Ratha yatra of Lord Jagannath - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

25. Jagannathashtakam - Written by Sri Adi Sankaracarya: Astaka refers to the number 8, and Jagannath means “Lord of the Universe”. This particular song consists of 8 verses specially glorifying the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Krishna, originally uttered from the mouth of Lord Caitanya 500 years back. (1) kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangita-taralo mudabhiri-nari-vadana- kamalasvada-madhupah rama-shambhu-brahmamara-pati- ganesha-arcita-pado jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me  Who sometimes fervently plays His flute on the banks of the Yamuna river in Sri Vrindavana, who is like a bumblebee that blissfully tastes the lotus faces of the Vraja-gopis, and whose feet are worshipped by great personalities such as Laksmi, Shiva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesha — May that Sri Jagannatha-deva be the constant object of my vision. (2) bhuje savye venum shirasi shikhi-piccham katitate dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksham ca vidadhat sada srimad-vrindavana vasati-lila-parica...

24. Wonderfully Merciful: In this Kali-yuga there is no other dharma: kali-yuga dharma haya  hari-sankirtana etad  arthe avatırna  sri sacinandana Kali-yuga dharma is hari-sankirtana. Therefore Sri Sachinandan Gaurahari descended to introduce and propagate that dharma. (Sri Caitanya-bhagavata adi 14.139) kali-kale nama-rupe krşna-avatara nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistăra Krishna came as Gauranga Mahaprabhu and introduced nama-sankirtana by which the whole world will be delivered. Especially in Kali-yuga, there is no other incarnation of Krishna-only năma-avatara. Krishna has incarnated himself in the form of His holy name. (Cc. adi 17.22) năma vinu kali-kale  nahi ara dharma  sarva-mantra-sära nama,  ei sästra-marma In this age of Kali there is no dharma other than the chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all Vedic hymns. This is the purport of all scriptures. (Cc. adi 7.74) Nama-sankirtana will be preached and propagated. The atmosphere wil...

23. Patita Pavana Darshan: Sri Chaitanya took sannyasa at a very young age. As a new sannyasi, he was about to go to Vrindavan, but his mother said, "No, no. Go to Jagannath Puri. Then I can easily get messages from you." Whatever his mother said, Mahaprabhu obeyed. When he was arriving at Jagannath Puri and from a distance saw the flag on top of the temple, Gaura became ecstatic. He ran so swiftly that the devotees who were following couldn't catch up with him. He rushed into the temple of Jagannath. Big, big eyes, no hands, no legs but to Mahaprabhu, Jagannath showed his syamasundara-rūpa, his all-beautiful śyāmam tribhanga-lalita form. The Lord stood there with a bluish-blackish complexion, gracefully bending in three places. Has Jagannath ever shown such a hand-some form, His śyāmasundara-rúpa, to anyone else? No. Never. He only showed it to Gaura. Why did He show His śyāmasundara-rúpa only to Gaura? Mahaprabhu, as the ideal teacher, teaches how one can have darsana o...

22. Prahlada Performed Ratha-yātrā: In the Bhaviṣya Purana it is mentioned that in Satya-yuga Prahlada performed Ratha- yātrā. He put Mahāvişnu on a ratha and dragged it. Then the demigods, siddhas and gandharvas performed Ratha-yātrā. Also, in ancient days in the month of Kartika there was Ratha-yātra of Krsna.  But according to Skanda Purana the date of Ratha-yātrā is fixed. There it is said that the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of the month of Asadha, on the Püşyami Nakşatra, is the day for Ratha-yātrā.  But in ISKCON we may do Ratha-yātrā any time. We do it any time because Śrīla Prabhupāda started that. Why did he do so? Some criticize it. They say the ISKCON devotees don't follow the scripture and that there is a fixed date for Ratha-yäträ. Here in Utkal, Orissa, they cannot do it on any other date. They would face much criticism since the famous Ratha-yātrā in Jagannatha Purī is here and it is performed on the date as is mentioned in Skanda Purana. So they cannot do ...

21. 11 Ceremonies connected with Ratha Yatra: The 11 different ceremonies connected with Lord Jagannatha's Ratha- yatra festival are listed below as Roman numerals I-XI. I. Snana Yatra: Millenia ago, King Indradyumna started the ceremony of bathing (snana- yatra) Lord Jagannatha with 108 pots of sandal-scented well water. At that time, Jagannatha Swami told the king that for 15 days after snana-yatra, no one should see the deities. Snana-yatra occurs on Jyestha Purnima (June full moon), one of the hottest days of the year. Skanda Purana says that Bhagavan Sri Krsna manifested His Daru Brahman form as Jagannatha Swami on this day. Therefore, Jyestha Purnima (Snana Yatra day) is the appearance day of Lord Jagannatha, which is Sri Krsna's mahabhava-prakasa form depicting His devastation in separation from Srimati Rādhikā. Just after sunrise, Balabhadra, Sudarsana, Subhadra and finally Jagannatha are brought in a hopping style procession to the bathing platform located on the north...

