A Beacon of Devotion: The Life and Legacy of Bhakta Dasia Bauri

In the vast ocean of devotees who have loved and served Lord Jagannath, the name of Dasia Bauri shines brightly. A humble weaver from a low caste, Dasia’s story exemplifies the transformative power of unwavering devotion. Let’s delve into the life of this extraordinary devotee and explore the divine encounters and the lasting legacy he left behind.

The Humble Beginnings of a Devotee

Dasia Bauri was born around the 1500s in a poor weaver family in Baligaon, a village near Pipili in Puri district. Born into a low caste, he was considered “untouchable” by society. Dasia lost his parents in childhood. He found solace in Lord Jagannath, becoming a devout follower from a young age. Apart from his traditional weaving work, he was also gifted with the ability to write bhajans and jananas (devotional songs). He also wrote texts such as the Bhagavat, Chautisha, and Bhakti Malika.

• Birth & Place: Around 1500 AD, Baligaon, Pipili, Puri.

• Death: Baligaon, Pipili, Puri, Odisha

• Home: Baligaon, Pipili, Puri

• Education: Deprived of formal education.

• Occupation: Weaver/artisan.

• Fame: Devotee of Lord Jagannath.

• Spouse: Malati.

In that era, Bhagavat discourses were a common practice, where villagers would gather in the evening to listen to recitations. However, Dasia was barred from such gatherings due to his low birth. Despite this, he listened to the discourses from afar, his devotion unhindered by social barriers.

The Legend of the Coconut and the Divine Call

According to legend, during the Rath Yatra, Dasia, unable to travel to Puri due to poverty, sent a coconut with fellow villagers. He requested that they present it to the Lord on his behalf, calling out his name, in front of the Aruna Stambha. As they did so, it is said that the coconut disappeared from their hands and travelled straight to the Lord. This event highlighted his unwavering faith and deep love for Lord Jagannath.

One day, while engrossed in writing jananas, Dasia’s wife, Malati, expressed her frustration with their poverty and mentioned that she had been fasting for several days, just so her husband can have some food. Unable to bear her pain, Dasia told her that she should go back to her parents’ house, where she can be at peace. It was then that he received a divine call. A village leader, whom Dasia hardly knew, came and asked him to make a cloth for the Lord’s Rath Yatra. The villager gave him some rice and coins for this purpose. Recognizing this as a sign from Lord Jagannath, Dasia joyfully went to his wife and narrated what had happened.

The Lord’s Visit and the King’s Dream

Another story says that, one night, when Dasia’s family had no food to eat, the Lord himself visited them in disguise, asking for a meal. Dasia and his wife served him some leftover rice. Moved by their sincerity, that night Lord Jagannath appeared in the King’s dream and asked him to deliver food to Dasia’s house daily. Since then, it is believed that the first offering in the Shri Mandir goes to Dasia Bauri.

The Miracle at the Village Pond

The text tells how Dasia’s wife longed to see the deities on their chariots during the Rath Yatra. Dasia took her to a pond in their village and as she looked at the water, she saw the reflection of the chariots, Lord Jagannath, and his siblings.

The Visit of the Panchasakhas

Moved by his unwavering faith and pure devotion, the Panchasakhas (five revered saints of Odisha) – Jagannath Das, Balaram Das, Ananta Das, Achyuta Das, and Jasobanta Das – visited Dasia in Baligaon. They tested his devotion by asking him to show them the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Dasia took them to the same pond and, through divine grace, enabled them to see the ten avatars in the water. Impressed by this divine power, the Panchasakhas accepted Dasia as a disciple, and he was also known as Balika Das.

The Legacy of Devotion

Dasia Bauri’s unwavering devotion earned him a special place in the lore of Shri Jagannath. He is a symbol of faith, humility, and divine grace. He breathed his last on Magha Shukla Ekadasi and is celebrated even today for his simple devotion to the Lord.

A Place of Remembrance and Devotion

Today, at Baligaon, the Odisha government has constructed a temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath and installed a 4-foot bronze statue of Dasia offering a coconut to the Lord. This sacred place continues to attract devotees who come to pay homage to the humble devotee and his unwavering faith.

Bringing the Spirit of Devotion Home

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Jai jagannath 😊🙏