Shree Jagannath and Shree Ram

Many scholars have enunciated that Shree Ram is none other than Shree Jagannath as depicted d in our religion. On careful analysis, it has been observed that virtues of Shree Ram are mostly as such of Shree Jagannath. Shree Jagannath has been accepted as the origin of incarnations. Hence, in Sanskrit he is named as incarnator (Avatari) and ten others created by Shree Jagannath are called ten incar- nations (Dasa Avatara). In Oriya literature, it has been es- tablished that Shree Jagannath is the embodiment of six- teen virtues. Lord Krishna is one of such virtues. Hence, Lord Jagannath has been accepted in the religious litera- ture as "Parambrahma" i.e., the absolute supreme, as the philosophy accepted by scholars of Orissa. Such scholars have named as followers of Baishnab in Orissa (Utkaliya Baishnab). Such theory has not been accepted by the fol- lowers of Gaudiya Baishnav. Shree Chaitanya, an eminent saint of Bengal tried his level best of fostering the impor- tance of Shree Krishna on Shree Jagannath. People of Orissa and "Muktimandap Sabha", the house of scholars of Jagannath temple, accepted Shree Krishna as one of the incarnations of Shree Jagannath, but did not accept the "Raga Nuga Vokti" ie., expression of Love and total sur- render to Shree Radha and Shree Krishna without any querry and debate. People of Orissa and followers of Lord Jagannath are named as "Utkaliya Baishnav" i.e., follow- ers of Baishnavs of Orissa. They believe in "Gyana Mishra Bhakti" ie, offering devotion which is supported and ac- cepted by knowledge and proper reasoning. Lord Jagannath has been accepted all over the world as the master of en tire universe (Natha means Master and Jagata means Uni- verse). Hence, anything found on this earth is created by Him. He is the supreme creature and all others are his cre- ations. Accepting such analogy. Shree Ram is one of the virtues of Shree Jagannath. The other name of Lord Jagannth is "Shree Purusottam" Le.. the best personality (Uttam means Best and Purusa means Person). The activi ties of Shree Jagannath from dawn to dusk are exactly as that of a benevolent person of human society. In the preser age ie. "Kalijuga", Shree Jagannath preferred to be like a worldly person because of greater acceptance by the people of world in the age of knowledge explosion. Shree Rama is named as "Maryada Purusottam" i.e., personality with dig- nity. The creation of incarnation of Shree Ram was to up-held the dignity of personality. Shree Ram, as the obedient son fostered high regards to the words of his father. Shree Ram preferred to leave the kingdom of Ayodhya for four- teen years. To uphold the dignity of his kingship and administration, he did not hesitate to send his wife Sita to the dense forest after reaching Ayodhya to honour the feelings of the people of Kingdom. Though Shree Ram was convinced of the innocence and the sacred life of Sita, preferred to put more importance to the views of common people of Ayodhya by sending her out of Kingdom. Hence, there is no doubt equalizing the dignity of Shree Ram and Shree Jagannath as Purusottama, the excellent person. Shree Jagannath was more established as Shree Ram by saint Tulasi Das. Like that of all religious scholars who visited the temple of Shree Jagannath at Puri, saint Tulasi Das also visited and saw Shri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the grand throne. Saint Tulasi Das, an ardent devotee of Shree Ram, was disappointed not to see Sri Ram on the grand throne of the Grand Temple at Puri. Later, he was astonished to see Ram in Lord Jagannath, Shree Laxman in Lord Balabhadra and Sita in Goddess Subhadra. Hence, he immediately ac cepted Lord Jagannath as Shree Ram, In his famous writ ing, he has also expressed in Hindi: "Johi Rama Sohi Jagadisha, Dina Hi Ke Antana Pabata Shesa, "Shesa Bhaya Lachhiman Anuchari, Bhadra So Siya Rajkumari" The gist of the above is, "He is Ram, Who is Jagannath". Taking the above writing of saint Tulasi Dash, the devotees of Shree Ram all over India accept Shri Jagannath as Shree Ram. In Balmiki Ramayan, it has been narrated that Shree Ram ad- vised devotee Hanuman and the king Bivisana to worship Shree Jagannath after the age of Tretaya. The version of Balmiki Ramayana is produced below: "Aradhya Jagannatham Ekshyaku Kula daibatam, Aradhaniyo Manisham Debanam Basabai Sahah" As per determination of Baidik clan of every person, Shree Jagannath belongs to Surya clan. (Surya Bansha) Ekshyaku is the other name of sun (Surya). Shree Ram also belongs to Surya clan. With such convincing narration by Balmiki Ramayana, scholars accept Shree Jagannath as Shree Ram. Different rites in Jagannath temple also prove the influence of Shree Ram on the cult of Shree Jagannath. During Car Festival the king Bibhisana offers special prayer to Shree Jagannath on the full moon day of month Pusya. Shree Jagannath is also decorated in the dress of Shree Ram dur- ing Ramayana Festival in Jagannath Temple. During the birth month of Shree Ram i.e., Chaitra, for fifteen days, proces- sions with idol of Shree Ram, Laxman and Sita are orga- nized in different areas of Puri. Specifically, idols of Parsuram from Harachandi Sahi, Ravana from Balisahi. Maya Ravana from Dola Mandap Sahi are organized with pump and ceremony. Such ceremony is popularly named as "Sahi Jata" of Puri. As a king of Surya clan in Benta Festi val (Benta Yatra) during Basanta Panchami of Dola, the idol of Shree Ram is carried to Jagannath Balav garden and hunt- ing of animals are organized and surrendered to the forefa- thers. The rites of Lond Jagannath and Shree Ram depict and synthesise the culture of Shree Ram and Lord Jagannath After Bahuda yatra i.e. Return Car Festival, Lod Jagannath is worshipped as Shree Ram during Niladri Bije Le return ing to the Grand Temple after nine days of Car Festival. All above narrations prove that Shree Ram is accepted as Shree Jagannath. Hence, saint Tulasi Das has correctly enunci ated that "Johi Rama Sohi Jagadisha" i.e., He is Ram, who is Lord Jagannath. It is one of the illustrations of excellent synthesis of different cults of our nation in Shree Jagannath Temple