Orissa Review * June - 2006
Three Great Devotees of Lord Jagannath
Somanath Jena
Bhakta Manohar Das and the Padma colour and on Saturday the colour of wrapper
Besha (Lotus dress) of Lord Jagannath of is black during the 'Ghoda Lagi' period. In case
Shriksetra, Puri. of the Besha falling on Wednesday, the Lotus
Lord Jagannath is connected with dressing is on blue wrapper covered around
numerous Besha (dressing for appearance) on Vigraha. The Chandan Lagi (Sandal paste
stipulated days linked with specific incidences offering) is made, than in Badasinhar such
those happened in the past to remember those Lotus Besha is made and the Vigraha is dressed
happenings and to accordingly at night.
inspire the devotees Lord Jagannath
perennially. The is reputed as
dressing has devotee friendly :
become the Bhakta Batsal and
ritualistic regular Bhabagrahi,
tradit ion in receiver of pure
Srimandir, Puri. devotional throught
Padma Besha (to and Bhakta
dress Lord Rakhyakari,
Jagannath with protecto r of the
Lotus flowers) is one of such important Besha, dignity of devotees for ages together. He can
Traditionally from the Sukla Sasti of Margasira not sit peacefully in the Ratnasinhasan, when
month till the Basanta Panchami, the Sri his Bhakta is tortured and unable to meet Him.
Vigrahas, seated in Ratnasinghasan of Sri There are many incidents recorded in history,
Mandir, Puri are covered with winter wrappers, Puranas and Daryata Bhakti. One and such
at night called 'Ghoda Lagi' to protect the Lord incidents is that of Bhakta Monohar Das, who
from excessive cold. On the Wednesday or was living in village Sahapur, on the bank of
Saturday, coming in between Amabasya of the sacred river Rishikulya in Orissa. The
Magha and Basanta Panchami, the Lord is period, according to the history, is during the
dressed in Padma Besha. On the Wednesday, rule of King Udyot Keshari, towards the last
the wrapper covering the Vigraha is blue in part of the 10th century A.D. in Orissa.
82
Orissa Review * June - 2006
This devotee, Sadhu Manohar Das, the temple to share His sevas and darshan. The
started his journey from distant village Sahapur Gajapati, called the Rajaguru, namely,
to Srikhetra Puri on foot covering a long Bhavadeva and told the contents of his dream.
distance and reached Srikhetra Puri on the The Rajaguru took Manohar Das, and the
Amabasya day of Magha month. For days Lotus packed Gamuchha to the Sri Mandir. In
together, he walked on the road to reach Puri. front of the Vigrahas he opened the knot, asked
In course of his long journey, Manohar Das, the Sevakas to offer the Lotus by taking from
on his way found a tank in the road side and the Gamuchha of Manohar Das. And Lo ! the
found beautiful hundred-petalled red lotuses lotuses, though were previously dry and black
flowering and floating on the water of the tank. in colour, could get fresh lease of life, became
It came to the mind of devotee Manohar Das, fresh, red and purple coloured and emanated
out of devotional sentiment that some flowers divine and sweet fragrance. Being put on the
can be collected for offering to the Supreme Vigraha the Lord showed smiling face with
Lord at Puri. Accordingly, forgetting the appearance as if blessing all.
distance and time factor to reach Puri, he To remember, such exchange of love
colleced some fresh lotus flowers and packed between the Supreme Lord and the devotee,
those in his Gamuchha (Red towel) by binding and to inspire other devotees, each year
through knot. He reached Puri Dham and halted Padmabesha is made on the day fixed.
at Badachhata Matha, just adjacent to the Sri Badachhata Matha offers Khiri seva to the
Mandir boundary wall of the eastern side in Lords on this day in Srimandir. That Khiri
the right side of 'Purba Dwar'. Through out Prasad is distributed next day to the devotees.
the painful and long journey, his mind and
Till Swami Rasikananda's arrival Cars of
thought was ever filled with joy that he is going
the Holy Triad could not move to reach
to offer lotus flowers to Lord Jagannath. No
Sri Gundicha Temple at Puri Dham.
other thought disturbed him. He proceeded and
reached inside the temple. The Sevakas asked Lord Jagannath of Puri Dham always
what he has knotted in his Gamuchha. He understands the devotion of His devotees. He
opened the knot and showed the lotus flowers. waited for the arrival of Muslim devotee
But alas ! Those lotus flowers were no more Salabeg and Bhakta Balia Balaram Das to
fresh. Those have already dried, some have move in his car from Lion Gate of Sri Mandir
rotted and colour changed to pale and black. to go to Sri Gundicha temple. Another such
The Sevakas beat him in cane sticks for taking incident of His waiting for His devotee Swami
rotten flowers and due to severe injury and Rasikananda in his Car during the annual Car
mental shock Manohar Das fell on the ground Featival at Puri is worth mentioning.
