Speaker 1:
Greetings, Guru Dev.
Guru Dev:
Greetings, child.
Speaker 1:
Today is one of the biggest festivals for Bengalis and for those who follow the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism)āit is the Rath Yatra.
Guru Dev:
Indeed. But we shouldn't just say "Rath Yatra." We should say "Seeing the chariot and selling bananas" (Rath dekha, kola becha). It's a two-in-one occasion!
Speaker 1:
Please tell us more about the Rath Yatra.
Guru Dev:
Yes. The chariot, mainly of Lord Krishna, primarily takes place in Puri. It is said that when the distance between Krishna and Radhika grew too much, and after a great deal of conflictāit is even rumored, though I cannot say for certain, that Krishna once sentenced Radha to death. Following that deep separation and grief, the Rath Yatra began.
Guru Dev:
When Krishna returned to Vrindavan, it is believed he came on a chariot. He came with a very heavy heart. As I said, there are legends that Krishna punished Radha, and out of the subsequent remorse and longing, he traveled by chariot. This is why the Rath Yatra is observed on the second day of the waxing moon (Shukla Dwitiya) in the month of Ashadh. It is a major part of Hindu culture.
Guru Dev:
Rath Yatra signifies a "Great Union." Huge fairs are organized everywhere. In Puri, there are three distinct chariots for Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balaram (Haladhar). These chariots are nearly 45 feet high. They travel to the Maasi Bari (Aunt's house), near the Sakshi Gopal temple. There, Lord Jagannath stays for eight days, enjoys feasts and festivities, and then returns during the Ulta Rath (Return Chariot).
Guru Dev:
There are many unique traditions in Puri. For instance, the Lord is said to fall ill for 12 days before the festival. He is served a special herbal decoction (pachan). He suffers from a high fever during this time. Only after he recovers is he brought out for the public.
Guru Dev:
Another ritual involves the King of Puri. Before the chariots move, the King must sweep the ground with a golden broom. There are many such customs. Interestingly, the Sabara tribe, not the priests (Pandas), are the primary caretakers of the temple. The King of Puri is central to everything; it is said Lord Jagannath communicates through dreams to the King, and the temple follows those divine instructions.
Guru Dev:
In the temple's treasury, there is an ancient secret manuscript called the Jagannath Bhagawat. It has never been made public. It contains prophecies about how long the temple will last and how it will eventually be destroyed. It is said that when the sea level rises and the ocean "eats the fish" of the temple, Lord Jagannath will leave this world.
Guru Dev:
There are two symbolic horses at the western gateāone black and one white. Jagannath and Subhadra are associated with the black horse, and Balaram with the white. When the temple's end is near, the Lord will depart on these horses. Signs of the end times have already been seenāfire once caught the temple's dome, and the King's flag fell. These are omens. The sea is also encroaching; it's only about a kilometer or two away now.
Speaker 1:
We are curious, what else is in that Jagannath Bhagawat?
Guru Dev:
No one knows everything, but it details the destruction of Puri. Another legend involves Bibhishana (the brother of Ravana). It is said that Bibhishana comes every single day from Lanka to Puri to catch a glimpse of the Lord. Once, a security guard caught a tall, well-built man with a distinct appearance entering the temple after hours. When questioned, the man revealed he was Bibhishana. He explained that since Jagannath is an incarnation of Ram, he travels through the air every day to offer his respects.
Guru Dev:
Inside the idol of Lord Jagannath, there is the Nabhi Padma (the divine navel or essence, also called Brahma Padartha). Every few years, when the idols are replaced (Nabakalebara), this essence is transferred. The priest who does this is blindfolded and his hands are wrapped in cloth. It is said that anyone who looks at it directly will die or their lineage will end.
Speaker 1:
You spoke about Puri, but is Rath Yatra celebrated elsewhere in Bengal?
Guru Dev:
Yes, of course! The Rath of Mahesh in Srirampur is very famous and ancientāBankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote about it. There are also famous chariots in Mahishadal and Medinipur. In the old days, kings and later landlords (Zamindars) started their own Rath Yatra traditions to mimic the royalty of Puri.
Guru Dev:
The spiritual merit of this festival is immense. It is written in the scriptures: "Rathe tu Vamanam drishtwa punarjanma na vidyate"āif you see the Lord on the chariot, you will be liberated from the cycle of rebirth.
Guru Dev:
In Puri, they have a ritual called Pahandi, where the idols are brought out with a rhythmic, swaying motion. You can see it on TVāthey move the Lord as if he is dancing. It's a sight to behold. Lord Jagannath is a "People's King." He gives an audience to everyone, regardless of their status. For 12 days he is hidden away while ill, but on this day, he comes out to bless every devotee.
Guru Dev:
There is also a great significance in pulling the chariot's rope. People even try to cut a small piece of the rope to take home. It is believed that pulling the rope ensures you won't have to be reborn into this world of suffering.
Guru Dev:
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the festivities were restricted for the last two years. Very few people had the fortune of seeing the Lord in person because of the lockdowns and safety protocols. Only the priests were allowed after being tested.
Guru Dev:
But the essence remainsāRath Dekha, Kola Becha. We see the Lord and we fulfill our worldly duties. Lord Jagannath is both Ram and Krishna to us. This festival commemorates his journey, his separation from Radha, and his role as the protector of the universe.
Speaker 1:
Thank you, Guru Dev, for this beautiful explanation. We feel enlightened.
Guru Dev:
Bless you all. Let us pray to Mother Bama Tara and Lord Jagannath. Peace be upon all.
Spiritual Insight
This discourse reveals the profound mystical dimensions of Rath Yatra that go far beyond the external festival. The legend of Krishna's remorse over Radha and his journey by chariot reminds us that even divine beings experience the pain of separation. The mysterious Jagannath Bhagawat manuscript, with its prophecies of Puri's eventual destruction, suggests that all sacred institutions have their destined end. The presence of Bibhishanaāthe immortal brother of Ravanaāvisiting daily from Lanka demonstrates that devotion transcends time and geography. Most significantly, the scripture's promise that "Rathe tu Vamanam drishtwa punarjanma na vidyate" (seeing the Lord on the chariot ends the cycle of rebirth) affirms that this festival offers genuine spiritual liberation to all who participate with faith.