The sacred place Puri Jagannath Dhaam welcomes saints and sinners alike without any biases. The Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu (Supreme Lord) is being worshiped in Puri and there is no discrimination in terms of gender, nationality, religion, caste, creed and colour in the eyes of the Lord. Every living being is alike in front of Him as soon as one has come to his Dhaam and surrendered unto his lotus feet with devotion and love. It is not wise to have debate and quarrel demanding equality and social reforms without surrendering unto Him first.
Everything associated with Puri Jagannath are sacrosanct, sacred and divine. Here came Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Kabir, Nanak, Nimbark, Chaitanya, Ganapati Bhatta, Madhabacharya and many others. They belonged to different sects, sampradayas but still everyone witnessed their God in Lord Jagannath. Individuals of various beliefs and religions felt oneness with Jagannath cult.
Sri Chaitanya reached Puri in 1510 AD after covering over 500km of difficult terrain. He had unflinching bond with Jagannath cult. Chaitanya was born on 18 February 1486 AD. That was a full-moon day with lunar eclipse. A large neem tree stood along his house underneath he was born. His mother called him Nimai fondly. He was the 10th child of his parents. The name of his father was Jagannath Mishra and Sachi Devi was his mother.
Chaitanya's forefathers hailed from Biraja Kshetra in Jajpur district of Odisha and were Brahmin of Bharadwaj gotra. Thus, he had genealogical root in Odisha. His grandfather Upendra Mishra migrated to Srihatta district of Bengal. Later, his parents moved to Nadia Nabadwipa. [1]
Photo courtesy - journalsofindia
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is considered to be the combined avatar of Radha and Krishna by his disciples and various scriptures. Chaitanya means "one who is conscious" (derived from Chetana, which means "Consciousness"); Maha means "Great" and Prabhu means "Lord" or "Master". Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krishna with ecstatic song and dance has a profound effect. SriChaitanya founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism sampradaya. He expounded Bhakti yoga and popularized the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. He composed the Shikshashtakam (eight devotional prayers).
He is also called Gauranga or Gaura due to his molten gold like complexion. His birthday is celebrated as Gaura-purnima. [2] The evidence that the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is an incarnation of Lord Krishna is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam:
In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.
—Canto 11, Chapter 5, Verse 32 [3]
Also evidences are in other Scriptures like Nrsimha Purana, Vishnu Sahasranāma, Bhavishya Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana there are references of Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu being incarnation of Krishna. It is to be noted that these scriptures were written long before Sri Chaitanya was born. Below are the evidences from our scriptures:
Nrsimha Purana says:
satye daitya-kuladhi-nasa-samaye simhordhva-martyakrtis
tretayam das-kandharam paribhavan rameti namakrtih
gopalan paripalayan vraja-pure bharam haran dvapare
gaurangah priya-kirtanah kali-yuge chaitanya-nama prabhuh
Padmapurana says:
yatrayogesvarah saksad yogi-cintyo janardanah
chaitanya vapur aste vai sandranandatmakah
Brahma Purana says:
kaleh prathama sandhyayam gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate bhumni bhavisyami sachi-sutah
Padma Purana says:
kaleh prathama-sandhyayam gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye bhavisyami sachi-sutah
Garuda Purana says:
aham purno bhavisyami yuga-sandhyau visesatah
mayapure navadvipe bhavisyami sachi sutah
Vedic evidence, as per Atharvaveda: [4]
sa hovaca. rahasyam te vadishyami—jahnavi-tire navadvipe golokakhye dhamni govindo dvi-bhujo gaurah sarvatma maha-purusho mahatma maha- yogi tri-gunatitah sattva-rupo bhaktim loke kasyatiti. tad ete shloka bhavanti.
eko devah sarva-rupi mahatma gauro rakta-shyamala-shveta- rupah Chaitanyatma sa vai Chaitanya-shaktir bhaktakaro bhakti-do bhakti- vedyah
namo vedanta-vedyaya krishnaya paramatmane sarva-Chaitanya-rupaya Chaitanyaya namo namah
vedanta-vedyam purusham puranam Chaitanyatmanam vishva-yonim mahantam tam eva viditvati-mrityum eti nanyah pantha vidyate ’yanaya
Photo courtesy - Yoga Wisdom
As a child, Chaitanya was known as Nimai, but after the thread ceremony, he was given the name Biswambar Mishra. He reportedly played with a poisonous snake as a child and came out unharmed. Sachi Devi exhaled a sigh of relief and maintained a close eye on Nimai. On another event, Nimai was wearing a gold waste and playing outside his house, while he was kidnapped by a criminal (thief), yet he was unharmed when he returned. Nimai's kidnapper had a change of heart and converted to devotee. Sachi Devi noticed Nimai was surrounded by a beautiful halo as he was sleeping. She also had a dream that Gods from the sky had descended on earth and were singing hymns around Nimai. Nimai was a talented young dancer and singer. His father's sudden death had a profound effect on him. His older brother had previously given up the world and taken sannyasa. Nimai was enrolled in Ganga Das' Sanskrit school and stood first in his class. At that young age, he wrote a book called Byakaran Sutra (Principle of Grammar). Nimai founded a school and began teaching students when he was 16 years old. His fame expanded throughout the region. At the age of 17, he married Laxmipriya, the daughter of Pandit Ballavacharya.
