Lord Jagannath is loved and revered by devotees in the farthest reaches of the world, and He is known by so many different worshipable Names.
From time immemorial, Puri has been the most important centre of Vishnu worship. Its presiding deity is called Purusottam. He is otherwise known as Jagannath. Etymologically, the word Jagannath means the Lord of the Universe. According to legendary sources, Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped in the form of "Neelamadhab" by a tribal (Sabar) known as Biswabasu. In course of time, the cult of Jagannath took an Arayanised form and various major faiths like Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and Buddhism have been assimilated into this cult. In Jagannath temple, Jagannath is worshipped as Purusottam or Vishnu, Balabhadra as Siva, and Devi Subhadra as Adyasakti Durga. Finally, the fourth one Sudarsan Chakra symbolizing the wheel of Sun's chariot attracts the Sauras to the Centre.
Scholars like Nilakantha Das are of the opinion that the three main images of Jagannath,
Balabhadra and Subhadra represent Jain Trinity of Samyak Jnana, Samyak Chinta and Samyak Drusti. Pandit Nilakantha Das and Dr. Artaballav Mohanty have even gone to the extent of saying that Jagannath is the image of Rushavnath. Jain dictionary also tells us that Jagannath is another name of Jeeneswar or Rushavnath.
On the other hand, Scholars like Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab are of the opinion that the three images such as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra represent the Buddhist trinity of Buddha, Dharama and Sangha. It is also believed that the soul of Jagannath or Navi, most secretly hidden within the idol of Lord Jagannath, is nothing but tooth relic of Lord Buddha.Over the years, many followers of Lord Buddha have also embraced Lord Jagannath, endowing Him with certain aspects and characteristics that are inherent to Buddhism. For example, in some Orissan pata-chitra folk paintings depicting scenes of the Dasavatara, the ten primary incarnations of Visnu, the place of Lord Buddha is filled with an image of Lord Jagannath, instead. Not surprisingly, these adherents have also concluded that Lord Jagannath's large round eyes have meaning in Buddhist symbolism. They state that the Lord's round, wheel-like eyes illustrate the concept of nirvana. The soul, passing through many births, completes the circle and attains liberation after having traveled repeatedly around the great wheel. Sri Jagannath's eyes are that wheel, or are like a symbolic mandala of the wheel.
Jagannath is also known as "Darubramha." In other temples we see that stone and metal idols are the object of worship. But, the Jagannath quadruple are carved out of Neem Wood. It is a fact that the idols being made of wood, cannot sustain themselves for long time. Thus comes the question of "Navakalevar." Their (idols) periodical renovation becomes inevitable, which is called "Navakalevar." This is a unique ceremony in many respect in the Hindu religious worship.
Lord Jagannath is "Nirakar" having no "Akar" or specific shape of His own. He has no legs but two parallel incomplete hands. He has two round eyes. He is black in complexion and does not have ears. All these things bear testimony to His symbolic form.
One category of names for Lord Jagannath are those that refer to His beautiful round eyes.
These two round eyes represent the Sun and Moon. We all know that the Sun and the Moon
remove darkness and gives us light.He is called "Chakaakhi", because chakaakhi means 'round eyes'. "Chakanayana" and "Chakaakshia" are similar forms of this Name. The Lord is also known as "Chakadola", which refers to His round lid-less eyes, which symbolize that the Lord is constantly and vigilantly watching over His devotees. These Names also distinguish the fact that Lord Jagannath's eyes are unlike those of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, whose eyes are typically depicted as oval or slanted while the Lord's are completely round in shape.
The various meanings of "Chakadola" have been interpreted by scholars, as follows:
From time immemorial, Puri has been the most important centre of Vishnu worship. Its presiding deity is called Purusottam. He is otherwise known as Jagannath. Etymologically, the word Jagannath means the Lord of the Universe. According to legendary sources, Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped in the form of "Neelamadhab" by a tribal (Sabar) known as Biswabasu. In course of time, the cult of Jagannath took an Arayanised form and various major faiths like Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and Buddhism have been assimilated into this cult. In Jagannath temple, Jagannath is worshipped as Purusottam or Vishnu, Balabhadra as Siva, and Devi Subhadra as Adyasakti Durga. Finally, the fourth one Sudarsan Chakra symbolizing the wheel of Sun's chariot attracts the Sauras to the Centre.
Scholars like Nilakantha Das are of the opinion that the three main images of Jagannath,
Balabhadra and Subhadra represent Jain Trinity of Samyak Jnana, Samyak Chinta and Samyak Drusti. Pandit Nilakantha Das and Dr. Artaballav Mohanty have even gone to the extent of saying that Jagannath is the image of Rushavnath. Jain dictionary also tells us that Jagannath is another name of Jeeneswar or Rushavnath.
On the other hand, Scholars like Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab are of the opinion that the three images such as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra represent the Buddhist trinity of Buddha, Dharama and Sangha. It is also believed that the soul of Jagannath or Navi, most secretly hidden within the idol of Lord Jagannath, is nothing but tooth relic of Lord Buddha.Over the years, many followers of Lord Buddha have also embraced Lord Jagannath, endowing Him with certain aspects and characteristics that are inherent to Buddhism. For example, in some Orissan pata-chitra folk paintings depicting scenes of the Dasavatara, the ten primary incarnations of Visnu, the place of Lord Buddha is filled with an image of Lord Jagannath, instead. Not surprisingly, these adherents have also concluded that Lord Jagannath's large round eyes have meaning in Buddhist symbolism. They state that the Lord's round, wheel-like eyes illustrate the concept of nirvana. The soul, passing through many births, completes the circle and attains liberation after having traveled repeatedly around the great wheel. Sri Jagannath's eyes are that wheel, or are like a symbolic mandala of the wheel.
