DOCSLIB.ORG

Lord Jagannath's Ratha-Yatra Worldwide

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lord Jagannath's Ratha-Yatra Worldwide Srimandira Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra worldwide l Akinchana Priyabandhu Das T he Ratha-yatra of Lord oppressed people of Orissa, he started Jagannatha has been held in Purusottama the first English-medium school in Ksetra (also known as Sri Ksestra, Kendrapara. That Kendrapara High Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala, Purusottama School is still there now, and Bhaktivinoda Puri, etc.), and then in other places in Thakura was the first teacher and India, since time immemorial. According headmaster in 1858. Later he became the to the authority of Skanda Purana, Lord first headmaster of the Bhaktamadhu Jagannatha appeared in this world in the Vidyapitha, a High School in Cuttack, and second part of the Svayambhuva of the Anglo-vernacular school of Bhadrak manvantara and the Ratha-yatra began in (now it is Bhadrak Government High Satya-yuga of the second manvantara in School). the present day of Lord Brahma, i.e. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was not during the reign of Svarocisa Manu. It is only a very learned person, but also a further mentioned in the Skanda Purana great devotee of Krsna. Many generations that the Ratha-yatra will continue until the of his forefathers worshipped Lord end of the second parardha of Brahma's 1 Jagannatha. Therefore, when life . However, in the Western world the Bhaktivinoda Thakura was posted as the first Ratha-yatra of Lord Jagannatha took Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector place 36 years ago, in 1967, in San of Puri and was requested to watch over Francisco (USA). The prehistory of this the affairs of the Temple of Jagannatha wonderful event is also very wonderful, on behalf of the Government, he was very and it all started in the 1870s, when the happy. Many years later, in a letter to one first law Graduate of Orissa, Kedarnath of his sons, he wrote about those days : Dutt (Kedaranatha Datta), who is now "Just as the Jagannatha Temple is very world famous as Srila Bhaktivinoda lofty and beautiful, so also the service to Thakura, became the Deputy Magistrate 2 the Deity was wonderful. To see it was and Deputy Collector of Puri . charming to the mind. Daily, from five to After completing his studies in seven hundred people were present to Calcutta, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura see the routine festivals like the evening came to Orissa, because his paternal arati, etc. What bliss ! Many kinds of house was there, in the village Choti, pilgrims came from all over India to attend which now belongs to the Kendrapara the religious festivals. Seeing that, one's district. Bhaktivinoda Thakura not only eyes are soothed. O Lalu, when you obtained a very good education, but also behold all these pastimes with a pure worked to spread it among his heart, only then can these events be compatriots. For the benefit of the understood. There were many 50 Srimandira celebrations, like Dola-yatra, Ratha-yatra, like a Brahmin thread. Bhaktivinoda etc.... I made such great exertions to Thakura gave him the name Bimala oversee the pilgrims - how can I write of it Prasad. Later this son became all ? I would make favourable internationally known as Srila arrangements for the pilgrims to see the Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, Deity and take prasada, and I would hear and he is mentioned as such in the largest the people's complaints.... I spent my time dictionary of the Oriya language, in Puri in great happiness, seeing the Purnachandra Bhasakosa. During the festivals, acquiring knowledge and Ratha-yatra in 1874, Lord Jagannath's devotion. Purusottama-Ksetra is directly chariot stopped in front of the place where Vaikuntha. What doubt is there ?"3 Bhaktivinoda Thakura was staying with his Over and above the family (they were renting a house on the aforementioned activities of Bhaktivinoda Grand Road, quite close to Jagannatha Thakura, he was the pioneer of the Mandir). Bimala Prasad's mother, program of propagating the teachings and Bhagavati Devi, brought the child to Lord glories of Lord Krsna throughout the Jagannatha's chariot. The boy, who was world. Despite his numerous about six months old, crawled from the lap responsibilities as a government officer of his mother to embrace Lord and a family man, Srila Bhaktivinoda Jagannatha, and an offered garland fell Thakura has written more than one from the neck of the Lord and encircled hundred books and articles in half a dozen the child. The anna-prasana and all other languages, protecting and preaching the auspicious ceremonies for his child were pure Bhagavata religion. He even sent performed with Lord Jagannatha's some of these books to the West and they Mahaprasada. were well appreciated, especially by the Then Bhaktivinoda Thakura was German and American scholars. posted in another place, and the whole Bhaktivinoda Thakura personally went to family had to leave Puri. But both many places, especially in Bengal and Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Orissa, to