Odisha Review

July - 2013

Concept of Sri Jagannath and Patitapaban

Janaki Ballav Pattanayak

The meaning of Sri Jagannath is Lord of the

Universe. So question comes to our mind that
who is the Lord of Universe ? He must be
personified. To reach in this conclusion
(Siddhanta) we must look towards the authentic
scriptures of India. The National Scripture of our
Mother India is Srimad
Bhagabat Geeta and the
highest of all scriptures is
Srimad Bhagabatam, both
have declared that
Krishnastu Bhagaban
Swayam. Sri Krishna is
the highest personality of
Godhead. Anyone can
see this conclusion
everywhere mentioned in
these two scriptures.
Leaving this two Sri
Vishnupuran - 5/7/58, 5/
33/41, Skanda Puran,
Utkalakhanda 19/37, 19/
40, 27/86, 31/86, 33/71,
Brahman Puran Sri
Purusottam Mahatmya
Chapter 1 to 8 verse,
Niladri Mahoday, 8/27, 28 & 29, Bamdev
Samhita 6/11, 8/26 and Sri Kapila Samhita 3/2
and 27 may be referred to establish the truth. All
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scriptures say that Sri Krishna is Jagannath. Sri

Krishna and Jagannath both are same and one.
There is no difference between Srikrishna and
Jagannath. Lord Jagannath appeared in human
form as Sri Krishna and Sri Krishnas archa deity
worshipped in Puri Srimandir is known as Sri
Jagannath. Lord Jagannath
is worshipped in Sri Gopal
(Krishna) Mantra which is
specifically mentioned in
Niladri Mahodaya 8/27,
28, 29, 54. So where is the
legitimacy of saying that Sri
Krishna is one Kala (part)
of Sri Jagannath. Some
say that it is written in Sri
Jagannath Charitamrita
that Sri Jagannath Sola
Kala, Tahun Kalae Nanda
Bala.
Actually the above
stanza is not written
anywhere in our Odia
Bhagabat and in Sri
Jagannath Charitamrita.
Those who are saying
Tahun Kalae Nanda bala (Krishna is the part of
Sri Jagannath), it is also not the conclusion of any
authentic scriptures as noted above. It is only

July - 2013

imagination or speculation. Rather it is

exaggeration and contrary to the opinion of the
Geeta and Bhagabat. In Srimad Bhagabat 10/14/
39 Brahma said to Srikrishna that Twameba
Jagatam Natho: you are the Lord of Universe.
Bhagabat Geeta says that Sri Krishna is Deva
Deva Jagatpate (God of Gods, O Supreme
person, Lord of Universe) 10/5, Ananta devesa
Jaganibash (O limitless one ! O refuge of the
universe) 11/37, Prasida devesha Jaganibasha
(O Lord of Lords, O Sanctuary of the universe)
11/45 and Matah Parataram nanyat Kinchidasti
Dhananjaya (O Dhananjaya Arjuna there is
nothing superior to me).
Thus Sri Krishna is Sri Jagannath. It is
the highest conclusion of all scriptures. Sri Jayadev
Goswami, the author of Geeta Govinda, Sri Adi
Sankaracharyapad in his Jagannathastakam and
Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and all most
all Odia Poets have opined that Sri Krishna and
Jagannath are one. Sri Jayadeva in his Dasavatar
stotra (Geeta Govinda) has established that Sri
Bamandev, Sri Nrishingha Dev and Lord Sri
Rama all are the incarnations of Sri Keshaba,
Krishna Keshaba dhrita dasabidharupa, Jaya
Jagadisha Hare. Keshaba is the Lord of universe.
On the other hand Sri Krishna is the Chief and
original name of Sri Jagannath and He feels happy
and becomes overpleased, if we call Him as Jaya
Krishna Jagannath (Utkala Khanda 27/86 and
31/86).
Some historians believed that Sri
Jagannath is Buddha. But the worship of Sri
Jagannath at SriKshetra Puri is most prior to
Gautam Buddha. Puri is an ancient Vaishnava
Kshetra. The most ancient literature of the world
is Rig Veda. In this Veda it is recorded that Ado
ja daru plabate (10/155/3), so this Daru Brahma
(Brahma - Supreme Godhead manifested in
wooden form) is Sri Jagannath.

