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Home , Balarama Dasa, Gopabandhu Das, Jagamohana Ramayana, Jagannatha Dasa, Prayojana

Orissa Review * June - 2006

The Lord and His Land

Dr. Nishakar Panda

He is the Lord of Lords. He is . He century. In Rajabhoga section of , is Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent. Lord Jagannatha has been described as "the He is the only cult, he is the only religion, he king of the kingdom of Orissa", "the master is the sole sect. All sects, all 'isms', all beliefs or the lord of the land of Orissa" and "the god and all religions have mingled in his eternal of Orissa". Various other scriptures and oblivion. He is Lord Jagannatha. And for narrative poems composed by renowned poets Orissa and teeming millions of Oriyas are replete with such descriptions where He is the nerve centre. The Jagannatha has been described as the institution of Jaganatha sole king of Orissa. influences every aspect of the life in Orissa. All spheres of Basically a Hindu our activities, political, deity, Lord Jagannatha had social, cultural, religious and symbolized the empire of economic are inextricably Orissa, a collection of blended with Lord heterogeneous forces and Jagannatha. factors, the individual or the dynasty of the monarch being A Political Prodigy : the binding force. Thus Lord Lord Jaganatha is always Jagannatha had become the and for all practical proposes national deity (Rastra Devata) deemed to be the supreme besides being a strong and monarch of the universe and the vivacious force for integrating Kings of Orissa are regarded as His the Orissan empire. But when the representatives. In yesteryears when Orissa empire collapsed, Lord Jagannatha had been was sovereign, the kings of the sovereign state seen symbolizing a seemingly secular force of had to seek the favour of Lord Jaganatha for the Oriya nationalism. their success in administration or participation in war. Madala Panji the magnum opus of Lord Jagannatha being the real king of Orissa in the days of yore, was believed to be Orissa is the richest landlord. He owns vast compiled for the first time in the late sixteenth tracts of land in all parts of . Hardly there

158 Orissa Review * June - 2006 is any important region in India where the Lord honour of Jagannath have great influence on has no land of his own. He is the sole deity in the religious and cultural life of the people of the country in whose favour donations of land Orissa. During the Yatra in the temple have been made not only by the Kings and of Lord Jagannatha, the Lord goes to sleep. Monarchs but also by the common people. During the period of this Sayana Yatra lasting Apart from the collateral donations, a sort of for about 3 months, all ceremonies such as spiritual dedication of life and property also marriage, sacred thread ceremony, the coming is offered to Him all over Hindustan. of the bride to her father-in-law's place, etc. are all suspended and during the rising Humbleness to Lord was not a simple ceremony of the Lord (Devotthana), all these ritual but a political necessity. The roots of activities are resumed again. All kinds of trees 's decision to start his are planted in various parts of Orissa during padayatra from may be traced in the the festival of the Lord because importance of Jagannath. After formation of these days of the festival are considered to be Orissa State, K.C. Gajapati Narayan Dev, the the most auspicious. The first fruit of any crop Raja of Paralakhemundi, took oath as the first grown in Orissa is presented to the Lord. Prime Minister of Orissa in 1936 A.D. One of Ratha Yatra a special festival of the Lord his first acts was to pay a ceremonial visit to is celebrated in every nook and corner of the Lord Jagannatha though there was bitter State and in various places of India and the dynastic rivalry existing between the kings of World with new enthusiasm and spirit. Car Paralakhemundi and the kings of Puri. festival in U.S.A. and other parts of the World, A Symbol of Social Solidarity: the Lords chariot-pulling in and other In our social tradition, whatever is done States bear the testimony of deep-rooted bond for welfare of the family or the individual is of people in all walks of life with Lord Jagannath. Only in Delhi two Jagannatha attributed to Lord Jagannatha. This is regarded temples have been built where the Car festival as a rich social tradition and this tradition exists and the other festivals of Jagannatha are in the social life of some parts of India in enthusiastically celebrated. Though the general and Orissa in particular. In the marriage foreigners are restricted to enter the Lord's and other religious ceremonies, the house-hold temple at Puri, it seems now that the foreigners people take it as their prime duty to satisfy are more attracted for Jagannath . At their guests with Mahaprasad of Jagannath the time of Ratha Yatra every year some of before serving them with other kinds of food. them use to dance with the prayers of the Lord This system has strengthened the bond of by playing the musical instruments. Baripada's fraternity and has helped people in establishing importance for 'Rathayatra' stands next to that brotherly relationship in their social life. In of Puri. Since the sixteenth century marriages, the parties come together to take innumerable pilgrims have been forming the oath before Lord Jagannatha to make their crowd at Baripada of Mayurbhanja district to relation firm and permanent. The marriage see Lord Jagannatha on his chariot. Millions invitation card is first offered to Jagannatha of followers of Iskcon throughout the World before being distributed among the kith and celebrate the car festival of Lord Jagannath with kins. Various festivals and ceremonies held in gaity and devotion.