unconscious. The people of Badachhata Rasikananda was born in the year 1590
Matha, brought him back and put him in rest A.D. at Rohininagar situated on the bank of
in unconscious stage in the Matha. In the river Subarnarekha which is now in Balasore
dream, Gajapati, Maharaja of Puri could see District of Orissa. The boy's name was Rasika
the Lord telling him to go to Manohar Das, to Murari. His passion for the Lord was found in
take the lotus flowers from him and offer to his childhood when he was uttering the name
Him and allow devotee Manohar Das to enter of Lord Krishna constantly. Like his father, he
83
Orissa Review * June - 2006
was uttering the name of Lord Krishna while border of the Ex-State of Mayurbhanj, (at
sitting on a sacred place called Ghantasila present in Nayabasan Tehsil of West Midnapur
being in meditation of the calmly form of Lord District of West Bengal) and at a distance of
Krishna. At that time, the great devotee Sri 47 km on road from Baripada via Jamsola. The
Shyamananda Thakur was studying the Matha is in a very dilapidated condition due
devotional scriptures at Vrindaban, after getting to lack of maintenance and preservation.
inititation from the Vaisnava Guru Sri Jiva Once, while Sri Rasikananda Swami was
Goswami. One day, while Sri Shyamananda living as a guest of king Baidyanath Bhanj of
was sitting absorbed in meditation in a lonely Banapur, the Muslim Subedar Ahmed Baig
garden, Bhagaban Sri Madan Gopal Himself who was kept in charge of Orissa, became
appeared before him and said "Syamananda, much irritated of the devotion of Sri Krishna,
immediately proceed to Utkal where Bhakta preached by Rasikananda which was widely
Rasika Murari, who is very dear to me is acceptable to the common mass. Subedar Baig
meditating and chanting my name constantly. became furious and asked Swami Rasikananda
Initiate him in the Mantra of Sri Krishna and to pacify a ferocious and rogue wild elephant
preach my love and devotion widely". But Sri by his power of devotion to Lord Krishna. This
Syamananda though came to senses at once is the test of his devotion. If he fails, he will be
by this incident, could not at the outset believe punished severely. Rasikananda fearlessly
the command of the Lord. So in next few approached the rogue elephnat and whispered
moments Sri Gopal appeared before Sri Jiva the name and mantra of Lord Sri Krishna in
Goswami and ordained him to tell Syamananda both the ears of the elephant. Instantly, the
to immediately proceed to Utkal and initiate nature of the elephant was changed and he
devotee Rasika Murari in Sri Krishna Mantra became, peaceful, obedient and in token of
and preach the art of love and devotion. Sri respect for Saint Sri Rasikananda, the elephant
Shyamananda Goswami reached Utkal in the prostrated in his feet. On seeing this miraculous
year 1608 A.D., initiated Rasikananda ( the power of Sri Krishna mantra which Rasikand
name of Rasika Murari after initiation) and preached, Ahmed Baig became stunned, and
stayed at Utkal now in Orissa and devoted his he himself started glorifying the merit and
remaining period of the life in preaching love greatness of Sri Rasikananda Swami.
and devotion of Sri Krishna. The Matha where Thereafter, Rasikananda returned to
he stayed is now at Kanpur, nearly 4 km from Gopiballavpur. Once an intense desire to see
Rasgovindpur and at about 46 km. from the Lord Jagannath of Puri came to his mind.
Baripada, t he Distr ict headquarters of He started to proceed on foot to Puri and on
Mayurbhanj district in Orissa State. There the the way he was to visit sacred places at Jajpur
wooden sandals he used to put on, his winter and other places of pilgrimages located on the
wrapper like Kantha and his Samadhi are bank of the river Baitarani. There was delay,
there. In the Year 1630 AD Syamananada as a result of which he could not reach Puri
Swami breathed his last. Dham in time. On the day of Gundicha, the
Rasikananda Swami was living in a day of Car Festival the car started moving from
Matha at Gopiballavpur on the bank of the Lion's Gate towards Sri Gundicha temple in
river, Subarnarekha, which was on the northern Badadanda. Knowing this, Sri Rasikananda
84
Orissa Review * June - 2006
Swami prayed from the core of his heart saying of Lord Khirachora Gopinath till his last days.
