1972 - A MIRACULOUS INCIDENT

Jagannath Temple at Koraput

1972 - A Miraculous Incident

CARFESTIVEL AT PURI

An incident that took place at Srikshetra in theyear 1972 washed out the minds of all atheists when inspite of all prayers and requests of the devotees and servants Lord Jagannnath did not mount the Chariot for the Ratha Yatra. The then CM of Orissa Smt Nandini Satapathy too prayed the Lord not be angry on the devotees. Gajapati Maharajah Dibyasingha Deba prayed the Lord to forgive if any mistake is done by the devotees and requested the Lord to mount the chariot and give a Darshan to the mammoth gathering of devotees. This was the year when the first car festival of Koraput was observed where thousands of tribals gathered to have a Darshan of the Lord and to pull the chariot. Later when Lord mounted on the chariot at Srikshetra Puri, his close devotees including bada panda said that Lord had gone to Koraput for a shower of blessings for His intimate Sabara devotees as they are His own people and awaited to see Him on the Rath for the first time at Koraput after the new Sabara Srikshetra temple constructed. One who visits Koraput will experience and feel the presence of the divine almighty. Even today after so much of industrialisation and modernisation the place has its beauty with hill tracks, rivers, streams, forests and greenery. Lord Jagannath is worshipped by different tribes in different names. The Koyas worship the Lord as 􀂵Jaga Raja􀂶, the Kondhs as 􀂵Jagaya􀂶, the Gadabas as 􀂵Jagada􀂶 and the Sauras or Sabaras as􀂵Jaganta, Jagaraji, Keitung etc. Sabaras are great devotees of Lord Jagannath. Their style of worshipping the Lord prevails as their older generations did. For the Adivasis Lord Jagannath is an incarnation (avatar) of their deity Keitung. They call it 􀂳Jaganta􀂴 (means Lord of the Universe). The Saoras believe that 􀂳Keitung􀂴 has ten faces (rupa) : Jaganta, Todo, Tuman, Bhima, Rang Rang, Garshid, Raman, Jojepal, Matta and Titti. With love the Saoras call their Lord of grace as 􀂳Jaga Boie􀂴 (Boie means Lord). Lord Jagannath is known as Madala. Even today Sabaras worship and do Madala puja. Wherever tribals see Lord Jagannath they see a vibrant icon in Him. Actually this sensation comes among the tribal communities because Lord Jagannath belonging to them can be called Savara Devata. Fifteen days before the Car Festival the devotees do not get Darshan of the Lord. This period is called "anasara" (period of confinement). Legends relate that during this period gods become ill and nobody except the "Daitas" are allowed to serve the Lord, proves that they are the close counterparts of the Lord. The Daitas are the descendants of the Savara King Biswabasu. Thus this indicates the 􀂵Savaras􀂶 are the near and dear one for the Lord, who take care of Him during illness. This might be one reason why Lord Jagannath is called Savara Devata. At Puri, the Srikshetra of Orissa, the three Chariots are sweeped by Maharaja Gajapati, the King. This ritual was known as 􀂵Chhera Pahanra􀂶 while at Koraput Chhera Pahanra is performed by a tribal.

This ritual was started since the first car festival at Koraput in the year 1972 after Lord Jagannath, who had arrived at Koraput with a miraculous happening for the Adivasis􀂶 faith in Him. The first car festival of Koraput is important to remember as thousands of poor, shelterless and downtrodden , who have never seen Puri or have never got a chance to visit Puri, were waiting with great anxiety to see the Lord of the Universe who will come out of the temple and mount on the 􀂵Rath􀂶 (Chariot). Lord will mount on the Chariot. Now where the Chariot will move ? Since Koraput is a hill station with all the up and down roads . The only plain road available was NH 43 . It was then decided to move the chariot on the NH from near the NH office to the Gundicha temple on the Koraput Rayagada road. (The Bada Danda of Koraput) . Thousands of tribals from different parts of Koraput district were seen in the crowd. Groups of people belonging to different tribal communities gathered in their traditional costumes dancing and chanting tribal hymns to pull the car. The temple management committee was confused as to who will perform the job of 􀂵Chhera Pahanra􀂶(sweeping of the car), the duty performed by Gajapati Maharaja at Puri.

