23. The Origin of the deity of Patita pavana Jagannath

The Origin of the deity of Patita pavana Jagannath:

The merciful deity in Puri known as Patita Pavana sits just inside the eastern entrance to the temple of jagannath, the "Lion-gate", standing on a platform to the right as a devotee enters the temple. 

THE BODY OF THE PATITA PAVANA DEITY:

Patita Pavana is a unique deity in that he is not carved from wood as the deities in the temple are. He is made of a combination of frank incense, sandalwood paste, natural camphor, resin, scented oils from the aguru and chua plants, and fragrant musk coming from a gland on the Himalayan musk deer.

Patita Pavana is different from the main deity of Jagannath in the temple in several ways. First of all, he is by himself, without his Sudarshan Chakra, His brother Balaram, or His sister Subhadra. Secondly, the deity has manifested only a face, with no arms or torso. In Orissa, when Jagannath is worshiped without his brother and sister He is known as Patita Pavana, the purifier or deliverer of the fallen, or Dadhi Vaman, the dwarf or child who likes yoghurt.

There are several versions as to the origin and date of installation of this deity of Patita Pavana inside the Lion-gate. 

Sri Sundarananda Vidyavinode, a scholarly disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, has cited three local traditions in his authoritative book, Sri Ksetra: 

1. Some claim that Jagannath manifested himself to give darsana to His devotee Salabeg, who was born in a Muslim family.

2. Others say that this deity was installed during the reign of King Ramachandradev in 1738 AD. 

3. Still others say that this deity manifested for Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

4. Another local tradition, not mentioned by Sundarananda, is that Patita Pavana appeared at the time of Mahaprabhu to benedict Haridas Thakur, who could not go inside of the temple.

However, whatever is His origin, Patita Pavana Jagannath is one of the most prominent deities in Puri. Via his darśana, and in the poetry, song, dance, drama, and paintings of Orissa as well as in the heartfelt prayers offered to Him, Patita Pavana has played a major role in the lives of countless devotees for at least the last 250 years. Here are the two most prominent stories about His appearance...

Salabeg:

Muslim-born Salabeg heard from his mother about the glories of Lord Jagannath, the deliverer of all fallen souls. Thus a tremendous desire to see Jagannath awakened in Salabeg's heart. With a great desire to see the Lord, he arrived in Jagannath Puri, but was not allowed to enter the temple. Out of grief, he lay down in front of the main entrance of the temple and began to cry.

His tears of separation from the Lord attracted Jagannath, who came from the main altar and appeared at the main gate of the temple to please His devotee. Salabeg composed many wonderful prayers to Jagannath. He is generally considered to be the author of the Patita-pavanaṣṭakam, eight verses glorifying Patita Pavana Jagannath. Some say that he composed Patita-pavanäṣṭakam after the deity of Patita Pavana manifested before him.