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Various legends associated with Lord the non- evince the spirit of inferiority Jagannatha still occupy a prominent place in complex. The Puri Temple, Sriksetra,as it is religious sentiments among the people of called is the all pervading symbol of equality, Orissa. The legend of Kanchi invasion of fraternity and secular sovereignty. Purusottama Dev, the Lord becoming beggar The sacred food offered to God is rich as described in Laxmipurana, the story of in quality and content. Therefore, it is Raghuarakhsita, , Jagannatha popularly called the Mahaprasad, the like of Das, Bandhu Mohanty of Jajpur, Dasia Bauri, which is not found anywhere in India. Food, Poets Salbega, are very the first and foremost requirement of human popular legends of Orissa which are still fresh life and existence is not only offered to the in the minds of the people of the State. deity but is also meant for all the people, A Source of Religious Resurrection : irrespective of their caste, creed and position Jagannath cult is not confined to any and they satisfy their hunger and religious particular sect or religion. It is cosmopolitan fasting with utmost comfort. Food is available in nature. It has integrated in its fold all beliefs in the temple always and for all. The Lord of and practices and become universal. The the land sitting in the he Ratnavedi with ease multiplicity of ritualistic practices in the lord's holds out His hands for giving food to His temple leads us to divergent theories in respect hungry and devoted millions. All the seasonal of its origin. But, as far as the religious foods offered to the deity are also made development is concerned, the historical data available to the public. This arrangement is from age to age revealed the religious attitude unique in a temple visited by lakhs. In the and faith of the people as well as of the rulers Lord's eye all are equal. People with varied operated in evolving the cult of Jagannath. The caste, creed and culture and status take His cult is not derived from any particular religious Mahaprasad sitting together in the 'Ananda system, practice or belief, it is a combination Bazar' the common dining place inside the of countless religious thoughts temple. One source of administrative discomfort for the British officials was the close Lords were considered as the supreme relationship existed between the Oriya head of the state or the state deity. Jagannatha nationalism and Lord Jagannath in the closing Dharma thereby became the mass religion years of the nineteenth century. They believed (Gana Dharma) of Orissa.Thus,this Dharma that only the Oriya employees of the embraces all the religions and assimilated them Government were susceptible to the Orissan in itself. It however became more popular when custom of "Mahaprasad brotherhood" formed it assimilated Buddhism, Saivism, Saktism and by sharing the sacred rituals of Lord Jagannath, finally the Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Lord's abode, which was an effective barrier to the smooth the Puri Temple is the symbol of the synthesis functioning of administration. This was so of the and the Non-Aryan cultures. Yet, because the Mahaprasad brothers are supposed the speciality of the Jagannath Temple and the to come to each other's help and assistance Jagannath Cult, in this synthesis, is that neither under any circumstance ignoring the code of the Aryans have displayed their traditional legal and moral principles and even humane feeling of aristocratic self-consciousness nor feelings. Any deviation from this rule is

