56. Jagannath – Lord of the universe or Nandanandana???

Jagannath – Lord of the universe or Nandanandana???

Lord Jagannath is regularly dressed in silk or cotton outfits enhanced with lots of pretty flowers, tulasi garlands and manjaris. Only sweet-smelling flowers of white, yellow, gold, orange and pink colors are offered to Jagannatha Swami. Jasmines, marigolds and pink and white lotuses are Jagannath's favorites.

Some Vaishnavas adore Jagannatha Swami as Sri Krsna, the majestic, opulent Lord of Dvaraka. And others see Him as Vrajendranandana, the simple, carefree cowherd of Vraja. This combination of simplicity and grandeur is prominently visible in the varieties of Lord Jagannath's outfits. Sometimes Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra wear gold dresses (Suna Vesa) made of one ton of gold...! At other times, Jagannath appears like a simple Vrajavasi wearing tulasi and forest flowers.

There is a story behind the two modes of worship. King Anantadeva Coda Gangadeva of the 11th century built the present temple of Jagannatha Swami. He often dressed Jagannath like a king with royal silks, gold ornaments and gem-studded crowns. A pujari named Dhanesvara Sarma saw the Lord as a cowherd of Vraja. Having no interest in opulence, this pujari removed all the gold and redressed Jagannath with flowers, tulasi manjaris and a peacock feather.

Seeing the switch of outfits, the king angrily confronted Dhanesvara. The two met with a local holy man named Mudugal Rsi to resolve their differences. The king argued, "Lord Jagannath is the Lord of the universe and the husband of Lakshmi-devi. He should be dressed opulently."

The brahmin replied, "No, no, no…! Lord Jagannath is Syamasundara and Nandanandana from the forest of Vrndavana. He is Gopinatha, the conjugal lover of Radhika and the Vraja gopis. Jagannath prefers to wear these simple natural outfits."

The sage was undecided, so he asked the contending parties to remain in his asrama for a few days. One day, Lord Jagannath appeared and told the king and the brahmin that He would accept both the fancy, opulent outfits and the plain floral dresses. Four times a year, Lord Jagannath puts on very opulent outfits, but every night He wears His Bada Srngara Vesa made of wildflowers and tulasi garlands. It appears that Jagannatha Swami favors mercy above justice and sweetness above power.