Rasikananda and the Chariot of Jagannath

This is the captivating story of Rasikananda, a devout follower of Lord Krishna, and his miraculous connection with Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath during the Rath Yatra (Car Festival) in Puri. Born as Rasika Murari in 1590 AD, he was deeply devoted to Krishna from childhood. His spiritual journey led him to become a disciple of Sri Shyamananda, who, guided by divine instructions from Lord Madan Gopal himself, initiated Rasikananda into the Krishna mantra.

Rasikananda’s fame as a preacher of Krishna’s love and devotion reached the ears of the Muslim Subedar Ahmed Baig, who challenged him to pacify a wild elephant using his spiritual powers. Rasikananda fearlessly approached the elephant and whispered the Krishna mantra, instantly calming the beast, which then bowed before him. This miraculous event impressed even the Subedar.

Driven by an intense desire to see Jagannath during the Rath Yatra, Rasikananda hurried towards Puri. However, due to delays, he feared he would miss the grand spectacle. He prayed fervently to Jagannath to wait for him. Miraculously, the chariots, including Jagannath’s Nandighosa, refused to budge, despite all efforts. The Gajapati king, perplexed, prayed to Jagannath, who revealed in a dream that he was waiting for his devotee Rasikananda.

Upon Rasikananda’s arrival and his touch, the chariots moved effortlessly. This event, recorded to have taken place in 1640 AD, solidified Rasikananda’s devotion and Jagannath’s responsiveness to his sincere devotees. The story also highlights the interconnectedness of various deities and sacred sites, including Remuna’s Khirachora Gopinath temple and the story of Madhabendra Puri. This narrative beautifully illustrates that Jagannath is Bhabagrahi and Bhaktabatsal, always responsive to the genuine love and devotion of his followers.