20. Notice to Pilgrims Attending Ratha Yatra: The Ratha-yatra procession is a wild jamboree, free for all with 500,000 super zealous devotees.  If you like compression, a stampede or two, and thrill with delight in huge crowds-this is the place for you.  If you want the experience without the crush, then a few days before the procession you can book a peaceful seat on the rooftop of one of the many buildings along the parade route. You should bring an umbrella (for the sun or rain), and try to arrive at your seat by 7 a.m. the morning of Ratha-yatra to avoid the severely congested access streets.  If you prefer to attend a more peaceful festival with far less crowds, then come 10 days later for the return Ratha-yatra (Bahuda-yatra).

19. Instructions for Ratha-yäträ: In the Visnu Dharma it is stated, aşādhasya site pakşe dvitīyā puşya samyutā. In the month of Aşādha, on the second day of the bright fortnight, on the Puşya nakshatra - when the star of Puşya is there, that is the day for Jagannatha Ratha-yätră. This is described in Skanda Purana and also in Vişnu Dharma. That nakşatra does not come every year. If there is no pusyā-naksatra, still Ratha-yātrā should be observed. If the pusya nakşatra is there then it becomes very auspicious. The Ratha-yatra festival should be observed by preparing many varieties of nice palatable sweet food for Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra. One should feed the brahmanas and Vaishnavas. For 7 days the ratha should stay at the Gundica mandira. In the Western world the Gundică mandira may be on the seashore or on the bank of a river. It is also mentioned in Vişnu Dharma that one may keep the cart on the seashore or the bank of a river for 7 days. Perform a festival there, then have...

18. No Ratha-yäträ in Vrndāvana: "The residents of Vrajabhūmi don't appreciate your royal garments and Your kingly form. They cannot leave Vrajabhūmi and they are dying when they cannot see You Krsna. Now tell Me what will happen to the residents of Vrajabhūmi if You won't go there? So pull Him to Vrajabhūmi now! O Krsna, You are the life of Vrajabhūmi! You are the most invaluable asset of Vrajaraja Nanda Mahārāja! Be merciful, Krşņa! Come to Vrajabhūmi and let the residents get back their lives! They are dying. Please make Your lotus feet appear there in Vrajabhūmi!" Mahaprabhu sings this song and pulls the ratha. Taking Jagannatha, Who is Śyāmasundara, to Vrajabhūmi. This is Ratha-yātrā.  Therefore there is no Ratha-yātrā in Vrndāvana because Ratha-yātrā means taking Krşņa from Kurukşetra to Vṛndāvana. Krsna is always in Vrndāvana. So why should there be Ratha-yatră there? And the heart of a Vaisnava, especially a gaura-priya-jana-a dear devotee of Gauranga-that is ...

17. We Want You in Vrndāvana: Kışņa is navakisora națabara, gopa-veśa venu-kara- 10, 11 or 12  years old. He is navakišora, always new and fresh. He never grows old; națabara, He is always in a dancing mood, and fickle, cañcala. His form is gopa-veśa, that of a cowherd boy with a very simple garment. He is crooked in 3 places, śyāma tribhanga lalita. With a flute in His hand touching His lips, venu muralivadana. A Peacock feather on His head - that is Krsna in Vrajabhūmi. That Krşņa in Vrajabhūmi is His real form. All the paraphernalia for His transcendental play with the cowherd boys and the damsels of Vrajabhūmi is there. The Yamuna river is there. Kadamba kanana, the groves of kadamba flowers are there. The peacock is there. Cows and calves are there. The jungle of Vrndāvana is there. There Krşņa plays with the cowherd boys and the damsels of Vrajabhūmi. So many varieties of trees and creepers are there. Fruits and newly sprouted leaves are there. These are all paraphernalia of ...

16. Meaning Behind Ratha-yatra: The day before Ratha-yātrā is called gundică- marjana, the cleaning of Gundică temple. What is the tattva behind gundicā-marjana? Mahāprabhu cleaned with His own hands, along with His associates, and thus showed us how to make our heart purified. Our heart is the seat for the Lord, hrdaya-simhāsana. But unless your heart is purified of all material contamination-duplicity, crookedness, desire for material enjoyment, desire for material liberation, desire for name, fame, prestige and adoration-the Lord won't sit there. All these things are like straws, sands of grain, and pebbles. Mahaprabhu cleaned the temple twice. Then with his own garment He rubbed and rubbed so that not a tiny spot would be there. Thus He showed us that our hearts must be clean, otherwise the Lord won't sit there. That is the tattva of gundică-lila. Then what is the tattva behind Ratha-yatra? Mahaprabhu revealed? anyera hṛdaya mana, mora mana vrndavana,  'mane' 'v...