The legend which was established at Koraput on the Lord’s arrival for the Adivasi’s faith in Him came to everybody’s mind. Suddenly it was decided that the sweeping will be performed by a tribal and accordingly a man from the crowd was invited to do the job. The man Budura who performed the job was later known that he was a village head and Sabara from the nearby village and a most respectable man in that area. From that day the system is continuing and every year a tribal chief performs the job during car festival at Koraput. At the Sabara Srikshetra Ratha Yatra one can see the interest of the tribals to pull the car. Some tribals will be found pulling a piece of thread from the rope tied on the car, some touching it to their head while some others kissing it with love. A huge crowd of devotees from the hilly terrain and inaccessible villages will definitely come out once during Ratha Yatra to see their Lord on the Rath. Notable fact is the role of Adivasis in the management of the temple works. They assist the cooks in kitchens, bring water and materials from stores for the everyday Puja in the temple. They arrive in thousands from distant villages to serve the Puja during the car festivel. The Koraput temple management committee sends special invitations to the villages before the Ratha Yatra begins. The system of invitation is done by sending Supari( gua) as we send to invite our kith and kins. The tribals reach the temple premises in advance and take up their responsibility. From supplying water at the kitchen to preparation of the “Bhog”the tribals are seen engaged. On the Yatra day Tribal groups from Bonda, Koya, Lanjia Saura and Paraja perform dancing near the chariot as it moves. On behalf of the temple managing body tribal chiefs of different villages are felicitated on the Car Festival day with presentation of a Sirpa (a head gear).

Paresh Rath a Journalist who lives at Jeypore,
Dist.- Koraput.

Source : Orissa Review July - 2010

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HOLY PILGRIMAGE OF SANKARDEV TO PURI

            Holy Pilgrimage of Sankardev to Puri

By : Paban Kumar Kalita


Mahapurush Sankardev, the great Vaishnava saint and multifaceted genius of Assam is also very well known among the scholars of Orissa. In Oresa barnana section of his “Kirtan Ghosha”, Sankardev has described about the mythological origin of the image of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra in Jagannatha temple, the rituals and festivals in the temple and also about the outcome of singing the glory of Lord Jagannatha and taking Mahaprasada in details. The Jagannatha culture has spread great influence on the religion, culture and literature as well as folklore of Assam. Even illiterate women specially in rural area sing songs composed on Lord Jagannatha. Sankardev who was born in the year 1449 in a village called Bordua had visited Puri twice though Dinanath Bez Baruah in his book "Bar Charita" has mentioned that Sankardev had visited Puri three times. The Detailed account of his pilgrimage has been recorded in the “Guru Charita Katha”, Biographical account of Assamese Vaisnava Saint compiled by his disciples. Dr Ram Chandra Mishra, noted Oriya scholar and writer while mentioning Sankar Dev as one of the great devotees of Lord Jagannath writes -Lord Jagannath was his light and inspiration for life. Sankardev not only accepted Jagannatha as his deity for worship, he also carried over the cultural heritage of Orissa to Assam. He was a true devotee of Lord Jagannatha and a lover of Orissa and Assam when Bhakti Cult flourished in different parts of the country. During his visit to Puri, Sanakardev was cordially received by Pandas of Jagannatha temple. Prof. H. K. Satpathy, ex-Vice Chancellor, Sri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishwa Vidyalaya, Puri observes “it is admitted fact that Sankardev had come to Orissa and particularly to Puri, the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath and that had made a tremendous effect on the cultural, spiritual and religious atmosphere of the then state of Orissa for which a lot of followers and admirers were created.”

The evidence of his remark is found in a poetic biography of Sankardeva written by Kavi Govinda Nayak of Puri in Oriya mixed Vrajaboli language. Poet Govinda Nayak was one of the Court scholars of Gajapati King Divya Singha Dev. This biography was written in palm leaves in the 37th reigning year of king, which was published with Assamese transliteration in the year 2005. The detailed description of Sankardev's
life and his visit to Puri is found in the book. It was mentioned in this book that Sankardev had cordial relations with Atibadi Jagannatha Das, Sishu Ananata Das and Achyuta of Pancha Shakha. The Gajapati King Pratap Rudra Dev also showed him respect offering turban and valuable gifts. Some of the miracles releated with Sankardev during his visit are also described in the book. Biographers of Sankardev have written that it was Jagannath Mishra of Puri, following the order of lord Jagannatha came to Bordoa to hand over a copy of Bhagawata with the commentary of Sridhara Swami to Sankardev. Eminent Assamese scholar Dr Satyendra

Nath Sarma writes "It is not unlikely that Sankardev might have received spiritual initiation from some Vaishnava Saints at Puri where he spent more than a year".

