IDOL OF NEELA MADHAV - THE PREVIOUS FORM OF SRI JAGANNATH AS DESCRIBED IN SKANDA PURANA

Idol of Neela Madhav-The previous form of Sri Jagannath as described in Skanda Purana
- By Admin

According to Skanda Purana, Lord Jagannath (Vishnu) was first worshipped as Neela Madhav in an idol form in the Purusottama Kshetra before the installation of the wooden deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan by King Indradyumna. The centre of this Purusottama Kshetra was a  blue mountain  which  was surrounded by deep  jungles  from  all sides. The area of this Kshetra  stretched  five  “Kroshas” (1 Krosha=2 miles) into the great sea and two Kroshas into the sea coast. It was situated on the coast of the great ocean (Tirtharaja) and surrounded by the golden sands from all sides. There was a very high tree (Kalpa Vata) at the top of the blue mountain which retains its physical form even at the time of Pralaya (Dissolution of the Universe). Its length was 1 Krosha. It was full of tender leaves but devoid of any fruits or flowers. There was no change in its big shadow even after the sunset. In its western side there was a beautiful tank known as “Rouhina Kunda” which contained holy water in it. The tank had stairs going down inside it which were made from blue stones. Outside the tank there were four altars situated in its four directions and were made from crystals (Sphatik). The eastern altar at its centre contained an idol of Neela Madhav (Vishnu) made from blue sapphire. That place remained always cool due to the presence of the shadow of the Kalpa Vata. The idol of the Lord was eighty one fingers high and was placed on a golden lotus. The lips of the idol radiated a divine smile that was so beautiful that even the brilliance of full moon looked pale in comparison to it. The ear rings of the Lord were shaped like “Makara” (Crocodile like creature). The Lord’s neck was decorated with beautiful necklaces. The idol of Neela Madhav looked so beautiful that it seemed it would be a challenging task for even Vishwakarma (God of Architecture) to carve an idol like it. The idol had broad shoulders and four hands. On its chest the Lord wore the divine “Kaustubha Mani” (a Jewel). The reflections on the jewel looked enchanting and created an illusion of containing the fourteen heavens inside it. The idol wore pearl necklaces that extended up to the waist. It had a deep navel. It wore yellow dresses. The two thighs of the Lord looked like two pillars. The feet were round and very beautiful. The idol was decorated with bangles, arm bands and a head gear. In His four hands the Lord held Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Discus), Gada (Mace) and Padma (Lotus). At the left side of the Lord, Goddess Lakshmi (His consort) was playing Veena (a musical instrument). She was decorated with precious jewelry and was looking at the Lord. Behind them Lord Sheshnag stood covering their heads with his umbrella like hoods. In front of them Lord Sudarshan was standing in his divine form. Behind Lord Sudarshan, Lord Garuda stood with folded hands. The idol of Neela Madhav along with Goddess Lakshmi was worshipped by Gods like Brahma, Rudra and Indra. Anybody who had a glimpse of the idol, attained salvation instantly.

Once a pilgrim told King Indradyumna about Lord Neela Madhav and the glory of Purusottama Kshetra. After listening to him the King became interested to visit the Kshetra and have a glimpse of Lord Neela Madhav. This ultimately led to a series of events that resulted in the disappearance of the idol of Neela Madhav and appearance of a sacred wood from which the deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan were carved out and installed in the Sri Mandir by the King himself.