" Oh Lord, kindly favour me by staying in the Till date, the Samadhi Shrine of Rasikananda
car till my arrival, to enable me to have your is within the premises of the temple, and at a
darshan in the car during Car Festival. Kindly distance, the residence of Rasikananda is found
wait for my arrival. " Mahaprabhu Lord at Remuna. It was Narasingh Deb, the Gajapati
Jagannath is Bhabagrahi and Bhaktabatsal and King, who brought Madan Gopal's idol from
Bhaktabandhu. He waited for his sincere Chitrakut, and that Madan Gopal remained at
devotee in the Nandighosa Ratha and none of Remuna, who later on in the year 1436 A.D.
three Rathas, inculding that of His moved an after stealing Khira Bhoga for saint
inch forward. The Thakur Maharaja was Madhabendra Puri, came to be known as
perplexed at this. Even horses and elephants Khirachora. The legend says that Lord Sri
in large number, being yoked to pull the three Rama has carved this stone edol of Madan
Rathas, failed to drag an inch forward. All Gopal at Chitrakut by arrows during his stay
efforts failed. The Gajpati king prayed and took and has shown to Sita. In 1258 A.D. the temple
shelter of Lord Sri Jagannath to favour him to for Mandan Gopal was built at Remuna and
solve the situation. In his dream, Lord for arrangement of Seva Puja landed property
Jagannath told the king - "My devotee was donated by the king. In Chitrakut, Lord
Rasikananda is hurriedly rushing to see me on Brahma was worshipping Madan Gopal.
the car during the Car Fest ival. He is Madhabendra Puri one of the devotees, whose
approaching Puri and is now at Tulasichoura, Matha is still there very near to Khirachora
located very near, please wait for his arrival. Gopinath temple, Remuna, near Balasore in
After his arrival and seeing me in the car, the Orissa. This incident testifies the fact that the
car will move of their own accord in the usual Lord is even fulfiller of the sincere thought of
pulling."In fact, the dream came true when the devotees.
king received Rasikananda Swami and on his Santh Tulsi Das, the Sri Ramabhakta could
touching the cars by hands, the cars ran on the see his Lord Sri Rama in the Raghunath
road, being dragged by devotees and reached Besha and Padma Besha of Lord
Sri Gundicha Temple smoothly. The record Jagannath.
testifies the event to have taken place in the
Lord Jagannath of Sri Jagannath Dham,
year 1640 A.D.
Puri is the Param Brahma and ever friendly
On request of the king, Rasikananda to the devotees. The Lord has shown His
stayed with Sri Vigraha Batakrushna in "Kunja
Matha", located on the side of Sri Mandir.
Infact that Matha was first founded by Swami
Rasikananda.
Rasikananda left Puri for Remuna, as
Khirchora Gopinath at Remuna ordered the
Gajapati king in his dream to send him back to
render His worship. There at Remuna,
Rasikananda stayed and rendered Seva Puja
85
Orissa Review * June - 2006
apperance to devotees Jagannath could not tolerate such anxiety of
in the forms, t hey Tulsi Das, who was walking on foot. He
conceived in their crossed Atharnala (a road bridge over eighteen
minds and wanted to nalas) and rapidly proceeding from Puri to
see him. Lord Kashi via Batamangala. On command of Lord
Jagannath satisfied. Jagannath, Bhakta Hanuman, sat on the road
Santh Tulsi Das, the bridge over Atharanala and obstructed Tulsi
author of the great Das from proceeding to Kashi. Tulsi Das, paid
Ramacharit Manas by no heed to the indication of Hunuman and
showing him His proceeded ahead on the road to Kashi. On the
Raghunath Besha, way, in a village called Malatipatapur, Tulsi
which is enlisted as one of several Beshas. Das halted in a Tulasi Chouwara (elevated
platform having sacred basil tree in a pot) at
Realising the fact that Lord Sri Jagannath
night even in the midst of hunger and thirst.
