Saṁpūrṇa Jagadeva Nandanavanam Sarvepi Kalpadrumāḥ
Gāṅgam Vāri Samasta Vāri Nibhahā Puṇyā Samastāḥ Kriyāḥ
Vācaḥ Prākṛta Saṁskṛta Śrutigiro Vārāṇasī Medinī
Sarvāvasthitirasya Vastuviṣayā Dṛṣṭe Paraṁbrahmaṇi
“When the Supreme Brahman is beheld, the entire world becomes the celestial forest of Nandanavana, and every tree becomes the wish-fulfilling Kalpavriksha. All bodies of water become the sacred waters of the Ganges, and all actions become holy deeds. Every spoken word, whether in vernacular or Sanskrit, becomes a Vedic chant, and the entire earth becomes the sacred land of Varanasi.”
These very words naturally flowed from the lips of Adi Shankaracharya upon beholding the Blue Jewel of Nilachala – Lord Jagannath seated on the jewelled throne (Ratnasimhasana) upon the hundred-petaled lotus inside the conch-shaped sanctum within the cave of the Blue Mountain (Niladri). After witnessing the Supreme Brahman, Adi Shankaracharya felt that the entire world was Nandanavana (the celestial garden) and all trees were Kalpadruma (the wish-fulfilling trees). Every drop of water in this holy land was the water of the Ganges, and every word spoken here was a Vedic chant. Every action performed here was a virtuous deed, and the land itself was as sacred as Varanasi.
Yes, this is that very land (Kshetra), which some call Srikshetra and others call Purushottama Kshetra. For some, it is the Patitapavana Kshetra (the land that redeems the fallen), and for others, it is Shankha Kshetra. But for the soul seeking liberation and salvation, completely immersed in the love of Jagannath, this is simply ‘The Kshetra’ (The Sacred Land). In every atom of the soil of this land lies the profound fulfilment of realizing God. Rolling in its dust brings the extraordinary experience of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Stepping onto this land makes one forget all the struggles, pain, and suffering of a lifetime. Here, the mind has no other thought but to be completely absorbed in Jagannath.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life’s worldly entanglements, the inner voice constantly cries out, “O Mahabahu (The Mighty-armed One), O Baliyarabhuja (The Strong-armed One), O Artatran (The Savior of the distressed), O Patitapavana (The Redeemer of the fallen), beckon me with a wave of Your hand, O Lord! Bring this humble, destitute soul to Your Kshetra. Grant me a fleeting glimpse of Your divine self. Pour the soothing waters of Your blessings onto my tormented soul, Lord. Free me from the shackles of life’s struggles, O Lord!” Lord, for ages, this Kshetra has beckoned the poor, the sorrowful, and the destitute with open arms. The sick, the seekers, and the ascetics. The poets, the writers, and the dreamers. The kings and the beggars. The sinners, the virtuous, the seekers, and the spiritually enlightened. The lovers, the spirited, the wealthy, and the inquisitive.
O Lord! Now the Ashadha sky is draped in dark, heavy clouds. The deafening, deep roar of the thunder-drum, the dazzling streaks of lightning, the newly risen sun, and the vibrant colors of the rainbow—all are for You. Everyone is headed towards the Kshetra, Lord. Everyone now stands on Your Grand Road (Bada Danda). With longing eyes, they all gaze at You, Lord. Come… come, O Lord, descend carefully from that mountain cave. Just once, turn Your unblinking round eyes upon us, Lord. See how, carrying the agony of lifetimes on our shoulders like Kubuja, we gaze at You with unblinking eyes, like the Chakora bird waiting for the moon.
