Brahmanda Chhatradanda - Shree Jagannath
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Orissa Review * June - 2006 Brahmanda Chhatradanda - Shree Jagannath Somanath Khuntia When King Indradumna, the king of Avantee, of other planets, and the flowers are also wanted to know where the real Brahma was, presented by other beings from outer space who he sent his ministers all over India to find out, come to see this Brahma. but they returned without success. So to Orissa, From this record of the origin of known as Utkal, at that time, another minister Bidyapati was sent. He was told by the tribal Mahaprasad, found in the palm-leaf people of Puri. "On the beach in the Neelagiri manuscript Niladri Mahodaya, we can cave, Brahma is to be found." He was being ascertain quite clearly that this present day worshipped by their tribal leader Bishwabasu. Jagannath Temple is not only an attraction for So Bidyapati came and met the chief. But in- people of this world, but for the inhabitants of spite of all his probings, no information was other spheres, or Lokas, as well. divulged, no place was even shown, so secret When king Indradumna heard from and sacred was this Brahma to Bishwabasu. Bidyapati that Brahma was at Puri, he The minister was feared to stay on for many immediately went there, and wanted a temple years. With the hope of discovering this to be built by him. His wish was fulfilled, but Brahma, Bidyapati married the chief's daughter then he wondered which deity was to be Lalita. worshipped there. He dreamt that a log of Afterward, Bidyapati was stunned when wood would be floating near the beach. Out Bishwabasu would return from his worship of of this log, the deities must be made. The dream Brahma. He gave Bidyapati very fine rice came true. In procession the wood was taken prasad and other delicacies, curries and fruits to the temple. But again the king wondered. In not found in Puri at that time. Biswabasu which shape should the deities be carved ? himself would be smelling of heavenly Nobody could offer the king any suggestions. camphor from his arati. Bidyapati saw rare flowers that were not in season in Puri at that At last an old man came and volunteered time. So he asked his father-in-Iaw. "Sir, where himself to carve the deities. When asked what did the fine rice and all these rare flowers come his name was, he said emphatically, "My name from ? is Viswakarma, the Divine Architect ! I am Bishwabasu replied. "The rice you are from another world." People all around laughed getting is Prasad' offered to Brahma by Devas at him thinking him to be a fool. However, 16 Orissa Review * June - 2006 King Indradumna assigned the work to him. came. These events are also documented in Viswakarma made three conditions. ancient epics, palm-leaf scripts, and in texts written by scholars and sages of the past. Some 1) He must be confined in a room where are as follows : he would work for 21 days. 1) Manima Daka Sloka from Niladri 2) He would not take any food or drink Mahodaya during this period. "Rajadhi Rajarajeshwar 3) He must not be disturbed. Ishwara Thakur, Manima ! Once this was agreed to, Viswakarma Anantakoti Brahmanda entered the closed chamber. Everybody Ishwara Thakur, Manima ! suspected a trick, as there was no sound of Chaturdasha Bhubana any carving. The queen also became suspicious, thinking that the old man might Ishwara Thakur, Manima ! even have died. Out of great anxiety the door In the daily rituals of the temple this sloka was opened before 21 days were up. There is recited at the time when Lord Jagannath was no body there. The old man vanished. Only retires to bed. The meaning is this : a voice was heard, "Oh king ! worship these "Oh Lord Jagannath ! unfinished deities I have carved. You have You are king of kings ! broken your promise. I came from Devaloka You are master of many universes ! only to make the full form of the deities you You are the controller of all creations !" wanted to have !" The khuntia worshipper who recites this It means the divine craftsman himself sloka then scatters flower petals up into the air came down to earth to help make the TRIO to welcome all the divine beings who have known today as Lord Jagannath, Lord come that evening to observe this ritual. Balabhadra and Mother Subhadra. They have 2) Kadachit Kalindi sloka by Saint been worshipped in Jagannath Temple, Puri for Adishankar in his Sanskrit verses "Jagannath more than three thousand years. Astaka" As these stories about the origin of "Rama, Samvu, Brahma, Surapati Jagannath Temple reveal, Lord Jagannath is a Ganesharchhit Padam mystic deity. There are many phenomena Jagannatha Swami, Nayana