Bhakta-Vatsala Iord Jagemnath's pastimes
with his Devotees
Ramanujacharya in puri
Ramanujacharya visited Puri in the twelfth century. Ramanujacharya is
the foundct-acharya of the Sri sampradaya. He was a great Vaisnava acharya and
also famous as very learned personality. He preached the doctrine of Visista Advaitavad
and vigorously opposed the teachings of Sankarcharya. At that time King Choda
Ganga Deva ruled the state of Orissa. Ramanuja had much influence over the
king. Ramanuja recognized Lord Jagannath as Maha-Vishnu. He saw that the Lord
was being worshiped with the mixture of different processes. He was concerned
that low-caste people, such as Daitapatis could take part in offering puja.
Ramanuja argued that Lord Jagannath should be worshiped with the Vedic process
only. He wanted to change the process of puja in Jagannath temple. He presented
many changes to the king and made him agree to his proposals. Jagannath sevaks
objected to the new system. But the King would not listen to their appeals.
Finally the date was fixed for Ramanuja to change the puja process in Jagannath
temple.
The King and all of the brahmanas arrived at the temple in the early
morning. They announced that from that day, a new system of worship would be
introduced by the great acharya, Ramanuja. Everyone, including the king, waited
anxiously at the temple for the arrival of Ramanujacharya. But he never showed.
After waiting for a long time, the king ordered the pujari to start the worship
of Lord Jagannath according to the previous system. Then the king ordered his
minister to find Ramanujacarya.
It was discovered that during the previous night while Ramanujacharya
was sleeping, Lord Jagannath appeared to him. The Lord chastised him, "Who
are you to change my puja system? Let My devotees worship me as they have been
worshiping Me from the beginning. They are my special devotees. I have a
special relationship with them. You do not understand this. Do not disturb
them. Get out of here!" The Lord flew Ramanuja out of Orissa by the help
of Garuda. The next day Ramanuja was found in South India in a village called
Kurma Kshetra.
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