 Source : http://puridham.com/Idol%20of%20Neela%20Madhav.htm

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RISHI MARKANDEYA'S DISCOVERY OF PURUSOTTAMA KSHETRA

Rishi Markandeya's discovery of Purusottama Kshetra
- By Admin

The glory of Puri Dham or the ancient Purusottama Kshetra is vividly described in the Utkal Khanda of Skanda Purana. The story of Rishi (Sage) Markandeya discovering this Kshetra at the time of Pralaya (Dissolution of the Universe) can be found there. The story goes like this-

Once at the time of Pralaya, when everything got submerged in the sea, Rishi Markandeya (who had been able to retain his physical body for seven kalpas) could not get a single piece of land to rest upon. So he became very worried. Nowhere could he get peace of mind. He was being carried away by the flow of water from one place to another. Finally, in this floating state he reached Purusottama Kshetra. There he saw the Akshay Vata and heard a child’s voice saying to him, “Markandeya! Do not worry; come to me and leave aside all your worries.”  The Rishi after listening to this strange voice (which he had never imagined of) got astonished. He thought, “In this all-engulfing water, this place (Kshetra) looks like a boat and in it this great Banyan tree is standing like a pillar. He began to wonder how this place had remained unaffected when everything else had been submerged in the water at that time of Pralaya, and who was calling him with such love and compassion. While he was thinking all these things and swimming in the water, the Rishi  saw Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. He was very pleased and paid obeisance to them. After that he prayed to Lord by reciting hymns of His praise. Hearing this Lord Vishnu was very pleased and said to the Rishi, “O Sage! You are very worried and in distress. It is because you are ignorant of my form. You have done a lot of penance, but as a result of it you have only been rewarded with a long life span. Look at the child sleeping in the leaf of this Kalpa Vata. He is the ‘Kala Rupa’ of everybody. You can enter into his mouth and stay there comfortably.” The Rishi was astonished to hear this. Then he climbed the Banyan tree and saw the child form of Lord Vishnu. After that he entered His stomach through the mouth. Inside, he saw the fourteen cosmic worlds (Chaturdasa Bhuvana), gods, demi-gods, rishis, gandharvas, demons, seas, tirthas, rivers, mountains and cities. He also saw seven nether worlds (Patalas) and thousands of snake-women. He also saw the Sheshnag who was carrying the entire world on its head. He also saw everything that Lord Brahma had created during his creation of the universe. But he could not find the end of the stomach of the child. Finally he came out of the mouth of the child and again saw Lord Vishnu with consort Lakshmi. Then the Lord said to him, “O sage! This strange place (Kshetra) is my eternal abode. This is neither affected by creation nor by dissolution of the universe. It is also not bound by the laws of the universe. A person who enters into this place knowing my eternal nature and presence here, never takes birth again.” Then Rishi Markandeya prayed to the Lord to allow him to stay in that place. The Lord said, “I will stay in this place that gives salvation till the end of the Pralaya. After the Pralaya I will create a “Sanatana Tirtha” (eternal holy place) for you here, where you will worship Shiva ,my second form, and conquer death. Then the Rishi dug a tank by the help of the Chakra of Lord Vishnu in the Vayu (North-West) direction of the Banyan tree. Residing in this holy tank the Rishi worshipped Lord Shiva and conquered death. This tank is famous as the “Markandeyeswar Tank”. After taking bath in this tank and having a glimpse of the Shiva known as “Markandeyeswar”, one gets the benefit of conducting an “Ashwamedha Yagna”.

This Purusottama Kshetra spreads five kroshas into the great sea and two kroshas into the sea coast. It is surrounded by clear golden sands and a blue mountain. Lord Shiva himself resides here in form of Yameshwar to worship Lord Jagannath. By seeing and worshipping Him (Yameshwar), one gets the benefits of worshipping and seeing one crore Shiva Lingas.

