Concept of Sri Jagannath and Patitapaban
Concept of Sri Jagannath and Patitapaban
Concept of Sri Jagannath and Patitapaban
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Odisha Review July - 2013<br />
<strong>Concept</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Patitapaban</strong><br />
Janaki Ballav Pattanayak<br />
The meaning <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> is Lord <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Universe. So question comes to our mind that<br />
who is the Lord <strong>of</strong> Universe ? He must be<br />
personified. To reach in this conclusion<br />
(Siddhanta) we must look towards the authentic<br />
scriptures <strong>of</strong> India. The National Scripture <strong>of</strong> our<br />
Mother India is <strong>Sri</strong>mad<br />
Bhagabat Geeta <strong>and</strong> the<br />
highest <strong>of</strong> all scriptures is<br />
<strong>Sri</strong>mad Bhagabatam, both<br />
have declared that<br />
‘Krishnastu Bhagaban<br />
Swayam’. <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna is<br />
the highest personality <strong>of</strong><br />
Godhead. Anyone can<br />
see this conclusion<br />
everywhere mentioned in<br />
these two scriptures.<br />
Leaving this two <strong>Sri</strong><br />
Vishnupuran - 5/7/58, 5/<br />
33/41, Sk<strong>and</strong>a Puran,<br />
Utkalakh<strong>and</strong>a 19/37, 19/<br />
40, 27/86, 31/86, 33/71,<br />
Brahman Puran <strong>Sri</strong><br />
Purusottam Mahatmya<br />
Chapter 1 to 8 verse,<br />
Niladri Mahoday, 8/27, 28 & 29, Bamdev<br />
Samhita 6/11, 8/26 <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Kapila Samhita 3/2<br />
<strong>and</strong> 27 may be referred to establish the truth. All<br />
scriptures say that <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna is <strong>Jagannath</strong>. <strong>Sri</strong><br />
Krishna <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> both are same <strong>and</strong> one.<br />
There is no difference between <strong>Sri</strong>krishna <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong>. Lord <strong>Jagannath</strong> appeared in human<br />
form as <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna’s archa deity<br />
worshipped in Puri <strong>Sri</strong>m<strong>and</strong>ir is known as <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong>. Lord <strong>Jagannath</strong><br />
is worshipped in <strong>Sri</strong> Gopal<br />
(Krishna) Mantra which is<br />
specifically mentioned in<br />
Niladri Mahodaya 8/27,<br />
28, 29, 54. So where is the<br />
legitimacy <strong>of</strong> saying that <strong>Sri</strong><br />
Krishna is one Kala (part)<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong>. Some<br />
say that it is written in <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong> Charitamrita<br />
that “<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> Sola<br />
Kala, Tahun Kalae N<strong>and</strong>a<br />
Bala.”<br />
Actually the above<br />
stanza is not written<br />
anywhere in our Odia<br />
Bhagabat <strong>and</strong> in <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong> Charitamrita.<br />
Those who are saying<br />
‘Tahun Kalae N<strong>and</strong>a bala’ (Krishna is the part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong>), it is also not the conclusion <strong>of</strong> any<br />
authentic scriptures as noted above. It is only<br />
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July - 2013<br />
imagination or speculation. Rather it is<br />
exaggeration <strong>and</strong> contrary to the opinion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Geeta <strong>and</strong> Bhagabat. In <strong>Sri</strong>mad Bhagabat 10/14/<br />
39 Brahma said to <strong>Sri</strong>krishna that ‘Twameba<br />
Jagatam Natho’: you are the Lord <strong>of</strong> Universe.<br />
Bhagabat Geeta says that <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna is “Deva<br />
Deva Jagatpate” (God <strong>of</strong> Gods, O Supreme<br />
person, Lord <strong>of</strong> Universe) 10/5, ‘Ananta devesa<br />
Jaganibash’ (O limitless one ! O refuge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
universe) 11/37, “Prasida devesha Jaganibasha’<br />
(O Lord <strong>of</strong> Lords, O Sanctuary <strong>of</strong> the universe)<br />
11/45 <strong>and</strong> ‘Matah Parataram nanyat Kinchidasti<br />
Dhananjaya’ (O Dhananjaya Arjuna there is<br />
nothing superior to me).<br />
Thus <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna is <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong>. It is<br />
the highest conclusion <strong>of</strong> all scriptures. <strong>Sri</strong> Jayadev<br />
