LEARNINGS FROM LORD SHREE JAGGANATH
1. Lord Shree jagannath in context of botany
When lord, after, the ritual of snana yatra, catches fever and thus falls ills. He is treated with medicinal herbs.
The medicine composed of Adhara pana, Phuluri tela, Dasamula modaka.
Phuluri tela is an herbal oil, and it is prepared in a special way. Made by Bada Odia Matha of Puri - a monastery associated with the Jagannath Temple. As per the custom, Bada Odia Matha prepares and supplies phuluri tela for the Deities. Phuluri tela is a mixture of til (sesame) oil, a variety of flowers (ketaki, champa, boula, malti, malli, jui, jai), krishna bhoga paddy, roots of bena, sandal wood, shala parni, gambhari, lavanga kuli, fanafanaa, krushna parni, bel, khani bathu, patali, khua, ankaranti, gokhara, lambagoti, desi ghee, honey, nabata, khuasara etc. The main ingredient is sesame oil. According to Ayurveda, this oil mixture will give warmth to the body of the Deities to help them recover from fever quickly.
Dasamula is prepared from herbal ingredients including
Bela (wood apple)Limonia accidissmia
Gambhari (Gmelina arborea),
Pateli (Stereospermum cheonoides),
Fanafana (Oroxylum indicum),
Agabathu (Premna integrifolia),
Krusnaparni Aeluropus logopoides
Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris),
Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum)
Ankranty (Solanum xanthocarpum
Labingkoli (Solanum indicum)
(Source - shreekshetra.com blogs)
Current scenario
In modern lifestyle, we are being also hit with many lifestyle diseases, however, to our ease we are popping up antibiotics.
Consumption of anti biotic often, causes antibiotic resistance (ABR). World Health Organisation (WHO) also termed it as A global concern.
Solution : move towards the nature. Eg (AYUSH) Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddh, Homeopathy. We have also Global centre for traditional medicine, setup in gujrat
Global view :
We can offer much to the world in the health areas (SDG by ensuring healthy lives for all and promoting well being for all.
We can Increase soft powers
We Can export services ( yoga practitioners), remittances, economy boost.
By adopting and prioritising our own strong areas would boost our self confidence and self esteem.
2) In context of zoology (Animals)
Animals are also sensitive to the emotions. They too feel happiness, sadness , fear and pain. Animals can’t speak.
Hence the story goes,
Gajaraja chinta kala thai ghora jalena
Chakra pesi nakra nasi uddharila apana
Ahe nila saila...
God killed the crocodile and saved the elephant. He is compassionate and loving to animals.
Lord jagganath nandighosa, guardian of the chariot is Garuda (a bird, Pakshiraaj)
On top of Rath , two parrots live , namely Jeeva and parama. Horses which pull nandi ghosa : 4 white horses, Sankha ,Sweta Haridasa ,Balahak
Devi Subhadra Ratha Darpadalana| Devadalana
Parrots – Shruti and Smruti
4 Red horses – Rochika, Mochika, Jita, Aparajita.
Lord Balabhadra Taladhwaja
Parrots – Shraddha Biswasa
4 black horses – Tribra, Ghora, Dirghasharma, Swornanava
The ratha walks on the bada danda imbibing an ecosystem. (birds, animals, deva, devis)
Learning : we also should be sensitive towards all kinds of animals, as all are important for the functioning of the ecosystem.
3) Respect to the elders
Lord jagganath visits every year to Mausi Maa mandir. He visits and also stays for some days near her.
Current case –
In this fast paced changing world, the senior citizens feel more lonely, the social values is under goimng a change, more towards indivisualistic. This is unlike for them as they believed in collectivism, where they sit together for daily talks after works.
Hence, we should talk to our grand parents / old people. We should hear their experience and them.
3.1) Familial values
Lord shree jagganath, bada bhai Balabhadra, and devi subhadra lives in one place since time immemorial.
“Bhai Bhai samparka kete j nibida
Sata ki micha thare chaha shree mandira
Kai juga ru basichanti 2 Bhai , ho bhenda dui bhai
Sanga re nija gelha bhauni ku nei ”
Current lesson -
family structure are weakening. We should learn from lord shree jagganath and strive to keep the family structure and family values intact.
4) Respect to women.