preach the Holy Name, and he Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would inspired and organized Lord Caitanya's come to Puri and spend a lot of time here, followers. Still, he was feeling that, to start especially in their later years. When a worldwide spiritual revolution he needed Bimala Prasad was still a school boy, his a very able assistant. Therefore, he father brought for him tulasi beads from prayed to the Lord to send a "ray of Visnu" Jagannatha Puri and initiated him into and an as answer to Bhaktibinoda's chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra prayers, a very special son was born to and the Nrsimha mantra. From the him in February 1874 in Jagannatha Puri. beginning of his life Srila Bhaktisiddhanta An experienced astrologer pointed out all was perfectly trained and prepared for his the symptoms of a great personality, a great mission. Following in his father's maha-purusa, in the body of the newborn footsteps, he preached vigorously in many child. Moreover, the boy was born with his languages to spread Lord Caitanya's umbilical cord wrapped around his neck message throughout India and abroad. 51 Srimandira Many educated Indians and even some relationship): "The Deities worshipped in foreigners became his disciples. In 1933 (ISKCON) temples are Jagannatha Swami he sent his first team of preachers to with Balarama and Subhadra and Radha- London. At that time one atheistic scholar, Krsna. When we first start a temple. We professor Bauver, wrote a letter to Srila start with Jagannath Swami. My Guru Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura asking Maharaja recommended temples of him why he had unnecessarily sent Jagannatha in these countries, so I was preachers to England. He said they would inspired to establish first of all Jagannatha not give the preachers even one inch of a Swami because He is kind even to the place in their heart, because they had mlecchas. Then, when there is opportunity already driven out the spiritual masters of I establish Radha-Krsna murti."6 Again, in their country long ago. Srila 1973 Srila Prabhupada wrote : "I want to Bhaktisiddhanta replied : "I do not only see my disciples all over the world wish to have one inch of place in your introduce two items, opening Radha- heart, but to also occupy the whole of Krsna temples and Ratha-yatra festivals." Europe, upon which the throne of Therefore, it is certainly not by chance that Purusottama shall be installed." "Thus Lord Jagannatha's worship and the Ratha- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta wanted to turn the yatra have been introduced in the Western whole Europe into another Purusottama- world. It may be safely said that in all ksetra ! those countries where ISKCON is well Next year, on May 19, 1934, at the established, Lord Jagannatha is temple of Alalanatha (Brahmagiri) Srila worshipped and the Ratha-yatra is held. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura made Srila prabhupada spent the first part the following statement. "akasayana of his life in Calcutta and there he first bimana rathare Sri Jagannatha devanku met his spiritual master, Srila istabarna landanaka nebaku heba"5 ("We Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who must take Lord Jagannatha in an airplane requested him to spread the message of chariot to Eastbourne and to London"). It Lord Caitanya throughout the English- did not happen immediately, but in the speaking world. In September 1965 Srila late 1960s this transcendental desire and Prabhupada came to the USA and in July prophecy of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was 1966, after almost a year of great struggle brilliantly fulfilled by his great disciple A.C. and austerity, he established the Bhakivedanta Swami, who is known International Society of Krishna throughout the world as "Srila Consciousness (ISKCON). Soon after the Prabhupada" and who has introduced the first centre was established in New York, worship of Lord Jagannatha and the Srila Prabhupada brought the message of Ratha-yatra in London and in many other Krsna consciousness to another important cities in different countries. In February American city, San Francisco. There, in 1970 Srila Prabhupada wrote to "My Dear early 1967, Lord Jagannatha made His Bhaiji Hanuman Prasad Poddar" (the merciful appearance. famous founder of the "Gita Press" with One day a new disciple of Srila whom Prabhupada had a very friendly 52 Srimandira Prabhupada (her name is Malati Devi Jagannatha, like fruits, sweets, flowers, Dasi) purchased a small wooden figure in popcorn (!) etc. For the devotees of Lord a shop and came to show it to Srila Jagannatha in India it might not be so Prabhupada. As soon as Srila easy to imagine what it meant to introduce Prabhupada saw the figure, he the worship of Jagannatha in a place immediately offered obeisances with where no one was a Hindu or had any folded hands. He then happily told Malati knowledge of the Vedic culture.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mayapura 1979