160 Orissa Review * June - 2006 considered a worst sin one commits.It is not cultural connections associated with the people only a betrayal of a Mahaprasad brother but of the State. Volumes of literatures were written also of Lord Jagannatha himself. to magnify and glorify his greatness. The Muktimandapa is the judiciary wing of religious thinkers of Orissa, the five associates, the temple pertaining to religious matters. panca sakha, as they are popularly known like Cases involving religious controversies in any Jagannatha Dasa, , part of India particularly Orissa, are referred Dasa, Acyuta Dasa and Yasovanta Dasa to the Muktimandapa. This Muktimandapa is composed their respective works highlighting the famous seat of the learned the God's greatness. Lord Jagannath is the associated with Jagannath temple and the epicentre in all their creations. In Bana Parva verdict pronounced by this august assembly and Musali Parva of famous Oriya of Pandits, is always accepted by the parties composed by Sudramuni Sarala with utmost respect. All social customs, Dasa of Jhankada, the story and the philosophy cultural activities and religious practices get of Jagannath was the focal point in the theme their prior sanction by reference to what is narrated there. followed in His temple and the deviations, if In the medieval Oriya literature also Lord any, are also made with humble supplication Jagannath has been associated with the Oriya of His sanction. Thus, for the people,He is the nationalism. During 16th, 17th and 18th ideal of all ideals. centuries, Lord Jagannath was given A Cosmic Cultural Chord : prominence in all Oriya literatures. Hardly there was any literary activity where Lord All greatness is associated and ascribed Jagannath was not focussed. There are to Lord Jagannath. He is the greatest of all innumerable mentions of the glory of Lord Gods with all greatness. 'He is the Bada Jagannath in Jananas, Bhajanas, Daskathias, Thakur, the Chief among the Gods. His temple Chadheya Dances and elsewhere. Homage to is the Bada Deula, the chief temple among the Lord Jagannath is paid in the prefaces of epics temples and the path in front of His temple is and long narrative poems. Today, scores of the Bada Danda, the chief path-way. The sea literary works on Lord Jagannath written in washing the shores of His ksetra is called Oriya and are available making the 'Mahodadhi' or the great ocean. Even the cult of Jagannath not confined within the State cremation ground here is named as Svarga of Orissa but felt through out the Sub-continent. Dvara or gateway to the Heaven.' All the To cite a few, 'the Anargha Raghavam of deities are worshipped if He is worshipped, Murari Misra of Orissa (8th century), and visit to His place or Ksetra is the Gitagovindam of Sri of Kenduvilva culmination of all pilgrimages and one (Orissa), Candrakala Natika of Mahapatra achieves emancipation.. He is the king, the co- Visvanatha Kaviraj, Abhinava Gitagovindam subject, the father, the brother and the son in of King Gajapati Purusottama Deva, one whole being. Gopalarcana vidhi of Gajapati King The philosophy and thought of Oriya Purusottama Deva, Jagannatha Vallabha centre round the philosophy of Lord Jagannath. Natakam of Raya Ramananda, Mukti He is the pivot around which revolves all Cintamani of Kind Purusottama Deva,

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Dvadasa Yatra tatva of Raghunandana, Badadeula, the temple of Lord Vamsanucarita campu of Ratha, Jagannath is also a cultural centre besides a Gundica campy of Bakravak Cakrapani profound religious habitat. It is the temple and Pattanayaka, Gundica Vijaya campu of its priests who decide the rules and regulations Kaviraja Bhagavan , the sthala governing and also prescribing like Vamana Samhita, Niladrimahodayam, expiation (prayascitta) for any sins committed. Kapil Samhita, kestra Mahatmyam, Only the temple has a final say for any sort of Madhuranirudha Natakam of Cayani religious dispute. Thus, in the Hindu society Candrasekhara or Yatra Bhagavatam of throughout the country, the importance of Balunki pathi'are the Sanskrit works on Lord Lord's abode is beyond challenge. Not only in Jagannath. Besides these Sanskrit works the India, but also in other Hindu countries like Oriya works which glorify the cult of Nepal, Lord Jagannath rules the religious Jagannath are ' Deulatola of Balarama Dasa, sentiments of people and the ruler. Jagannatha caritmrta of Divakar dAsa, Many temples for Lord Jagannath were Dardhyata of Ramadasa, Amarakosa built after 12th century in various places of Gita of Balarama Dasa, Bataavakasa of Orissa and in different parts of India. Jagannath Balarama Dasa, Daru Brahma Gita of temple in Suvarnapur of Banki Sub-division Jagannatha Dasa, Oriya Bhagavata of of district, Jagannatha temple of Jagannatha Dasa, Anakara Samhita of Jajpur, Baladevajiu temple in Kendrapara, Dasa, Chayalisa Patala of Acyutananda Dasa, Jagannath temple of Katarapa, Jagannath Caturdhmurti varnana of Karpasindhy Dasa, temple in Binika, Jagannath temple at Savakota Deulatola of Nilambar varnana of (), Baladevji temple at Degaon Krpashindhu Dasa, Deulatola of Nilambar of Dhenkanal District, Jagannath temple in Dasa, Deula tola of Dama Dasa, Deula tola of Jagannathapura of Bankura (West Bengal), Sisukrsna Dasa, Jagamohana Chanda of Jagannatha temple of Dusia, South West of Dinakrsna Dasa, Jagamohana of Ranchi (Jharkhand), Jagannath temple of Balarama Dasa, Jagannatha Bhajana of Indupura were some of the temples built Bhagirathi Dasa, Jagannatha Vandana of during 13th, 14th & 15th century. Many Krpasindhu Dasa, Jagannatha Avakasa of temples of Lord Jagannath were also built Kesava Bhanja, Jagannatha cautisa of during 16th century onwards. Jagannath Ratnakara Sarma, Ksetramahatmya of Upendra temple of Patiakilla of Surangagarah, Bhanja, Rasika Haravati of Kavismrat, Upenda Baladevji temple at Keonjhargarh, Jagannath Bhanja, Namaratna Gita of Dinakrsona Dasa, temple at Agarpada of Balosre District, Netrotsava Varnana of Sisu Dasa, Niladri Jagannath temple Hauzkhas, New Delhi, cautisa of , Nilasundara Gita Jagannath temple of Sabarasrikshetra, Koraput of Sekhara Dasa, Niladri Mahotsava of are few examples. Besides these, there are Lokanatha Vidyadhara, bibha of innumerable number of temples dotted all over Dasa, Nilacala Gupta Jnana of Balarama Dasa, the state of Orissa and it is quite difficult to Vedantasara Gupta Gita of Balarama Dasa and date them correctly. in the 20th century Siddhanta Darpana of Lord Jagannath was the symbol and Samanta Candrasekhara'. the centre of Oriya nationalism and ultimately

