Orissa Review * July - 2005 The Cult of Lord Jagannath and its Impact on Oriya Literature Indu Bhusan Kar "I ask not anything from you Shankaracharya, one of the greatest saints O Jagannath, ask not for wealth or woman of Hindu religion (788-822 AD) came to Puri and But beg for small measure of Saradha Sands" stayed there. He worshipped Lord Jagannath as Salabeg Master of Universe. He composed heart-touching devotional song in Sanskrit titled - "Jagannath Shri Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe is Astakam". The English version of 1st Stanza of the presiding deity of Puri Jagannath temple which this Jagannath Astakam - eulogizes Jagannath was constructed during the reign of Ananta Varma as Sree Krushna - The Master of Universe. His Chodagangadev (1078-1147 A.D.) of Ganga prayer begins - thus dynasty. If we trace the evolution of the Jagannath "Once you appeared in the woods. Consciousness, we find that Jagannath was On the banks of Kalindi originally the God of the Sabara - the aboriginal Dancing to the tune of the sweet consort tribe. Lord Jagannath was treated as Daru seeking nectar from the lotus faces of cowherd women. Laxmi, Siva, Indra & Ganesh Devata (Daru Brahma). Later on, the Jagannath O Lord, the Master of the Universe appear in my vision". Deity was established by the King of Orissa and worshipped as Lord of Universe. Many saints of After Shankaracharya, many other religious Hindu, Buddhist, Jain philosophy even Muslim saints such as Ramanuja, Chaitanya, Nimbark and devotees found, their divine aspirations and Nanaka visited Puri and worshipped Lord dreams realized in the Jagannath cult. In Jagannath Jagannath as God - (Param Brahma). Jayadev cult, we find the true manifestation of syncretic the follower and devotee of Nimbark sect and a culture that is "unity in the diversity" which is a celebrated saint poet of 12th Century who wrote salient feature of Indian culture. Thus the cult of Gitagovinda worshipped Lord Jagannath as Jaganath took all-pervasive form, and assimilated Radhamadhab. Puri has been long since been various religious faiths like Saivism, Saktism, treated as one of the Chaturdham - a sacred Vaishavism, Jainism and Buddhism. The three place of pilgrimage. images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra Sri Rama Krishna Paramhansa, the most according to research scholars, represent the honoured saint of India opined that Lord earliest religious Jain faith of Trinity - Samyak Jagannath is true Pantheon God - Epitome of Jnana, Samyak Charita and Samyak Drusti. "Sarba Dharma Samnvaya" The Cult of Some other scholars opined that these three Jagannath has in course of time, faced all religious images represent Buddhist triad of Budha, Darma challenges and survived. It instilled ideals of and Sangha. religious fraternity, equality and universal 116 Orissa Review * July - 2005 brotherhood among the millions and millions of Jagannath. It is to be admitted that this Jagannath devotees all over world. This is the oldest popular consciousness is ingrained in the minds of art loving religious cult in Orissa. German scholars A. Oriyas. That is why this land of Lord Jagannath Eschmann, Dr. Herman Kulke and B.C. Tripathy, though poor in economic wealth has been Director of Ganganath Jha Institute, Allahabad, regarded as a peaceful holy land, free of violent had written jointly a well - documented book on communal clash and religious conflicts unlike other evolution of Jagannath Icon titled "The Cult of neighboring states. The cult of Jagannath has taught Jagannath and the Regional Tradition of Orissa". us religious tolerances and universal brotherhood. They have opined that Narasingha worship was Our ancient as well modern literature, which have the earlier form, worshipped mostly by Adivasis imbibed the great ideals of Jagannath cult of and gradually accepted by the kings of Orissa, equality, fraternity and brotherhood have enriched even though some of them were Shaivites. The Oriyas spiritual life and culture. evidence of this evolutionary stage of iconography Impact of Cult of Jagannath on Oriya is found in the premises of Jagannath temple. The Literature : icon Nrusingha has been installed with Trisula of Shiva. In Orissa, well known research scholars If we survey the ancient and medieval Oriya literary works, we find innumerable instances and like Dr. Beni Madhav Padhi, the author of "Daru references of Lord Jagannath and His legends Debata" and Dr. K.C. Misra, the author the "The Cult of Jagannath" have brought to light the and glories. We get some references and rituals of worship of Lord Jagannath in Madala Panji genesis and ideal philosophy of syncretism of (Drum-Chronicle of palm leaf manuscripts) Oriya culture in their books. supposed to have been started at the command It is heartening to note that, this all- of the first king of the Ganga-dynasty, pervading cult of Jagannath has greatly influenced Chodaganga Dev some time in the 11th - 12th all aspects of Oriya life and culture - Art, Dance, century A.D. Drama, Music, Literature and Religion. Dr. Sarala Dasa, the saint poet of Oriya epic