The Grace of Anabasara: The Story of Madhava Das and Lord Jagannath’s Love

In the realm of spiritual devotion, the stories of Lord Jagannath’s devotees serve as a source of inspiration and guidance. Among them, the tale of Madhava Das, a fruitarian ascetic whose unwavering faith earned him a divine encounter with the Lord, is a testament to the power of true devotion. This story also reveals the origin of the Anabasara, a unique tradition at the Shri Jagannath Temple. Let’s delve into this mystical narrative of love, faith, and divine grace.

The Power of Faith and Devotion

The path of devotion often leads to profound experiences and the realization of the divine. As the text states, “Belief is the best philosophy of spiritual life.” The name of the Lord, itself, is seen as the embodiment of the divine reality. A heart that is pure and filled with devotion, can establish a bond with the cosmic world and its love, experiencing a flow of divine nectar.

The human mind is restless. As the text says, “The mind is a mirage, an illusion.” To satisfy its thirst for the divine is indeed a challenging task. However, once a connection with the divine is established, the joy of that experience grows to merge with the bliss of the divine, leading to Brahmananda (the joy of realizing the absolute). Those who dedicate their lives to the Lord, can attain great spiritual heights and reach a state of divine bliss.

Madhava Das: A Devotee’s Unwavering Faith

The life of Madhava Das exemplifies the power of such devotion. He was a Mahanta (head) of the Phalahari Matha (an ascetic order of fruit-eaters) who dedicated his long life to Hari Bhakti (devotion to Lord Vishnu). He continued his devotion to the Lord throughout his life, even when his body was ravaged by old age and illness.

When Madhava Das was suffering from a severe ailment at the age of 100, he continued to repeat the name of the Lord. It was then that Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra, disguised as young dark and fair boys, appeared to him to attend to his needs. Madhava Das, by the grace of God, quickly recognized these young boys as the divine Lord, Jagannath and Balabhadra.

He then pleaded, “O Lord, why do you act in disguise? Heal me or take me away from this world.” They replied, “That power does not belong to us, we cannot change how long you are supposed to live. But we can share your pain.” And with that, the two boys disappeared.

Madhava Das, miraculously, recovered from his illness. He went to Shri Mandir, but the doors were closed due to the deities having a fever. Seeing that the temple was closed and remembering the words of the Lord, Madhava Das became despondent and fainted, realizing that Lord Jagannath had taken his pain upon himself. After fifteen days, Madhava Das passed away while in a state of devotion to the Lord.

The Origin of Anabasara

This poignant event, where Lord Jagannath took on the illness of his devotee, resulted in the tradition of Anabasara. The fifteen-day period between the death of Madhava Das and the reemergence of the deities became a time of seclusion, during which the deities are believed to rest and recuperate. During this time, devotees are offered the darshan of Patti Dians (painted images of the deities) and Lord Alarnath, another form of Vishnu, as they await the reemergence of Lord Jagannath.

A Testament to Divine Love

The story of Madhava Das is a reminder that Lord Jagannath is deeply moved by the love and devotion of his followers, and that he does not hesitate to take on their suffering. This story shows that even at the end of our lives, true and pure devotion can connect us with the divine. It also highlights that Lord is both transcendent, and immanent, and can appear to devotees in whatever form that they need to.

Bringing the Spirit of Devotion Home

If you’re moved by the story of Madhava Das and Lord Jagannath’s boundless compassion, explore the handcrafted items at justkalinga.com. With worldwide shipping, you can bring the essence of this sacred tale and the spirit of devotion into your own home.