Meanwhile Nimai came in contact with Iswar Puri, the chief disciple of Madhabendra Puri. Nimai was initiated (given diksha). Because of his knowledge, he was greeted with respect across Bengal. Nimai had several philosophical and intellectual debate (tarka) with learned great pandits of that time. In one such incidences, Nimai pointed out Keshab Kashmira’s errors and mistakes, but Keshab seemed unimpressed. Keshab relented only after goddess Saraswati revealed him in a dream that Nimai was not an ordinary human, but an incarnation of Lord Krushna. Keshab later revealed this truth to others.
After the death of Laxmipriya, who died tragically in a snake bite Nimai’s mother Saci Devi asked him to marry Vishnupriya Devi. She is the reincarnation of the Goddess Satyabhama, the third consort of Lord Krishna. Vishnupriya was the daughter of royal pandit Sanatan Mishra. Marriage didn't prevent Nimai from Krushna worship. He used to say, "Oh Krushna ! I can't live a moment without you. You've stolen my soul."
Nimai professed that men of any caste, religion but who have devotion towards Krushna (Jagannath) are best men on earth. His disciples rapidly rose in number. The Hare Krushna name kirtan brought wonders.
photo courtesy - ISKCON Seshadripuram
It's worth mentioning about Jagai – Madhai, the two noted alcoholic gangsters. Nimai sent two of his most trusted followers Nitai and Hari Das to Jagai and Madhai to persuade them to sing Hare Krushna HareRam's holy names. However, the two brothers assaulted them and Nitai believed that until these foolish sinners continue that way, the society would remain contaminated forever. So, he instructed Nitai and Hari Das to perform sankirtan which was reaching the ears of the two brothers. Their sleep was disturbed by the sound of kirtan. They got irritated, annoyed, half-naked, Jagai Madhai dashed to the kirtan spot. They turned violent, attacked Nitai on his head. To everyone's surprise Nimai appeared on the spot and bandaged the wound. Nimai asked the diabolic brothers, "Aren't you ashamed of injuring an innocent sannyasi? You've committed enough sin; now it's time to pay the price.". But Nitai fell flat on the holy feet of Nimai and prayed to pardon the mischief brothers Jagai and Madhai. These two brothers also admitted their guilt and pleaded for mercy. Gouranga generously forgave them. Jagai-Madhai took part in the kirtan that day.
Sachi Devi, Nimai's mother, realized that preventing Nimai from leaving the house to seek his own independent spiritual path would be impossible. Nimai received Sannyas initiation from Shri Keshab Bharati at the age of 23 and Krushna Chaitanya became his new name. In 1510 AD Nimai set out for Puri with four companions. They covered difficult terrain, crossed overflowing rivers faced unfriendly hostile people and halted at several places on the way before reaching Puri.
Photo courtesy - Raghu
Sri Chaitanya rushed inside the temple breathlessly through the Singhadwar (Lion Gate). When he had the first opportunity to see the glimpse of Chaka Akhi (Round divine eyes of Jagannath Puri), he got genuinely overwhelmed, he lost his sense overjoyed. When he regained his sense, he wanted to embrace the deities, but was prevented by the servitors. He was treated as man of unbalanced mind. At this juncture Pandit Sarbabhauma Bhattacharya intervened. In a debate (tarka) on dharma, Srichaitanya had defeated Sarbabhauma and in turn Sarbabhauma had welcomed Srichaitanya to stay in his house in Puri as a guest.
The next morning temple servitors had change of heart. They accorded Srichaitanya the highest honor and presented him with a garland made by Lord Jagannath. Srichaitanya never entered the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir after that, preferring instead to view the deities from behind the Garud column.
Spiritualism, social values, arts and Odia literature were greatly influenced by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His Pancha Sakhas (Five Friends) towards the 16th century. The great Pancha Sakhas were Sri Balarama Das, Jagannatha Das, Sri Achyutananda Das , Sri Ananta Das and Sri Jasobanta Das.
