The Saga of Sri Jagannath

A Lost Traveler

A bright young traveler once lost his way in a forest. Some of the forest dwellers led him to their chief, Viswavasu. Upon learning that the traveler was a Brahmin and an emissary of the mighty King Indradyumna, Viswavasu welcomed him and offered his hospitality.

Hospitality and Secrets

The Brahmin, Vidyapati, was charmed by the kindness of Viswavasu, the chief of the Sabara tribe. Within a few days of his stay, Vidyapati felt that his host was more of a yogi than a ruler. Every day, long before sunrise, Viswavasu would leave his house, returning an hour after sunrise. Everyone knew he went to worship his deity, but nobody knew where the deity was hidden. It was forbidden to inquire about it. He alone had been shown the site by his father, and his father by his predecessor. This secret worship had been upheld for generations.

Love Blossoms

Viswavasu had no one as close to him as his young daughter, Lalita, who was as sweet as Vidyapati was wise. Impressed by Vidyapati’s learning and conduct, Viswavasu decided to give his daughter in marriage to him. Both Vidyapati and Lalita were delighted by this decision.

Yearning for Knowledge

After their marriage, Vidyapati happily continued to live there. However, he often felt transported to a faraway land in his dreams. He understood that he could never find peace until he fulfilled the mission for which he had set out. One day, he confided to Lalita, “Who is the secret deity whom your father worships? I feel a great urge to see Him!” Lalita pleaded with her father to grant her husband a glimpse of the deity.

The Forbidden Glimpse

Viswavasu initially planned to turn down the request, but reconsidered. After all, it would be Vidyapati who would continue the tradition of secret worship. Why not satisfy the young man’s curiosity? Nevertheless, Vidyapati was still not allowed to see the winding path to the place of worship. He was led there blindfolded, but the clever young man managed to scatter a handful of mustard seeds along the way.

The Deity Revealed

Upon reaching the deity, known as Nilamadhav, Vidyapati’s eyes were uncovered. We do not know what he saw, but he fell into a trance. He realized in the core of his heart that part of his mission had been fulfilled. Great was his joy, although he did not express it externally.

Divided Loyalties

Now, it was time for him to fulfill the second part of his mission. He could hardly focus on any work afterwards; sleep eluded him at night. A storm raged in his mind, his heart torn between two loyalties. Ultimately, he decided to remain loyal to his king, who had entrusted him with a difficult task. King Indradyumna had built a majestic temple at Puri and dreamt of Krishna being present in the forest-clad hills of Kalinga. His emissaries had searched in all directions for the divine presence, and it was Vidyapati who had been chosen for this sacred discovery!

A Painful Decision

It was a painful decision, but he ultimately left Viswavasu’s house. The monsoon had arrived, and the mustard seeds had turned into tiny sprouts. Vidyapati made his way into the cave, stole the deity, and hurried to Puri.

The Sacred Relic

What Vidyapati carried to Puri was perhaps the sacred relic of Krishna, destined to be contained in a new image to be installed in the temple. The log from which the image was to be carved was floating in the sea, and King Indradyumna had been informed of its location in his dreams. However, it was challenging to bring the log ashore. Although visible riding the waves, it receded into the sea whenever the king’s men approached. Their efforts continued for a long time, with the king himself participating, but all was in vain.

The King’s Meditation

In deep meditation, the remorseful king discovered that Viswavasu, the Lord’s devotee, was heartbroken at the loss of his deity. The king apologized to Viswavasu and asked him to come to Puri. Once they joined forces to bring the log ashore, it came easily.

The Old Craftsman

The log was to be carved into the deity’s image by no ordinary craftsman; it required someone who had the inspiration or vision of the deity’s form. None of the skilled artists, masons, or sculptors of the king stepped forward to undertake the task. Just as the king grew impatient, an old man appeared before him and offered to do the work.

A Mysterious Masterpiece

The old man seemed unable to wield an instrument but claimed he had the vision of the deity and could complete the work in three weeks, provided he was not disturbed. The king agreed to the arrangement. The old man was interned in a room with the sacred log, and days passed as both the king and queen eagerly awaited the outcome.

The Revelation

Two weeks passed. One day, the queen pressed her ear against the door to hear the familiar sounds of chiseling, but all was silent. Doubt crept into her mind: Was the old man too frail? What had happened to him? She pushed the door open, only to see the old man vanish in an instant. He had carved not one, but three images from the log: those of Krishna, His brother Balarama, and Their sister, Subhadra.

The Birth of Sri Jagannath

However, the images were incomplete because the mysterious old man was none other than Viswakarma, the sculptor-architect of heaven. The Krishna of Puri would come to be known as Sri Jagannath—the Lord of the Universe. The world-famous annual Car Festival of Puri, occurring in June-July, draws tens of thousands of devotees from across the country. The deities are paraded from the grand temple in three magnificent Rathas or cars, marking Krishna’s journey to Mathura.

A Legacy Beyond Caste

Though Viswavasu was not a Brahmin, he became a priest of Sri Jagannath, which signifies that in ancient India, caste did not impede one’s spiritual aspirations. Viswavasu’s descendants continue this tradition to this day.