The Eyes of Jagannath: A Divine Darshan

Of all the wonders of Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath, none is more mysterious or captivating than His large, round, lotus-like eyes. Devotees, poets, and saints have lovingly named him Chaka Akhi (Round Eyes) and Chakadola, mesmerized by a gaze that seems to pour forth an endless stream of compassion.

The great poet Sarala Das wrote, “Let the tired mind go and see the Chakanayana; wash the eyes in the Shankhanavi mandala.” But what does it truly mean to “wash your eyes” in the gaze of the Lord?

The Ever-Watchful, All-Loving Gaze

The unique form of the Lord’s eyes holds deep spiritual meaning.

• They are Round: Like the sun and the moon, His two eyes provide both energy and peace to the world. Their circular shape is a symbol of perfect equality, with no high or low, no friend or foe. His vision is a great circle of love that includes everyone.
• They are Unblinking: Sri Jagannath’s first incarnation was Matsya, the fish, which never blinks. Like a fish, the Lord is Animesha—ever-vigilant, always awake. He never looks away, so that no devotee is ever deprived of His grace, even for a second.

Seeing vs. Truly Having Darshan

There is a profound difference between simply seeing the Lord with our physical eyes and having His true darshan. The eyes see the external form, but darshan is an experience that touches the soul.

In the Gita, before showing his universal form, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna, “Divyam Dadami Te Chakshuh”—”I give you divine eyes.” Arjuna was already seeing Krishna, but to understand His true essence, he needed a new kind of vision. This is the secret of darshan. It is about seeing with the heart, with the eye of knowledge.

(Image Recommendation: An artistic depiction of Arjuna seeing the Vishwaroopa, with a focus on the concept of divine sight.)

What It Means to “Wash Your Eyes”

“Washing your eyes” in the Lord’s gaze is a spiritual cleansing. It means letting His divine vision purify our own. When we look at Him, we are invited to wash away our own faults, our ego, our narrow perspectives, and to see the world as He sees it—with boundless compassion and a sense of equality for all.

This transformative gaze is what devotees yearn for. To keep this divine sight close and be reminded of it daily, many choose to have a traditional Pattachitra focusing on the Lord’s face in their home, a constant source of solace and inspiration.

When our mortal eyes meet the Lord’s Chakadola, something magical happens. The sorrows of the world seem to fade, and the heart is filled with devotion and peace. As a devotee once sang:

“Kalakalebara Kamala Akhi, Bhakata Bhramara Bhramita Dekhi” (His body is dark as a cloud, His eyes are like lotuses, and seeing them, the devotee-bees buzz around in delight.)

The darshan of Sri Jagannath’s eyes is an invitation to change our lives from the inside out. It is a chance to open our own eyes of knowledge and see the divine everywhere.

Jai Jagannath!