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Brahmanda Chhatradanda - Shree
Jagannath
By Somanath Khuntia
When King Indradumna, the king of Avantee, wanted to know where the real Brahma was, he sent his ministers all over India to find out, but they returned without success. So to Orissa, known as Utkal, at that time, another minister Bidyapati was sent. He was told by the tribal people of Puri. "On the beach in the Neelagiri cave, Brahma is to be found." He was being worshipped by their tribal leader Bishwabasu. So Bidyapati came and met the chief. But inspite of all his probings, no information was divulged, no place was even shown, so secret and sacred was this Brahma to Bishwabasu. The minister was feared to stay on for many years. With the hope of discovering this Brahma, Bidyapati married the chief's daughter Lalita.
Afterward, Bidyapati was stunned when Bishwabasu would return from his worship of Brahma. He gave Bidyapati very fine rice prasad and other delicacies, curries and fruits not found in Puri at that time. Biswabasu himself would be smelling of heavenly
camphor from his arati. Bidyapati saw rare flowers that were not in season in Puri at that time. So he asked his father-in-Iaw. "Sir, where did the fine rice and all these rare flowers come from?
Bishwabasu replied. "The rice you are getting is Prasad' offered to Brahma by Devas
of other planets, and the flowers are also presented by other beings from outer space who come to see this Brahma.
From this record of the origin of Mahaprasad, found in the palm-leaf manuscript Niladri Mahodaya, we can ascertain quite clearly that this present day Jagannath Temple is not only an attraction for people of this world, but for the inhabitants of
other spheres, or Lokas, as well. When king Indradumna heard from Bidyapati that Brahma was at Puri, he immediately went there, and wanted a temple to be built by him. His wish was fulfilled, but then he wondered which deity was to be worshipped there. He dreamt that a log of wood would be floating near the beach. Out of this log, the deities must be made. The dream came true. In procession the wood was taken
to the temple. But again the king wondered. In which shape should the deities be carved ? Nobody could offer the king any suggestions.
At last an old man came and volunteered himself to carve the deities. When asked what his name was, he said emphatically, "My name is Viswakarma, the Divine Architect ! I am from another world." People all around laughed at him thinking him to be a fool. However, King Indradumna assigned the work to him. Viswakarma made three conditions.
1) He must be confined in a room where he would work for 21 days.
2) He would not take any food or drink during this period.
3) He must not be disturbed.
Once this was agreed to, Viswakarma entered the closed chamber. Everybody suspected a trick, as there was no sound of any carving. The queen also became
suspicious, thinking that the old man might even have died. Out of great anxiety the door was opened before 21 days were up. There was no body there. The old man vanished. Only a voice was heard, "Oh king ! worship these unfinished deities I have carved. You have broken your promise. I came from Devaloka only to make the full form of the deities you wanted to have !"
It means the divine craftsman himself came down to earth to help make the TRIO
known today as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Mother Subhadra. They have
been worshipped in Jagannath Temple, Puri for more than three thousand years.
As these stories about the origin of Jagannath Temple reveal, Lord Jagannath is a
mystic deity. There are many phenomena sorrounding him which cannot be explained by modern science. Not only do sages, seers and people from different parts of the world come to see him, but also inhabitants of other spheres as well. As he is considered the master of the universe. He attracts all. There is documented evidence to support many of these occurrences in the form of eyewitness reports
and objects left by divine beings when they came. These events are also documented in ancient epics, palm-leaf scripts, and in texts written by scholars and sages of the past. Some are as follows :
1) Manima Daka Sloka from Niladri Mahodaya
"Rajadhi Rajarajeshwar
Ishwara Thakur, Manima !
Anantakoti Brahmanda
Ishwara Thakur, Manima !
Chaturdasha Bhubana
Ishwara Thakur, Manima !
In the daily rituals of the temple this sloka is recited at the time when Lord Jagannath
retires to bed. The meaning is this :
"Oh Lord Jagannath !
You are king of kings !
You are master of many universes !
You are the controller of all creations !"
The khuntia worshipper who recites this sloka then scatters flower petals up into the air to welcome all the divine beings who have come that evening to observe this ritual.
2) Kadachit Kalindi sloka by Saint Adishankar in his Sanskrit verses "Jagannath
Astaka"
"Rama, Samvu, Brahma, Surapati
Ganesharchhit Padam
Jagannatha Swami, Nayana Pathagami, Bhavatume "
The meaning is :
Even Gods like Rama, Shambhu (Siva), Brahma the creator, Surapati, the king of Gods, Ganesh, the god of wisdom, who all belong to Devaloka, worship Lord Jagannath at Puri.
