Shreeji’s Dashamool Preparation and Chaka Bijay Rituals

After Snana Purnima (bathing full moon), Lord Mahaprabhu fell ill with fever and is resting on anonsara (a bed made of pith). Various secret services are being carried out to heal Lord Mahaprabhu. According to Neeladri Mahodaya Shastra, devoted servants are managing Lord Mahaprabhu’s secret arrangements, including daily chakatā (a type of herbal paste) and other practices, while he lies on anonsara. Various medicinal herbs prepared from different types of cheramooli (a medicinal root) have been provided for application on Shree Anga (the body). Badaodia Mathh Phuluri oil has been supplied, and pure suar (a type of oil) has been provided by devoted servants. Today, according to the ritual, the three Thakurs (deities) present on anonsara will be blessed with chaka bijay (a ritual of applying a medicinal paste on the head), and the temple physician will prepare dashamool (ten roots) and submit it to the garada (temple messenger).

Ekadashi tithi (the eleventh lunar day) means that tomorrow, at the suggestion of the Shree Mandir (temple) physician, the treatment of Shree Anga will be performed. Along with this, the ritual of applying sandalwood paste all over Lord Mahaprabhu’s body will be conducted tomorrow. Lord Mahaprabhu will wear a raktabastra (a red cloth) tomorrow. Lord Mahaprabhu, who was previously worshipped with white flowers in Tulasi (holy basil), will now have Tulasi plants.

Today, on Ashadha Krishna Dashami tithi, according to tradition, the Chaka Bijay ritual for Lord Mahaprabhu will be performed. Lord Mahaprabhu, who was resting, will be blessed with chaka on the chaka (a circular plate made of pith) placed above him. Three muguni stones (types of stones) are placed on the anonsara pith in the Vishramagraha (resting hall) of the temple, and the deities are blessed with chaka. The situation of blessing the chaka while resting will indicate the recovery of Lord Mahaprabhu. After the chaka bijay, dashamool (modak – a sweet dumpling) will be blessed on the Shree Mandir. The Kubiraj (expert physician) of the Lord’s lineage has been preparing this medicine for a long time with purity. This highly effective medicine has been prepared according to Ayurvedic methods and scriptures. Tomorrow, on Ekadashi tithi, the ritual of applying dashamool modak will be performed for the ailing Shree Vigraha (idols). Recognized Kubiraj devotees of the Shree Mandir are organized in order to serve Lord Mahaprabhu with this medicine. This medicine is prepared with devotion and sincerity, along with observing the Hawishanna (a fasting) vow. More than 3 kilos of cheramooli are used in this medicine of Lord Mahaprabhu. The physicians collect this rare cheramooli from various places. This modak has been prepared based on the Dhanvantari Ayurveda scriptures.

Shalapanni, Gambhari, Fanafana, Krishna Panni, Agabathu, Bel, Angaranti, Gokhara, Labing Koli, Nabankuri are first dried. Then it is chopped and ground. This powder is strained in a gamucha (cloth) and placed in a new earthen chuli (stove) to be roasted, along with sugar, sar (a type of sugar), mahu (a type of fat), ghee, etc. After roasting, it is mixed and placed on Kadali leaves (banana leaves) to cool. After cooling, it is shaped into modaks and placed in three kuḍuā (small bowls). Kapoor (camphor) is applied on it, and it is placed in a taalpatra bhoge (a plate made of palm leaves) and submitted to the garada in the Shree Mandir. The modak (medicine) prepared in Jatibutti (a specific manner) will be applied to Thakurs on the anonsara pith. Along with the modak application on Ekadashi, Lord Mahaprabhu on anonsara will be blessed with Tulasi, sandalwood paste, and new khandua (a type of sweet). Previously, the Thakurs have been anointed with Phuluri oil. After the dashamool application, Lord Mahaprabhu will be completely cured.

As Lord Mahaprabhu rests and heals during the sacred Anasara period, ancient and secret rituals (gupta seva) are performed with utmost devotion. The divine idols are offered specially prepared Dashamoola Modak, healing Phuluri oil, and fresh Khandua cloth to ensure their recovery before the grand Ratha Yatra.