The Unique Form Of Lord Jagannath!

Lord Jagannath, along with His siblings, is worshipped in Puri Dham of Odisha. He is also called 'Daru Brahma'. The name itself defines Him — 'The Lord of the Universe'. Jagat- means the whole universe and Nath-means the Lord. Thus, Jagannath!

Unlike countless idols made of metals or stones and intricately carved by craftsmen, these three idols are carved from an auspicious wooden log! There is a beautiful story behind it.

It is believed that Lord Krishna did not die. He was the Supreme Godhead. In the Dwapara Yuga, when He left His body, His heart remained alive. A voice came from the sky:

'O Arjuna! You will find a wooden log bearing all the auspicious signs — conch, discus, mace, and lotus. Place this heart on that log and release it into the river. In Kali Yuga, I will be worshipped as Daru Brahma.'

Hearing the celestial voice, Arjuna did exactly as commanded with a heavy heart.

Time passed...

Thus, King Indradyumna, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, received the log. The Supreme Lord came in his dream and asked him to carve three idols from that log.

While the king searched for a craftsman, the divine architect Vishwakarma appeared before King Indradyumna disguised as an old carpenter. He asked the king to give him 21 days to finish the carving inside a closed room. He warned, 'The door must not be opened before the due date.' The king agreed.

Every day, the royal family could hear the sound of carving from inside. But after 15 days, the sound stopped! Both the king and queen were worried. At last, Queen Gundicha lost her patience. She insisted the king open the door, fearing the old man had died without food. The king had no choice but to open it.

'Lo! What a wonder!' Three unfinished idols were installed on the pedestal. The old carpenter had disappeared into thin air!

The royal members were shocked. King Indradyumna was overwhelmed with grief. Once again, a divine voice announced:

'O King! In this Kali Yuga, I will be worshipped in this form. Do not think otherwise. This is My wish!'

From that day onwards, all three deities have been worshipped in the Puri Temple. No one had ever imagined this unique form. But why did the divine trinity choose it?

Then the interesting story behind the noble wish of Lord Jagannath came to light.

The story says —

Lord Krishna, along with His 16,108 queens and the entire Yadu clan, resided in Dwaraka. All the queens were very beautiful and always engaged in serving their divine husband, Lord Krishna. Even with so much opulence and luxury around Him, Lord Krishna’s mind was elsewhere. His mind dived deep into thoughts of Vrindavan. He remembered His leelas with the gopis, His games with the cowherd boys, and His dearest beloved Radha Rani. The Rasa Leela reflected in His mind again and again. The unconditional love and pure devotion of the Vrajvasis meant much more to Him than all the opulence of the royal palace.

The queens noticed this clearly. They became upset and worried. They thought, 'What happened in Vrindavan? What nectar did the Vrajvasis give to our Lord that even in His sleep He cries out ‘Gopi, Radhika...’? What were His pastimes in Vrindavan?'_

Curious, the queens wondered who could tell them. Then they remembered Mother Rohini, the mother of Balaram, also known as Balabhadra. All the queens approached Mother Rohini and requested her to tell them the childhood stories of Krishna in Vrindavan.

They said, 'O Mother! You were with our beloved husband when He was a child. Though we serve Him with all opulence, He seems unsatisfied. He still murmurs ‘Radhe... Gopis... Kadamba tree’ in His sleep. Why is He so emotional about Vrindavan? How did He spend His childhood days there?'

Hearing them, Mother Rohini said, 'Yes, what you say is true. They spent blissful days there. I will narrate everything to you, but on one condition — neither Krishna nor Balaram should hear it, otherwise there will be a problem.' She asked Subhadra to guard the door so no one could enter. Subhadra happily agreed.

One day, Krishna and Balaram had work in the assembly hall and went out. The queens seized the opportunity and gathered in a large hall with Mother Rohini to hear the nectar-like stories of Krishna’s Vrindavan leelas. Subhadra stood at the doorstep, stretching her arms so no one could enter. Mother Rohini took a deep breath and began her narration. All of them listened intently and soon became completely absorbed in the divinity of their beloved. They were so engrossed in Krishna’s childhood pastimes that they lost awareness of the outside world.

Subhadra was no exception. She was so absorbed in her brother’s beautiful stories that she didn’t notice when her brothers returned. She had completely lost her external senses.

Meanwhile, Lord Krishna and Balaram sensed that their mother was telling their stories. After all, Krishna is the Supreme Godhead, the Antaryami — nothing is unknown to Him. Eager to hear the same pastimes, both rushed to the palace. When they arrived, they found Subhadra guarding the door. Both of them quietly stood on either side of their sister without disturbing her. From there, they too could hear Mother Rohini’s beautiful narration.

The three siblings became so enthralled by hearing the pastimes that great transformations began in their bodies. Once again they remembered the sweet memories of the Vrajvasis and their pure love. In a state of wonder, they entered the ultimate climax of spiritual emotion—'Maha Bhava'. Their eyes became large and dilated, their limbs seemed to merge into their bodies, and their forms looked very unique!

At that very moment, the divine sage Narada Muni was arriving. From a distance, he saw the Maha Bhava forms of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra! He raised his hands and exclaimed, 'I have seen it!'  'I have seen it!'

As he approached, all three regained their external senses and their forms returned to normal. But Narada Muni pleaded,

'O Lord! I have seen so many of Your transcendental forms, but never this unique one. Please manifest in this auspicious form so that everyone can have darshan of Your Maha Bhava Rupa!'

Lord Krishna smiled. God is always for His devotees. To satisfy Narada Muni and fulfill his desire, He, along with His siblings, manifested in this form in Kali Yuga as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. And they are worshipped by devotees forever in this unique form in Puri, Shri Kshetra.

'Jai Jagannath!'

PS: It is said- the revered rishis, munis, in days of yore did severe penances, and worshipped the Supreme Godhead to have 'Sajujya mukti' that defines as the liberation in highest form! The Liberations are categorised as- Salokya, Samipya, Sarupya, Sarsti, and Sajujya! They desired to merge completely with the Supreme Being! But, keeping behind the wish of 'Sajujya mukti', a few ever wished the 'Samipya' which means- to be with the God or personal company of the Lord. The gopis, the cowherd boys, even the trees and cows of Vrindavan were all great rishis. They were the most fortunate ones who had given much higher position to 'Samipya mukti' than being fully liberated from life! Lord Krishna fulfilled their wish to always be with Him!