is himself Param Brahma in appearance, Santh Tulsi Das, out of fatigue and frustration, not
Tulsi Das in his advanced age proceeded on seeing Sri Ramachandra, in Param Brahma
foot from Kashi Pith to Sriksetra Puri, the Sri Jagannath, fell asleep. While closing his
Jagannath Dham alone to see his Lord Sri eyes he saw in his dream, goddess Mahalaxmi,
Rama Chandra, armed with bow and arrows telling Lord Jagannath that no devotee returns
in Lord Sri Jagannath. This pious desire from Puri without taking Mahaprasad in the
inspired him to travel, covering a long distance form of sacred cooked rice (Avada) and curry,
with hardship. On the way in between Cuttack but devotee Tulsi Das has left Puri without
and Bhubaneswar, in a place named Tulsi taking any food and drink. She requested Lord
Talwa locally known as Tulasi Sarovar (Tulsi Jagannath to proceed himself in disguise of a
tank), he took rest in the night. small boy taking the sacred rice and cury,
Next day, he resumed his journey on foot which is called Mahaprasad and offer him to
early in the morning and reached Puri. On his pertake. Santh Tulasi Das when asked by the
arrival at Puri, he hastened to enter the temple, boy to take the Mahaprasad, told him that he
by assending the Baisi Pahacha (22 number would not take the sacred rice and curry
of steps) and stood in front of the idol of Lord without seeing Sri Ramachandra in Lord Sri
Jagannath Bije in Ratna Sinhasan (in golden Jagannath who is hailed as Param Brahma.
throne). From a little distance, he could see The boy asked him to open his Ramacharit
the Param Brahma Lord Jagannath with round Manas manuscript, which was availble with
black eyes, the Sri Vigrahra (sacred idol) Tulsi Das, written on palmleaves and bound
without hands and feet and ears, seated and in red cloth and asked him to refer to Doha
being worshipped. He could not see Param 117 - from the 5th Chowpahi to 8th Chowpahi,
Brahma, according to his conception in the which Tulsi Das, himself had written and to
form of Sri Rama Chandra armed with bow read the Balakanda.
and arrows. Being disappointed he left Puri, "Binu Pada Chalai Sunai Binukana,
without taking any food or drink. Bhabagrahi Kara Binu Karama Karai Bidhi Nana
(knower of the thought of devotee) Sri Anana Rahita Sakala Rasabhogi
86
Orissa Review * June - 2006
Binubani Bakata Jogi Spontaneoulsy, Santh Tulsi Das wept
Tana Binu Parasa Nayana Binu Dekha profusely and tears rolled down from his eyes
Grahai Ghrana Binu Basa Ashesa and he confirmed his version by the inspiration
Asi Samabhati Alaukika Karana of the Lord in the immortal poem, which came
Mahima Jasu Jai Nahin Barana." out from his mouth.
He is that Param Brahma, who walks "Johi Rama Sohi Jagaddisha,
without feet, hears without ears, does various Dina Hine Ananta Parbata Shesha
works without hands, tastes all sorts of items Lord Jagannath is Rama, and Rama is
and juices without mouth, touches all without Lord Jagannath. He is the protector of the poor,
skin, sees all without eyes, and smells all down-trodden and neglected, like the mountain
without nose. That Param Brahma is so exta- is being protected by Sheshanaga, (Ananta)
ordinarily mysterious, that it is unknown to upholding the same by placing the earth over
gods even. Lord Jagannath is the very said it.
Param Brahma, which you have narrated in
your above Dohas and poems. He is residing Tulsi Das became satisfied and his
in Sri Mandir being bound and tied with journey to see Lord Ramachandra in Puri in
devotional thought of his devotees. The boy Param Brahma Jagannath was fulfilled
narrating this, told Tulsi Das to return and look completely. He returned to Kasipith from Puri
again. He can see Him in the form he desired Dham on foot, meditating over the event.
and described in Rama Charit Manas. Tulasi The Besha of Lord Jagannath in the
Das being emotionally charged and shape of Raghunath is called Raghunath Besha.
overwhelmed by the words of the boy, resumed Sri Raghunath Besha, is too expensive, but it
his return journey to Puri, came running and lasts for a period of seven days and lakhs of
reached Puri, ascended the Baishi Pahachas devotees throng to Puri and get Darshan of
and prostrated before the Lord sitting in Ratna Sri Raghunath Besh in Ratna Sinhasan of Lord
Sinhasan and in the process, Tulsi Das lost Jagannath.
consciousness. Regaining his senses, he looked
at Lord Jagannath with folded hands in standing
position. He became surprised to see Sri
Ramachandra with bow and arrows in hands
in the Ratna Sinhasan, in place of Lord
Jagannath. He begged excuse and prayed the
Lord to forgive him as he could not recognise Somanath Jena, a retired Addl. Secretary to Govt. of
Him and could not realise his own version Orissa, lives at Walliganj, Baripada, Mayurbhanj,
written in Ramacharit Manas. Orissa - 757002.
87