Jagannath is also known as "Darubramha." In other temples we see that stone and metal idols are the object of worship. But, the Jagannath quadruple are carved out of Neem Wood. It is a fact that the idols being made of wood, cannot sustain themselves for long time. Thus comes the question of "Navakalevar." Their (idols) periodical renovation becomes inevitable, which is called "Navakalevar." This is a unique ceremony in many respect in the Hindu religious worship.
Lord Jagannath is "Nirakar" having no "Akar" or specific shape of His own. He has no legs but two parallel incomplete hands. He has two round eyes. He is black in complexion and does not have ears. All these things bear testimony to His symbolic form.
One category of names for Lord Jagannath are those that refer to His beautiful round eyes.
These two round eyes represent the Sun and Moon. We all know that the Sun and the Moon
remove darkness and gives us light.He is called "Chakaakhi", because chakaakhi means 'round eyes'. "Chakanayana" and "Chakaakshia" are similar forms of this Name. The Lord is also known as "Chakadola", which refers to His round lid-less eyes, which symbolize that the Lord is constantly and vigilantly watching over His devotees. These Names also distinguish the fact that Lord Jagannath's eyes are unlike those of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, whose eyes are typically depicted as oval or slanted while the Lord's are completely round in shape.
The various meanings of "Chakadola" have been interpreted by scholars, as follows:
"One of the avataras (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu is Matschhya (fish) avatara. Rohita (Rohi fish) and Animisha (having no eye-lids) are two names of Vishnu out of His one thousand names ( Vishnu sahasra nama), which indicate Matschhya avatara. The round lid-less eyes, like that of fish, symbolise that Lord Vishnu or Jagannath is ever active and vigilant. To Him, days, nights and fatigue make no meaning. Sun and Moon are the two eyes of Lord Vishnu. Hence, His eyes are round in shape (" Sashi Surya netram ", Gita).
The eye-index of Lord Jagannath is higher than that of the images of deities belonging to many ancient civilizations e.g. the Indus valley, the Mexican and Egyptian civilizations. Hence, it could be presumed that Lord Jagannath is a very ancient deity in the world."
Similarly, Lord Jagannath removes darkness from our mind. He is the embodiment of knowledge and source of wisdom. Secondly, we know that circle does not have a beginning nor an end. In the same manner, the round eyes of Lord Jagannath teach us that He does not have a beginning nor an end. Thus we can say that He is Anadi (no beginning) and Ananta (no end).
Lord Jagnnath is called "Mahabahu". He has two stretched parallel hands without having palms. It presupposes that a man who surrenders to Him is embraced by Him and He ultimatelyprotects him(the man). One thing deserves Special mention here. Lord Jagannath's hand are parallel which prove His unlimitedness. We have read in Geometry that the two parallel lines cannot meet at a point. They may meet an unimaginary and an unlimited point. Thus, His hands are symbolic. Some scholars have even gone to the extent of saying that the three colours of the Deities (Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra) represent the three basic races of the world namely, black, white and yellow. Hence, the Trinity of Puri represents the mankind.
Because Lord Jagannath is Sri Krsna Himself, many of the Supreme Personality's Names are also used to describe Lord Jagannath. Jagannath, 'Lord of the Universe', is popularly known as "Padmalochana" (Lotus-eyed). He is also called "Jagadish" or "Jagatadhisha" (the 'King of the Universe), "Jagabandhu" (the 'Friend of the World), "Patitapavana" (Who Blesses the Most Fallen), Jagamohana, and Deena-bandhaba.
The Lord has many other Names that refer to his transcendental rulership over the worlds, including "Purusottama" (the 'Supreme Man), "Devadhideva" (Lord of Lords), and "Rajadhiraj" (King of Kings).
As Daru-brahman, the Lord is shrouded in mystery. While we behold His beautiful Form, the Lord's Brahman is invisible, too subtle for our conditioned material eyes! The Kena Upanishad (1.5.9) states, "That which is not seen by the eye, but by which the eye sees - know that to be Brahman".
There are numerous other Holy Names of Lord Jagannath that describe His other manifest qualities and pastimes. He is called "Kala Thakura", which refers to the fact that He is a black coloured God. Similarly He is known as "Kala Simha" (Black Lion) and "Kalia Kanbu" (Dark Darling).
Just as we find reference to Mahaabaahu in Bhagavad-gita 1-18, referring to "big-armed", Lord Jagannath is known as "Mahaabaahu", being big-handed, which symbolizes that he reaches out to help all the jivatmas. This Name is particularly sweet given that the Lord's Daru-brahma body is without arms.
Lord Jagannatha is called by the name "Nilachalia", because He lives in Nilachala, on the great dark hill. Locally he is worshipped today as "Neeladrivihari", having been worshipped in the past as "Neelamadhab" by an aboriginal chief.
Of all the Names used to describe our beloved Lord Jagannath, however, perhaps the most heartfelt of all is His Name, "Bhavagrahi" - He Who Cares for the Feelings of the Devotee. This is the practical manifest presence of the Lord that is felt by all who gaze into His loving eyes.
Iconology of Lord Jagannth gives us many indications. It is symbolic. Scholars have made an attempt to interpret the God in their own ways. It is for this reason that no definite view has been accepted and Jagannath cult has been interpreted in many ways. Every religious cult whether Hindu or Non-Hindu finds justification here. But in this context we must not forget the following words of Rig Veda 'Ekam Sat Vipra Vahuda Vadanti"(Truth is one, wise speak of it in different ways).
