The All-Seeing Eyes: Unveiling the Mystery of Lord Jagannath’s Chaka Dola

Lord Jagannath, revered as the Supreme Being, is often lovingly called Chaka Dola, meaning “one with round eyes.” His large, circular eyes are a distinctive feature, captivating the hearts of millions of devotees. While Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra’s eyes are not perfectly round, why are Lord Jagannath’s dolas (eyes) so distinctly circular? This question invites us to delve into a rich tapestry of spiritual, mythological, and cultural interpretations.

The Significance of Chaka Dola

The term Chaka Dola translates to “circular eyes.” Devotees affectionately refer to Lord Jagannath as Chaka Nayana, Chaka Akhia, and Chaka Dola, all emphasizing the unique roundness of his eyes.

Spiritual Interpretations

• Matsya Avatar and Animesha: One explanation connects Lord Jagannath’s round, unblinking eyes to the Matsya Avatar (fish incarnation) of Vishnu. Two of Vishnu’s thousand names are Rohita (rohi fish) and Animesha (unblinking). Fish have round, unblinking eyes, and so does Jagannath. His unblinking eyes symbolize eternal wakefulness and constant vigilance.

• Sun and Moon: The Puranas describe one of Vishnu’s eyes as being like the sun and the other like the moon. The Gita also mentions ” Shashi Surya Netram“, highlighting the circular nature of these celestial bodies. Thus, Jagannath’s circular eyes embody the sun and moon – and eternal vigilance.

• The Witnessing Soul: A verse from the Rigveda describes two birds on a tree, one enjoying the fruits while the other watches. It suggests one bird as the Atman (soul), and the other as the witnessing Supreme Being, unattached and all-seeing. Lord Jagannath’s unblinking, circular eyes are said to symbolize this eternal witness, seeing all without being attached.

Symbolism and Cultural Connections

• Buddhist Nirvana: It’s also believed that the circular shape of the eyes signifies the concept of Buddhist Nirvana. The soul goes through a cycle of birth and death before attaining liberation or Nirvana, often seen as a circle or cycle. The round eyes symbolize infinity.

• Eye Index: Anthropologist Rai Charan Das has discussed the “eye index”, a ratio of eye diameter to head height in sculptures. The eye index in ancient sculptures is significantly higher. Julian Jaynes, after observing ancient sculptures across different civilizations, noted a correlation between higher indices and antiquity. Jagannath’s index is between 25-30%, higher than other figures. This aligns with the higher indices found in sculptures of ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt suggesting his antiquity.

Ancient Civilizations and the “Eye”

• Uruk Civilization (Mesopotamia): The ancient city of Uruk, modern Warka, has yielded fascinating insights into ancient worship. One notable site is the “Eye Temple,” which was adorned with depictions of eyes, and figurines with stylized eyes. The “eye” became a central part of their symbolic expression. The concept of large, round, all-seeing eyes resonates across various cultures.

• Ancient Egypt: In ancient Egypt, Atum (the self-sufficient one) was a sun deity with a single eye known as Udjat, believed to be the protector and a symbol of royal power. Udjat amulets were common for protection against evil forces.

Jagannath, a Synthesis of Traditions

• Sun Worship: The connection between the eye and the sun is seen in many cultures. The Rigveda also states “Surya Atma Jagatah Tasthushascha (The sun is the soul of the world)”, and the Gayatri Mantra is dedicated to the sun. Jagannath is seen as the culmination of various traditions.

• Tribal Origins: Some scholars suggest that the tribal people of Odisha worshipped the sun as a supreme deity, and that this tradition evolved into the worship of Lord Jagannath. Kashi Nath Mishra notes the tribal roots of the term Madhava (“mau ” meaning eye and ” boba” meaning head) The connection between the eye and the sun and their significance to tribal cultures are evident.

The All-Seeing Gaze

Dr. Sreesh Patel states that in modern society, with its social problems, Lord Jagannath’s all-seeing eyes symbolize that someone is always watching, that even though we may think we are alone, we’re not, and it acts as a guiding force for ethical behavior. His all-seeing eyes are a reminder that the divine is always aware, even when we believe we’re alone. Jagannath’s all-seeing eyes represent the supreme I or self.

Jagannath and Sankhya Philosophy

In Sankhya philosophy, Purusha (the Self) is Sat, Chit, and Ananda (existence, consciousness, and bliss). Jagannath embodies this, and like Purusha, he is depicted as being without limbs and doing no work himself, with the larger all seeing eyes, he’s only a witness, and not the doer, of events in the world.

Puri as Martya Goloka

Just as Vishnu resides in Goloka, Puri is considered Martya Goloka (heaven on earth). The four deities represent a blend of various traditions, unifying Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, and Surya into a single entity, embodying the essence of various philosophical viewpoints.

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