts of destroying Hindu temple. boy instructed him to construct a temple and He also told it that Kalapahad had taken away before Madhabendra could say anything to him the idols of the Lords and was trying to destroy the boy who was really Lord Krishna vanished the idols of the Lords. This had great impact on immediately. The next day Madhabendra went Beshar Mohanty. Returning to home all night he to that place and there inside the grass he found went on thinking about the Lord so at night he an idol of Lord Krishna. He told the villagers heard someone saying him “you have to do some everything and the villagers with great joy work for me, so come forward my dear Bishar.” constructed a temple there. Then Madhabendra Bishar got up and praying Lord Jagannath started engaged himself in the work of looking into the walking and finally he reached near the river management systems of the temple, so that there Ganga. In the meanwhile a devotee of Lord will be no disturbance in Lord Krishna’s rituals. Jagannath gifted him a mridanga. Reaching near But once when he was sleeping he found it that River Ganga he thought it Kalapahad may burn Lord Krishna in dreams is speaking him to bring

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Malaya chandan (The sandal cream prepared in Bhakta Salabega and Lord Jagannath a particular method) from Puri for him to make Great Devotee Salabega was born in a his body cool. Thus listening this Madhabendra Muslim family and was the son of Lalbega. left for Puri. Lalbega was a leading warrior in the Mughal army While going to Puri he reached at and on those days the Mughals were always trying of Baleswar district of Odisha. There he saw the to capture and demolish Srimandira. Once when Lord Gopinath who was Lord Krishna also. Then the Mughal warrior Lalbega was returning from he with love in heart started chanting the name of Puri near Dandamukundapur locality of Puri he found a beautiful young Brahmin widow returning Lord Krishna sitting in the temple. There he from the Bathing Ghat. So he kidnapped the lady listened it that during night the Lord is offered Khiri and finally by compulsion married her who later (A dish prepared by rice, milk, sugar, cashewnut, came to be known as Fatima Biwi. Salabega was kismis and some specific items are added to it to the son of Fatima Biwi and Lalbega. From his make it tasty. It is also called Khiri in Odisha). childhood he listened about Lord Jagannath, Lord Madhabendra got interested to have Khiri but as Krishna, and Lord Rama from her mother. he was not ready to ask anybody for Khiri so he After the death of Fatima Biwi when remained silent. At night it happened that the Lord Salabega was a kid once he got stricken by a in the dreams of the chief servitor told the servitor severe disease and all the doctors left the hope that my devotee Madhabendra Puri is that Salabega can survive. One day when he was worshipping me with hunger and thirst. So I have on bed he heard the and thought the great stolen a pot full of Khiri for him. It is placed near Lord Jagannath who is the god of the entire my idol. You go and serve it to him. The servitor universe will be able to cure him. Then he started heard this and after that he ran to the temple. There praying Lord Jagannath and finally got cured. he found the pot filled with Khiri. Again he reached After that he became a great devotee of Lord Madhabendra Puri and giving the Khiri to Jagannath. But for that reason he was discarded Madhabendra he told everything. Madhabendra from his own house. Then he started moving here was overjoyed. But from that day as the god had and there uttering the name of Lord Jagannath all stolen Khiri for his devotee that is why people times. Finally he went to Puri. It was the car started calling him Khirichora Gopinath. He is also festival time and the chariots were getting pulled, now known as Khirachora Gopinath by the Salabega was not allowed to see Lord Jagannath passage of time. After that Madhabendra reached on the chariot as he was the son of a Muslim. So at Puri and there prayed Lord Jagannath to help he resided in a house which is very nearer to him to get malaya chandan. Madhabendra was Srimandir. When the chariot of Lord Jagannath came nearer to his house he started weeping. successful in arranging the sandal paste with the Suddenly the chariot stopped there. Salabega blessings of Lord Jagannath. On the way back watched the God happily and thereafter this was he reached near the temple of Khirichora apprised to the priests. From that day, Salabega Gopinath. There at night the Lord appeared and came to be known as the great devotee of Lord told him that I can’t tolerate your pains any more Jagannath. so I have come from Brindaban. Madhabendra listened everything and the next day offering the Bhakta Dashia Bauri and Lord Jagannath malaya chandan he started singing the songs of The great devotee Dashia Bauri was born Lord Krishna with great devotion. in the Baligaon of Puri district. He was a great

