19. Instructions for Ratha-yäträ

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 a return Ratha-yäträ. Again decorate the ratha nicely with flowers and other decorations. The return yätrå falls on the 10th day, dašami tithi. Sometimes the return yatrā will fall on Ekādaśi day. This return yätră is also very auspicious. One who sees Bhagavän Visņu, Krşna or Jagannatha on His ratha will definitely get liberation.

In Vişnu and Padma Puranas it is said:

aşādhasya dvitīyāyām 

ratha kuryād višeşatah 

aşādha śuklaikādaśyām

japa homa mahotsavam rathasthitam 

vrajantam tam mahāvedi mahotsave 

ye paśyanti mudābhaktyä 

vāsas teşām hareh pade 

satyam satyam punah satyam 

pratijñātam dvijottamäh 

nātaḥ śreyah prado vişnor 

utsavah śāstra sammatah

Padma Purăņa also gives this day-the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Aşādhā as the day to perform Ratha-yātrā. Then the return yätra may be done on Ekādaśī day or the 10th day. One should perform a fire sacrifice, chant the holy name, perform a great festival, and go to see the Lord on His ratha. One who sees the Lord on His ratha will definitely go to the abode of Lord Visnu, "rathe ta vämana drşțvä punar janma na vidyate". This is very popular among Hindus. If you see Vämana Lord Visņu on His ratha, then there is no rebirth. This is described in Sastra. So this is in brief some things about the history and tattva behind Ratha-yātrā.

Devotee: 

You were saying if one simply sees Lord Jagannatha on the ratha cart he will get mukti - liberation. This means every single person who sees Jagannatha will get mukti? 

Gour Govinda Mahārāja: 

Jagannātha the Lord, not Jagannatha an idol or wooden murti.

Devotee: 

So that means someone who has prema? 

Śrila Gour Govinda Mahārāja: 

Yes! Yes!

Devotee: 

It is a very popular idea for devotees to say, "Oh, if you simply go to see Lord Jagannatha you will get liberation." 

Gour Govinda Mahārāja: 

Alright, that is very good. Anyhow, come and see Lord Jagannatha. Anyhow, take part. Yes. That is encouragement. You just chant and dance before the ratha. Very nice...