The Appearance of Lord Jagannatha & Shri Jagannathashtakam

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The Appearance of Lord Jagannatha

The term "juggernaut" entered the English language long before Lord

Jagannatha came to British shores. Describing an "irresistible force" or

procession, "juggernaut" eventually became identified with mighty

battleships - and now means a large lorry.

 

But the original Lord Jagannatha truly embodies an irresistible force,

because He is none other than Krishna: the all attractive Lord of the

Universe. And the annual procession of the Deity of Krishna in the form of

Jagannatha carried on the Ratha chariot enacts one of the world's oldest and

largest festivals. A celebration dating back thousands of years in India.

Rathayatra has spread to cities throughout the world since the late 1960's.

 

The history of Lord Jagannatha is a story of devotion, the eternal love

between man and God. It tells how the prayers of a devotee caused the Lord

to make His appearance in a wondrous way. And it shows how Krishna came as

the Deity Jagannatha, so that He could accept loving service from all

classes of men.

 

The ancient Vedic literature describes the world ruled by King Indradyumna

as a tranquil place. From his capital in Avantipura, the emperor surveyed a

land filled with peace and prosperity unknown in modern times. Abundance was

everywhere during the enlightened age of Satya-yuga, except in the heart of

the King. Indradyumna felt all vacant in the world he ruled, because he

hankered for a pleasure beyond material bounds: he long to see the Lord face

to face.

 

This is a difficult feat, even for the greatest monarch in the world. The

Gita states that such a boon is rarely achieved by mystics who devote their

entire lives to God realisation. Usually, the more one is involved in

material pursuits, the less likely one is to make spiritual advancement. So

how is it possible for a king absorbed in worldly affairs to obtain the

Lord's special mercy?

 

Krishna is not partial to displays of material wealth or power: they are

insignificant compared to His glories. What is significant though is the

love each soul may direct to the Lord. And sometimes Krishna can be

conquered by a very pure love.

 

The Search Begins

 

One day as Indradyumna lamented that he was not able to serve God directly,

a pilgrim suddenly appeared. This man revealed how he had actually seen the

Lord accept direct loving service in His Deity form of Nila Madhava. God

incarnates in many ways throughout the ages, and sometimes He manifests in

the form of stone or wood just to please His devotees and accept their

loving service.

 

The traveller described how, on the remote mountain top of Niladri, he had

seen the demigods worshipping the Lord. The King immediately dispatched his

chief brahminical priest, Vidyapati, to find this Deity, so that all of

Avantipura could be presented at the lotus feet of the Lord as an offering

of love.

 

After a month's journey without rest, Vidyapati found Mount Niladri, where

he discovered Sabaras, low-born pig herders, camped near the holy ground.

Looking beyond class distinctions married the daughter of the tribal

chieftain, Vishvavasu, who had been worshipping the Lord in great secrecy.

Due to his daughter's pleas, Vishvavasu finally agreed to show Lord Nila

Madhava to Vidyapati - only if he went to the site blindfolded. But the

brahmin tricked his father in law by sprinkling mustard seeds along the

path, seeds that would eventually sprout and lead the emperor back to claim

the Lord's attention..

 

For many years Lord Nila Madhava had been served by Vishvavasu with simple

fruits and flowers. Knowing the prayers of Indradyumna, Nila Madhava spoke

to Vishvavasu and revealed His intention of accepting more opulent worship

according the desires of Indradyumna. Vishvavasu was devastated.

 

No-one can predict the plan of the Lord; sometimes He bestows special mercy

on His devotee by being present before them, and sometimes that mercy is

also shown through separation which increases the longing and attachment of

the devotee.

 

That the Deity was speaking to him did not strike Vishvavasu as remarkable,

he was too much absorbed in grief at Nila Madhava's imminent disappearance.

He blamed Vidyapati for persuading Nila Madhava to accept Indradyumna's

worship. Accusing the brahmin of cheating him out of Cod's favour,

Vishvavasu bound Vidyapati with ropes. But his daughter heard her husband's

cries for help and freed him to return to Avantipura.

 

The Deity Vanishes

 

Upon Vidyapati's return, Indradyumna climbed upon his chariot and led an

army to the mountain, where they located the trail of tiny mustard plants.

The two struggled with the temple door and discovered that Nila Madhava had

vanished.

