Orissa Review
June-July - 2007
Iconology of Lord Jagannath
Dr. Sidhartha Kanungo
dictionary also tells us that Jagannath is another
name of Jeeneswar or Rushavnath.
From time immemorial, Puri has been the most
important centre of Vishnu worship. Its presiding
deity is called Purusottam. He is otherwise known
as Jagannath. Etymologically, the word Jagannath
means the Lord of the Universe. The temple of
Lord is one of the sacred shrines of India.
On the other hand, Scholars like Dr.
Harekrushna Mahatab are of the opinion that the
three images such as Lord Jagannath, Lord
Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra represent the
Buddhist trinity of Buddha, Dharama and Sangha.
It is also believed that the soul of Jagannath or
Navi, most secretly hidden within the idol of Lord
Jagannath, is nothing but tooth relic of Lord
Buddha.
The cult of Jagannath is not a sectarian
religion but a cosmopolitan and eclectic
philosophy which has assimilated in its fold, the
influences of many religious creeds and sects.
According to legendary sources, Lord Jagannath
was originally worshipped in the form of
"Neelamadhab" by a tribal (Sabar) known as
Biswabasu. In course of time, the cult of Jagannath
took an Arayanised form and various major faiths
like Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and
Buddhism have been assimilated into this cult. In
Jagannath temple, Jagannath is worshipped as
Purusottam or Vishnu, Balabhadra as Siva, and
Devi Subhadra as Adyasakti Durga. Finally, the
fourth one Sudarsan Chakra symbolizing the
wheel of Sun's chariot attracts the Sauras to the
Centre.
Jagannath is also known as "Darubramha."
In other temples we see that stone and metal idols
are the object of worship. But, the Jagannath
quadruple are carved out of Neem Wood. It is a
fact that the idols being made of wood, cannot
sustain themselves for long time. Thus comes the
question of "Navakalevar." Their (idols) periodical
renovation becomes inevitable, which is called
"Navakalevar." This is a unique ceremony in many
respect in the Hindu religious worship.
Lord Jagannath is "Nirakar" having no
"Akar" or specific shape of His own. He has no
legs but two parallel incomplete hands. He has
two round eyes. He is black in complexion and
does not have ears. All these things bear testimony
to His symbolic form.
Scholars like Nilakantha Das are of the
opinion that the three main images of Jagannath,
Balabhadra and Subhadra represent Jain Trinity
of Samyak Jnana, Samyak Chinta and Samyak
Drusti. Pandit Nilakantha Das and Dr. Artaballav
Mohanty have even gone to the extent of saying
that Jagannath is the image of Rushavnath. Jain
As pointed out earlier, Jagannath has two
round eyes. He is therefore, called "Chakadola".
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Orissa Review
June-July - 2007
unique feature except in the temple of Lord
Jagannath. Similarly, different tantric features of
Yantras have been engraved on the Ratnavedi
where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and
Devi Subhadra are worshipped.
These two round eyes represent the Sun and
Moon. We all know that the Sun and the Moon
remove darkness and gives us light. Similarly, Lord
Jagannath removes darkness from our mind. He
is the embodiment of knowledge and source of
wisdom. Secondly, we know that circle does not
have a beginning nor an end. In the same manner,
the round eyes of Lord Jagannath teach us that
He does not have a beginning nor an end. Thus
we can say that He is Anadi (no beginning) and
Ananta (no end).
The Saiva elements in the cult of Lord
Jagannth are correlated with the doctrines of
Tantrism and Sakta Dharma. According to
Saivas, Jagannath is Bhairav. As pointed out
earlier, the tantric literary texts also identify
Jagannath with Mahabhairav. The representation
of Balaram as Sankarsan or Sesanaga bears
testimony to the influence of Saivism in the cult of
Lord Jagannath. It may be pointed out that the
third deity Subhadra, who represents Sakta
element is still worshipped with Bhubaneswari
Mantra.
Lord Jagannath has no ears except two
round eyes. Famous Oriya poet Kabi Surya
Baladev Rath has, therefore, compared Him with
Snake who has got no ears. lt symbolizes that a
good administrator should not rely upon the words
of others which may misguide him. Hence, he
should be sure of things by perceiving those
through his own eyes.
Lord Jagannath is also known as
"Darubramha". In other temples we see that stone
and metal idols are the objects of worship. But
the Jagannath quadruple are carved out of Neem
wood. Its a fact that idols being in wood, cannot
sustain themselves for long time. Thus comes the
question of the ceremony of "Navakalevar." This
is a unique ceremony in many respect in Hindu
religious worship.
Lord Jagnnath is called "Mahabahu". He
has two stretched parallel hands without having
palms. It presupposes that a man who surrenders
to Him is embraced by Him and He ultimately
protects him(the man). One thing deserves Special
mention here. Lord Jagannath's hand are parallel
which prove His unlimitedness. We have read in
Geometry that the two parallel lines cannot meet
at a point. They may meet an unimaginary and an
unlimited point. Thus, His hands are symbolic.
Iconology of Lord Jagannth gives us many
indications. It is symbolic. Sholars have made an
attempt to interpret the God in their own ways. It
is for this reason that no definite view has been
accepted and Jagannath cult has been interpreted
in many ways. Every religious cult whether Hindu
or Non-Hindu finds justification here. But in this
context we must not forget the following words
of Rig Veda 'Ekam Sat Vipra Vahuda
Vadanti"(Truth is one, wise speak of it in different
ways).
Some scholars have even gone to the extent
of saying that the three colours of the Deities (Lord
Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra)
represent the three basic races of the world
namely, black, white and yellow. Hence, the
Trinity of Puri represents the mankind.
The tantric texts also point out the name of
Jagannath and His worship. According to these
texts, Jagannath is Mahavairav and Goddess
Vimala is His Sakti. The Prasad of Lord Jagannath
becomes Mahaprasad only when it is reoffered
to Goddess Vimala. No where we notice this
Sidhartha Kanungo lives at Sabar Sahi, BJB Nagar,
Bhubaneswar
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