All but Jagannath Das were nonBrahmin. All of them were Baishnavites and poets. Jagannath Das, who composed and recited Odia Bhagabat near Bata Ganesh in Sri mandir premises. He also sang it in mellifluous tone before Shri Chaitanya who was pleased to award "Atibadi" title on him.
Photo courtesy - yoga wisdom
Sri Mahaprabhu was a great reformist and believed that all irrespective of their caste, creed, social status, religion and gender could become self-realized. He believed everyone should surrender to Lord Krishna (Jagannath). He believed in empowering every individual both spiritually and socially by giving equal opportunity as they surrender to the lotus feet of Krishna (Jagannath). [5]
The Radha-Krushna cult was rejuvenated in Odisha during Chaitanya's period. Nagar Kirtan was introduced during Chaitanya's time. The Kirtan was called Nadia Kirtan as it was originated at Nadia Nabadwip. Several bhagabat Tungi were created in every villages. One of the age-old traditions in Odisha is the Bhagabat Tungi where villagers gather in the evening to listen to discourses from Bhagavad.
The establishment of Bhagabat Tungi in all villages across Odisha & regular recitation of the verses of Bhagabat has defined the life & living of Odias over the centuries. Odia Bhagabat Tungi is an inseparable part of Odia culture. Present in every village and cared for by our ancestors, it played a major role in maintaining social discipline and character building of our people.
The Shrimad Bhagabat is one the most sacred Hindu texts composed by Maharshi Byasadev. It embodies the essence of the Hindu-way of life. Several millenniums after it was written, the wisdom and enlightenment contained in its pages remain as relevant today as they were ever before. It is believed that the man who recites, the man who listens to and the man who asks questions on Bhagabat – all attain salvation by the grace of the Lord. Atibadi Jagannath Das, a great saint and a friend of Sri Chaitanya, translated the Bhagabat into Odiya language. The Odiya Bhagabat, however is more than a mere translation of the original text in Sanskrit. It contains the observations and elaborations of Atibadi Jagannth Das which make it a rare religious text which is easily understood by even a common man.
Most villages had their BHAGABATA GHARA which were known as BHAGABATA TUNGI where Villagers old, young & illiterates gathers to read, learn, discuss & find the meaning of their lives from the BHAGABAT. BHGABAT GHARA was in fact the cultural centre of the villages which looked after health, both of body & mind of the people. [6]
Bhagawat Tungi by Prathana Odia TV channel
Srichaitanya went on pilgrimage to South India from Puri to spread the holly name sankirtan. He returned to Puri after a year during the Anavasara period. Anavasara is the two weeks period when Lord Jagannatha take rest in isolation from the rest of the world after suffering from fever due to the annual bathing festival (Snana Yatra). Only hand counted of servitors were accessible, for others the deities were out of reach. Lord Chaitanya claimed that he visualized the appearance of Lord Jagannath in Alarnath which is 18 miles from Puri and spent a long period in worshipping the deity Shri Chaitanya was sad. Alarnath for holy darshan of image of Lord Vishnu. It was as good as having darshan of Lord Jagannath. It is believed that those who cannot worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple. [7]
Alarnath
In 1512 Chaitanya and his followers cleaned the Gundicha Temple premises and sprinkled water on the route the chariots were to move during car festival. Chaitanya prostrated before the chariots with utmost reverence. He ceaselessly beheld the idol of Lord Jagannath, sang and danced. He cried out, "Manima, Manima (your highness)" with raised hands. The Gaudiya Vaishnava canons equate Chaitanya with Lord Krishha, in other sense incarnation of Lord Krishna.
Chaitanya's influence on the cultural legacy in Bengal and Odisha has been significant. It inspired the people to eradicate illiteracy, religion and casteism. The concept of 'humanity' that came into fruition. The Dalits, at that time a neglected and underprivileged caste, readily accepted his libertarian outlook and embraced the doctrine of Mahaprabhu.
Photo courtesy - word press
Even a Chandala is not to be despised as a Chandala, if he is attached with the name of Krishna and that a Brahmin is not to be respected as a Brahmin if he is dishonest. Kindness to all living beings was the fountain source of inspiration to Chaitanya. The popularity of Chaitanyaism was not only the result of its inner simplicity and egalitarian approach. Chaitanyaism was more popular among the down-trodden and socially exploited people. He was a beloved friend of the distressed, the poor and the downtrodden.
