Scriptures say that if we participate in Jagannath Rath Yatra festival and welcome the Lord riding on the majestic chariot then in next life we will go back to the spiritual world.
Lord provides us a great opportunity to free ourselves from this uncertain pain giving material world and return back to the eternal spiritual world.
Lord Krishna who is the creator of both the spiritual and material universe lives happily in his spiritual world with his associates. Lord’s associates love the Lord unconditionally. Seeing his devotees love for him, the Lord too tries his best to reciprocate with their love.
In this way, the Lord and his devotees, enjoy great pleasure in the spiritual world. But in spite of never-ending happiness in his eternal abode, the Lord misses someone there. He misses us.
Krishna, the Supreme Father of all living entities, wants everyone to be with him in his kingodm. But some of us decided to live away from him thinking that away from him we will be happier, just like a child thinks that he will be carefree and independent to enjoy on his terms when he is away from home.
Krishna never fails to show his mercy
But after living here for unlimited lifetimes, we know how much happy we are here! Fear and anxiety have become our constant companion. And while struggling for living in this world, we have almost forgotten our relationship with our Supreme father, Krishna.
Although we do not remember him, but he never forgets us nor leaves us. He says in Bhagavad Gita 15.15, sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo, “I am seated in everyone’s heart.”
He not just resides in our heart but from time to time even appears in this world for our sake. Krishna comes to tell us not to suffer in this world which is full of miseries but instead return back to his kingdom which is eternal and full of bliss.
He does not like to see us suffer, so, in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 he says, “Just come to me and I will free you from all the sins and sufferings.” We can see how much love he has for us. But in spite of Krishna’s open invitation, many of us still show reluctance to accept it. However, the Lord does not fail to show his mercy upon such stubborn souls too.
Welcome Lord Jagannath during Rath Yatra
So, the Supreme Lord Krishna as Lord Jagannath decides to go out in the streets searching for those who are not willing to come to him. On the day of rath yatra, he comes out of his temple on a majestic chariot to shower his mercy upon all. If you closely look at the face of Jagannath, you will see that he has a big smile. It is because he is happy to see us all because we all are his part and parcel. Sitting on the chariot, he extends his beautiful arm to embrace us and to invite us to his eternal kingdom where we can live with him happily forever.
And if we enthusiastically welcome the Lord during the rath yatra festival, pull the rope of the chariot and joyfully chant “Jai Jagannath” and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra then our life will become successful. Srila Prabhupada says, “..rathe ca vāmanaṁ dṛṣṭvā punar janma na vidyate . . . if you kindly see these Jagannātha deities riding on these carts and in procession..in your next life you’ll go…, back to home, back to Godhead.” Lecture Festival Ratha-yatra and Press Conference – San Francisco, July 04, 1970.
Three Reflections
- While struggling for living in this world, we have almost forgotten our relationship with our Supreme father, Krishna.
- Krishna says, “Just come to me and I will free you from all the sins and sufferings.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66
- If we welcome Jagannath during Rath Yatra, then next life we will be in the spiritual world.
Ask Yourself?
- Am I ready to go to the spiritual world?
Action Items
- If yes, then this year do participate in the Rath Yatra festival and welcome the Lord who sits majestically on the chariot.
