A King’s Devotion: The Story of Uddhava Singh Narendra and the Sixteen Kalas of Jagannath

The annals of history are replete with tales of kings and their conquests, but the story of Uddhava Singh Narendra, the king of Ranpur, offers a unique perspective on royal devotion. A devotee of Lord Jagannath, Uddhava Singh’s tale is marked by a passionate longing for the Lord, and a divine decree that resulted in the establishment of a sacred space in his kingdom. Let us explore the spiritual journey of this unique king.

The King’s Unwavering Desire

Uddhava Singh Narendra was known for his valor and his profound devotion to Lord Jagannath. He yearned to have darshan (viewing) of the Lord every day. His ministers, concerned about the impact on his royal duties, suggested the practicality of it. They said, “Maharaj, Puri is so far from here. It is not possible to travel all the way every day”. The King, however, determined to have his way, arranged for two sets of horses and created a relay of horses for his daily pilgrimage between Ranpur, Jankia Gad, and Puri, making it possible to travel those vast distances daily.

Every morning, before sunrise, he would ride one set of horses from Ranpur to Jankia Gad. There, he would switch to his next set of horses that would take him to Puri. After having darshan, he would reach his kothi (guest house) in Puri, rest, and take the horses stationed there to get to Jankia Gad, and then another to return to Ranpur, where he would start his daily duties.

A Test of Devotion

This practice continued for a long time, but a fierce monsoon brought the king’s routine to a halt. The floods made it impossible for him to travel, which left him restless and distressed. He was heartbroken at being unable to see Lord Jagannath. The world and worldly pleasures no longer held meaning for him. Unable to bear the pain of separation from the Lord, he gave up food and water and went to Puri through dangerous terrains with some of his guards.

The Divine Command

He then reached the base of the temple, at Kalpa Bata, and prayed to the Lord, and remained there without food and water. In the stillness of the night, Lord Jagannath appeared to him and whispered, “Arise, one of my shodasha kala (sixteen arts) will go to Ranpur. You build a temple there and establish me. You will not have to come here again.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, King Uddhava Singh returned to his kothi. Then, upon hearing the news that Gajapati Maharaj (the king of Puri) had come to his place, he rushed to meet him. As they met, the Gajapati, in a moment of divine realization, bestowed upon Uddhava Singh the title of ‘Narendra’, declaring him as Indra among humans, and calling him ‘Uddhava Singh Narendra Mahapatra’. He then asked that the idol of Shri Madhava, currently residing at Gundicha Mandir, be taken to Ranpur for establishment in the new temple.

The Journey of Sri Madhava

Following the Gajapati’s decree, Uddhava Singh took the idol of Sri Madhava to Ranpur and established the temple. This established his kingdom as a site for the divine grace, and allowed the local people to worship the Lord. He followed the command of the Lord, and never returned to Puri.

The Significance of the Sixteen Kalas

The mention of “one of my sixteen kalas” in the text refers to the sixteen divine arts or aspects of Lord Jagannath. The Lord’s command to the king symbolizes that these kalas can manifest in different forms, leading the devotee to spiritual fulfillment and bliss.

The Enduring Legacy of Devotion

The story of Uddhava Singh Narendra is an inspiring testament to the power of faith and the Lord’s response to sincere devotion. His journey from a king with worldly desires to a devoted servant of the Lord is a reminder of the transformative power of bhakti (devotion). This story also highlights that the Lord does not just manifest in his form at Shri Mandir, but also in the hearts and lives of his devotees, where he has the power to bestow blessings and grace as needed.

Bringing the Blessings Home

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Jai jagannath