Articles
Tulsi and the Anavasara Mystery
Jun
Time is almost midnight, and Lakshmi Saantani is sitting on the hill of the Lakshmi Temple, patiently watching the Neel Chakra. Suddenly, she hears the sound of tiny footsteps. Startled, she looks up. Who would be coming to the main temple at such a late hour? The Goddess Bedhakaali has gone to sleep, and she doesn’t wear anklets at night to avoid disturbing Lord Jagannath’s sleep! But who is making that sound of footsteps?
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Thinking about this inexplicable question, Mother Saantani remembers Goddess Bedhakaali. Remembering her, Bedhakaali, the Saantani, appears in her shadow and asks at the middle of the night why Tulsi is here. Tulsi, startled by Saantani’s question, remains silent, feeling her heart heavy. Bedhakaali goes to look and sees a divine, exquisitely beautiful goddess entering the main temple from the Satapada side. Bedhakaali’s question is met with an answer from the goddess, who says that she has been called by the Lord and has come from very far away.
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While Bedhakaali and the unknown female figure are conversing, Lakshmi Saantani becomes pleased. She bows to the goddess, touched by the presence of Mahalakshmi.
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“Tulsi! What is your astonishment, Mother Saantani?” asks Lakshmi Saantani. Why are you here again during this Anavasara, when it is forbidden for you to enter the main temple? Don’t you know that during Anavasara, you are not allowed to come near Lord Jagannath? What is your purpose in coming here late at night? Hurt by Lakshmi Saantani’s question, Tulsi stands silent with a choked voice.
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Hearing the words of her husband, Sindhuraj is overwhelmed. The wedding ceremony is not yet complete; he has brought his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law to bathe in the Snana Mandapa. After bathing, the devotees have not left, and they are asking that Lord Jagannath is unwell. It has been 11 days of Anavasara, and there is neither a sound nor any chanting within the Anavasara house.
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The Mother of the Universe cannot understand what to do about Lord Jagannath’s separation. Seeing the boon that Mahalakshmi bestowed upon her, why has Tulsi received such good fortune? Tulsi, holding Tulsi, is brought to the Anavasara house. The moment Tulsi touches the Shree Anga (body part of the deity), there is a change in Lord Jagannath’s condition. The temple becomes joyous, the bells ring, and the sound of the temple bell is heard from the crack of the door. The main temple shines brightly.
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Standing outside the Anavasara house, Lakshmi Saantani asks Lord Jagannath with eyes full of jewels, “What kind of justice is this? The happiness that you bestowed upon me, the Mother, why has that happiness been given to Tulsi? I, the Patraani (wife) of Patraani, what right do I have to your Anavasara service?”
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Hearing these questions, Saraswati answers. Don’t you know, Kamala, how dear Tulsi is to the Lord? Indeed, for the Lord’s victory, Tulsi has performed so many selfless deeds that the Lord is still performing their atonement. Therefore, first of all, Tulsi is his most beloved. And Tulsi, by his devotion, kept the Lord as a witness and cursed him, and the Lord also remained by his side for ages due to his feelings.
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Hearing Saraswati’s words, Mother Saantani remains silent. Truly, Tulsi is so fortunate to be the Patraani of the Lord, and the happiness that Lakshmi did not receive has been bestowed upon you. Blessed, blessed, Tulsi!
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“How long did you meditate, how long did you burn with longing?
You were like a garland of fragrant wood…
Diamonds, sapphires, pearls, and rubies were insignificant to you,
You are like a black beauty, Tulsi, the resident of Shree Kshetra…”
With respect: Shree Jagannath Mahabahu
Jai Jai Jagannath, Jai Jai Jagannath, Jai Jai Jagannath 🙏🚩
#Bhagavat Katha🙏🚩
Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaaya ❣️🙏
