Last three Sundays were dedicated to the Glories of Lord Sri Sri Jaganaath and HIS Pure Devotees. Here are the few that were covered during this Sunday:
Once, there was a very famous tailor in Delhi, named after Paramesti, who used to stitch dresses for Bhadsha(King) of Delhi. Paramesti was a very great devotee of Lord Jaganaath. Once, king gives very beautiful and very soft cloth and cotton to Paramesti and orders him to stitch two pillows.
Seeing the beauty and softness of the cloth and cotton, Parmesti thinks in his mind how good it would be if he could offer these pillows to Lord Jaganaath. Thinking in this way, he stitches the pillows and now the pillows were ready, but he feels that the next day he has to handover the pillows to the king and he cannot offer / present to the Lord Jaganaath.
During that night, Paramesti sees a dream that Jaganaatha Ratha Yaatra procession is going on, Deities are being carried out and one pillow belonging to Jaganath gets torn off and the Pujari asks Paramesti to arrange for new pillow and Paramesti immediately gives the two pillows to the Pujari for offering to Jaganaathji.
After coming out from the dream, Paramesti sees that one pillow is there, but one pillow is missing. Meanwhile, king’s soldiers come to the tailor asking for the pillows. Worried Paramesti says that he will appear before the King’s court and hand over personally. Accordingly, Parmesti goes to the king’s court and tells everything what has happened last night. King feels it as a big joke as Jaganaath has come from Puri to Delhi and taken the pillow. Then Paramesti says that Jaganaath has big hands that he can extend from Puri to Delhi and he is having big legs that with his one feet, he can reach from Puri to Delhi.
Listening to this, king laughs and says that he is going to put Paramesti behind the bars and let the Jaganath come and release him.
Paramesti makes immense prayers to Jaganaath ji to rescue him and that night, Jaganaath comes, breaks the chains, releases Paramesti and sets right Paramesti’s back (which he was having problem that he cannot stand straight since his birth).
Jaganaath appears in the dream of Badshah, hits him with whip. King gets up and sees that red lines of injuries on his body. Badhshah runs to the jail to see the Paramesti and finds himself released and his face is glowing with full of bliss and finally the Bhadshah has realized that Jaganath is the Lord of the Universe.
The Lord of Universe – Shri Shri Jaganaath ji ki – Jai…..
Maha Bhakta Paramesti ji ki – Jai….
Here, Maataji stresses that whenever we hear the greatness and glories of great and pure devotees, we should beg from heart – taking the dust from their lotus feet that we should get at least 1/1000000th part of their devotion & love for God. And when we do that, we get at least 1% of their devotion & love for God.
Once, there was Raghu Das, who used to stay at Simha Dwaaram in a small hut. He is a staunch devotee of Lord Sri Ram. Once he has seen Lord Sri Ram in Jaganaath Deity. Since then, he has become devotee of Lord Jaganaath. He treats himself as a friend of Jaganaath in Saakhya Bhaav (Friendly Relation). He never used to offer Prasaadam hot because he feels that his hands and tongue gets burnt.
One day Raghudas prepares garland to Lord Jaganaath using the banana leaf thread and takes the garland for offering to Lord Jaganaath. But the priest rejects the garland as it was prepared from Banana leaf thread (because those days there were some restrictions for some items).
Raghudas was sitting and crying as the priest has rejected his garland and he could not offer the garland that he has prepared with great love for the Lord. Seeing this, Lord Jagannath reciprocates by rejecting all the flowers & garlands by making them fall on the ground – the moment they were put around the Janganaathji’s neck.
All priests realizes that some great mistake / sin / inauspicious thing has happened, therefore everyone does fasting for Shri Jagannath. Then Jaganaath comes in dream of one priest and says that “Pathram, Phalam..(either leaf or fruit or flower or even a drop of water offered with love, he will accept)…….” And advises the priest to immediately offer HIM the garland prepared by Raghudas.
Since then, Raghudas became very famous all over the Puri that he is a very dear to Lord Shri Jaganaath-ji.
The above shows that Jaganath ji is Bhaava Grahi Janaarthana – that he gives more importance to our Bhaav / our heart, than the quality & quantity.
