Jagannath Swami Nayana Patha Gami Bhava Tume – Part 04
Suresh Chandra Sarangi
Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja and famous poet of 18th century Kabi Surya Baladeva Rath are full of praise and pay their obeisance to the lord in their inimitable style. Besides these the modern poets like Sachi Routray, Surendra Mohanty in his book ‘Nilasaila’ spread the godly vibration. The elementary shape of Lord Jagannath is a symbol of equity, coordination, peace and integration being above any discrimination on the basis of caste, color, religion and gender. The Jagannath cult is an expression of One World concept. He can never be expressed in totality and there are millions of songs everyday springing forth singing his greatness. Daru Brahma as he is otherwise known as, has a conceptual reference in Bhagavad Gita.
The Skanda Purana described the most intrinsic relationship between ever changing, impermanent world and static ever existing permanent Brahma. It is described in Bhagavad Gita that a man with spiritual values, while in search of the Leelamaya can realize the Purushottam. In the ancient scripture, it speaks about eternal Aswatha whose roots are directed towards heaven and the branches spread in the lower portion of the earth being just the reverse of what we see in the ordinary eyes regarding a tree. Its leaves represent Vedic hymns, the Aswatha tree is symbolic of the world, its leaves and branches may decay and again take new ones. The celebration of the car festival is the most celebrated one in the entire world.
The Mahaprasad
The Mahaprasad, the food offered to deities, is the food for millions every day. The Madala Panji is a mute witness of the glory of Lord Jagannath and the devotion of the devotees. He is the revered God of bliss and transcends all thinkers, philosophers, poets, saints, seers, historians, pandits throughout the ages and it is very difficult to understand the subtlety of Lord Jagannath.
He permeates through each soul in the living world. He encompasses love, compassion, pardon, tolerance, fellow feeling and glorifies peace and non-violence. His incarnation during the ages has punished the evil doers like Hiranya Kashyapu, Kansa the demon and many more wicked people. The Bhagabata sang in praise of the Lord stating that the world is a pastime of the god and living beings are under his grip.
Acharya Ganapati Bhatt, a staunch believer, Saint Chaitanya who is said to have got lost in the deity, Saint Kabir through his metaphysical poems spoke about Good karma and received the fruits of Good Karma. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, visited Puri and spoke of meditation for realization of salvation. The saint Tulasi Das in his metaphysical ode to the Lord spread the gospel of devotion.
The Sudarshan Chakra is the symbol of eternity, the musical symphony of Shree Jagannath temple is all pervasive. Lord Jagannath is the symbol of pluralism and the pantheon of diversity. The mystical phenomena of Shree Jagannath temple and Lord Jagannath from his creation to his establishment, always amusing and arouses a lot of love. The Purushottam kshetra is the most sacred shrine of the entire Hindu world. The flag, which is hoisted atop the temple is known as Patita Pavana Baana that protects the needy, the poor.
Early in the morning, the appeal of Bhakta Salabega spins from the radio & TV and the message of devotion breaks the ethereal silence. If there could be a universal religion then Shree Jagannath cult can be called one such religion transcending the greatness of Lord Jagannath. Chaitanya who for some time was deeply influenced by the spiritual fervor of Lord Jagannath still stands out as a great devotee.
He is the Lord of the Universe, sovereign god of the people of the world, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and more so due to the spreading of his message throughout the world by the international society for Krishna consciousness. He is Anadi, (without a beginning), Anakar (formless), Ananta (eternal), Nirakara (empty) and again the Brahma (the majestic supreme being). The Kala Thakura or Kalia Dhana as he is called is the lifeline of Odisha’s culture and its people.
(The writer is a retired banker and lives in Bhubaneswar. The information/data cited in this article along with the views/opinions are written/curated by the author. OdishaPlus does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same)