    Mayapura 1979 This book has been compiled from interviews with friends, godbrothers, and followers of Çré Çrémad Gour Govinda Swami Mahäräja. All Rights Reserved 2014 © Tattva-Vicära Publications. ISBN: 978-0-9875987-8-3 First print 1,000 copies – 2014 Second print 5,000 copies – 2015 No part of this book may be reproduced by any means what-so- ever without the written permission of the publisher. Permission given to quote short excerpts - provided attribution is given - as follows: © 2014 Tattva-vicära Publications (reproduced with per- mission). Otherwise publisher’s permission must be sought. Disclaimer: The information in this small book is taken from interviews, the in- Compiled by formation is published just as it was spoken at the time of the interviews, however Nimäi Paëòita däsa we have edited the English where it was deemed necessary. If you are offended by any of the language used herein such as the words äcärya or mahä-bhägavata then the publishers apoligize for that. Please note that we have only used the same terminology presented to us by those persons who were interviewed. If howev- er you become inspired with the information in this small book, the publishers thank you for your attention. We have only tried to present the material as it was recorded in interview. Front cover picture: Foreground Çréla AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda and background personality Çré Çrémad Gour Govinda Swami Mahäräja. Çré Çrémad Gour Govinda Swami Mahäräja met Çréla Prabhupäda 15th September 1974 at midday. Mayapura 1979 Compiled by Nimäi
    [Show full text]
  • An Integrative Framework for Temple Tourism Destination of Odisha: the Marketing and Management Perspectives, Case Study on Golden Triangle of Odisha, India
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VOLUME 9, ISSUE 01, JANUARY 2020 ISSN 2277-8616 An Integrative Framework For Temple Tourism Destination Of Odisha: The Marketing And Management Perspectives, Case Study On Golden Triangle Of Odisha, India P.P.Mohanty, Dr. Sapan Kumar Sadual Abstract: The tourism industry is changing rapidly across the globe that ultimately accountable towards the sustainability of the destination. Tourists derive the unforgettable experience by the dint of destination attributes like competitiveness, attractiveness, and uniqueness. The success and failure of a particular destination solely depend on the various attributes that make and mars the image of the destination. The existence of both destination and tourism is vital for future survival in terms of many touristic activities. Odisha, the land of spiritualism, has been laced with history, heritage, culture, faith and belief of various temples, but in particular temple tourism as a single entity has not been promoted instead of vast potential and prospects. Hence it is a major and prolific step taken by the author to study and find the way for promoting Odisha as an emerging temple tourism destination concentrating and focusing in and around Bhubaneswar-Puri- Konark, the golden triangle circuit. Index Terms: Temple tourism, Marketing, Management, Destination, Golden triangle ———————————————————— 1 INTRODUCTION Since then temples have been significant in all religions. In In this cut-throat competitive era, lagging behind all other many people’s opinion religious, spiritual and pilgrimage all sectors, the tourism industry is growing rapidly and has are enticed or engulfed within the temple tourism being been emerged as a vehicle for socio-economic, cultural and propelled by the faith, belief, religion, somehow correct, but sustainable development.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ratha Yatra of Sri Jagannath
    Srimandira The Ratha Yatra of Shri Jagannath l Jayanta Narayan Panda Orissa the Land of festivals is known Green timbers respectively. Beside the D.F.O. Nayagarh have been supplying 3 world-wide during the monsoon for the Nos. of Simuli timbers for last some years. spectacular festival, Ratha Yatra or the Now a days the availability of Fasi species Car Festival of Shri Jagannath. Among of trees has become a problem in twelve major festivals, viz. the Snana Nayagarh Division, as a result of which Yatra, the Ratha Yatra, the Sayan Yatra, the D.F.O. Nayagarh has to procure the the Dakshinayana Yatra, the Fasi trees from other Divisions to supply Parswaparivartan Yatra, the Utthapana the same to the Temple Administration. Yatra, the Pravarana Yatra, the Like previous years the D.F.O. Nayagarh Pusyabhisheka Yatra, the Uttarayana sends first truck load of timber before Yatra, the Dola Yatra, the Damanaka Yatra 'Basanta Panchami' and the rest of the and the Akshaya Trutiya Yatra are timbers reaches in a phased manner. celebrated inside the temple of Lord Jagannath ; The Ratha Yatra or the Car The construction of the Rathas starts Festival of Lord deserves special mention. on the Akshaya Trutiya day. The progress This festival draws millions of tourists both of construction is monitored regularly by in-land and foreigners to the Grand Road. a team of officials. The Executive And the deities come down from the main Engineer, R & B, Puri Division, Puri is temple to the Grand Road to meet the reviewing the progress from time to time.