Goswami, the author <strong>of</strong> Geeta Govinda, <strong>Sri</strong> Adi<br />
Sankaracharyapad in his <strong>Jagannath</strong>astakam <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Sri</strong> Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu <strong>and</strong> all most<br />
all Odia Poets have opined that <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong> are one. <strong>Sri</strong> Jayadeva in his Dasavatar<br />
stotra (Geeta Govinda) has established that <strong>Sri</strong><br />
Bam<strong>and</strong>ev, <strong>Sri</strong> Nrishingha Dev <strong>and</strong> Lord <strong>Sri</strong><br />
Rama all are the incarnations <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Keshaba,<br />
Krishna ‘Keshaba dhrita dasabidharupa, Jaya<br />
Jagadisha Hare’. Keshaba is the Lord <strong>of</strong> universe.<br />
On the other h<strong>and</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna is the Chief <strong>and</strong><br />
original name <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> <strong>and</strong> He feels happy<br />
<strong>and</strong> becomes overpleased, if we call Him as ‘Jaya<br />
Krishna <strong>Jagannath</strong>’ (Utkala Kh<strong>and</strong>a 27/86 <strong>and</strong><br />
31/86).<br />
Some historians believed that <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong> is Buddha. But the worship <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong> at <strong>Sri</strong>Kshetra Puri is most prior to<br />
Gautam Buddha. Puri is an ancient Vaishnava<br />
Kshetra. The most ancient literature <strong>of</strong> the world<br />
is Rig Veda. In this Veda it is recorded that ‘Ado<br />
ja daru plabate’ (10/155/3), so this Daru Brahma<br />
(Brahma - Supreme Godhead manifested in<br />
wooden form) is <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong>.<br />
Odisha Review<br />
Goutam Buddha was the son <strong>of</strong><br />
Sudhodan <strong>and</strong> Mayadevi who was born at<br />
Lumbini <strong>of</strong> Kapilabastu, whereas Buddha the 9th<br />
incarnation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna Vishnu appeared in<br />
Kikatapradesh (i.e. Gaya) accepting Hema Sadan<br />
<strong>and</strong> Anjani respectively as His father <strong>and</strong> Mother.<br />
(Bhagabat 1/3/24). Gautam’s birth Tithi (date) is<br />
Vaisakha Purnima <strong>and</strong> 9th incarnation Buddha’s<br />
birth Tithi is Pausa Sukla Saptami, so both are<br />
different. For non acceptance <strong>of</strong> Veda Gautam is<br />
recognized as an atheist (Nastika). Acharya<br />
Sankar <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Chaitanya Mahaprabhu refuted<br />
the atheistic Buddha opinion. Buddha Gaya the<br />
Vishnua Tirtha converted to a Buddha Tirtha by<br />
the highly influential preaching <strong>of</strong> Baudha Dharma.<br />
By meditating under the Bodhidruma (tree) the<br />
place <strong>of</strong> meditation <strong>of</strong> the 9th incarnation <strong>of</strong><br />
Buddha, Gautam attended the enlightenment<br />
which reveals from the 21 chapter <strong>of</strong> Lalita Bistar<br />
book. From Lalita Bistar <strong>and</strong> Lankavatar Sutra it<br />
also reveals that there were 3 Buddhas, viz. -<br />
(1) Man - Gautam Buddha (ii) Bodhisatwa<br />
Buddha (iii) Adi Buddha. It is recorded in a verse<br />
<strong>of</strong> Lankavatar Sutra that Ravan the King <strong>of</strong> Lanka<br />
was praying to Adi Buddha. Hence it is proved<br />
that atheist Gautam Buddha is in no way can be<br />
considered as 9th Avatar Buddha, so it is the true<br />
<strong>and</strong> climax conclusion <strong>of</strong> the scriptures <strong>and</strong> as<br />
well as the declaration <strong>of</strong> Jayadeva's ‘Dasavatara<br />
Stotra’ that <strong>Sri</strong> Krishna <strong>Jagannath</strong> is the supreme<br />
personality <strong>of</strong> Godhead ‘Avatari’ from whom all<br />
incarnation are coming to this earth in a deductive<br />
way. So we are clear about <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong>. Now<br />
we may proceed to discuss shortly about the name<br />
<strong>Patitapaban</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong>.<br />
The meaning <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patitapaban</strong> is purifier <strong>of</strong><br />
fallen souls. According to historians - previously<br />
Kalinga or Odisha was the l<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> tribals<br />
(Savaras) <strong>and</strong> first they were worshipping the<br />
single deity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> as <strong>Patitapaban</strong> i.e.<br />
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Odisha Review July - 2013<br />