149 Odisha Review June - 2014 devotee of Lord Jagannath. Though he was born village leader happily agreed and offered, “Why in a lower caste and a poor family, he always you want to visit alone then? Come with me so offered prayers to Lord Jagannath and attached that you will not face any trouble during the journey himself to the Lord by heart and soul. to Puri.” Thus Dashia happily accepted the offer One a great incident happened and this and promised to prepare the dress for the village is a teaching on how Lord helps a devotee leader for car festival, which was only two-three indirectly. One afternoon, Devotee Dashia Bauri days away. was intensely involved in the writing of a Jagannath Dashia Bauri then came to his wife and . Suddenly his wife came to him and told told with joy, “See the mercy of Jagannath ! You him with anger that, “You see! You are always were asking for rice and the money. And Lord busy in the divine service of Lord Jagannath and himself came and gave me the things that you were neglecting the household necessities. I have not demanding.” She was surprised and asked where taken any food for last four-five days. How can I Jagannath came. I saw only the village leader who survive?” After listening this Dashia Bauri became came and gave these things to you. Dashia replied, surprised and asked, “Everyday, you are giving “It is not so easy to understand Him. The Lord me the food at right time and why are you telling helps sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. that you have not taken the food for last few The Lord actually sent you the rice and cowries days?” His wife answered, “You are very through our village leader. The Lord’s mercy and innocent! I am preparing food for you from the activities are always inconceivable.” rice which you brought five to six days back by At last the day came and Dashia reached keeping my stomach empty.” After hearing the Puri. But he was not able to enter the temple as sacrifice, Dashia Bauri felt that he is not able to he was from lower caste. Then finally standing at fulfil his duty towards her as her husband and he Lion's Gate the only offering that he had the suggested his wife that if she wanted she could coconut, he offered O' Lord Jagannath takeing marry someone again. After listening such a coconut and surprisingly Lord Jagannath Himself statement from her husband, his wife replied that accepted it from His great devotee. And from she could manage with him under any adverse that day the name and devotion of Dashia Bauri situation. and love of Lord Jagannath for his devotees turned At that moment suddenly they heard that to a great legend. a person is calling from outside, “Dasha ! Santha Balaram Das and Lord Jagannath Dashia !!” Dashia Bauri went outside the hut and found the village leader. The village leader Santha Balaram Das was a great devotee immediately gave him rice and a few cowries and of Lord Jagannath and he was such a lover of requested him to weave a new dress for him. The Lord Jagannath that he was just feeling it that village leader also told him his intention behind beyond Jagannath there is nothing in this world. the new dress. He expressed his intention to visit Once the famous saint who was the writer of Dandi Puri, the land of Lord Jagannath during the annual Ramayan got an idea to make a visit to Lanka, car festival. After knowing this Dashia Bauri could which according to the Ramayan was once the not check his ecstasy and asked like a child to capital city of the demon Ravana. He told this to the village leader that, whether he could give some Lord Jagannath and at night he went to visit Lanka more cowries to him so that his desire to visit along with Lord Jagannath. Jagannath during that Puri during car festival could also be fulfilled. The visit told him to hold his gold Jhari (a typical

150 June - 2014 Odisha Review ornament of gold). After finishing their visit he was dressed like a Muslim. They told that they Das forgot to return the ornament. But can’t allow a person who is dressed like a Muslim. at the morning the priests found it that the Nanak felt insulted and at the Lion’s Gate he ornament has been stolen by somebody and when prayed to Lord Jagannath with tears and suddenly saint Balaram Das came with that he was accused Lord Jagannath appeared on his palms. The other as the thief and was taken to the court of the people got astonished with this and considered Gajapati king. But later on Gajapati came to know saint Nanak as a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. from Lord Jagannath that Balaram Das was not It was evening and everybody asked guilty and he was a great devotee of Lord Nanak that whether he is going to perform the Jagannath. So he paid due respect to him. evening prayers to Lord Jagannath or not? Nanak Balarama Das was in love with a nodded his head and told "I am going to do Aarati" prostitute called Jamuna Bai. When once he was (A Special ritual performed near all Hindu deities) with the prostitute he found it that it was the very to Him. Suddenly he raised his hands and the day of car festival and the chariots are going to instruments used for Aarati appeared on his hands. be pulled. He ran to the Chariot of Lord Jagannath Then he started performing the rituals for the three but the priests found it that he had just returned gods the people also got astonished that they from the prostitute's house and thus he was clearly saw the three Gods. Everybody started debarred from witnessing the festival. praising him but few bad people started spreading the rumour that Guru Nanak is a Tantrika and is With tears in his eyes Balaram Das went using mesmerism on people. to the seashore and there he prepared three chariots on sand for the two brothers Jagannath, Few days passed and people started Balabhadra and their sister Goddess . disbelieving him but one evening Nanak showed Praying with tears he told it that if you are truly a black man, along with a white man and a my God then the chariots on the Grand Road will beautiful lady. Then when he ran to catch them not move and you three will come to this sand they jumped to a well nearby and vanished. chariots of mine. Thereafter people trusted Guru Nanak. Till today that place is also seen at the Baauli Matha (The Suddenly all the three chariots of the car hut of hermit) of Puri. festival stopped and after a huge effort the people were unable to move them even one inch. Lord Jagannath is always enthusiastic and Everybody got worried so finally the Gajapati king kind towards His devotees and behaves them like got the message and he along with the priests on a friend and a companion. For the compassion of fasting started praying to Lord Jagannath. Then Lord Jagannath towards His devotees, He is Lord Jagannath appeared in King's dreams and rightly called Antaryami and Bhaktabatsala all told him everything and instructed to pay proper through the ages. respect to Balaram Das and to beg pardon to him. The king did accordingly and the chariots started moving along with his great devotee Balaram Das. Guru Nanak and Lord Jagannath Om Prakash, Sr. Journalist and Columnist lives in Guru Nanak came to Puri at the last phase Qr No: E/208, Unit-VIII, Near Kalyani Apartment, of his visits, but the priests did not allow him as -12, Email: [email protected]

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