    [Show full text]
  • Calendar of Religious Festivals January to June
    shap Calendar of Religious Festivals EDUCATION and 2020 CELEBRATION January to June FAITHS January February March April May June 23 Declaration of 20 to1 May the Bab 19 World Religion Day 20 Naw-Ruz BAHA’I Ridvan 28 The Ascension of Baha’u’llah 16 Shinran Mem. Day 8/15 Parinirvana / 8 Hanamatsuri 7 Vesakha Puja / BUDDHIST 25 Honen Mem. Day Nirvana Day 25-27 Losar 9 Magha Puja* 13-15 Songkran Buddha Day 25 Yuan Tuan 4 Tomb 25 Dragon Boat CHINESE (New Year)[Rat] 8 Lantern Festival Sweeping Day Festival 1 Naming of Jesus / 2 Great Lenten Fast Circumcision / Mary, 10-16 Christian Aid Mother of God begins [3] 5 Palm Sunday 7 Trinity Sunday 2 Presentation of 6 Women s World Week 5-12 Methodist Covenant ’ 5-11 Holy Week 21 Ascension Day 7 Pentecost [3] Christ in the 9 Maundy 11 Thanksgiving 6 Epiphany [Ang/RC] Temple / Day of Prayer 21 Ascension Day 6 Theophany [3] 19 St Joseph Thursday for the CHRISTIAN Candlemas [RC] 6/7 Christmas Eve/Day [3] 22 Mothering Sunday 10 Good Friday 28 Ascension Day Eucharist 25 Shrove Tuesday 11 Holy Saturday 11 Corpus Christi - 12 Baptism of Christ [Ang] 26 Ash Wednesday 25 The Annunciation [3] 12 Baptism of the Lord [RC] [Ang/[3]/RC] 12 Easter Day Body & Blood 26 - April 11 Lent 31 Pentecost / 18-25 Week of Prayer for 25 Lady Day 19 Pascha [3] Whit Sunday of Christ [RC] Christian Unity 29 Passion Sunday 19 Theophany [3] (Julian) 12 B’day of Swami Vivekananda 2 Rama Navami 14/15 Lohri / Makar HINDU 21 Mahashivratri 9/10 Holi 7/8 Hanuman 23 Ratha Yatra Sankranti / Pongal Jayanti *29/30 Sarasvati Puja / Vasant Panchami
    [Show full text]
  • Nabakalebar Ratha Yatra 2015
    Nabakalebar Ratha Yatra 2015 1 Place of Good Work done Odisha State 2 Area Puri Police District 3 Nature of Good Work Successful Police Arrangement during Nabakalebar Ratha Yatra 2015 4 Police Station and District or Puri District Police Unit/ Battalion 5 Date of Good Work done 17.07.2015 to 29.07.2015 (dd-mm-yyyy ) 6 Brief of work done Puri also known as Shree Khetra, located on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, is regarded as one of the “Four Dhams” (Char Dham) of Hindus. The presiding deities of Puri are Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, who all adorn the sanctum of Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, the 12th century architectural marvel. Rath Yatra is the annual festival of presiding deities, who are taken on giant chariots (Rath) dragged by thousands of devotees. The celebration continues for 11 days during which period about two million of devotees congregate in the Holy Dham of Puri. Nabakalebar, the periodical ceremonial re-embodiment of the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Sudarshan, normally falls after a gap of 19 years though on certain occasions it takes place after a gap of 12 years. The last Nabakalebar of the deities took place in the year-1996. Due to improvement of infrastructure including road and railway connectivity to Puri, more than five million congregation was anticipated during Nabakalebar-2015. Keeping in view the safety, security, law and order and traffic management of mega festival, Nabakalebar-2015, elaborate Police arrangements were made by the Odisha Police for this occasion.