Dr Jyotshna Rout in her Assamese book
“Oriya Aru Asomiya Sanskriti Aru Samannayar Keitiman Dish” writes, “Mahapurush Sankardev realised the glory of Bada Oriya Matha and Bhagawat Ghar set up by Atibadi Jagannath Das as Sankardev stayed a long period at Puri and was involved in propagating Vaisnava religion. Keeping the memory of Sankardev’s holy pilgrimage to Puri the Sankardev Sanskriti Samaj Puri has constructed a beautiful Namghar with fully accommodated guest house at Puri. The Assam Panda family also tries to keep alive the close relations between the two states. Recently an Assam Jatri Nivas is also constructed near the west gate of the Jagannatha Temple.

Paban Kumar Kalita is a press correspondent of the
Assam Tribune and lives at Hazarikapara, Sipajhar :
Darrang (Assam).

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MAHABAHU ! PLEASE SAVE ME

               Mahabahu ! Please Save Me

One of the names of Sri Jagannath is  “Mahabahu”. With our natural eyes we see that Sri Jagannath has no hand. In the religious scriptures , He is described as “Apanipada” (One having no hand or leg) . If Sri Jagannath has no hand how He extended His hand to take cocoanut from Dasia Bauri. In the royal meeting place of emperor Kuru, He extended His hand to cloth Draupadi so much that even though Dusasan dragged the clothes to make Draupadi naked but he failed . In the first episode Sri Jagannath the lover of Bhaktas(devotees) had received devotional offerings of Dasia Bauri and in the second episode if he had not taken remedial measurers by hearing the utter cry of Draupadi, a woman would have been outraged in the meeting place. In different scriptures and Puranas we know that Bhagaban (God) of Golakadham (God’s abode) or His Swarup Tatwa (Original incarnation) Sri Jagannath of Martya Baikuntha (seat of God on the Earth) hears the utter cry of Bhakta or Arti (The devotee of God) and uses to take remedial measures. If all these facts would be narrated those would be a voluminous book. But I feel it is useful to remind the episode of Ajamila of the scripture Srimad Bhagabatam. Thedying Ajamila saw the servants of Jama (god of Death) and cried out “Narayan”, “Narayan” - his son hoping to save his life. Instead of his son Narayan heard it as it was audiable of Narayan (God) and He accepted this cry as the Atma Nibedan (Self prayer to God) and sent His servants to save Ajamila from the clutches of the servants of Jama and gave him place in Golaka Dham(God's abode). The later fact reveals that Jama has described about the Bhaktas (Devotees) of God as asked by his servants. I do not intend in this essay to narrate about it .Sri Jagannath is not only beloved of Bhaktas (Devotees) but He is also their Artatrana (Emancipator-One who seeks the help of God) and Patitapaban (Emancipator of Sinners). His name has justified the meaning that He is Bishnu or omnipresent. Even He is present in the court room and look after our judicial system and gives direction to the judges. There can be several examples about it.

In this essay the matter relating to a murder case in the earlier days of the British rule is described. The culprit who was later on blessed by Sri Jagannath was being tried at Puri. Marquish Louis Armstrong was the first Collector of Puri. He got the title of Marquish amongst the English aristocracy. This trial was against the murderer,Neelakantha Patri of Harchandi Sahi of Puri. When he was brought to the Court Room he cried out with deep emotion, "Mahabahu ! Please save me", “Mahabahu ! Please save me", “Mahabahu ! Please save me." (i.e, three times). This Nibedan (Prayer to God) was heart-touching as there was devotion and deep thought and complete surrender to Sri Jagannath. The judicial application of Bhagaban is different . Neelakantha Patri had killed a man. This is surely Papa (Sin). Who saves, when Hari kills? Who kills, when Hari saves ? Sri Jagannath is named “Mahabahu” (God having big hands).When Neelakantha Patri recited His name all his sins were subsided or vanished. Sri Jagannath heard his cry. Bhakta Kabi (Devotional poet) Dinakrushna Das has written in his book "Rasakallol" :-