3) "Jatta Chhaya Lokamatra
Tribhubana Janata Badhate
Na Tritap"
Orissa Review * June - 2006
This means that the inhabitants of all Lokas, or spheres are under the protection of
Lord Jagannath. This sloka is taken from Brahma Geeta (writer not known)
4) From Kapila Samhita
"Sarba Rahasya Purusottamasya
Deva Na Janati Kuta Manusya."
The meaning is that the mystery of Lord Jagannath cannot be known by the Devas, so what to speak of man !
5) From Skanda Purana
"Byomatit Byomarupa Prakasa
Byomakar Byapino Byomarudha."
The glory of Lord Jagannath is described here. He can take on any shape. He is as limitless as the sky itself. He is even beyondthat. The whole cosmos of life is divided into many spheres or Lokas. These are described in the palmleaf scripts Lokabimarsa, Lokatattwa and Lokamimansa. As life evolves from lower to higher forms, consciousness becomes more individualised and expansive. The main Lokas are 21 in number. They are as follows :
The Underworld Lokas :
1) Patala, 2) Talatal, 3) Rasatala, 4) Bitala,5) Mahatala, 6) Atala, 7) Bhutala
The Earth Lokas :
8) Loka, this earth, 9) Pitruloka, 10) Matruloka 11) Pretaloka, 12) Bhutaloka, 13) Jakshaloka, 14) Swargaloka,
The Higher Lokas
15) Divyaloka, 16) Kinnara Loka, 17) Gandharvaloka, 18) Devaloka, 19) Suraloka, 20) Vishwaloka, 21) Goloka
Paranormal events occur on earth when beings from these other regions are present.According to the Loka they come from, they appear in different ways.
1. Patala Loka
This is a sphere of the underworld which supports life on earth. It is said Vasuki, the
snake who holds the world in proper balance, lives in Patala Loka. He comes to Jagannath Temple only during special darshan times. If he is present, there will be a loud rustle in the crowd.
2. Talatala Loka
When inhabitants of this Loka come, there will be rays of light of various colours
which can be seen by the naked eye. These beings come in disguise of blind, lame, oneeyed, or other deformed persons. They carry flowers in their palms to offer to the deities, in the crowd this can be seen easily.
3. Rasatala Loka
If a strong wind passes through the crowd and a hot place becomes cool suddenly,
beings from this Loka have come. They often come also as children and sing loudly during Kirtan, even though they know nothing about all these things. They smile in the crowd after seeing the deities.
4. Bitala Loka
Beings from Bitala Loka come as bird although not as vultures, who signify bad days
ahead when they are seen.
5. Mahatala Loka
Beings from this sphere come as animals such as cats, monkeys and dogs. As dogs can not enter the temple, if one is spotted inside, it is said to have come from this Loka. If this happens, it is felt that the food that day was cooked in an impure way. All offerings must be stopped and the food to be prepared again. This dog is called Kutama Chandi. He always disappears mysteriously.
6. Atala Loka
Sages and saints with long beards who are deep in meditation often come from this
sphere. They even walk into the temple with half-closed eyes. Only when looking at Lord Jagannath Himself do their eyes open fully.
7. Bhutala Loka
Those who sweep the temple floors, make garlands for the deities, prepare the wicks
and lamps, make the earthen pots for the kitchen, and fetch the water are often from this region. Their duties are not hereditary, but are done purely for spiritual pleasure.
8. Loka, this Earth
Ordinary people from all parts of this visible world come to Jagannath Temple with
a vast variety of wishes, both worldly and spiritual. The word Loka means people. Before birth all came from other Lokas, according to previous habits and activities. They wish to go to higher Lokas, by dint of their human birth. Inside the temple they come under the influence of beings from these other spheres, who are also present there, whether they are aware of them or not. Actually, the very purpose of human birth is to pass through all the Lokas by degree. It is also told in ancient scriptures
of India that the gift of human birth is the greatest boon God gives. In no other Loka can a being progress spiritually. That is why devas and demonic spirits both long to return to earth.
9. Pitru Loka
These beings are the ancestors from the father's side of one's family. They come to the temple of Lord Jagannath at dawn when there is less rush. If one finds a man having a similar face to one's father, he is from Pitruloka. If one feels attracted to some unknown person, he is certainly related and has come down from this Loka. Inhabitants of Pitruloka come to the earth as human beings.
10. Matru Loka
These beings give the same signs of their presence here, but they are from the mother's side of one's family.
