The Enigmatic Lord: Exploring the Divine Tattva of Shri Jagannath

 

At the heart of the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Ratna Bedi (jeweled platform) is home to a divine ensemble. The central deities are Param Brahma Shri Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, together known as the Trimurti (three forms). This Trimurti, along with Lord Sudarshana, becomes the Chaturdha Murti (four divine forms). But beyond these four, the Ratna Bedi also hosts three smaller deities: Bhudevi (Vishwadhatri), Shridevi (Lakshmi), and Nilamadhava. Let’s delve into the rich spiritual tapestry surrounding these divine representations.

 

The Deities on the Ratna Bedi

 

The main deities of the Shri Mandir are:

 

Lord Jagannath: The presiding deity, usually referred to as Daru Brahma, is a wooden manifestation of the Supreme.

 

Lord Balabhadra: The elder brother of Jagannath.

 

Devi Subhadra: The sister of Jagannath and Balabhadra.

 

Lord Sudarshana: Represented as a disc, a symbol of the cosmic wheel and divine power.

 

These four deities are called the Chaturdha Murti.

 

In addition to these main deities, the Ratna Bedi also houses:

 

Bhudevi (Vishwadhatri): The earth goddess, depicted in silver, positioned on the right of Lord Jagannath. Also referred to as Saraswati.

 

Shridevi (Lakshmi): The goddess of prosperity, depicted in gold, positioned on the left of Lord Jagannath.

 

Nilamadhava: A smaller wooden idol, usually placed on the left of Jagannath, is a representation of Lord Jagannath himself.

 

Together, these seven deities are sometimes referred to as the Saptamurti or Saptavaran.

 

Nilamadhava: The Original Deity

 

Nilamadhava is also referred to as “Madhava” or “Shri Balapurushottama Deva.” The Record of Rights of Shri Jagannath Temple mentions this name. It’s said that Lord Nilamadhava was the presiding deity before the installation of the present-day deities.

 

The Niladri Mahodaya states that Madhava is a smaller form that embodies the Lord’s essence: “Prabhoh swaroopam bhajann Madhavo hraswaroopakah”. The Skanda Purana suggests that in the ancient Purushottama Kshetra (Puri), Nilamadhava and Lord Nrusingha were worshipped.

 

Nilamadhava is often seen as a smaller representation of Jagannath. Unlike the other deities on the Ratna Bedi, Nilamadhava does not have a separate worship ceremony as he is considered identical to Jagannath. His presence symbolizes the primordial form of Jagannath. This connection is further strengthened during specific rituals, like when Nilamadhava replaces Lord Jagannath in certain rituals like the Shodasha Puja to Goddess Vimala, on Dussehra and Kartik Purnima. Interestingly, during the Rath Yatra, Nilamadhava remains in the Shri Mandir, in place of Lord Jagannath.

 

The Enigma of Shri Jagannath Tattva

 

Understanding the true essence of Lord Jagannath is a profound challenge, and all descriptions fall short of fully encompassing its vastness. Puranas, legends, and history have tried but failed to fully unravel his mysteries. Studying his tattva (essence) only reveals more layers of enigma. The term “Neti, Neti” (not this, not this) is perhaps the most accurate description of the truth, the Daru Brahma, Lord Jagannath.

 

The Tribal Connection

 

Some texts suggest that Lord Jagannath was initially worshipped as Nilamadhava in a hidden forest by a tribal king named Vishwavasu. The tribal (Shabara) people saw the wood itself as the deity. Scholars like Dr. Benimadhab Padhi suggest that the word Jagannath has tribal roots. The tribal people of the region used to call their god ‘Jaganta’ or ‘Jaga boi’.

 

It is also said that the tribals saw daru or wood as a sacred symbol. Some believe that the Vedic verse “Ado yaddaru plavate sindhoh pare apaurusham” refers to the rejection of this tribal form of worship by Vedic society. But scholars like Dr. Kedarnath Mahapatra, Dr. Banshidhar Mohanty, and others acknowledge that Jagannath’s cult has connections to the Shabar culture. Prabhat Mukharji, while attempting to prove that Jagannath is a Brahmanical deity, does not reject that there was a tradition of tribal daru worship in the region.

 

Scholarly Debates

 

Historians like Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab view Jagannath as initially a tribal deity, then a Buddhist deity, and, finally, a Hindu deity by the 10th century. Scholars like Dr. Gopinath Mohapatra suggest that Vishwavasu might have been a Hindu and that his worship of Nilamadhava was rooted in Hindu traditions.

 

Research by the Orissa Research Project suggested that the Trimurti was established by King Anangabhima Deva in 1230 CE, and that before, deities such as Lakshmi-Nrusingha or Stambheshwari were worshipped. They also proposed that Sudarshan is a form of Nrusingha, and that Jagannath himself is a transformation of Nrusingha, rooted in tribal traditions. However, these are just theories.

 

The Synthesis of Beliefs

 

Some believe that Jagannath, after being worshiped as Nilamadhava, absorbed influences from various traditions – Shaiva (Shiva), Shakta (Durga), and Vaishnava traditions. The Shakti tradition influenced the representation of Subhadra as a form of Durga or Mangala and also the connection with Bhuvaneshwari. As a result, Lord Balabhadra was associated with Shiva.

 

Tantric scholar Dr. Sarbeswar Satapathy believes that Balabhadra’s mantras do not align with tantric doctrines, suggesting that Balabhadra might have been incorporated later, perhaps influenced by Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

 

Dr. Satyanarayan Rajguru believed that the kings of the Somavamsha tried to unite the various traditions of Odisha by enshrining the deities of different regions, including Baladeva, Subhadra, and Purushottama Jagannath, in Puri.

 

The All-Encompassing Nature of Jagannath

 

Jagannath is not just a deity; he is a symbol of the synthesis of various faiths. As Swami Hariharananda Giri said, “Surely this is the ideal and best statue of India to all concepts.” Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab stated that it would be unfair to identify this catholic and cosmopolitan cult with any particular philosophy.

 

Bringing the Divine into Your Home

 

If you are captivated by the rich tapestry of spiritual and cultural heritage embodied by Lord Jagannath, explore the handcrafted items at justkalinga.com. With worldwide shipping, you can bring a piece of this ancient tradition into your own home and connect to the divine energy of Lord Jagannath.

 

Jai jagannath 😊 🙏