Such is the glory of the Purusottama Kshetra. May everybody get the blessings of the Lord Jagannath and Lord Shiva in this holy place now commonly known as Jagannath Dham or Puri Dham.

source: http://puridham.com/Rishi%20Markandeya's%20discovery%20of%20Purusottama%20Kshetra.htm

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BAISI PAHACHA [ 22 STEPS ] IN SRIJAGANNATH TEMPLE

The importance of Baisi Pahacha [22 steps] in Sri Jagannath temple

By Prasant Kumar Mishra

The Baisi [22] Pahacha [steps] which connects the Lion’s gate (Singhadwara Gumuta) to the 2nd gate (Baisi Pahacha Gumuta) inside the temple has long since been considered an important part of the Sri Jagannath temple. Though the exact time of its construction is not mentioned anywhere in historical or puranic texts, legends say that it was built by a king named Bhanudev.  After passing through the Lions’ gate of the Sri Jagannath temple, one has to go up these steps and then pass through a 2nd gateway out to a courtyard from where one can get into the main temple. The length of each step is 70 feet, width 6 feet and height 6-7 inches.  A stone called “Yamashila” is engraved into the 3rd step, which the devotees must step on while going up the steps [it frees from the reasons to be punished by Yama] but must not step on the stone on the way back, since it takes away the merits of Sri Jagannath darshan.

Numerous holy activities are performed on these steps. It is said that during the car festival several gods and goddesses, demi gods, other heavenly entities, the souls of the ancestors [near pitrusila], chitragupta and Yamadootas [near Yamasila] descend upon these steps to witness the Pahandi of Lord Jagannath. Annual pinda daan [a special ritual in which food is offered to the ancestors] is performed on both the sides of these 22 steps. The ancestral souls are believed to be satiated by it.

Madan Mohan, the representative idol of Lord Jagannath, offers pinda daan on these steps to His ancestors – Nanda and Yashoda, Devaki and Vasudeva, Koushalya and Dasaratha] on chaturdashi tithi of the dark fortnight in the month of margashira. He also offers pinda daan to king Indradyumna [who had the Sri Jagannath temple built] and queen Gundicha, since they were childless.

On the day of Deepavali, people burn kaunria kathi [a bundle of light sticks] and show it upwards to illuminate the path of the ancestral souls. This ritual is called Badabadia [elders] Daka [call].

Believers of Jainism hold these 22 steps to be a symbolic representation of their 22 Tirthankars. Some say that these steps represent the 22 kinds of weaknesses and faults in human beings. Therefore, it stands to reason why some noble men, saints and vaishnavas took around 22 years in order to conquer these weaknesses and fault to make themselves eligible for a darshan of Lord Jagannath. So the scholars have named it ‘the steps of self-control’.

The small rough stone [the ones used for building houses] on the seventh step is called Preta shila or pitrushila. People leave Anna Mahaprasad [holy rice of the temple that has been offered to Lord Jagannath] on it for feeding the ancestors. This is believed to liberate the souls of the deceased.

Whatever might be the thoughts or interpretations behind these 22 steps, it is the faith in God which eventually counts.  A devotee gets a sense of fulfilment, if he trustingly puts on his forehead a speck of dust from the surface of the steps.

source : http://puridham.com/The-importance-of-Baisi-Pahacha-[22-steps]-in-Jagannath-temple.htm

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KING INDRADYUMNA'S ASHWAMEDHA YAGNA AND CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST JAGANNATH TEMPLE

King Indradyumna’s Ashwamedha Yagna and Construction of First Sri Jagannath Temple

- By Prasant Kumar Mishra

King Indradyumna of Avanti had travelled to Purusottama Kshetra with a hope to have a vision of Lord Purusottama (Vishnu). When he arrived there and experienced the sacredness of the place he decided to reside there for the rest of his life worshiping the Lord. He also decided to have a temple built there for the Lord.

Once the king took the decision to start the construction work, he sent for expert astrologers to do ‘the land treatment’ [to make the land ritually pure and fit for the construction of such a temple]. People well versed in the vedas, ministers, wise Brahmins and the experts in the field of Vastu also joined this activity. Soon the religious rituals were duly performed. Then the king Indradyumna sent for the kings of Utkal, Koshal and Kalinga. He urged upon them to go to Vindhya Mountain to have beautiful stones collected for the construction work. He also told them to take with them some people skilled in cutting stones from the mountain.