 

Only Vishvavasu could be suspected of removing the Deity. In his desparation

to keep the Lord he might have done anything. However, when they found the

chief of the Sabaras, he was still mourning Nila Madhava's departure. Not

believing his lament they arrested Vishvavasu. Suddenly Narada Muni, a great

sage, appeared and revealed what had really happened to Nila Madhava.

 

The Lord had withdrawn due to His own choosing, but He would re-appear again

in the form of Lord Jagannatha to bestow benedictions upon the entire world.

Whereas Nila Madhava had enjoyed the simple and intimate service of

Vishvavasu, His appearance as Jagannatha would be for the benefit of

everyone. First, however, Narada Muni announced that a great temple must be

constructed. Then Lord Brahma, chief of the demigods, would receive

Indradyumna on his own planet and plan for the sacred installation of

Jagannatha Swami, the Lord of the Universe.

 

When the temple was finally completed, Narada Muni escorted Indradyumna to

his father's abode on Satya-loka. The home of Lord Brahma is inaccessible to

ordinary human beings, but so great was Indradyumna's devotion to God that

even Lord Brahma was eager to meet him. Lord Brahma further described how

Lord Jagannatha would appear in a wooden form from a great kalpa-vrksa tree,

transported from the spiritual planet of Svetadvipa.

 

As Indradyumna returned to earth in a space ship from Brahma's planet, he

noticed that things had changed. Though he was away for what seemed a short

time, the earth had aged many years. No one recognised him in his own

kingdom, and his trusted priest Vidyapati had been replaced by another.

 

The Sacred Tree

 

The King remained bewildered until a mystical crow revealed how all

Indradyumna's associates had died in his absence. For the sake of

worshipping the Supreme he had lost everything: family, friends, and

kingdom.

 

Despite this hardship, Indradyumna remained steadfast in his courage. He

knew that God sometimes tests the love of His devotees by removing all other

objects of affection. King Indradyumna was determined to hasten the Lord's

arrival by fasting, if necessary until death. Then Jagannatha did appear -

but only in a dream - and the emperor was guided to a great log floating in

the ocean. No ordinary tree, this giant had come uprooted from the spiritual

sky, part of the same transcendental energy as the Lord's own body. Even the

might of the army could not budge it.

 

A lowly Sabara stepped from the crowd and handled the huge trunk with ease.

This amazing fellow turned out to be a descendant of Vishvavasu, and he

carried the sacred log to Gundica Temple for preparation.

 

The greatest craftsmen in all the world assembled to carve the Lord's Deity

form, according to scriptural injunctions. But all their tools simply

shattered to pieces. Then a mysterious old brahmin appeared, Ananta

Maharana, and he agreed to carve the Deity of the Lord. But it had to be

done on his own terms: complete isolation for three weeks. Gates were locked

and the beat of the chisel resounded for days. After only two weeks however,

it stopped and Indradyumna worried. The brahmin was old, perhaps …

 

Jagannatha's Appearance

 

Overcoming the restraints of priests and advisors, the King wrenched open

the doors to discover an unusual sight: a form of the Deity never before

seen. The Lord's form was apparently unfinished having no hands or feet, and

the Emperor feared he had made a great mistake in opening the doors too

early. The aged sculptor had vanished.

 

As Indradyumna cursed his foolishness, new found friends tried to console

him. The descendant of the Sabaras said, "Whatever happens is by the Lord's

will. You acted out of love so there can be no wrong." And the chief priest

said that the Deity of Jagannatha, along with His brother, Baladeva, and

sister, Subhadra, should be painted and dressed and prepared for the

installation ceremony by Lord Brahma.

 

Indradyumna felt ashamed until God's plan was finally revealed by Narada

Muni. A passage in the Vedas mentions that the Lord has no hands or feet,

which impersonalists and atheists interpret to deny the Lord's personal

existence. So Jagannatha's appearance proves that He is a person - unlike

any other - and that He can still bestow blessings and accept offerings of

love, even without hands and feet.

 

Narada Muni then described how he had seen this form before, while visiting

Dwarka. At that time, the Lord's Vrindavan pastimes were being discussed,

and the Lord overheard the conversation and felt loving separation for His

devotees. He went into a trance and His eyes opened wide, His feet and hands

retracted into His body. Sharing in this transcendental exchange, Krishna's

sister and brother were similarly transformed.

 

Then, Narada Muni announced that his father, Lord Brahma, would soon arrive

to install the Jagannatha Deity. Before the celebration began, Brahma gave

Indradyumna divine vision to see that his new friends were, in fact, the

embodied souls of his old companions Vidyapati and Vishvavasu. Thus the

story of Jagannatha's appearance ended happily, with the reunion of loving

devotees to honour and serve the Lord.