11. Preta Loka
Those who commit suicide come to this Loka after death. This is the region of bad
spirits and beings of evil demonic nature. They come inside the temple, but only to the outer portions, not into the inner altar of the deities. They criticise, joke, and make noise or other disturbances in spiritual gatherings there. Their coming is signaled by a bad smell, like that of a dead body.
12. Bhuta Loka
This Loka is similar to Pretaloka, only having the confused inhabitants who have taken their lives by consuming poison.
13. Jaksha Loka
People in a crowd wearing gorgeous dresses are often Jakshas in disguise. They
have come to this earth for worldly comforts and bad motives, such as how to collect money from those present in the crowd. They wear gold ornaments and precious gems to impress others.
14. Swarga Loka
Swarga means Heaven. Beings from this sphere have this sign. In darkness suddenly there will be light. Many people present may experience a divine feeling without any visible reason at all. Not flowers but petals only will be found scattered on the floor afterwards.
15. Divya Loka
When divine beings of this Loka come, auras of different colours will fill the atmosphere. Even in darkness, these can be seen slightly. Some of the temple lamps (Dipas) may be mysteriously extinguished at that time. Beings from Divya Loka do not come in form, but only as light and auras. There are other signs, but mortal man can not have concrete experiences of them.
16. Kinnara Loka
When Kinnaras come to the temple, they come as dancing girls. They may be seen
visibly if one's third eye is open. They are eight in number, the Asta Sakhis : Rambha, Urbasi, Menaka, Tilottama, Manjujosi, Rochika, Mochika and Sundaree.
They come as Devadasis also, only to dance before Lord Jagannath before He goes
to bed. They are decorated in flowers only, no ornaments.
17. Gandharva Loka
During devotional singing these beings are always present, both inside and outside the temple. They sing in chorus spiritual songs known as Bhajans, meant only for the deities.
If an ordinary person's singing is especially sweet one night, or soft sweet music is heard in the midst of silence, a Gandharva is present. According to Nada Shastra, there are ten types of divine sounds that may be heard inwardly, the two highest being the sound of the flute and OM.
18. Deva Loka
Many gods come to Jagannath Temple to pray every night, such as Indra, God of Rain, Baruna, God of the Ocean, Vayu, God of Wind, Laxmi, Goddess of Wealth, Saraswati, Goddess of Wisdom.
The sign of their presence is complete tranquility and peace in the midst of a huge
crowd. It would appear as if nobody at all was there. After they go, flowers of different varieties are usually found scattered on the floor of the temple.
19. Sura Loka
Sura means strength, especially the divine strength of mother. Beings from this
Loka come to the temple during darshan time, known as Sahana Mela. They come in a big rush so that the crowd is forcibly pushed aside for them to precede to the deities without any difficulty.
20. Vishwa Loka
Those who come from Vishwa Loka think that Lord Jagannath is just like a human
being. The worshippers of the temple who are in charge of decorating the deities with flowers, sandal and beautiful dresses and take great pleasure in doing such spiritual things are often from Vishwa Loka. They seem to be worldly, with homes and family life like ordinary people but they are born to serve Brahma, the Supreme.
21. Goloka
From Goloka come Sri Krishna himself and the gopis. Even though there might be a
big rush inside the temple, everybody will love the gathering. All present will feel attracted towards something unseen and smell soothing fragrances all around. In the crowd there will be more ladies than men. Most significant of all, all will hear a mysterious sweet laughter in the air.
There are other spheres of Lokas also,
such as :
1. Shiva Loka - the abode of Shiva
2. Vishnu Loka - the abode of Vishnu
3. Brahma Loka - the abode of Brahma
4. Asura Loka - the abode of demons
5. Yama Loka - the abode of Yama, the king of death
6. Naga Loka - the abode of snakes
7. Graha Loka - the abode of planets
A.From Shiva Loka : Shiva comes on Snana Purnima day to see the Bathing Ceremony of Lord Jagannath. He comes in disguise of a sage with trisula.
B. Lord Vishnu comes to see Dola Festival, or Colour Day held in the temple during
Holi celebrations in the beginning of Spring. He comes as any other devotee but he would have with him big garlands, to be offered to Lord Jagannath.
C. Brahma comes during Chandan Yatra, or Spring Festival. He stays for twentyone
days. He can be identified with one who recites Vedas in front of the deities.
D. From Asura Loka : Asuras, or beings of demonic physical instincts come at the time of rice offering, especially at the time of mid-day Bhoga.