Odisha Review

Goutam Buddha was the son of

Sudhodan and Mayadevi who was born at
Lumbini of Kapilabastu, whereas Buddha the 9th
incarnation of Sri Krishna Vishnu appeared in
Kikatapradesh (i.e. Gaya) accepting Hema Sadan
and Anjani respectively as His father and Mother.
(Bhagabat 1/3/24). Gautams birth Tithi (date) is
Vaisakha Purnima and 9th incarnation Buddhas
birth Tithi is Pausa Sukla Saptami, so both are
different. For non acceptance of Veda Gautam is
recognized as an atheist (Nastika). Acharya
Sankar and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu refuted
the atheistic Buddha opinion. Buddha Gaya the
Vishnua Tirtha converted to a Buddha Tirtha by
the highly influential preaching of Baudha Dharma.
By meditating under the Bodhidruma (tree) the
place of meditation of the 9th incarnation of
Buddha, Gautam attended the enlightenment
which reveals from the 21 chapter of Lalita Bistar
book. From Lalita Bistar and Lankavatar Sutra it
also reveals that there were 3 Buddhas, viz. (1) Man - Gautam Buddha (ii) Bodhisatwa
Buddha (iii) Adi Buddha. It is recorded in a verse
of Lankavatar Sutra that Ravan the King of Lanka
was praying to Adi Buddha. Hence it is proved
that atheist Gautam Buddha is in no way can be
considered as 9th Avatar Buddha, so it is the true
and climax conclusion of the scriptures and as
well as the declaration of Jayadeva's Dasavatara
Stotra that Sri Krishna Jagannath is the supreme
personality of Godhead Avatari from whom all
incarnation are coming to this earth in a deductive
way. So we are clear about Sri Jagannath. Now
we may proceed to discuss shortly about the name
Patitapaban of Sri Jagannath.
The meaning of Patitapaban is purifier of
fallen souls. According to historians - previously
Kalinga or Odisha was the land of tribals
(Savaras) and first they were worshipping the
single deity of Sri Jagannath as Patitapaban i.e.
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Odisha Review

the deity mainly adored by the Patitas the

downtrodden people. Pure devotees also
considered themselves as Patita very smaller than
a grass and devotionally recites the name of
Patitapaban at the time of perceiving Sri
Jagannath.
In Odisha the small and single deity of
Sri Jagannath worshipped without Sri Balaram
and Subhadra is known as Patitapaban or Dadhi
Baman. But the Patitapaban sits inside the lion
gate of Puri Srimandir towards right hand side of
the entrance is different from other Patitapaban
or Dadhibaman deities worshipped in other places
of Odisha. Here (at Puri), He has no arms, only
face is manifested. History says that the then
Khurda and Puri King Gajapati Ramachandra
Dev-II fought his best with Mussolims who
attacked Odisha at that time was lastly defeated.
The Mussolim Ruler kept the Gajapati in prison
at Cuttack Barabati Fort with a condition to marry
a Mussolim girl. After thinking much Gajapati
accepted the proposal externally only with fear
to protect Sri Jagannath and His temple. After his
return from Jail he repented much but he was not
allowed by the Hindus to enter into Puri Srimandir.
He cried much out of devotion and
heartily prayed to Sri Jagannath to redeem him
from the dilemma position of Patita and give him
His Darsan. By the deep devotion of Sri Gajapati
Maharaj, Mahaprabhu was not able to stay within
His temple. He understood the heart of the king.
Mahaprabhu rushed towards the Lions gate to
see His devotee. Next day morning worshippers
of the temple were surprised to see the flowers
and ornaments of the Lord scattered everywhere

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July - 2013

on the way between the Ratna Singhasan

(Jewelled throne) and the Lions Gate.
In dream to the main worshipper (Bada
Panda) the Lord said that he is dissatisfied with
the decision for not allowing His devotee King
into the temple. So every day in mid night, He
was going to the Lion's Gate to give His Darsan
to the Gajapati. After this the Patitapaban deity
was installed there for Darsan by Sri Ramachandra
Dev-II and for all other Patitas who are not
allowed to enter into the temple. Some says that
by the devotion of Mussolim born devotee
Salabega, Mahaprabhu also come near to the
Lions Gate to see His devotee. Sri Jagannath
manifested himself at the Lion's Gate of Puri
Srimandir in Patitapaban form to give His Darsan
to all and particularly to fallen and downtrodden,
untouchable devotees like Sri Dasia Bauri.
The fluttering flag on Nilachakra of the
Srimandir is also known as Patitapaban Bana
which is identical with the Lord. Those who are
fallen and not allowed to enter into the temple
they can see it from outside to get benefit of seeing
the Lord. The main Patitapaban deity along with
the Srimandir, Nilachakra and the Patitapaban flag
all are equally empowered to remove the Sins
from the heart of everyone.
Lastly, it may be concluded that Sri
Jagannath and Patitapaban are synonymous.

Janaki
Ballav Pattanayak, Budhi Bagicha,
Samantarapur, Po/Dist.- Khurda.