the deity mainly adored by the Patitas the<br />
downtrodden people. Pure devotees also<br />
considered themselves as Patita very smaller than<br />
a grass <strong>and</strong> devotionally recites the name <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patitapaban</strong> at the time <strong>of</strong> perceiving <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong>.<br />
In Odisha the small <strong>and</strong> single deity <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> worshipped without <strong>Sri</strong> Balaram<br />
<strong>and</strong> Subhadra is known as <strong>Patitapaban</strong> or Dadhi<br />
Baman. But the <strong>Patitapaban</strong> sits inside the lion<br />
gate <strong>of</strong> Puri <strong>Sri</strong>m<strong>and</strong>ir towards right h<strong>and</strong> side <strong>of</strong><br />
the entrance is different from other <strong>Patitapaban</strong><br />
or Dadhibaman deities worshipped in other places<br />
<strong>of</strong> Odisha. Here (at Puri), He has no arms, only<br />
face is manifested. History says that the then<br />
Khurda <strong>and</strong> Puri King Gajapati Ramach<strong>and</strong>ra<br />
Dev-II fought his best with Mussolims who<br />
attacked Odisha at that time was lastly defeated.<br />
The Mussolim Ruler kept the Gajapati in prison<br />
at Cuttack Barabati Fort with a condition to marry<br />
a Mussolim girl. After thinking much Gajapati<br />
accepted the proposal externally only with fear<br />
to protect <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> <strong>and</strong> His temple. After his<br />
return from Jail he repented much but he was not<br />
allowed by the Hindus to enter into Puri <strong>Sri</strong>m<strong>and</strong>ir.<br />
He cried much out <strong>of</strong> devotion <strong>and</strong><br />
heartily prayed to <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong> to redeem him<br />
from the dilemma position <strong>of</strong> Patita <strong>and</strong> give him<br />
His Darsan. By the deep devotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> Gajapati<br />
Maharaj, Mahaprabhu was not able to stay within<br />
His temple. He understood the heart <strong>of</strong> the king.<br />
Mahaprabhu rushed towards the Lion’s gate to<br />
see His devotee. Next day morning worshippers<br />
<strong>of</strong> the temple were surprised to see the flowers<br />
<strong>and</strong> ornaments <strong>of</strong> the Lord scattered everywhere<br />
on the way between the Ratna Singhasan<br />
(Jewelled throne) <strong>and</strong> the Lion’s Gate.<br />
In dream to the main worshipper (Bada<br />
P<strong>and</strong>a) the Lord said that he is dissatisfied with<br />
the decision for not allowing His devotee King<br />
into the temple. So every day in mid night, He<br />
was going to the Lion's Gate to give His Darsan<br />
to the Gajapati. After this the <strong>Patitapaban</strong> deity<br />
was installed there for Darsan by <strong>Sri</strong> Ramach<strong>and</strong>ra<br />
Dev-II <strong>and</strong> for all other Patitas who are not<br />
allowed to enter into the temple. Some says that<br />
by the devotion <strong>of</strong> Mussolim born devotee<br />
Salabega, Mahaprabhu also come near to the<br />
Lion’s Gate to see His devotee. <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Jagannath</strong><br />
manifested himself at the Lion's Gate <strong>of</strong> Puri<br />
<strong>Sri</strong>m<strong>and</strong>ir in <strong>Patitapaban</strong> form to give His Darsan<br />
to all <strong>and</strong> particularly to fallen <strong>and</strong> downtrodden,<br />
untouchable devotees like <strong>Sri</strong> Dasia Bauri.<br />
The fluttering flag on Nilachakra <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Sri</strong>m<strong>and</strong>ir is also known as <strong>Patitapaban</strong> Bana<br />
which is identical with the Lord. Those who are<br />
fallen <strong>and</strong> not allowed to enter into the temple<br />
they can see it from outside to get benefit <strong>of</strong> seeing<br />
the Lord. The main <strong>Patitapaban</strong> deity along with<br />
the <strong>Sri</strong>m<strong>and</strong>ir, Nilachakra <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Patitapaban</strong> flag<br />
all are equally empowered to remove the Sins<br />
from the heart <strong>of</strong> everyone.<br />
Lastly, it may be concluded that <strong>Sri</strong><br />
<strong>Jagannath</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Patitapaban</strong> are synonymous.<br />
Janaki Ballav Pattanayak, Budhi Bagicha,<br />
Samantarapur, Po/Dist.- Khurda.<br />
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