Festivals are an expressive way to celebrate glorious heritage, culture and traditions. They are events where we spend time with our loved ones, take pause and celebrate life, relax and unwind but there is a deeper layer attached to the festivals. They also reflect the deep embedded philosophy and way of life for any society.
Today marks the auspicious beginning of one of the most famous festival in Odisha, India. The festival is observed on the Dwitiya tithi of the Ashadha month that coincides with second day of Gupta Navaratri. The festival is known as Ratha Yatra where the principal deity of the area, Lord Jagganatha, along with his brother Lord Balabadhra, and Goddess Subhadra travels to their Aunt’s place for seven days and come back on the eight day back to the Jagganatha Temple. The newly built chariot is prepared every year with 16 wheels for Lord Jaggananatha, with 14 wheels for Lord Balabhadra, and with 12 wheels for Goddess Subhadra.
The word ‘Jagannaatha’ means the Lord of the universe. He represents the Self that dwells within all of us and pervades everywhere.
The chariot of Lord is our own body. We all are the chariots of Lord Jaganaatha. Yes, Each one of us 😊😊😊. There are three chariots respectively signifying Gross body, Subtle Body, and Causal Body. Lord in the form of consciousness pervades each of these bodies.
The wheels are the supports that help the chariot in moving. We all have those support that helps us in proper functioning and in the movement of these bodies.
Stage One:
12 wheels of the chariot signifies five sense organs ( hearing, sight, touch, taste , and smell), five action organs (mouth, feet, hands, genitals, and anus), tanmatras( unmanifested subtle elements), antahakarana (mental equipment).
At this stage, a seeker realises that he is not just a mass of matter but there is vital force in form of tanmatras and mind that helps running this body.
Stage Two :
14 wheels of the chariots represents more detailed version of the same wheels. It includes five sense organs ( hearing, sight, touch, taste , and smell), five action organs (mouth, feet, hands, genitals, and anus), tanmatras(unmanifested subtle elements) but here Antahakrana( mental equipment) gets revealed as three (mind ,intellect,and ego).
Here, the seeker realises that ego is different than mind and intellect and can tame the mind by using one’s will power.
Stage Three:
16 wheels of the chariots represents most detailed version of the same wheels. The 15 wheels includes five sense organs ( hearing, sight, touch, taste , and smell), five action organs (mouth, feet, hands, genitals, and anus), tanmatras (unmanifested subtle elements) but here Antahakrana( mental equipment) gets revealed as four (as mind, intellect, chitta, and ego). The 16th wheel in the form of Divine Self also gets revealed.
At last, the seeker realizes that thoughts for both intellect and mind is actually coming from the chitta( memory of old latent thoughts in form of mental tendencies)and is not actually controlled by ego. He understands that ego is the false Self. He offers all the 15 components to the16th principle of Divinity within and ask him to take over.
The 7 days of journey signifies the 7 planes of existence we all have to cross to complete the spiritual journey.
May Lord Jaganaatha grace us all so that we may reach his lotus feet in this lifetime alone 🙏🙏🙏
🌼🌼🌼All Glories to Swamiji Alone 🌼🌼🌼
This article is a submission at the lotus feet of my guru Om Swami – the founder of the Vedic Sadhana app. The app helps you identify your ishta and then perform daily rituals that deepen your relationship with them. This incredible app makes the ancient rituals and practices followed by the sages of India available to you.
