I got an opportunity to serve Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi during the 54th Kolkata Rath Yatra at the Gundicha temple. It was possible by the mercy of the Lord and his devotees. Lord Jagannath along with his brother and sister looks extremely beautiful at Gundicha temple. Devotees are daily coming in large numbers to take darshan of the Lord.
Devotees brought something for Jagannath
I got the deity service during weekdays (Thursday, 3rd Jul and Friday, 4th July) in the morning hours after darshan arati. As it was weekday so I thought not many will be there to see the Lord but since morning I saw devotees coming in large numbers to the temple. Anyone who were coming were carrying something to offer to the Lord – flowers, Tulasi leaves, sweets, fruits and some were offering money at the lotus feet of the Lord.
As a pujari I had the service to offer the bhoga which devotees were bringing for the Lord. Devotees were eager to have something from the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath – Tulasi or flower or fruits. I tried to satisfy the desire of the devotees but was not able to give it to all else nothing would have remained in front of the Lord. Devotees also brought 56 bhoga items to offer to the Lord. Many devotees were chanting in front of the Lord. They were also clicking pictures of the Lord and making videos.
Different days different dress
During his stay at Gundicha, Jagananth, Baladeva and Subhadra are dressed differently on different days. The Lord is dressed as per the different pastimes he performs especially in Vrindavan.
On Thursday they were having Banabhoji Besha and on Friday the pastime of Lord Balarama slaying the demon Pralambāsura was depicted.
During Banabhoji Besha Lord Jagannath and Lord Baladeva were dressed as cowherd boys going for a picnic with his cowherd friends. On this day, many fruits were offered to the Lord.
On Friday, Lord Balarama slaying the demon Pralambāsura in Vrindavan was shown.
Krishna enjoying with his cowherd friends in Vrindavan
In Srimad Bhagavatam, it is described in detail how the demon who had come to kill Balarama was easily eliminated by Balarama.
Krishna was performing so many wonderful pastimes with his friends in Vrindavan. Everyone was enjoying, there was not even a fraction of unhappiness. Vrindavan forest was covered with lush green trees, flowers, fruits. Cool and soothing breeze gave comfort to all. Summer appeared as spring. In that serene ambience they were playing different sports, singing songs, dancing with Krishna, joking with each other, pulling each other’s legs and eating delicious prasadam.
The two brothers were enjoying with their cowherd friends in Vrindavan when this demon sneaked in disguising himself as a cowherd boy. He took the form of a cowherd boy who had stayed at home on that day. And this demon participated in a game which Krishna was playing with his dear friends.
Balarama slays Pralambāsura
In that game, the group was divided into two – one led by Krishna and the other led by Balarama. Pralamba was on the side of Krishna. As per the rule of the game, the group which got defeated had to carry the members of other group on their shoulders.
The group led by Balarama won and as a punishment the cowherd boys on the side of Krishna had to carry cowherd boys on the side of Balarama on their shoulders. We may wonder, how can Lord be defeated. Acharyas explain that Lord is defeated by the love of his devotees.
So, Krishna was carrying Śrīdāmā and Pralamba took Balarama on his shoulder thinking that he will kill him when the opportunity comes. But how can it be possible for anyone to harm Balarama who is an expansion of Krishna. Soon, Balarama understood who this person is. He swiftly slayed him by smashing his head with his fist.
Pralamba had disguished himself thinking that he will not be recognized. But in front of the Lord who we are is revealed. So, we should never think that we can deceive the Lord. Lord knows who we are and what is there in our heart.
Begging Lord Jagannath to purify our heart of all impurities
With folded hands we should stand in front of Lord Jagannath who is Lord Krishna with folded hands and beg him to free us from all impurities which is forcing us to not take his full shelter.
During Rath Yatra Lord is extremely merciful. So, we should again and again pray for his mercy and try to serve him as much as possible.
While doing the deity service, I saw several devotees constantly bowing in front of the Lord, raising their both hands while chanting Jai Jagannath and were constantly chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra on their beads.
I am extremely grateful to Lord Jagannath for giving me an opportunity to serve him at Gundicha Temple. Hope next year too I get an opportunity to serve Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra during Rath Yatra festival in the Gundicha temple.
Three References
- On Thursday the Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra were having Banabhoji Besha and on Friday the pastime of Lord Balarama slaying the demon Pralambāsura was depicted.
- Like Pralambāsura, we should never think that we can deceive the Lord. Lord knows who we are and what is there in our heart.
- We should stand in front of Lord Jagannath with folded hands and beg him to free us from all impurities which is forcing us to not take his full shelter.
Ask Yourself
- Is there something in my heart which I am hiding from the Lord?
Action Item
- Reveal your heart to the Lord and beg him to purify all the impurities which is keeping us away from him.