One day, Jaganath comes into the dram of Raghudas and asks Raghudas that he wants to eat Jackfruit. Then Raghudas says that he is not having in his house and he will ask his neighbours and arrange for it. Then Jagannath says that I don’t like to eat that someone gives me to eat, but I like to steal and eat. Raghudas ask Jagannath that he is the Lord of Universe and HE has created the whole world, whatever he wants, HE can get, then what is the necessity to steal?
Jagannath replies that my mother Yashodha used to feed lots of butter; but I was never happy. I used to feel more happy when I steel from other’s house.
Therefore, both Jaganaath and Raghudas goes to King’s garden to steal the Jackfruits. Jagannath asks Raghudas to climb the tree, cut the fruit and throw the fruit down so that Jaganaath will catch the fruit. Accordingly Raghudas climbs the tree, cuts the fruit and throws it down. But suddenly, Jaganaath disappears.
Listening to the sound, all the soldiers sees Raghudas on the tree and astonished as how come Raghudas, a great devotee of Lord Jaganaath can indulge in this type of activity. They all ask Raghudas to come down from the tree, but Raghudas will not come. At last, the soldiers report the incident to the King and king comes to Raghudas, asks him to come down from the tree and after listening to the entire story from Raghudas, King sends all the jackfruits from his garden to Lord Jagannath ji’s temple.
This is how Lord Jagannath used to enjoy his pastimes with great His great devotee friend Raghudas…..
Once, Raghudas became very sick. Very, very bad smell used to come from his body and he used to pass everything on his bed. No one used to pass through his house because of this very foul and pungent smell. Raghudas is out of consciousness.
All of a sudden a small boy used to come and clean his stool, body, everything. This happens for 15 days. Once Raghudas comes into consciousness, Raghdas notices that this boy is none other than Jaganaath Himself. Raghudas catches both hands of the boy (Jaganaath) and asks Him “I know that you are God; and if you want, you can remove my illness, but why you are doing all these very worst things for me”?
Jaganaath replies that I always wait for the opportunity as how I serve my devotees. And if I vanish your disease, how can I serve you? You are my devotee. You always think as how best you can serve me and similarly; I too should reciprocate my love for you.
Once, Ratha Yaatra Procession was taking place and Ratham was not moving. The British Viceroy has ordered elephants to pull the chariot as lakhs of people gathering is an administrative headache to them. Despite of lakhs of people pulling the Ratham, tens of elephants, pulling the Ratham, the chariot did not move even an inch.
Later, everyone goes to Raghudas – who is sick, requesting him to do something. Then Raghudas goes near the Deity of Jaganaath and whispers something in the ear of Jaganaath and then the Ratham starts moving.
Shri Shri Jagannath Bhagavan ki Jai…
Shri Shri Bhakta Raghudas ji ki ….Jai…
Raghudas used to collect Jaganaath Prasadam in a Mud Pot and put at the entrance of his hut. After all the birds, animals and insects eats the Prasadam, he used to eat the remnants.
Even now, in Puri, Prasaadam is not considered as Jhuta / ingili / contaminated / Polluted. Whatever is left, even eaten half by others and left, they will consider as Maha Prasadam and honor.
Maataji beautifully explains that most of us don’t take water / food that is touched / tasted by others saying that it is contaminated / juta / ingili/ polluted. But in this materialistic world, whatever we are enjoying today, tasting today, was already enjoyed & tasted by someone else. But we don’t mind for materialistic purpose, but when comes to Prasaadam, we will see whether it is sanctified and not tasted by someone else, etc….
Once, there was Dasya Mouri, a low caste, who was not allowed inside Jaganaath temple. But he likes Jaganaath very much. He used to always think as when he will get the opportunity to get the Darshan of Jaganaath.
Those days, there used to be prayer halls in the villages, where Pancha Sabha people used to go to villages and tell about religion and God. So, one day, along with Pancha Sabha, Dasya Mouri also goes to Jaganaath Ratha Yaatra and sees Jaganaath and enjoys a lot.
After that, when reaches home, his wife thinks that his husband has come with great tiredness coming from long distance. Therefore, she prepares rice, Paalak sabji (green vegetable curry) and offers the rice in a round Plate made of red mud and places Paalak Sabji on the centre of the plate (rice plate).