“Kala ati apakar daituni
Kale Upakar tara Jadumani”.
(Rasakallol -4/32-Note-Ahari)

Putana did harm to Him (God Sri Krishna) but Jadumani (Sri Krishna)did good to her.
Even if Putana gave milk from her breast by applying poison on it, God (Sri Krishna) had swallowed her life and Putana was blessed to go to Bishnulok (the abode of Bisnu) and she had not fallen to the clutches of Jama (the god of Death) Marquish Louis Armstrong, the judge who was trying the murder case of Neelakantha Patri asked Government Counsel what the culprit was saying. In the reply Government Counsel told that the culprit was saying, “Oh my Lord Armstrong ! please save me.” How much presence of mind of the Counsel had that Marquish and Duke are also called Lord. In Oriya the word “Mahabahu” (One having big hands) can not be unjustified to be translated as Armstrong. The Judge might be thinking that the culprit is seeking his mercy to be relieved and he was overwhelmed to release the culprit. But it is a fact that as Neelakantha Patri had his self surrender (Atma Nibedan) to Sri Jagannath to be releaved of his sins and God had ordered the Judge to release the culprit. The Mahima (greatness) of names of Sri Jagannath is one like that. He is “Nisreya Sodaya” (Srimad Bhagabatam- 3/25/44) (or ultimate abode). God is also described as sulabha (One who is easily obtainable) in Srimad Bhagabat Gita in the Fourteenth Sloka (Stanza) of the Eighth Chapter. This was the first sensational decision in a murder case in English jurisprudence since the early days of English rule.Gajapati Bira Kishor Dev has composed the prayer of Sri Jagannath

“Bhujatale Mote Rakha Mahabahu !
Bahutale Mote Rakha.
Bipula Bhuja Bistaridele Prabhu !
Ki Karipariba Dukha
Mahabahu !”

(Oh God having big hands ! keep me under the
shelter of Your hands / Please keep me under the
shelter of Your arms / Oh God ! if you enlarge
your big arms there would be no sarrow / Oh
Mahabahu ! (God having big hands)

Siba Sundar Pattnaik, Advocate lives at Kanak Mruga,
Jail Road, Khurdha.

Source : Orissa Review - 2010

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ANGADA SINGH AND SRI JAGANNATH

            Angada Singh and Sri Jagannath

Sri Jagannath is the all-merciful Lord. He is the ocean of profound divine love and fathomless compassion. One cannot guess when He crowns. His devotees with mercy fulfilling their desires.Sri Jagannath is said to be the enigmatic Lord of the Universe. Scriptures say that He represents all religions. He is adored in myriad ways representing the various forms of gods in Hindu religion.The devotees of Sri Ram say that He is Sri Ram incarnate on earth.Vaishnavites say that He is worshipped in the wooden form as the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Buddhists describe Him as the Buddha, the enlightened Divine Form and theepitome of wisdom. Jains portray Him as Lord Mahavir. And so on.

The Lord’s abode at Puri is known as Purusottam Kshetra.It is one of the four pilgrim centres as per the spiritual diction of Hindu Mythology. His temple is known as the Grand Temple which is a mysterious shrine. Sri Jagannath is thus venerated as the Sacred Divine Spirit related to all religions and all sects of the world.He is a multifaceted divine expression on earth.

The offerings to the Lord are known as Mahaprasad. It is a unique divine practice. This system is not prevalent in the other three pilgrim centres namely Badrinath, Rameswaram and Dwarika. It is believed in this connection that Mother Laxmi, the consort of Sri Narayan prepares all the food in the Grand Temple.The Supakaras-the Cooks-are only the mediums of this divine performance. It is further believed that Ma Bimala, the chief goddess of the Temple, supervises all the food offerings.The food offerings, after their oblation, are known as Mahaprasad.

There is a beautiful story in this regard. This would show that one Angada Singh, a very powerful general of the kingdom of Sainyagarh, became inclined to embrace Jagannath Dharma as his own religion attracted by the divine miracles of Lord Jagannath, so much so that over the period of time, he became a Servitor of the Lord.