E. Yama; the King of Death: Someone from his Loka comes when a dead body is
found in the premises of the temple. On Rath Yatra day every year, not only do people come from all over the world, but also beings from all Lokas and planets.
Lord Jagannath's chariot, known as Nandighosha, is guarded by the following devas :
1. the Flag by Hanuman from Mahatala Loka.
2. the Chariot itself by a being from Bitala Loka.
3. the Rope by Vasuki from Patala Loka.
4. the Wheels by Mother Vimala from Sakti Loka.
5. the Entrance by Gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya from Divya Loka.
6. the devas sorrounding the Chariot being.
Ram, Laxman, Krishna, Nrusingha, Narayan, Chintamani, Yoga Maya and Kubera, all from Devaloka.
7. The sages all around the chariot being. Narada, Vyasa, Suka, Parasar, Rudra,
Vashista and Viswamitra, all from Pitruloka.
The chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra are guarded by many divine beings also.
Aesthetic Experiences
Some of the most mysterious phenomena reported from time to time by the people of Puri, especially the worshippers (Sevakas) of Jagannath Temple, are as follows :
Not only do people from all over the world come to see Lord Jagannath, but so do
gods and goddesses. It is believed that these devas are most fond of seeing the last ceremony of the day known as Pahuda, in which Jagannath retires to bed. This occurs some time after midnight. Three beautiful beds made of ivory and decorated with the sweetest-smelling flowers, especially white jasmine, are brought before the deities. Flowers are scattered all over the beds to the sound of devotional music, and three miniature golden forms representing Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra are laid down on the beds to sleep. Then arati-the offering of a lamp is done, the flowers are scattered all around overhead to be collected by the gods and goddesses as a token of Lord Jagannath's blessing. So it is also the duty of all the gods and goddesses to be present at the time of this ceremony every night.
One day goddess Charchika of the distant village of Banki arrived late to the function. She was excused by Jagannath, who excuses all mistakes, but Balabhadra did not excuse her. "Mother, do you think that the rituals of this temple should take place according to your convenience ? You have become too proud these last few days. Get out! You cannot come to see the Pahuda Ceremony any more."
Charchika was not prepared to take this insult from Balabhadra and in anger she replied. "I am not the proud one. You are the one who is ostentacious, being gorgeously dressed, bedecked with royal robes, golden ornaments, and sweet-smelling flowers. I have eight hands, but you with no hands think you are doing everything. Who is the proud one ? You please let me enter so that I may meet my Lord. Why are you ostracizing me for such a little offence ?
After that Balabhadra became even angrier and lost his temper. "Your misbehaviour
to Bitarachha Mohapatra, the chief priest is of grave concern. I am ordered by him to prevent you from entering the temple any more. How can you do and protect your area Banki, even with your eight hands with weapons, if you have no discipline ?" Charchika replied, "Oh, then please go and ask him to forgive me ! I will not have nay peace if I am deprived of the Lord's vision. I will be happy again only when I am redeemed. " Charchika was left standing there at the bottom of Baishipabachha, the twenty-two steps leading to the temple. The whole night was passing and her heart becomes very agitated. It was almost morning. The sevakas were coming out from the temple. Devas from all corners of the world had come that night, as was the custom every night to consult with Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Now they were going out to execute his will. Only Charchika was left standing at the gate. If a deva neglects his duty, he may cause harm to others and must be replaced. The sin of too much pride is almost irremediable. Just as Charchika was remembering this, Balabhadra came back with the sad news not to allow her inside. Balabhadra delivered the message of Lord Jagannath. "A proud deva should not be admitted. If you wish to redeem yourself, render service in the home of Bitarachha Mahapatra, the head priest to whose function you came late, and not to me. Bitarachha Mahapatra alone can exonerate you, if he so desires and is pleased with your service."
Balabhadra explained, "By the practice of virtuous deeds an ordinary man ascends
upwards and may eventually attain the status of a demigod. Such a good soul may be regarded as equal to god himself, but only because of his goodness, not his high position.
Do you know this, Mother ?" Charchika replied, "Yes, I have done wrong. I myself will take on the task of serving this man Bitarachha Mahapatra, even though I am a goddess of the highest order. It is the right punishment for a degraded goddess. I will be serving a man who is himself a servant of Lord Jagannath. Let me leave this place before others come out." Disguising herself as a young widow in a white saree, Charchika left the temple for the house of Bitarachha Mahapatra. As she approached, she saw the old man sitting on the front steps. So she quickly covered her face with a sari piece and respectfully stood at some distance. The old man looked up and thought, "who is this lady ? I can see only half of her face, but she looks so young and radiant! I have never seen her in this area before. "Thinking like this, he called to her. "Mother, have you come to our house or are you looking for someone in this neighbourhood." The soft motherly appearance of Charchika made Bitarachha Mohapatra regard her as a mother. Charchika pleaded, "I pray that you accept me in your house as a servant, as I have no other means of survival, father. As I lay flat on the ground before Lord Jagannath, he himself ordered me to serve here in your house."
