JAGANNATHA

JAGANNATHA Jagannatha (The Lord of the •world), Madhva, who is the life of the world, the Remover of Fear, remember Him in the heart. (Ramkali M. 5, p. 897) Jagannatha (The Lord of the world has created all beings; He hath Perforated the noses of all and hath stitched the nose-string. (Nat M. 4, p. 981) What is the use ofbathing (in the Jagannatha temple) in Orissa… (Bibhas Prabhati Kabir, p. 1349) Ordinarily, the word Jagannatha means the Lord of the world.

The first two references above pertain to this. The third reference is about the temple of Jagannatha at Puri in Orissa. When Jara, the hunter accidently killed Krishna (see the entry \’Krishna\’), his body remained under a tree. Some pious persons collected the bones of Krishna and put them in a box. There they remained till the king Indradyumna was directed by Vishnu to prepare the image of Jagannatha, with the bones of Krishna within it.

Vishwakarma began the preparation on the condition that he would not be disturbed till the completion of the work.The king being impatient went to see the image after a fortnight. Vishwakarma, who was still busy in his work, got angry and left the work unflnished. This is the reason why the image has no hands and feet. The king was highly disappointed but on praying, Brahma promised to make the image famous.

Then the gods were invited at the setting up ceremony of the image. It is said that Brahma himself acted as high-priest, who gave eyes and a soul to the god, which completely established the fåme of Jagannatha. Two great annual festivals are held in the honour of the god in the months ofJaistha and Asarha.

References :

1. Kohli, Surindar Singh (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993