Then he ordered his men to send messages to all the kings of the world to come to Purusottama Kshetra with their armies, courtiers and priests as soon as possible. The order was immediately carried out and lots of kings those who were ruling over far and nearby places, hilly areas and plains, islands and plateaus flocked to the place with their armies, priests and lots of wealth.

The king Indradyumna was pleased to see them gathered at Purusottama Kshetra. “I have decided” said the king politely to the congregation, “to perform in this sacred place an Ashwamedha Yagna and thereafter have a temple built here too. I need your kind cooperation in this regard”. The kings were glad to assist the king in his effort.  They donated lot of things which would be needed during the Yagna and the building of the temple. Some of the things were money, gold, precious stones, pearls, blankets, deer skin, beautiful mattresses, diamonds, elephants, horses, and several kinds of eatables.

The king was glad to see the collection for the task ahead. When he became sure that the wise men of different kinds such as sages, renunciates, penitents etc had gathered and the ingredients to be used during the Yagna were ready, he asked his priest to look out for a suitable spot for the Yagna. The priest first sent Brahmins to find a suitable place for the Yagna and then he himself left for the place with some architects. Soon they found a village where the fishermen lived and had a Yagna Shala built there. Hundreds of palatial rooms were also built around the Yagna Shala. The entire platform where the Yagna was to be performed was decorated with precious stones. The doors to the rooms were really big. The king took great care about the logistics of accommodating the invited royalties. They were offered rice, different kinds of cuisines, sugarcane juice and milk. The most dignified and wise Brahmins got the warm welcome they deserved.

In the meanwhile the king got the message that the construction of platform for the Yagna was complete. The king was thrilled to hear the news of it. He started with offering meals to Brahmins. Every day when around 1 lakh (one hundred thousand) Brahmins finished eating their meals, trumpets blared like thunder. Thousands of people had gathered and they were from different parts of India. There were rivers of ghee, milk and curd and they were given to the people present there. The king also donated millions of bulls and cows with gold capped horns and brass milk cans to Brahmins well versed in the Vedas. They also received precious stones, mattresses of deer fur, expensive clothes and even diamonds. No one starved, no one got less, and no one was dissatisfied. Even gods above were surprised to see the initial success of the Yagna.

And then the king asked his sons to find a most befitting horse for the Yagna and take it around the country. He announced that the Yagna was going to continue until God appeared.

And finally all his effort bore fruit. After the successful completion of the Yagna he was blessed to have a vision of the Lord. Soon after that he concentrated on having a most beautiful temple built for the Lord and in due course Sri Jagannath temple came into being.

Reference
Brahma Purana
Source : http://puridham.com/King-Indradyumnas-Ashwamedha-Yagna-and-Construction-of-First-Sri-Jagannath-Temple.htm

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NILGIRI HILL - THE DOOR TO HEAVEN

Nilgiri Hill – the door to Heaven

- By Prasant Kumar Mishra 

The importance of making pilgrimages to holy places is known to all. However, the divine favor a person is sure to get by visiting the Nilgiri Hill is doubtlessly rarest, since it gives liberation from the worldly bondage and sometimes with the grace of Lord Purusottama, it even qualifies a person to go to heaven alive. King Ratnagriva, whose pious life earned him the merit to see this otherwise invisible Hill called The Blue Mountain or Nilgiri, was one of those extremely fortunate people who went to heaven without having to shed the mortal coil.

Fascinated by the stories about the Nilgiri Hill, king Ratnagriva decided to go there with his queen and minister and a Brahmin who guided his way. However they could not see the hill as it remains invisible until one has attained a certain spiritual level and pleased Lord Purusottama. The king was certainly a virtuous soul and had been living a strictly spiritual life. So, he decided to please the Lord by singing His glory and his determination bore fruit. He finally won The Lord’s favor to see the holy hill. An overwhelmed king Ratnagriva, along with the four other people - the Brahmin, the queen, the minister and a saint called Karamba-began ascending the hill during an auspicious moment called Vijay. The hill top looked picturesque, laden with unfamiliar but magnificent trees. Nestled in the hill-top was a most beautiful temple, the walls of which were plated with gold. Lord Brahma was believed to have been coming there every day to worship Lord Purusottama and offer him food deserving to please Him.