Pathagami, Bhavatume " sorrounding him which cannot be explained The meaning is : by modern science. Not only do sages, seers and people from different parts of the world Even Gods like Rama, Shambhu (Siva), come to see him, but also inhabitants of other Brahma the creator, Surapati, the king of Gods, spheres as well. As he is considered the master Ganesh, the god of wisdom, who all belong to of the universe. He attracts all. There is Devaloka, worship Lord Jagannath at Puri. documented evidence to support many of these 3) "Jatta Chhaya Lokamatra occurrences in the form of eyewitness reports Tribhubana Janata Badhate and objects left by divine beings when they Na Tritap" 17 Orissa Review * June - 2006 This means that the inhabitants of all Paranormal events occur on earth when Lokas, or spheres are under the protection of beings from these other regions are present. Lord Jagannath. This sloka is taken from According to the Loka they come from, they Brahma Geeta (writer not known) appear in different ways. 4) From Kapila Samhita 1. Patala Loka "Sarba Rahasya Purusottamasya This is a sphere of the underworld which Deva Na Janati Kuta Manusya." supports life on earth. It is said Vasuki, the The meaning is that the mystery of Lord snake who holds the world in proper balance, Jagannath cannot be known by the Devas, so lives in Patala Loka. He comes to Jagannath what to speak of man ! Temple only during special darshan times. If he is present, there will be a loud rustle in the 5) From Skanda Purana crowd. "Byomatit Byomarupa Prakasa 2. Talatala Loka Byomakar Byapino Byomarudha." When inhabitants of this Loka come, The glory of Lord Jagannath is described there will be rays of light of various colours here. He can take on any shape. He is as which can be seen by the naked eye. These limitless as the sky itself. He is even beyond beings come in disguise of blind, lame, one- that. eyed, or other deformed persons. They carry The whole cosmos of life is divided into flowers in their palms to offer to the deities, in many spheres or Lokas. These are described the crowd this can be seen easily. in the palmleaf scripts Lokabimarsa, 3. Rasatala Loka Lokatattwa and Lokamimansa. As life evolves from lower to higher forms, consciousness If a strong wind passes through the becomes more individualised and expansive. crowd and a hot place becomes cool suddenly, The main Lokas are 21 in number. They are as beings from this Loka have come. They often follows : come also as children and sing loudly during Kirtan, even though they know nothing about The Underworld Lokas : all these things. They smile in the crowd after 1) Patala, 2) Talatal, 3) Rasatala, 4) Bitala, seeing the deities. 5) Mahatala, 6) Atala, 7) Bhutala 4. Bitala Loka The Earth Lokas : Beings from Bitala Loka come as birds 8) Loka, this earth, 9) Pitruloka, 10) Matruloka although not as vultures, who signify bad days 11) Pretaloka, 12) Bhutaloka, 13) Jakshaloka, ahead when they are seen. 14) Swargaloka, 5. Mahatala Loka The Higher Lokas Beings from this sphere come as animals 15) Divyaloka, 16) Kinnara Loka, such as cats, monkeys and dogs. As dogs can 17) Gandharvaloka, 18) Devaloka, not enter the temple, if one is spotted inside, it 19) Suraloka, 20) Vishwaloka, 21) Goloka is said to have come from this Loka. If this 18 Orissa Review * June - 2006 happens, it is felt that the food that day was temple of Lord Jagannath at dawn when there cooked in an impure way. All offerings must is less rush. If one finds a man having a similar be stopped and the food to be prepared again. face to one's father, he is from Pitruloka. If This dog is called Kutama Chandi. He always one feels attracted to some unknown person, disappears mysteriously. he is certainly related and has come down from 6. Atala Loka this Loka. Inhabitants of Pitruloka come to the earth as human beings. Sages and saints with long beards who are deep in meditation often come from this 10. Matru Loka sphere. They even walk into the temple with These beings give the same signs of their half-closed eyes. Only when looking at Lord presence here, but they are from the mother's Jagannath Himself do their eyes open fully. side of one's family. 7. Bhutala Loka 11. Preta Loka Those who sweep the temple floors, Those who commit suicide come to this make garlands for the deities, prepare the wicks Loka after death. This is the region of bad and lamps, make the earthen pots for the spirits and beings of evil demonic nature. They kitchen, and fetch the water are often from this come inside the temple, but only to the outer region. Their duties are not hereditary, but are portions, not into the inner altar of the deities.