    [Show full text]
  • Sacred Space on Earth : (Spaces Built by Societal Facts)
    International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention ISSN (Online): 2319 – 7722, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 7714 www.ijhssi.org ||Volume 4 Issue 8 || August. 2015 || PP.31-35 Sacred Space On Earth : (Spaces Built By Societal Facts) Dr Jhikmik Kar Rani Dhanya Kumari College, Jiaganj, Murshidabad. Kalyani University. ABSTRACT: To the Hindus the whole world is sacred as it is believed to spring from the very body of God. Hindus call these sacred spaces to be “tirthas” which is the doorway between heaven and earth. These tirthas(sacred spaces) highlights the great act of gods and goddesses as well as encompasses the mythic events surrounding them. It signifies a living sacred geographical space, a place where everything is blessed pure and auspicious. One of such sacred crossings is Shrikshetra Purosottam Shetra or Puri in Orissa.(one of the four abodes of lord Vishnu in the east). This avenue collects a vast array of numerous mythic events related to Lord Jagannatha, which over the centuries attracted numerous pilgrims from different corners of the world and stand in a place empowered by the whole of India’s sacred geography. This sacred tirtha created a sacred ceremonial/circumbulatory path with the main temple in the core and the secondary shrines on the periphery. The mythical/ritual traditions are explained by redefining separate ritual (sacred) spaces. The present study is an attempt to understand their various features of these ritual spaces and their manifestations in reality at modern Puri, a temple town in Orissa, Eastern India. KEYWORDS: sacred geography, space, Jagannatha Temple I. Introduction Puri is one of the most important and famous sacred spaces (TirthaKhetra) of the Hindus.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Return Ratha Yatra Part-01
    Photo by Bhakta Charles By Madhavananda Das Part one: THE OPULENT ANSWER Many devotees ask how we are to understand the Ulṭā, or Bahudhā — return Ratha-yātrā in Jagannath Puri? If (as Gaudiya Vaishnavas state) we consider the Guṇḍicā-yatra, or Ratha-yātrā to respresent the ecstatic emotions of the residents of Vrindavan taking Krishna home from Kuruksetra. How do we then understand the return Ratha-yātrā? Is it a festival celebrating taking Krishna away from Vrindavan? There are two sides, two answers, that can be offered to this question. To understand them, one first needs to consider something about the nature of Sri Jagannath Puri Dham. In his book, The Embankment of Separation (chapter 7), Srila Prabhupada’s Orissan disciple, Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja describes Lord Jagannath and Puri as: aiśvarya-mādhurya yugala-milana — “The combination of both opulence and sweetness.” This point is substantiated by Srila Sanatan Goswami who writes in his Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta (2.5.212): śrī-kṛṣṇa-devasya sadā priyaṁ tat kṣetraṁ yathā śrī-mathurā tathaiva tat-pāramaiśvarya-bhara-prakāśa lokānusāri-vyavahāra-ramyam “Just as Mathura-Vrindavan is eternally dear to Sri Krishna, so too is his abode of Purushottam Kshetra Jagannath Puri. There in Puri, Krishna displays supreme opulence and while at the same time presents pastimes that are full of sweetness.” Understanding Return Ratha-yatra Page — 2 This may strike the learned readers as confusing, for in terms of siddhānta, there is a vast difference between the qualities of aiśvarya, opulence; and mādhurya, sweetness. When jñāna and aiśvarya, knowledge of the Lord’s opulence and position, are present then rati-saṅkucita — love is shrunken.