The story runs as follows :

In the good old days, there was a kingdom in the north of India known as Sainyagarh. It was a powerful kingdom for its general, Angada Singh by name. One Din Salaha Singh was the king of the said kingdom. He ruled his subjects with the advice of his general. All the neighbouring rulers of his time were morally afraid of Angada Singh when they heard his name. Because of Angada Singh, others dared not attack Sainyagarh at any point of time. The king therefore loved Angada Singh as his own son.

Angada Singh was highly materialistic in his general behaviour. Puffed with the love and affection of the king, Angada Singh spent his time in worthless merriments. He was habituated to drinking and hunting. He considered himself very great in his outward dispensation and viewed God’s great universe as a small earthen pot at his disposal. So the subjects of the kingdom pretended to respect him out of fear. They had no love for him from the core of their heart. Nobody ever knew that a person like him would have the blessings of Lord Jagannath over the period of time. Angada’s life was therefore a great spiritual mystery.

As time passed by, Angada Singh married a simple and virtuous woman of his kingdom.Angada’s wife was gracious in many ways. Shebwas a devotee of Lord Jagannath. She loved the poor and the destitute. She patronized an orphanage. Everyday, Angada’s wife performed some spiritual ritual or the other. Angada followed his wife’s instructions in all spheres of his life. Both lived happily. Although Angada Singh was materialistic by nature, he was never averse to his wife’s mode of living. Angada’s wife had a strong belief that no man is born bad, sinful or immoral in life. Actually, the outward surroundings mould his character. We have many instances in our scriptures that subscribe to this spiritual truth.One such example which strikes one’s attention most is the life-style of Dasyu Ratnakar. The Dasyu was a killer of human beings. He eked out the livelihood of his family by robbing others in the deep forest. For that, he even did not mind taking the life of any human being who came on his way. One day wisdom dawned upon Ratnakar with the mediation of Rishi Narad. He became a virtuous person by repeating the name of Sri Ram. Later, he was known to the world as Rishi Valmiki. He became the author of the Ramayan, a very popular scripture of the Hindus. Angada Singh too had a similar influence in his life. He had the meditation of his beloved consort.

One day Angada Singh was out on some work as per the orders of his king. In accordance with the schedule of his programme, he was to return his home after four to five days. Angada took leave of his wife and set out for his destination. Angada’s wife was naturally alone in the big palace. She therefore thought that in the absence of her husband, she would arrange some spiritual programme at her residence to spend her time. Thus she invited her Gurudev and organized a Satsang for three days. She invited her neighbours to the spiritual programme. The Satsang was organized in pomp and ceremony.On the occasion of the auspicious celebration, she fed the poor and the destitute of the capital. In the evening hours, the Guru delivered spiritual discourses. However, one day after, Angada Singh returned home by restricting his programme. At that time, the Guru was delivering a spiritual discourse. The return of Angada Singh contrary to his programme was a surprise to his wife. When Angada Singh entered the palace, he saw a big spiritual gathering. He became wild seeing the presence of so many common people at his residence. Everything around pricked his ego. In a huff, he proceeded straight to his room and scolded the servants indirectly aiming at his wife.

The Guru came to know Angada’s reaction. In haste, he concluded the spiritual programme and left for his Ashram. Following him, all others dispersed to their respective places. The turn of the event shocked Angada’s wife very much. She was complacent about her husband’s change in the usual behaviour. She had a feeling that her husband had become spiritual-minded over the period of time. But it was not so. Angada’s wife could not withstand her Guru’s sudden departure from her place. Soon she swooned at the place where she was standing. Angada Singh got the information, ran to his wife and sprinkled water on her face. After some time, his wife regained consciousness and looked at the disturbed face of her husband who was full of remorse.

Angada Singh expressed his repentance for his unsavory behavior and apologized to his wife for the disastrous happening. Controlling her tears, his wife said,” My dear! You have committed a great sin today. You disrespected Gurudev Maharaj and hurt his feelings. Guru is God. He is the living God of his disciple. By displeasing your Gurudev today, you have displeased your living God. For attainment of your sin, you should now go to his Ashram and apologize for your misdeed. And at the same time, you should take a vow that you would not be succumbed to this sort of behaviour in future. Angada Singh did all that his wife advised him to do.