Lord jagganath attaches highest priority towards giving respect to women.
SHREE mandira
SHREE kshetra
SHREE mahaprasada
SHREE jagannatha.
SHREE denotes MAA SHREE LAXMI.
5) Respect to Food
Current scenario – wastage of food.
The united nation environmental program (UNEP) FOOD WASTE index report 2024 finds that households wasted an equivalent of over 1 Billions meals a day in 2022. An estimated 783 million people experienced hunger that year, a third of humanity faced food insecurity. (source – United Nations)
We can learn from lord shree jaggganath
Lord jagganath has once faced the anger of maa Mahalaxmi Hence Lord jagganath respects, even the bits of food.
The leftover rice of shree Jagganath is not wasted. It is dried and used/served as nirmalya or kaivalya.
Lesson - we should not waste food.
6) Sharing is caring
Lord shree jagganath shares his mahaprasada among his devotees. Lord ensures no one should be at hunger. Hence he distributes his mahaprasada.
(SDG 2, Zero Hunger)
Takeway – sometimes we have excess (more than our needs, eg clothes, shoes, etc). We should consider sharing it among the needy following lord’s footsteps.
6) Equality
Lord Shree Jagganath doesn’t discriminate among caste, creed, religion, birth. (Jati, barna, dharma nirbisesa re se samasta nka bhagaban). He favours equality.
Current example – The constitution of indias Article 14-18 enshrine the right to equality as a fundamental right. These articles ensures that all citizens are treated equally before the law and are protected from discrimination based on factors such as gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
7) Secularism
Lord jagganath believes in secularism. In fact, his biggest devotee for whom, he stopped his chariot for some days. His name was Bhakta Salabega, who was a muslim.
‘Kahe salabega hina, jati re mu Jabana
Shree ranga charana tale karu acchi janana ’
Ahe Nila saila…
Example – Our Indian state is by very nature secular. Unlike Western secularism, Indian model of secularism is related to Sarva Dharma Sambhava, Literally , it means through the paths may be different, the destination of all religion is same.
Also,
The preamble of our constitution reflects..
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute
India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO
OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
8) Rath yatra
All comes together on the same platform (bada daanda) to celebrate the rath yatra, and we make it happen, in a spirit of celebration.
Ratha Yatra denotes team work and team fervour.
It is a mark of fraternity among people and their love towards lord jagganath.
Current scenario -
Ratha denotes the wheels of progress and prosperity Similarly , All have to come together with a firm conviction of action, to take the wheels of our nation towards a developed nation.
9) The concept of HALF HAND of mahaprabhu.
Sometimes, we think that lord will do everything. No, it is not. He has half hands, this means, he says, “aadhaa tum karo, Aadha me karunga”
Story - The tortoise and the sea.
There lived a tortoise nearby sea. She lay eggs. The eggs of the tortoise are destroyed by the waves of sea. The poor tortoise deeply saddened by it everytime, once challenges the sea.
The tortoise said “O MIGHTY OCEAN, if you don't Stop destroying my eggs, I will empty your water.”
The ocean laughs.
The tortoise 🐢 start working. Seeing tortoise, helping himself, God come to help him.
God teach mighty ocean a lesson and destroys the ego of 🌊 ocean.
Ocean said sorry to the god and the tortoise.
Moral of story - when we help ourselves, God help us. But, we have to help ourselves first.
Big picture– we should not make bikasita bhharata only a a slogan, we should do our part, then, god will do his.
10 ) SUNA BESHA
MAHAPRABHU is Rich and GOOD.
Current scenario – we should not glorify poverty. We get OSCARS for movie related poverty (slumdog millionaire). We get Nobel prize in economics for unwinding Multi-dimensions of poverty. (Sen, 1998). According to Sanjeev Sanyal, member of prime ministers Economic advisory council made a statement on the poverty of aspiration. Most Indian youths are spending their valuable times of their youth-hood in searching govt jobs. The highest aspiration which is shown by family and the society is to become a collector.
For a society to thrive, Country will need risk taking, problem solving, employment creating youth, in forms of entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, scientists, researchers, teachers, businessmen etc.
This would leads to wealth creation. Wealth creation would lead the economic prosperity, thus development, and developed INDIA BY 2047.
Jay Jagannath 🙏🏻.