Seeing this, her husband starts crying, laughing, pulling his hair, shouting, running here and there, screaming and the like….
All villagers gathers there to inquire as what has happened to Dasya Mouri? They all conclude that he has become mad after seeing Jaganaath. Later, after some time, they ask Dasya Mouri as why he is behaving like that? Daasya Mouri replies that seeing the round red color pot filled with white rice and black color sabji on the centre of the rice, it has just resembled as Lord Jaganaath’s Eye to him. And he is asking the villagers as how can he eat the Jagannath’s Eye? That much he is involved in Jagannatha Bhakthi.
Hearing to the above, villagers suggested the wife of Daasya Mouri to separate the red pot plate, rice and curry separately and serve him so that he would eat.
Here, Maataji explains that the love of Daasya Mouri is just like that of Smt.Radharani who used to keep on crying for Krishna seeing Krishna in everything like in water, leaves, flowers, twigs, etc.
Referring the mood & Bhaav of Daasya Mouri to 8th Chapter, 274th Sloka in Chaitanya Charitamrita, Maataji explained the conversation between RamanadaRai and Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu:
Ramanada Rai asks Chaitanya Maha Prabhuji that every time, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears like Krishna, having flue in hand, peacock on head and the like and asks Chaitanya Mahaprabhuji whether he (CMP) and Krishna are one and the same?
For which, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu replies that whoever has love for God and whose eyes are anointed with the slave of love for God (Maha Bhaava), wherever and whatever they see, they see the Lord.
Similarly, Daasya Mouri has seen Lord Jaganaath’s Eye even in a pot, rice and pallack sabji…
Maha Bhakta Shri Shri Daasya Mouri ji ki ….Jai…..
By profession, Daasya Mouri was a tailor. He is used to stitch and sell the clothes. Once he sees a big and beautiful coconut. Therefore, he asks the owner of the coconut to take his weaved dress for a lesser amount along with the coconut. Identifying that Daasya Mouri wanted that coconut at any cost, the owner doesn’t pay any money in exchange of the dress, except the only coconut.
Daasya Mouri does not have money to take the coconut to Jaganaath Puri, therefore asks his friend who is going to Puri and tells him to take the coconut till Garbha Stambha and ask Jaganaath whether if he wants the coconut sent by Daasya Mouri and if Jaganaath wants, he will take it. Accordingly, his friend takes the coconut, from Garbha Stambha, asks Jaganaath to take the coconut – if he wants and to everyone’s surprise, Jaganaath expands his hands till Garbha Stambha and takes the coconut.
Maha Bhakta Shri Shri Daasya Mouri ki Jai…
Once, Daasya Mouri cries that he wants to see Jaganaath but since he is low case, he is not allowed inside, except once in a year that he can have His darshan on the day of Jaganaath Ratha Yaatra…
Then Jaganaath says to Daasya Mouri that he can see the Neela Chakra above the temple and on seeing the Neela Chakra, he can have the Darshan of Jaganaath – same as the darshan in the main temple of Puri. Since then, Daasya Mouri used to have daily darshan of Jaganaath from Neela Chakra…
People coming from far off places to see Jaganaath were pulled by Pandaas(Priests). Therefore, for giving pleasant Darshan to all the pilgrims, Daasya Mouri used to take a pot of water before Neela Chakra and everyone used to have the Darshan of Jaganaath peacefull to their utmost satisfaction.
Even now, whoever goes to Puri, they will have the Darshan of Neela Chakra.
Even today, there is a statue of Daasya Mouri, holding Coconut in Pali Gaam (Village).
Daily, Daasya Mouri used to send coconut, mango, etc., to Jaganaath. But one day, Daasya Mouri does not have anything to offer Jaganaath, except a grain of rice, which he offers that also to Jaganaath.
Seeing his Love for HIM, Jaganaath comes in the dream of the king and orders to send daily the Prasaadam offered to Deities to Daasya Mouri without fail, which the practice has continued for several decades.
Daasya Mouri’s wife says that she cannot walk to Ratha Yaatra to see the Lord Jaganaatha. Then Daasya Mouri asks his wife to come to a pond nearby and asks her to see in the water, where the entire Ratha Yaatra is visible in the pond.