Man is the slave of time. He is the victim of circumstance. Over the period of time, an emperor may become a beggar or a beggar an emperor. There are many examples in scriptures which subscribe to this truth. Angada Singh who was an angry man of his time turned out to be a saintly person as time passed by. A big change came over his life due to the tiring efforts of his wife. A ferocious animal in Angada Singh actually became devoted to god under the advice of his Gurudev. At this, the joy of his wife knew no bounds. She felt as if she had achieved everything in her life. Gradually, all austerities started in the life of Angada Singh. Nonetheless, he performed his duties as a very good general of the state. He performed Rajakarma like Arjuna with a spirit of total surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord. He listened to scriptures from his Gurudev with rapt attention. He embraced Lord Jagannath as his tutelary deity. He repeated the Mantras of Lord Jagannath everyday as initiated by his Gurudev.

One day king Din Salaha Singh informed Angada Singh that the emperor of Delhi was making preparations to attack their kingdom for reasons best known to him. He told Angada Singh to remain in readiness to fight a battle with the emperor’s army when necessary or else the sovereignty of the kingdom would be at great stake. Angada Singh by then had made a programme to go on a pilgrimage to Puri with his wife. With the information of the king, he cancelled his programme and remained alert in the capital of his kingdom. Angada Singh assured his king that victory would be on their side if there was a battle with the emperor of Delhi. Angada Singh had utmost confidence in himself this time. He was fortified with the spiritual strength of the Lord.He had the blessings of Lord Jagannath in all hisplans and preparations.

The emperor of Delhi, as per his programme, waged the battle against the kingdom of the Sainyagarh. The Subedar of the emperorwas leading the emperor’s army that was steady in the mission. However a miracle happened while the emperor’s army was marching towards Sainyagarh. The Subedar received a message from the emperor that he was soon to divert a portion of the army to Delhi for some other reason not known to the Subedar. The Subedar was to reluctantly carry out the orders of the emperor. Despite a good portion of the emperor’s army thus withdrawn to Delhi, the Subedar had still strong confidence in his people. The battle was fought on the outskirts of the territory of Din Salaha Singh. Angada Singh however won the battle. The emperor’s army was crushed to its last soldier. The Subedar was beheaded. At last the crown of the Subedar rolled on the ground. Angada Singh found to his surprise that the Subedar’s crown was an expensive royal insignia. It was studded with rare gems with a very nice piece of diamond at the centre of the crown. Angada Singh was attracted to the diamond of the crown. He took it out from the crown with the help of a sharp weapon and wished to present it to Lord Jagannath.

Next he appeared before Din SalahaSingh and formally conveyed the news about his victory in the battle. Thereafter, he presented the crown of the Subedar to Din Salaha Singh as a token of his rare achievement in the battle. He also informed the king that from thence onwards,he would retire from the royal assignment and live in Puri as a servitor of the Lord. Hearing the news about Angada Singh’s decision to retire from the royal army, Din Salaha Singh was very much disturbed in his mind. By then, he had got information from the royal spies that Angada Singh had taken out from the crown of the Subedar the costly piece of the diamond. He incidentally asked his general, “Angada! I hear, you have taken out the expensive diamond from Subedar’s crown.You have no right over it. Please return the diamond to the Royal Exchequer.”

Angada couldn’t believe his ears. He was surprised at the unkind words of Din Salaha Singh.
Immensely hurt, he said to the king “Revered Sir, yes, I have taken out the diamond but it is not to my personal benefit. I wish to offer it to Lord Jagannath who, you know very well, is the presiding deity of my heart. The Lord has actually brought victory to our side.”

Din Salaha Singh had no wisdom to understand the heart of Angada Singh. He had no devotion to the Lord. He was not happy to mark the note of obstinacy in the behaviour of his general. He knew very well that by showing his red eyes, he was not in a position to control his general. Angada Singh was extraordinarily powerful. So he decided to gently to cut his throat through dubious ways in a well-hatched conspiracy.