    [Show full text]
  • Sun Worship in Himalaya Region: with Special Reference to Katarmal and Martand
    Artistic Narration: A Peer Reviewed Journal of Visual & Performing Art ISSN (P): 0976-7444 Vol. IV., 2013 Sun Worship in Himalaya Region: with Special Reference to Katarmal and Martand Dr. Virendra Bangroo Assistant Professor IGNCA, New Delhi. & Dr. Richan Kamboj Assistant Professor & HOD, Department of Drawing & Painting M.K.P.(P.G.) College Dehra Dun. The Sun, the source of light and solar energy, is the sources of all life and finds mention in all the sacred texts like the Rig Veda, the Vishnu Purana, the Mahabharta, the Bhavisya Purana, the Chandogya Upanishad, the Markandaya Purana, the Taittiriya Upansihad, the Nilarudra Upanishad and the Varaha purana. The Sun or Surya is also known by other names, each name highlights the grandeur, brilliance, quality and power of the Sun,viz:- 1. Aditya- Son of the primordial vastness ss 2. Aja-ekapad – one legged goat 3. Pavaka – Purifier 4. Jivana- the source of life 5. Jayanta-Victorious 6. Ravi - Divider 7. Martanda- born from life less egg 8. Savitr -Nourisher 9. Aharpati-Lord of the day 10. Jagat chaksu-Eye of the world 11 - Karma Sanskasin -Witness of deeds 12. Graha Rajan-King of Planets 13. Sahasra-Kirana-Having Thousand beams 14. Saptashwa-Having seven horses 15. Dyumani-Gem of the sky 1 Artistic Narration: A Peer Reviewed Journal of Visual & Performing Art ISSN (P): 0976-7444 Vol. IV., 2013 16. Graha pati-Lord of the Planets 17. Heli-Pervader 18. Khaga-Wanderer of space 19. Padma-bandhu-Friend of the lotus 20. Padma Pani-Lotus in hand 21. Himarati- Enemy of snow 22.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhairabi - Jagannatha Kshetra
    Odisha Review June - 2014 Bhairabi - Jagannatha Kshetra Dr. Prafulla Chandra Mohanty Odisha is the land of spiritual and cultural meaningless. With the above background the monuments. The biggest religious cultural centre article gives a brief description of ancient Bhairabi inside the state is Puri and it is famous for the Kshetra presently developed as Durga-Madhaba shrine of Lord Jagannath. Jagannath Dham is one Kshetra situated in the sacred land of Mantridi of the four important Dhams (centres) of India area in Ganjam district of South Odisha. Maa Sri situated at the eastern part of our country. Siddha Bhairabi Kshetra was situated at a 18 Jagannath Dham of Puri termed as Sankha kms distance towards south east corner of Kshetra situtated in a triangular land scape looking Berhampur city on the side of N.H.-5. The like a coanch. It is also the Shreekshetra which signifies the place of Lakshmi, the spouse of Lord Jagannath the Lord of the Universe, Who is well known as the Goddess of wealth. In Odisha there are other kshetras (centres) like Arka Kshetra (place of Sun), at Konark, Tulsi Kshetra at Kendrapara (Baldevjew temple), Sabar Shreekshetra of tribals at Koraput, Saran Srikshetra at Marada (Ganjam), Saila Shreekshetra at Anugul and Durga-Madhaba or Shaktipeeth was famous for the cult of Bhairab Bhairabi-Jagannath Kshetra at Mantridi of South which was believed to be present since 400 B.C. Odisha. In Bhagawat Geeta, Lord Srikrishna narrates about the kshetra & khetrangya where The Durga Madhab kshetra has two kshetra is the place where God of the Universe important deities.
    [Show full text]
  • The Deities of New Vrindaban
    The Deities of New Vrindaban Aaron Boyd, Maggie Dorsten, Lauren Spartano, and Stephanie Villaire 1 Deity Worship in the Hare Krishna Faith Hare Krishna devotees make the distinction that they perform Deity worship and not idol worship. Madhudvisa dasa, a member of the New Vrindaban community, explains, “It is Krishna on the altar, not a stone statue or an idol. But unless our eyes are purified we can’t see Krishna, we think he is a statue…but he is Krishna. We worship Krishna, not a ‘form of Krishna’ or a ‘statue of Krishna’.” In other words, Krishna is so spiritual that He cannot be seen with the senses. Therefore, Krishna agrees to appear in the form of a Deity so that devotees can worship and make offerings to Him. More specifically, each day, the devotees cook seven meals for Krishna, bathe and dress Him, and chant and sing songs for Him. Deity Construction No hard and fast rules exist to govern the type of material from which the Deities must be constructed. A Deity (also known as a “murti”) can be made out of any type of material because devotees believe that Krishna can appear in any form. According to Madhudvisa dasa, “The Deity is made by a devotee, but the devotee doesn’t try to ‘make’ Krishna. He prays for Krishna to appear in the form of the Deity.” Installing Deities The question of whether or not to open a Hare Krishna center must be considered carefully before actions are taken. Once a Hare Krishna temple is installed, it is impossible to un-install the Deities within it.