The old man was astonished and with tears in his eyes, he answered." This is your
own home, you are so like my own mother. A son can never be reluctant to provide shelter to his mother." Thus Charchika become the maidservant of the head priest BitarachhaMahapatra. Gradually she became accustomed to the household affairs of the family and took full charge of the puja room herself, cleaning the brass puja articles, changing the dress of the deities daily and lighting the lamps. So perfectly did she act out the role of mother that Bitarachha Mohapatra hardly thought of his own mother, who had just recently died.
Time passed. Bitarachha's wife was old and ailing and so she was very pleased with
Charchika's help and good manners. Sometimes people wondered about Charchika, "who is she ? Where did she come from ?" Sometimes Charchika would be overcome with feeling when there was talk of Lord Jagannath, what was the reason for this ? They would ask her, "Why did not you go to the temple and have darshan of Lord Jagannath ?" When so many people come from distant places to see Him, you are living nearby and do not go ? "Charchika said sadly," It is a matter of luck, sometimes one is not destined to meet him. I will visit the Lord whenever he showers his mercy on me."
One day a huge storm hit Puri with heavy rain. The whole town was enveloped in darkness. Bitarachha Mahapatra struggled to find his way home and finally reached the door, knocking loudly. Charchika responded anxiously. "Oh, what a treacherous night to be out! When it fell dark I lit a candle and sat waiting, expecting you at any moment. That candle has just now gone out." The head priest had come from the temple and was completely rain drenched. He handed over the Mahaprasad to Charchika and went to change his dress. But there were no matches to light the candle in his room. Neither did he bring a candle from the temple, as it was raining too heavily.
With surprise he asked "How did you light that candle, when there were no matches
and all the neighbours had already gone to bed ? Can you light another one ?" Charchika replied, "Yes there is a way. Allow me to light the room." She immediately assumed her original form. She stretched one of her hands to the top of the temple where a lamp was burning and with it she lit the priest's candle.
On seeing this divine vision, Mahapatra almost felt senseless. He could not believe his eyes. How could this maid servant assume such a divine miraculous form ? And so vast and glorious it was. The whole town of Puri could be accommodated within the space between her feet. A deep sense of awe and wonder overcame him. Charchika came back to her normal form in a moment's time, and the room was lighted. Mahapatra felt as if his eyes had betrayed him and he was going mad.
"Do not worry, father," Charchika said. Bitarachha Mahapatra told her, pleading, "Oh
Mother! Please reveal your real identity. I will not leave your feet until you do so." Such rare display of God's divine grace thrilled the priest through and through. His body became numb. So Charchika disclosed everything to him, especially the reasons why she was cast out of the temple.
Mahapatra exclaimed, "Oh Mother, please go back to your original abode. I will obtain due permission from the Lord for your reinstatement." With such assurance of Mahapatra, Charchika disappeared from Bitarachha's house. It was after midnight and the rain had stopped. It was as if everything had occurred in accordance with God's plan. Charchika once again approached the main gate of the temple and Balabhadra offered her a welcome smile. Because of this, Charchika realised that one can not retain even his position as a demigod if he does not fulfill his assigned duties and commitments for the upliftment of the world, for these are the duties of the demigods. Lord Jagannath ordered, "I am now very happy with you. I will assign you an additional responsibility, that of caring for my own car during Ratha Yatra, the great Festival of Chariots. Even though the regular Sevakas are there to look after Nandighosa, you will be its deva." Charchika was silent and only nodded her head affectionately, then left. It was already morning and Bitarachha Mahapatra appeared before the deities to offer his regular service.
This event occurred in the year 1368. Before Goddess Charchika left the house of the head priest, Bitarachha Mahapatra, she asked him what he wanted. He answered that he had no demand for any worldly things, but only wanted to see her again. She said, "Go to your puja room," and then vanished. He went there and saw emerging from the floor a framed stone image of the devi herself .
Even today, some six centuries later, this holy image is there and puja is still being done to it daily by the descendants of Bitarachha Mohapatra, the head priest of Jagannath Temple.
Source : source : E- magazine-Oissa Review * June - 2006
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