After some days, Din Salaha Singh called Angada’s sister to his palace and said to her,
“Look, oh you! I make it clear at the outset that your brother has at last come out a traitor. I want you to take his life away by giving him poison in his food which you are serving him every day. In lieu thereof, I shall give you plenty of wealth. If you refuse to carry out my order, I shall behead you right now and here.”

Hearing the impious words of the king, Angada’s sister was flabbergasted for a while. Out of fear, she had to agree to what the king had said at that moment as she had no other way to save her life. However, she was terribly upset inher mind.

Angada Singh always liked the food prepared by her sister. That night too, he sat down as usual to take his dinner. As per the daily practice, he first offered his food to Lord Jagannath. Next when he was about to raise his hand to his mouth, his sister shrieked at the pitch of her voice and blurted out how she had mixed poison in his food at the instance of the king.

Angada visualized the entire scenario. He did not say anything to his sister. He knew very well that she was innocent in her behaviour. He simply said to her sister, “My dear,everything that has happened is the cosmic game of my Lord. He watches me right here whether I am taking the food myself which is already offered to Him.Hey Prabhu, since you have received the Prasad in my oblation, I shall take the same whatever be the after-consequence in this regard.” And sosaying, he started taking the food offered by her sister. His wife and his sister were observing his actions. Angada told his wife, “My dear, are you really worried? You should not, because I am taking the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath. This is not like any other ordinary food. This is the ambrosia of heaven.”

Angada Singh did not have in him the effect of the poison. Rather after consuming thefood, he had a mark of spiritual resplendence on his face. The cosmic game of the Lord is beyond everybody’s comprehension. One has to have indomitable faith in him to understand the implications of his divine sports. At last, Angada Singh made up his mind to renounce the material world and settle down at Puri. Next morning, he set out in his journey. He carried the diamond in his possession to offer it to Lord. Din Salaha Singh came to know of this from his spy. Without the knowledge of anybody, he ordered his trusted soldiers to kill Angada Singh on the way and snatch the diamond from his possession.

Angada Singh was on his way to Puri. Two days’ after the soldiers rode on their horses and caught Angada Singh in the deep forest while he was sitting in meditation. The soldiers shook him from meditation and demanded the diamond at the points of their swords. Angada was at first baffled. He had no sword to fight with the soldiers. He prayed to God saying,”Hey Prabhu ! You are the Lord of the helpless. I am in a helpless situation now. I have mentally offered the diamond to you. How can I now hand over it to Din Salaha Singh ? You are the omnipresent Lord. You are present here at the moment. Take this diamond which I am throwing into the nearby pond.” So saying, he threw the diamond into the pond near which
he was sitting.

The soldiers were surprised at the behaviour of Angada Singh. They never thought that Angada Singh would throw the diamond in the pond. Helpless they returned to the kingdom and narrated to the king the details of the entire happening. Din Salaha Singh at last keptquiet.

That day, in dream, Lord Jagannath appeared and said to Angada Singh,”Angada, you had thrown the diamond into the pond; is not it ? However I have received the same and the diamond is now set in the middle of the locket of the necklace I am wearing. You come to the temple and see it for yourself.” The dream broke the slumber of Angada Singh. He got up overwhelmed in divine ecstasy. In the next morning, he resumed his journey to Puri.

After some days, Angada Singh reached Puri. He went inside the temple and standing behind Garuda pillar, he had the Darshan of the deities seated on the divine throne. He saw the diamond nicely fixed in the middle of the locket of the necklace which the Lord was wearing. He felt as if Prabhu was smiling at him extending his powerful hands to receive him on his lap.

From that day onwards, Angada Singh lived in Puri. He spent his time singing the Bhajans of the Lord and repeating His Name. The glory of Angada Singh began to spread far and wide in the country. Din Salaha Singh got information about the spiritual achievements of Angada Singh. One day he came to Puri and took him to Sainyagarh where he lived for the rest of his life. The king became his disciple.

The cosmic sports of the Lord are beyond our comprehension. The Lord is indescribable in words. His Lilas are miraculous and one cannot ascribe any reasoning to them. One should be His blind follower to attain Moksha in life.

Durga Madhab Dash, House No.138, Ananta Vihar,
Phase-II, Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar.
Source Orissa Revies : Junr 2012

Lord SriJagannath Remple, Puri

Lord SriJagannath Temple, Puri

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