Chaitanya’s life was an extending of the right to the love of God to all including the backward section of the society. His mission was to reconstruct an egalitarian society under the banner of the name Hari where there would be no distinction between the ruler and the ruled, the learned and the illiterate, the rich and the poor, the Brahmin and the Sudra, the Hindu and the Muslim. [8]
He ushered in an era of Cultural renaissance against political turmoil caused on account of Muslim rule over an orthodox society. The Sankirtan, the greatest contribution of Sri Chaitanya is still a living force. Now-a-days people resort to Sankirtan irrespective of castes and creed reminds us the significance of a strong cultural force. As an upholder of Neo-Vaishnavism he prudently spread Bhakti through medium of Kirtana (Devotional songs accompanied by Mridanga, symbals etc.) Through Sankirtana he was able to make Vaishnavism a popular mass movement.
Srichaitanya’s cult spread far and wide in Odisha creating virtually a social revolution. It saved Odisha from the onslaught of Islam. He introduced Kirtan as the means for developing love and devotion for Krishna which is unique in Hindu religion. The Hindus had no system of common mass prayer or worships as Muslims and Christians have. Kirtan is the mass chanting with music in which there is no distinction of caste and other social distinctions. Kirtan kept intact the rural society. Social reformers have adopted the method of Kirtan in the tribal society to bring them to the main path of Hinduism. Under the impact of Kirtan, Bhagvat Tungis established in every village where Bhagvat is read and listened by the villagers together. The cult of Chaitanya developed especially among the agricultural tribes and castes who had an inferior position in the social hierarchy. Chaitanya Maths and temples in different parts of Orissa testifies the popularity of Chaitanyaism among the masses.
Sri Chaitanya had Odia root. He spent about half of his life at Purushottam kshetra Puri, propagating Radha-Krushna cult. He pioneered a new type Vaishnavism dancing and singing with raised arms on the Bada Danda (grand road) of Puri. It was spiritually ecstatic and blissful. He demonstrated God realisation can also be achieved by simpler method of pure devotion (Bhakti Yoga) without undergoing difficult method of austerities. Bhagavat Tungi grew up to promote the value systems which refined & ennobled individual lives & sustained collective ethos in the society. We should not forget our roots else we will lose our ground and identity one day. In this digital era it is important to come together to protect, promote & propagate the culture.
Sri Chaitanya is Lord Krishna (Jagannath) himself who appeared in the Kali Yuga as his own devotee to show how one should lead his life in this Kali Yuga as a devotee, to show the easiest way to achieve Krishna Consciousness. Unlike the other avatars of Krishna, he did not kill any demon. Mahaprabhu brought light to the chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra-
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Photo courtesy - utahkrishnas
It is he who first disclosed the importance of the Maha Mantra. Mahaprabhu made a prediction that the holy name of Krishna will be sung in every town and village of the world. Later on, Swami Srila Prabhupada has made the Maha mantra and Krishna consciousness spread and popular all over the world. International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was started by Srila Prabhupada in the USA, proved the prediction of SriChaitanya Mahaprabhu to be correct. Jay Shri Krishna, Jay Jagannath!
Written by - Sambit Pattnaik
Published by - LRL Enterprises
References
[1]
P. Mishra, "Life and Time of Sri Chaitanya in Purushottam Kshetra," Odisha Review, June - July 2021.
[2]
"Chaitanya Mahaprabhu," wikipedia, [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaitanya_Mahaprabhu.
[3]
A. C. B. S. Prabhupada, "Bhaktivedanta Vedabase," [Online]. Available: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/11/5/32/.
[4]
krishna.com, "About Krishna," [Online]. Available: http://www.krishna.com/sri-chaitanya-vedas.
[5]
R. Odisha, "Report Odisha," [Online]. Available: https://reportodisha.com/sriman-chaitanya-mahaprapbus-pancha-sakhas-in-kalinga/.
[6]
N. R. Dash, "Odisha News - Bhagabata Tungi in Odisha: The root of social knowledge - Bhubaneswar Buzz," 5 September 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/festivals/bhagabata-tungi-odisha-root-social-knowledge.
[7]
LRL, "LRL Enterprises - FB Page on Alarnath, Puri Odisha," [Online]. Available: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1179939525799200/search/?q=alarnath.
[8]
O. Review, "Odisha Magazines," [Online]. Available: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2012/June/engpdf/61-63.pdf.
[9]
O. Review, "Odisha Magazines," [Online]. Available: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2012/June/engpdf/61-63.pdf.
[10]
Cultural Heritage of Odisha Sri Jagannath Special Volume No. I (Puri District)
[11]
The Cult of Jagannath and the Regional Tradition of Orissa Edited by A. Eschmann,H. Kulke and G.C. Tripathy
[12]
Bharatiya Darshan Translator : Pt. Govind Ch. Mishra
[13]
Sri Chaitanya and Panchasakha by Janakiballav Pattnaik
[14]
Mahapurush Panchasakha Jibani by Jayanarayan Das
[15]
Sri Sri Chaitanya Deva by Sri Bipin Bihari Das Goswamy
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