Page 4 - Story of Lord Jagannath’s Appearance

some me Vidyapa stayed there, and later, by the special request of
the Sabara, he married the Sabara’s young daughter.

While Vidyapa lived in the house of the Sabara, he no ced some pe‐
culiarity in his host’s behavior. Every night the Sabara would go out,
and on the next day at about noon he would return to the house scent‐
ed with various fragrances such as camphor, musk and sandalwood.
Vidyapa inquired from his wife about the reason for this, and she in‐
formed him that her father would go out to a secret place to worship
Sri Nila‐madhava.

A er that day, Vidyapa ’s joy knew no bounds. Actually Lalita had been
ordered by her father not to tell anyone about Sri Nila‐madhava, but
she overstepped that order by telling her husband. Vidyapa immedi‐
ately became eager to see Sri Nila‐madhava, and finally one day, by the
repeated request of his daughter, the Sabara Vishvasu bound the eyes
of Vidyapa and took him to see Sri Nila‐madhava. As they were leav‐
ing, Vidyapa ’s wife. secretly bound some mustard seeds in the border
of Vidyapa ’s cloth, and so while passing on the path he threw them
down to mark the way. When they reached Sri Nila‐madhava the Saba‐
ra removed the blindfold, and Vidyapa , seeing the unprecedented
beauty of the Deity of Sri Nila?madhava, began to dance in ecstasy and
offer prayers.

Here it is clearly seen that Sri Nila‐madhava was a Deity incarna on of
the Supreme Lord. Deity incarna ons are called arca‐vigraha.The Lord
appears in Deity forms to benefit His devotees, especially those who
are less advanced. Since the Lord cannot be seen by any but the most
advanced devotees, He appears as the Deity to accept worship. Krishna
says in Bhagavad‐gita (9.34),

man‐mana bhava mad‐bhakto
mad‐yaji mam namaskuru

“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer Me
your obeisances.” Therefore He appears as the Deity to accept the wor‐
ship and obeisances of His devotees. He puts Himself in the hands of
His devotees to receive their service and help them develop love for