162 Orissa Review * June - 2006 of Hindu nationalism in pre-independence nationalistic thought process, is evident from period. Indian nationalism was a powerful the following incident. Mr. M.S. Das, the force during the British rule. With the "grand old man of Orissa", Utkal gaurav assimilation of Hindu nationalism with Oriya While addressing a public nationalism, Indian nationalism became a meeting in 1928 in the Town-Hall of Cuttack, dominant force. There is a strong and binding recited a poem written on the spur of the link between the Oriya nationalism and moment, in which he appealed the millions Jagannath. This will never be snapped rather it Oriyas to recite 'Save Us Lord Jagannath' in is gaining strength day by day. Due to the unison which would bring an end to the intimate relationship existing between the enveloping darkness and lead the path to Oriyas and Lord Jagannath, only Jagannath progress and prosperity. occupies a focal position in the nationalistic "Kotie Odia Gotie Swarare daka trahi Jagannatha thought process. This is very clearly reflected Andhara Ghunchiba nischaya dekhiba Jatira Unnati Patha" in the literary activities of poets and literateurs Many more examples can be cited from of Orissa. Poems composed by Nilakantha the literary works tracing the historic tie Das, Purusottama Deva, Mukunda Deva, existing between Lord Jagannath and the plays and ballads by Godavarish Misra, Oriyas, the subjects of his land. Lord Jagannath Gobinda Bidyadhara, Aswini Kumar Ghose, is not a mere deity or a reigning lord but has , Kalicharan Pattanayak become a true guide for the teeming millions and Radhamohan Gadanayak were pointers to of Oriyas. He is the bond, He is the binding this direction..At a point of time when Oriya connection, He is the motivating factor and language was in the verge of loosing its identity above all He is an all pervading force engulfing in the wake of dominant Bengali forces who the entire socio-economic, religious and claimed that Oriya is not a separate language cultural fabric of his land. (Odia ek swatantra bhasa noi), Satyabadi Group of Writers rose to the occasion and References : highlighting Lord Jagannath they uphold the 1. G.P. Parija, Yuge Yuge Jagannath, Sathi Mahal, Oriya language. Cuttack, 1975. 2. History of Orissa, Vol-I, by R.D. Banerjee. These poets were primarily committed 3. Dr.H.K.Mohatab-History of Orissa, Vol.II. to Oriya nationalism in their heart and soul even 4. K.C. Mishra, The Cult of Jagannath, Calcutta, after their dedication to the cause of Indian 1934. nationalism. in his long poem 5. The Cult of Jagannath and the Regional Bandira Atmakatha written in Jail in 1923-24 Tradition of Orissa (Ed) 1978. made a fervent appeal to the people of Orissa 6. K.C.Mishra, The Cult of Jagannath, 1971. not to feel diffident because Lord Jagannath 7. G.N. Mohapatra, Jagannath in History and himself is the leader of Utkala. Religious Traditions of Orissa, 1982. "Bisese Utkale nahi prayojana Utkalara neta nije Narayana" The fact that Lord Jagannath continued Dr. Nishakar Panda is resides at Qr. No.1/008, BDA to occupy the central position in the Apartment, Nilakantha Nagar, Bhubaneswar-751012.

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