 

After thousands of years, the Jagannatha Deity remains a source of unlimited

joy to His friends and servants. And the Rathayatra procession is a time to

celebrate the loving exchange between the Personality of Godhead and His

devotees. All those who take part in this festival will receive His special

blessings and help on their journey back home, back to Godhead. Hare

Krishna. Jagannatha Swami Ki Jaya!

 

 

Story retold by Sri Gadadhara Das

---------

Shri Jagannathashtakam

 

uttered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

 

jagannathaishtakam punyam ya pathet prayata shuci

sarva-papa-vishuddhatma viishnu-lokam sa gacchati

 

 

 

 

The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying

Lord Jagannatha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord

Vishnu's

abode.

 

(1) kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo

mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupa

rama-shambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesharcita-pado

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha makes a loud concert with His

flute in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee

tasting

the beautiful lotuslike faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great

personalities such as Lakishmi, Shiva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesha worship

His

lotus feet. May that Jagannatha svami be the object of my vision.

 

(2) bhuje savye venum shirasi shikhi-puccham kati-tate

dukulam netrante sahacara-katakisham vidadhate

sada shrimad-Vrindavana-vasati-lila-paricayo

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

In His left hand Lord Jagannatha holds a flute, on His head He wears peacock

feathers, and on His hips He wears fine yellow silken cloth. From the

corners

of His eyes He bestows sidelong glances upon His loving devotees, and He

always

reveals Himself through His pastimes in His divine abode of Vrindavana. May

that Jagannatha svami be the object of my vision.

 

(3) mahambhodhes tire kanaka-rucire nila-shikhare

vasan prasadanta sahaja-balabhadrena balina

subhadra-madhya-stha sakala-sura-sevavasara-do

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

On the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace atop the brilliant,

golden Nilacala Hill, Lord Jagannatha resides with His powerful brother

Balabhadra and His sister subhadra, who sits between Them. May that

Jagannatha

svami, who bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly

souls,

be the object of my vision.

 

(4) krpa-paravara sajala-jalada-shreni-ruciro

rama-vani-rama sphurad-amala-pankeruha-mukha

surendrair aradhya shruti-gana-shikha-gita-carito

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and as beautiful as a row of blackish

rain

clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Lakishmi and sarasvati, and His

face

resembles a spotless fullblown lotus. The best of demigods and sages worship

Him, and the Upaniishads sing His glories. May that Jagannatha svami be the

object of my vision.

 

(5) ratharudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalai

stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam upakarnya sadaya

daya-sindhur bandhu sakala jagatam sindhu-sutaya

jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

When Lord Jagannatha moves along the road on His Rathayatra car, at every

step

large assemblies of brahmanas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His

pleasure. Hearing their hymns, Lord Jagannatha becomes very favorably

disposed

toward them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds.

May that Jagannatha svami, along with His consort Lakishmi, who was born

from

the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision.

 

(6) para-brahmapida kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano

nivasi niladrau nihita-carano 'nanta-shirasi

rasanando radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

Lord Jagannatha, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotus petals, is the

ornament

on Lord Brahma's head. He resides on Nilacala Hill with His lotus feet

placed

on the heads of Anantadeva. Overwhelmed by the mellows of love, He joyfully

embraces Shrimati Radharani's body, which is like a cool pond. May that

Jagannatha svami be the object of my vision.

 

(7) na vai yace rajyam na ca kanaka-manikya-vibhavam

na yace 'ham ramyam sakala jana-kamyam vara-vadhum

sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-carito

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

I do not pray for a kingdom? nor for gold, rubies, or wealth. I do not ask

for

a beautiful wife. as desired by all men. I simply pray that Jagannatha

svami,

whose glories Lord Shiva always sings, may be the constant object of my

vision.

 

 

(8) hara tvam samsaram druta-taram asaram sura-pate

hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate

aho dine 'nathe nihita-carano nishcitam idarn

jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

 

 

 

O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material

existence I

am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast, shoreless

ocean

of sins. Alas, this is certain Lord Jagannatha bestows His lotus feet upon

those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him.

May

that Jagannatha svami be the object of my vision.

 

Sri Jagannath Swami ki Jai.........

 

Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki jai. .......

 

Srila Prabhupada ki jai...........