Yes Lord, today is indeed Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya… Have You forgotten? You had promised that You would come to Sharadhabali. You would grace the Grand Road with a festive crowd. You would grant Your vision to the sinners. You would redeem the fallen, Lord. But why such a delay, O Kalia Saante (Dark Lord)? You are indeed the one who encompasses this entire moving and unmoving universe. After claiming heaven, earth, and the netherworld in just three steps, what else remains? O Trivikrama in the form of Vamana (the dwarf incarnation), I have heard from the wise that beholding You on the chariot frees one from the cycle of rebirth.
Dole Ca Dola Govindaṁ, Cāpe Ca Madhusūdanam
Rathe Tu Vāmanaṁ Dṛṣṭvā Punarjanma Na Vidyate
“Beholding Govinda on the swing (Dola Yatra), Madhusudana on the boat (Chapa Yatra), and Vamana on the chariot (Ratha Yatra)—one shall never be reborn.”
That is why I have come to the Kshetra today, Lord. I have smeared the dust of Your sanctified land upon my forehead. I am only waiting for the moment when You will descend the twenty-two steps (Baisi Pahacha) to the Grand Road. Taking Your brother and sister along, You will proceed to the Janmabedi (birth altar). And upon receiving Your divine vision, this sinful soul will be thrilled. The tormented heart will find solace. But what is this, Lord… why such a delay? Look, Lord, the day is slipping away. Waiting in front of Your palace are Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana (the three chariots). The Vishwakarmas (artisans) have spent many days crafting Your chariots. Waiting on the chariots are the sages, the guardian deities, the charioteers—Daruka, Arjuna, and Matali—the horses, and the chariot ropes, which are none other than Nagaraja (the Serpent King) himself.
Lord, the Grand Road is now a sea of heads—a great surge of humanity. To have the Lord of millions of hearts close, to embrace Him, and to make Him their own forever, everyone stands with raised hands. Not just from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas, but the entire world—from the lowest to the highest, young and old alike—awaits You today, Lord. The living, the departed, and all souls of the moving and unmoving universe yearn for Your sight today. With the hope and faith that a single moment’s vision will bring liberation from millions of births, this ocean of humanity waits.
For Your nine-day journey, devotees have rushed here from different countries and distant islands. See, Lord, long queues stretch in all directions. Some hold hands, some carry children in their arms, and others ride on their fathers’ shoulders, pressing forward into this crowd. Everyone is headed towards the Kshetra, Lord. Everyone has but one desire—to catch a glimpse of You on the chariot, to touch the chariot rope even for a moment, to lose themselves in this ocean of humanity on the Grand Road, and to lose their own identity in Your divine presence. Delay no more, Lord. Descend from the blue cavern (Nilakandara).
What is this? The sound of gongs, cymbals, mridangas, and kirtan chants is reverberating even more loudly in this ocean of humanity. Look there! The Dark Lord (Kalia Saanta) is descending from Niladri. Foremost is Chakra Raja Sudarshana, followed by the elder brother Balabhadra, and behind him, reassured by her brother’s protection, comes the gold-nosed Subhadra. After they have boarded their respective chariots, swaying and swinging, comes the Black Elephant, the Black Lord (Jagannath). The four directions tremble with the sounds of ‘Haribol’ and ‘Hulahuli’ (ululation). What a wondrous sight! Tears in everyone’s eyes… everyone standing with hands raised. Everyone is grateful to have Your vision today, Lord. You are not just seated on the chariot, Lord—You have taken Your seat on the Nandighosa of my mind. You are the charioteer of my life’s chariot. What a humble creature am I, when the sovereign of Utkal, the Gajapati himself, is Your servant! He, who acknowledges his servitude before the entire universe, sweeps the chariots with a golden broom. My eyes feel sanctified today, Lord. As Your Nandighosa rolls forward on the Grand Road with a deep rumbling sound, beholding Your Trivikrama form upon it makes my birth meaningful. My journey to Srikshetra bears fruit…
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Dr. Nahak currently serves as Professor and Director of PR & Media Communication at Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), Rajasthan. He can be reached out at drfmnahak@gmail(dot)com. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of IndiaVerve.