Even now, no one touches the pond either for drinking water, washing or fishing. There are so many fishes in the pond and if any one fishes the fish and try to cook the fish, the entire preparation becomes blood.
Maha Bhakta Daasya Mouri ki…Jai….
Maataji has ended her class by touching the last topic of HERA PANCHAMI…..
Hera Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of Ratha Yatra, which is a great festival in Puri.
Jaganaath takes permission from his wife Laxmi Devi for Ratha Yaatra and Laxmi Devi gives permission for one day. But Jaganaath does not come till 5th day. Laxmi Devi becomes angry and comes out of her Garbha Temple. Jaganaath servants closes the doors, not allowing Laxmi Devi to enter the Ratham.
There will be fighting between Pandaas (Priests) of Laxmi Devi & Jaganaath. The servants of Laxmi Devi will break one part / wheel of the Ratham / Chariot and goes back to Laxmi Devi Temple.
On 10th day, Laxmi Devi sits outside her temple. When Jaganath comes, Laxmi Devi servants closes the door of Laxmi Devi Temple. Servants of Jaganaath asks why they have restricted the entry of Jaganaath, it is Lord Jaganaath’s temple. Then servants of Laxmi Devi says that it is Sri Mandir, the temple of Laxmi Devi and they have given little place to Jaganaath earlier, but now we do not give as Jaganaath has not kept his promise of returning back on the 2nd day of Ratha Yaatra…
Then Jaganaath servants asks: what is there with Laxmi Devi, we will go to Vrindavan, there are Gopis, Gopas, Radharani, waiting with love for Him. And Laxmi Devi servants replies: what is there in Vrindavan except milk, butter and cowheard boys, here, lots of Aishvaryam is there with Laxmi Devi.
During these fights and exchange of words, Laxmi Devi Servants tells one story to the servants of Jaganaath that
During the month of Margasira, Laxmi Devi is offered Grand Puja. Once, in a house of high caste, daughter-in-law is sleeping, mother-in-law is cooking without bathing and without worshiping the God. Laxmi Devi comes in old lady form and says that they should not do like this. But, they don’t listen, therefore, Laxmi Devi goes off and they become poor.
Then Laxmi Devi goes to a Chandaala’s house (low caste) house. They are very neat and Laxmi Devi is pleased and She stays in their house.
Seeing this, Baldev stops Laxmi Devi’s entry into temple because she entered into Chandaala’s house. Then Laxmi Devi goes out.
Next day, Krishna & Balaram feels hungry, but Laxmi Devi is not there to cook. They feel to cook but servants of Laxmi Devi had broken all the utensils. Krishna & Balaram goes in the form of beggars for food, but seeing their poverty stricken faces, no one gives alms to them thinking that they will get the poverty – seeing the faces of these two.
They wanted to drink water, but due to angry of Laxmi Devi, even the water gets evaporated. At last, one old lady after offering Prasadam, gives puffed rice to Krishna & Balaram. But that also gets disappeared.
At last, Krishna & Balaram asks are they anyone who does Sadhu Seva? Then someone says nearby, there is a Chandala house, who does Saadhu Seva. Then Krishna asks Balram – how can we eat in Chandaala’s house (which was first pointed out by Balaram to Laxmi Devi)? Then Balaram says, forget everything, now we are hungry.
Then they decide not to eat food prepared by Chandala but to cook themselves in Chandala’s house. But unable to prepare. Then, at last, Krishna & Balaram tastes the preparation of Chandaal and feels the taste of food cooked by Laxmi Devi and concludes that Laxmi Devi is staying in Sriya Chandalini’s house.
At last Krishna & Balaram requests Laxmi Devi to come back to their house.
This is all about the Glories of Hera Panchami Festival….
With my right ear deaf and left ear – partially audible, whatever I could present – As It Is, I could do my best. Kindly forgive me for all the known and unknown offences committed in producing this transcription seva.
Sri Sri Jaganaath, Baladev, Subhadra Maiye ki…Jai….
All Glories to All Vaishanvas….
Hare Krishna…..Hari Bol !!!
Yours Eternal Servant
K.V.Subrahmanyam
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