Mahapravu-Symbol of National Integration

MAHAPRABHU SHREE JAGANNATH (BAPA) IS ABSOLUTE TRUE,
OTHER THAN HIM ARE RELATIVELY TRUE….

Myths history and legend have all mingled over centuries and formed a grand composite culture with Mahapravu Shree Jagannath. He is not only the Mahapravu of Hindus or the Indians but also the Mahapravu of the entire humanity the deliverer and redeemer of all. It is generally believed that Purusottama Shree Jagannath is the final goal of salvation. He aooears to be supreme authority in all matters. Puri as the seat of Mahapravu Shree Jagannath is for ever centre of eastern religious thought. The Trinity installed on a massive throne, the Ratna Simhasana in the Sanctum Santorum has evoked divergent spiritual responce and discursive speculisations in the minds of the devout worshippers and the critic.

When Mahapravu Shree Jagannath is worshipped at Ratnavedi. He is Narayana Manchasina, He is Ganesh during Navakalevara, He is Rudra during Car Festival and He is Surya Narayan while enjoying devine slumber. He takes the form of Durga. Thus, He combines in him all the Pancha Devata belonging to different sects just as the Mahapravu Shree Jagannath Cult is an assimilation of the various forms of religion and modes of worship so also there is under current of some philophycal system like ‘Abheda’ ‘Bhedaveda’ and Achintyabheda’ as revealed Veda in the ritualistic practices.

The Chaturddha muratti though four in number, constitutes one composite whole and at the time of daily worship three priests perform their rites simultaneously. Rituals of Mahapravu Shree Jagannath temple are quite different from the ritual system of puja performed in other temples. It is the accumulation of many faculties of Hindu religion, which synthecizes here on one platform and rituals performed by ‘Arya ‘Anarya and ‘Brahmin ‘ called Aryan Raja “Indradyumna”, Savara srestha ‘Biswabasu’ and Brahmin “Bidyapati”.

This seva puja is traditionally performed by sevaka called as Gajapati, Daitapati and Brahmin. The reference to Jagannath has been made in the purusa sukta of the Rig -Veda. This sukta tells about the image made of Daru inPurusottama. The Daru Upasana has been gradually moulded in to image of purusa upasana. The svetasvatar Upanisad And Kaivalya Upanisad describe no Purusa Bramha who posseses either hands or legs. Description of the Purusa serves as the basis of the peculiar form of Purusottama and the associate of Valmiki mentions the worship of Mahapravu Shree Jagannath in Uttarakhanda.

Traditionally in worship of Purusottama a legendary King named Indradyumna is found in the Mahabharata. It is mentioned that the vedi which is identified with the Antarvedi on which Mahpravu Shree Jagannatha is enshrined. Skandha Purana also speaks of antarvedi as the place of worship of Mahapravu Shree Jagannath. Against such conceptual back drop Jagannath culture is to be evaluated. The term Mahapravu Shree Jagannath etymologically means the Mahapravu of the Universe, that is, the supreme deity of the world communities. The entire world consisting of different communities have been loudly classified on the basis of their colour in to three categories that is:

* White for Aryan

* Black for Nagrite

* Yellow for Mangoloids

Mahapravu Shree Jagannath Trinity exhibits these three colours that are Bada thakura Balabhadra white, Mahapravu Shree Jagannath black and Maa Subhadra yellow. Such colour combination is unique in the whole pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped in the whole world. There can be no more convincing symbolic represesentation of whole world concept as in the holy trio of Mahapravu Shree Jagannatha on the basis of colour combination.

This conception of god integrated the conflicting religious faiths with their presiding deties like Vishnu, Rudra and Shakti. Such integration and religious synthesis is no where available. All divergent communities subscribing to different beliefs and philosophies have been inextricable blended in to one . No other religious mechanism could have achieved so much of socio -religious cohesion and socialistic approach to sectarian community. These religious activities depict the life and style of a royal human being, in eyes whose everybody is equal without discrimination. He becomes of the directive force of the entire community instead of keeping away, as and the only god to be worhipped Mahapravu Shree Jagannath bears the name of Purusottama. Starting from socialist, philosophy to universal brotherhood, nationalistic ideal to patriotism, devotion, dedication and perseverance all have been merged within the vast ocean of religious conviction and consciousness. The cult is based upon ideals of democracy, humanitarian principle of equality honesty and integrity. He is rightly required as a symbol of national integration.

The Eternal Mystery Of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath by Srikanta…..

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