    [Show full text]
  • NASZA RODZINA GAUDIYA MATH Swami B
    NASZA RODZINA GAUDIYA MATH Swami B. A. Paramadvaiti NASZA RODZINA GAUDIYA MATH STUDIUM ROZWOJU WISZNUIZMU GAUDIJA I INNYCH GAŁĘZI ROZWIJAJĄCYCH SIĘ WOKÓŁ GAUDIYA MATH PRZEKŁAD: MADHAVENDRA PURI DASA REDAKCJA: Iwona Szuwalska KOREKTA: Anna Michalik-Czarnecka Wstęp PROJEKT OKŁADKI I OPRACOWANIE TYPOGRAFICZNE: Patrycja Kubasiak Czytelnicy zainteresowani tematem tej książki są zaproszeni do osobistej koresponden- cji z autorem pod adres: świecie zachodnim tradycja wisznuizmu jest nadal mało znana, ale VRINDA secretary USA: podobnie jak w Indiach wiele gałęzi tej tradycji stało się źródłem licz- 4138 NW 23 rd Ave. Miami Fl. 33142 W nych projektów takich jak ekofarmy, restauracje, festiwale muzyczne, publika- Tel/fax: (305) 638 2503 cje oraz wiele innych przedsięwzięć służących Polakom. Z różnych powodów zwolennicy poszczególnych nurtów wisznuizmu wolą skupiać się na swoich lub e-mail do: [email protected] sprawach i unikają kontaktu z przedstawicielami innych gałęzi kultury wisz- nuickiej. Zjawisko to ma miejsce nawet w samych Indiach. Visva Vaisnava Raj VRINDA Home-page na http://www.vrindavan.org/ Sabha (VVRS) ustanowiły osoby, które pragnęły pokazać światu kulturę we- E-mail: [email protected] dyjską oraz to, jak różne odpowiedzi oferuje ona na problemy współczesności. Gaudiya Math to jedna z ważnych gałęzi wisznuizmu, która przez swoje nowe Dodatkowe adresy i informacje o innych misjach Gaudiya Math, znajdziesz na głównej odłamy miała na celu szerzyć tę tradycję na całej ziemi. Imperia powstawały i stronie internetowej World Vaishnava Association rozpadały się. Ale chwały Śri Śri Radhy-Kryszny, Śri Śri Gaury-Nitaja i zwią- (Światowego Towarzystwa Wisznuitów): zanej z nimi kultury upowszechniane są na całym świecie jako dzieło dobrej http://www.wva-vvrs.org/ woli.
    [Show full text]
  • Ratha Yatra and Its Origin in Puri
    ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Ratha Yatra and Its Origin in Puri Dr. Janmejay Choudhury he Ratha Yatra of Jagannath, however, is Bakrabak Chakrapani Pattanaik, Gundicotsava Trecognized as the most famous of the twelve Varnanam of Bhagabat Brahma and Gundicha Vije festivals. It is the second important Yatra of Lord of Brajanath Badajena deserve a special mention. Jagannath. It has become so famous that millions Also, Narahari Panda in the ‘Brahma Prakasika of people from India and abroad assemble at Puri Tika’ of Megha Dutam has successfully interpreted every year to watch Lord Jagannath on this the theme with the Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath occasion with worship in their eyes. The Rig. Veda speaks of the Raths that moved in the air. These were the three storeyed Rathas drawn by horses. Panini also refers to Ratha, while analyzing the word ‘Rathastha, Rathaganak’, etc. According to the Ramayana, the Ratha which is used in the games is called ‘Pusya’, while the Ratha employed by Gods is known as Marut. There is also descriptions of Ratha in Bhagavat, Mahabharat, Visnupurana, in a good style. Ratha Yatra is celebrated at Kautilya-Arthasastra and Sukra Niti. The Buddhist different places in Odisha, notably, at Puri. Konark Literature, especially, Lalita Vistara and Buddha- holds a Ratha Yatra in honour of the Sun God, Carita also speaks of Ratha. while every year is witnessed a similar festival of Lord Lingaraj. It may be presumed that the Ratha It has inspired Sanskrit and Odia poets to Yatra of Puri is existed anterior to the Ratha Yatra compose various works, of which Vasantotsava of Bhubaneswar.
    [Show full text]