All the five of them entered the temple. They saw there a golden throne studded with precious stones, on which stood the idol of Lord Purusottama in his four handed form.  At His side were courtiers such as Chanda, Prachanda and Vijay ready at His service. All bowed to the Lord and later they bathed the idol while chanting vedic mantras and did other rituals of worship. They also put sandal wood paste on His body and robed him with beautiful dress. Then they offered him food. And at the end, all of them started singing the glory of Him, together. The Lord, pleased with their sincerity and devotion, said “O king! Let me make it known to you all that I am the Supreme Soul, beyond the material world and nature. Eat the Prasad soon and you will get the four- hand form and achieve the ultimate end of life.”

The king and the others ate the holy Prasad and a few minutes later a divine chariot decorated with hundreds of small bells appeared there. They made their obeisance to the Lord and got on to the chariot. Each of them had four hands which bore signs of Sankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma. Within a few moments the chariot sored up in to the sky and vanished into the blue and the five of these holy people went to heaven alive!!

Reference

Padma Purana

source : http://puridham.com/Nilgiri-Hill-the-door-to-Heaven.htm

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THE STORY OF LORD PURUSOTTAMA AND THE BHILS

The Story of Lord Purusottama and the Bhils

- By Prasant Kumar Mishra

         According to Skanda Purana, the idol of Lord Neela Madhav [Lord Purusottama], an earlier form of Lord Jagannath used to be worshipped by some tribal people and their chieftain Vishwavasu. However, the Purana does not give an account of when and how the tribe became associated with the worship of the idol. In one of the chapters of Padma Purana there is a short description about Bhils [a tribal group] which may have a remote or direct association with Vishwavasu and his tribe. The story below relates how these Bhils got the opportunity to visit the Nilgiri Hill and the Idol of Lord Purusottama.

As per the story, King Ratnagriva of Kanchi had a long cherished desire to make pilgrimages to extremely sacred places. One day he saw a Brahmin hermit in his dream and just the day after, a very thin Brahmin appeared in his court. The king requested him to recommend some pilgrim sites that ensure freedom from the cycle of birth and death to those who visit them. The hermit told him about several sacred places and at last he said about the Nilgiri Hill [Blue Mountain], the holiest place on earth and the extraordinary archer Bhil tribe he found living there. The Bhil people had four hands and the Brahmin related to the king how the tribe got its divine physical form. He said exactly what the Bhils had told him about it.

The Bhils lived on the fruits and nuts from the forest. Once one of the Bhil boys, while picking berries, wandered into the area where the hill was and climbed on to the top. There he was surprised to find a unique temple. The walls of the temple were of pure gold and studded with precious jewels. Out of curiosity, the boy entered inside and saw the idol of Lord Purusottama. He also saw some other gods lost in singing prayers, some were dancing in ecstasy and some others were guffawing in strange ways. He also witnessed that the gods worshipped the idol of Lord Purusottama and offered food to Him. After the gods left, the boy came out of his ambush and found some grains of cooked rice lying on the floor. Evidently, it was the Prasad that had fallen on the floor during the worship. The boy ate the Prasad and had a darshan of Lord Purusottama. And then, immediately after that, much to his surprise, he discovered that he had grown two more hands on his body! He returned home and recounted the story to the shocked Bhils. Then the Bhils also went to the temple. They saw the idol, ate the Prasad and got transformed into the four handed form.

At the end of the story, the hermit added that he himself had gone to the top of the hill to see the idol of Lord Purusottama and acquired the aforesaid unique physical attribute.

source : http://puridham.com/The-Story-of-Lord-Purusottama-and-the-Bhils.htm

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