15. The Mysterious Mellows Behind Ratha Yatra: The following article beautifully illuminates the inner meaning of Lord Jagannatha's chariot festival: "Sriman Mahaprabhu viewed the deity of Jagannatha as non-different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna Himself, the origin of all incarnations. Merely seeing the disc at the summit of the Jagannatha temple from far away, Gauranga envisioned a dark-blue boy playing the flute. When Gauranga saw Lord Jagannatha directly in the temple, He deeply contemplated upon the impeccable three-fold bending beautiful form of Sri Krsna and rushed to embrace Him. During Jagannatha's cart festival, Mahaprabhu observed the deity and became overcome by the sublime sentiments of Śrī Rādhā. The same Śrī Rādhā had nursed similiar sentiments on beholding Sri Krsna during the solar eclipse at Kuruksetra many, many years before. Thousands of years ago, there was very rare eclipse of the sun. On that auspicious occasion, many wealth...

14. The Esoteric Meaning of Ratha-yatra: In a purport of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada gives a wonderful illumination about the esoteric meaning of Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra. After giving up the company of the Vraja-gopis, Vrajendranandana performed His pastimes in Dvaraka. When Sri Krsna visited Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, He was accompanied by Baladeva, Subhadra, and other Dvarakavasis. At Kurukshetra, Krsna again met the Vrajavasis, especially Srimati Radhika and His beloved sakhis. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Krsna Himself assuming the part of Sri Radha in order to understand Krsna. Lord Jagannatha is Krsna and Sri Caitanya is Radha. Lord Gauranga's leading Jagannatha Swami towards Gundica Temple corresponded to Srimati Radhika's leading Krsna towards Vrndavana from Kuruksetra. Sri Ksetra, Jagannatha Puri, was taken as the kingdom of Dvaraka, the place where Sri Krsna enjoys supreme opulence. However, Krsna was being led by Ma...

13. Ratha Yatra and the Vraja Gopis: For Gaudiya Vaishnavas, Ratha-yatra is deeply connected with Bhagavan Sri Krsna's visit to Kuruksetra and His loving exchanges with the Vraja- gopis whom He met there. In this regard, Srila Prabhupada once said, "If anyone sincerely sees the Ratha-yatrā festival and understands how Krsna visited Kuruksetra along with His brother and sister, that is very nice. That is Krsna consciousness." (SP 710803SB.LON) The following article from BTG magazine wonderfully depicts Sri Krsna's pastime at Kurukshetra:  "Hearing that Krsna would be at Kurukshetra for the solar eclipse, all Vrndāvana prepared to go. Loading gifts and belongings on ox carts, the simple rural cowherd boys, girls, men, and women made their way north to the gala royal assembly. Religion and diplomacy were not high on their agenda. They wanted only to see Krsna and Balarama, their life and soul. They arrived at Kurukshetra to a warm welcome from the Yadus, who were th...

12. Gauranga's Devastating Dance of Love: Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami enthusiastically describes the blissful dancing of Sri Caitanyadeva during Jagannatha Swami's Ratha-yatra thus:  When Lord Jagannatha mounted His cart, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inspired all His devotees to dance in front of it. As Lord Gauranga danced before the cart, He always sang the following two lines: "I have gotten the Lord of My life, for whom I was burning in the fire of lusty desires." "That very personality who stole away my heart during My youth is now again my master. These are the same moonlit nights of the month of Caitra. The same fragrance of malati flowers is there, and the same sweet breezes are blowing from the kadamba forest. In our intimate relationship. I am also the same lover, but I am not happy here. I am eager to go back to that place on the banks of the Reva under the Vetasi tree. That is my desire." (Cc. 2.1.55, 58) Gauranga wandered through all 7 groups of...

11. Lord Gauranga's Eight Prayers at Ratha Yatra: Throughout the chariot procession, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu spoke different words, phrases and slokas to convey His deep moods of love. The prayers numbered below are given in the order that Mahaprabhu uttered them as Lord Jagannatha proceeded on His chariot towards Gundica Mandira. 1. Manima! Manima! While Lord Jagannatha moved from the temple to His chariot, Mahaprabhu loudly proclaimed "manima, manima," an Oriyan word used to address a respectable person. It basically means, "O my Lord, I offer You all My honor and respect." (Сс. 2.13.14) 2. Hari! Hari! Jaya Jagannatha!  During the parade, Gauranga wandered through all 7 sankirtana parties dancing madly. In euphoria, the golden Lord sometimes beheld His beloved Jagannatha, lifted His beautiful arms above His head and roared "Hari! Hari! Jaya Jagannatha! All glories to Lord Jagannatha!" (Cc. 2.13.51)  Mahaprabhu's movements during Ratha-yatra were ...