Krishna is Jagannath, Jagannath is Krishna
That night, as Tarkik lay in bed, his mind swirled with all he had learned. The red-eyed Bhagwan, weeping with joy for His devotees. The old woman whose simple offering of bitter neem became a cherished ritual. As sleep finally claimed him, Tarkik drifted into a vivid dream.
In his dream, he found himself in a realm of soft, golden light. Before him stood a radiant figure, smiling warmly. With a jolt of recognition, Tarkik realized he was face to face with Bhagwan Krishna Himself.
“My dear Tarkik,” Bhagwan Krishna began, His voice as melodious as His famed flute, “I see the questions in your heart. Let me share with you the grandeur of the Ratha Yatra you’re about to witness.”
Tarkik listened intently, his eyes wide with wonder, as Krishna continued, “The Ratha Yatra is not just an earthly celebration. It’s a cosmic event. Did you know that numerous deities, led by Indra and Brahma themselves, come with their entire retinues to participate as My bhakts?”
“Even the gods come, Bhagwan?” Tarkik gasped, awe evident in his voice.
Krishna nodded, His eyes twinkling like stars. “Yes, Tarkik. The Ratha Yatra transcends all realms. But there’s more. Have you heard of the ‘Adhara Pana’?”
Tarkik shook his head, curiosity burning in his eyes.
“It’s a special prasad prepared during the Yatra,” Krishna explained, His voice soft yet filled with cosmic significance. “It’s not just for the living, but also for the countless souls still wandering after death. It’s offered to Me and then spilt on the ground for these unseen beings. By partaking in this prasad, they attain liberation. You see, My love and grace extend beyond life and death.”
Tarkik fell silent, his young mind grappling with these profound revelations. After a moment, he looked up at Bhagwan Krishna, his eyes filled with a mix of wonder and lingering confusion.
“Bhagwan,” he began hesitantly, “I’m still trying to understand. How can you be Krishna and Jagannath and so many other forms all at once?”
Krishna’s smile was as warm as the first rays of dawn. His eyes sparkled with infinite wisdom and boundless love. “Ah, Tarkik,” He said, His voice as soft as a gentle breeze, “think of Me as the sun, and My forms as the many windows through which My light shines.”
Tarkik’s brow furrowed as he pondered this celestial metaphor.
Krishna continued, His form shimmering like sunlight on water, “To some, I am Dwarikadhish, majestic and regal. To others, I am Krishna, the playful cowherd. Some see Me as Ladoo Gopal, the sweet child, while in Odisha, I am Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. Each window, each form, is shaped by the love and devotion of My bhakts.”
“But why so many windows, Bhagwan?” Tarkik asked, his curiosity deepening.
Krishna’s eyes softened, His voice filled with emotion. “Because, My dear child, just as a plant needs sunlight to grow, I need the love of My devotees to manifest. And just as different plants need different amounts of light, My devotees seek Me in different ways. We nurture each other, complete each other.”
As Krishna spoke, His form began to shimmer and change. One moment, He was Krishna, flute in hand; the next, He was Jagannath with His large, loving eyes. Then He was Dwarikadhish in royal splendour, and then the endearing Ladoo Gopal.
Tarkik watched in awe as the forms shifted and merged. Suddenly, a flash of understanding illuminated his mind. “It’s like… like water, isn’t it, Bhagwan? Water can be a vast ocean, a flowing river, a still lake, or a single drop. But it’s all water, just as You are You, no matter the form.”
Krishna beamed, His smile brighter than a thousand suns. “Exactly, Tarkik! As we immerse ourselves in this ocean of divine love, the form becomes irrelevant. What remains is the pure, unconditional love we share.”
A wave of understanding washed over Tarkik, filling him with a joy he had never known before. “So it’s not about how we see You,” he said, his voice filled with wonder, “it’s about how much we love You, and how that love shapes our perception of You.”
“You have understood well, My child,” Krishna said, His voice filled with pride and affection. “Remember, in the end, it is not the form that matters, but the love that transcends all forms.”
As Krishna’s image began to fade, Tarkik felt as if he was awakening to a new reality, one where love was the ultimate truth, bridging the gap between the divine and the devotee.
As the dream began to fade, Tarkik heard Krishna’s voice one last time: “Remember, Tarkik, in whatever form you see Me, what matters is the love in your heart. That love is the true essence of bhakti.”
Tarkik awoke with a start, the first light of dawn filtering through his window. The dream remained vivid in his mind, leaving him with a profound sense of connection to Bhagwan in all His forms. He realised that his journey of understanding was just beginning, and he looked forward to the Ratha Yatra with a heart full of love and wonder, ready to see the divine in every form and every face he would encounter.
