The Divine Story of Lord Jagannath: Origins and Manifestation

Rohini Devi, the revered mother of Balarama and Subhadra, once recounted the enchanting tales of Lord Krishna and Balarama’s early days in Vrindavan to Krishna’s queens. To ensure that her narration wouldn’t trigger the brothers’ deep longing for Vrindavan and cause them immediate separation distress, she stationed Subhadra Devi as a guard outside the room. Rohini Devi’s understanding of their sentiments was rooted in her firsthand experience of the affection of the Vrajvasis.

As Rohini Devi immersed herself in these stories, Subhadra Devi became so engrossed that she temporarily lost awareness of her surroundings. Meanwhile, by coincidence, the two divine brothers happened to pass by and caught snippets of the tales about Vrindavan. Instantly, a flood of memories about the inhabitants of Vrindavan overcame them. They entered a state of trance, their eyes wide, and their limbs gently folded.

This form, that of Lord Jagannath, with its captivating beauty, was witnessed by Narada Muni. Overwhelmed by the spectacle, Narada Muni implored Lord Krishna to manifest this form for all to witness. With His benevolence, Lord Krishna, known for His devotion to His devotees, granted Narada Muni’s wish.

In another story found in the Skanda Purana, the origins of Lord Jagannath’s presence in Purushottama Kshetra (currently the sacred city of Puri in the state of Odisha, India) are explained.

During the inception of creation, Lord Brahma posed a question to Lord Vishnu about the liberation of beings in the universe. In response, Lord Vishnu disclosed the existence of a secluded place named Purushottama Kshetra where He resided in the form of an idol known as Neela Madhav alongside Goddess Lakshmi. He declared that a mere glimpse of this form would lead to instant salvation.

This revelation heartened Lord Brahma, as the mortal beings he had fashioned could now attain the ultimate goal of moksha. This insight prompted people to flock to Purusottama Kshetra in pursuit of a glimpse of Neela Madhav, seeking liberation.

However, Lord Yama, the deity of death, grew concerned. His primary duty involved assessing individuals based on their life deeds and determining their rewards or punishments. This function was disrupted as people attained moksha merely by glimpsing Neela Madhav. Lord Yama approached Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, sharing his predicament. Their abode was unalterable, but they agreed to remain concealed beneath the sands of the golden beach nearby, preventing direct sight of them and thus easing Lord Yama’s task.

Hence, only a few locals from the Shavara tribe knew of Neela Madhav’s presence and worshiped him as their ancestral deity. For 50 Brahma years, this clandestine devotion persisted.

In the 51st year of Brahma, a devout king named Indradumnya ruled over a kingdom now known as Odisha. He dreamt of discovering Lord Neela Madhava, the Blue Krishna, and erecting a temple in His honor. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey of faith and devotion. Despite being clueless about Neela Madhava’s whereabouts, King Indradumnya dispatched the Brahmin Vidyapati across the land in search of the deity.

Vidyapati’s quest brought him to the Shavara Rajya, where, despite being denied direct access to Lord Neela Madhava, he married Lalita, the daughter of Bishwabasu, the King of Shavara.

Vidyapati requested the King for a glimpse of the deity, leading Bishwabasu to blindfold him and guide him to the deity in a forest. Cleverly, Vidyapati scattered mustard seeds along the path, allowing him to return later. Ultimately, he witnessed Lord Neela Madhava and the sacred Rohini Kund within a cave.

Returning with Lalita, Vidyapati shared Neela Madhava’s presence with King Indradumnya. Filled with joy, the King marched to the Shavara Kingdom with his army. However, before his arrival, both the deity and Rohini Kund vanished. Dejected, King Indradumnya contemplated suicide, but Lord Neela Madhava intervened. The King was instructed to return home and assured that the next day, the deity would appear as a Brahma Daru (sacred wooden log).

At dawn on the following day, the Brahma Daru reached Puri’s coast. Despite numerous laborers and elephants attempting to lift it, none succeeded until Brahmin Vidyapati and Shavara King Bishwabasu, acting on the Lord’s guidance, managed to raise it.

The divine artist, Vishwakarma, disguised as Maharana, arrived in Puri, offering to craft the Deities of Sri Jagannatha, Sri Balabhadra, and Sri Subhadra within 21 days. However, he stipulated that the chamber remain sealed and undisturbed. After weeks passed without a sound from behind the door, anxious Indradumnya breached it, discovering incomplete deities and an absent artisan. Despite his remorse, the Lord instructed the King to install the deities in their current form, the very form that stands in the temple today – a temple that the King built.

Jai Jagannath Swami!