Harekrushna Mahatab a great patriot, statesman, Mahabharat during the reign of Kapilendra Dev historian and writer aptly opined. "The Oriya of 15th Century, first eulogized and prayed Lord society is the epitome of the Indian society. It has Jagannath as "Srikrushna". This is found in every shown the most concrete way of syncretism to chapter of his epic work. He also adored Lord meet challenges. It was fortunate for the Oriya Jagannath as "Budha Avatara" in Madhya Parva society to have Jagannath enshrined as political of his Oriya Mahabharat. He has expressed his oneness for the state and religion was moving hand devotion to Lord Jagannath as follows : in hand, is those ages". ("This is cult of Jagannath" - an essay by Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab - Bandai Sree Jaganath Baikuntha Nivas published in "Image in Culture and Literature" Boudha rupe Nilagiri sikhe Achhibasi Balabhadra Subhadra Sahite 1977). Charirupe Bije Nilasundara Parvate Oriya literature, beginning from the age of (Mahabharat, Madhya Parva) Sarala Dasa of 15th century to the 20th century, spanning nearly five hundred years has greatly been After Sarala Dasa, we find vivid description influenced by the consciousness of Lord of worships and various Veshas of Lord 117 Orissa Review * July - 2005 Jagannath in poetic works of many Oriya poets During 18th and 19th century many celebrated such as Ramabivbha, Kalpalata of poet Arjun Oriya poets like Bhima Bhoi - the Kandha Saint Dasa, "Gupta Geeta", "Laxmipurana" of Poet, Dinakrushna Das author of Rasakallola, Balaram Das, Niladri Satakam (in Sanskrit), Purusottam Das, Poet of Gundicha Bijay. Gundicha Bije, Daru Brahmageeta of Atibadi Judhistir Das, author of Gundicha Yatra, Baladeb Jagannath Das, the author of Oriya Srimad Badajena - author Samar Tarang and Gundnicha Bhagabat. Vije (in Hindi) enriched Oriya literature. Many During Panchasakha age, other Oriya ballads, Bhajans, Suangas, Lilas, Jatras Panchasakha poets of Oriya literature - and folk plays have got tremendous impetus and Jasobanta, Achutananda and Ananta have also inspiration from many splendoured legends of the given vivid description of Lord Jagannath, His Holy Trinity - Jagannath, Balabhadra and glory and grace in their poetic works. Goddess Subhadra. Another Oriya poet Purusottam Das has In 20th Century, Oriya poets, novelists and written a historical poetry titled "Kanchikaberi" dramatists have also been inspired to write on in which unflinching love between Lord Jagannath noble ideals of Jagannath cult. The famous poem and milk-maid Manika - resembling consort titled "Puri Mandir" of well known poet Kalindi Radha has been described in poetic heart touching Charan Panigrahi, the poems of Pandit and charming language. This poetry has also Gopabandhu Das, some devotional poems of enriched folk literature of the Oriyas. Many ballads Radha Mohan Gadnayak and poetess Brahmotri and Suangas were written on this theme of Mohanty, have added to the enrichment of Oriya Kanchikaberi. This Jagannath cult also enriched literature. The classic Oriya novel. "Nilasaila" Oriya Bhajans - lyrical devotional songs. Poetess (1968) written by eminent novelist Surendra Madhabi Das, Banamali Das and poets, Salabeg Mohanty, which is a master piece on the theme and Kabisurya Baladev Rath have written many of Lord Jagannath and his preservation at the Bhajans in praise of Lord Jagannath. Ramshakar critical juncture of foreign invasion. In his novel, Roy, a modern Oriya historical playwright wrote Lord Jagannath is the main character during the a full fledged drama titled "Kanchi Kaberi" in invasion of Orissa by Takki Khan, when the year 1880, which was very much popular Ramachandra Dev was the king during 18th among the Oriya audience. century. The frantic effort of king Ramachandra Dev to save Sri Jagannath Icon has been narrated In the 17th century poet Loknath in this novel. Surendra Mohanty the novelist has Bidyadhar wrote a very interesting poetry also written another popular novel title "Niladri anthology named "Niladree Mahotsav" in which Vijay" (1980) on the theme of Lord Jagannath he portrayed various rituals and festivals relating and His legends. Some Oriya modern poets, to worship of Lord Jagannath. In the year 1820 novelist and dramatist have used legends of another Oriya poet named Sri Gopinath Singh Jagannath, many colloquial Oriya words and wrote a Kabya titled Niladri Bihari narrating the idioms around Jagannath rituals in their literary glory and grandeurs of different Veshas works. Poets of Anama Gosthi started a (costumes) of Lord Jagannath such as, movement on the theme of Lord Jagannath and Sunavesha, Bali-Vamana Vesha, Kaliya Jagannath cult to make Oriya literature more Damana Vesha and Nagarjuna Vesha etc. popular. This was definitely a good sign of 118 Orissa Review * July - 2005 homeward journey from abstract, absurd themes car festival people of all castes, creeds and to simpler Oriya social cultural milieu. The religions visit Puri to have darshan of Lord spirituality behind Lord Jagannath legends and Jagannath as He is treated as "God of People".