Chapter 44 - Description of the Jyeṣṭhapañcaka Vrata

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: This chapter shows how twelve different Mūrtis (Idols) of Jagannātha are worshipped one per month with their specific flowers and fruits. Viṣṇu is the Vedic Sun-god. As the Sun is regarded to have twelve different forms, each one being related to a different month, this Jagannātha-Viṣṇu is conceived to have twelve forms. But this is given the Purāṇic garb of a Vrata—the Mūrtipañjara Vrata.

Jaimini said:

1-7. I shall recount to you a Vrata lasting for a year. On the first day of the year, on the full-moon day in Phālguna (the Vrata begins).

There are twelve Mūrtis (forms) of Hari, the Primordial Lord. They are well known by the names of Viṣṇu etc. Those Mūrtis should be worshipped in turn every month.

(Out of these) One Mūrti should be worshipped everyday in the course of a month. There are twelve flowers and twelve fruits to be offered severally like this. The flowers are: Aśoka, Mallikā, Pāṭala, Kadaṃbaka, Karavīra, Jāti, Mālatī, Śatapatra (Lotus), Utpala, Vāsantī, Kunda and Punnāgaka. The devotee should joyously offer these flowers in due order.

The fruits to be offered in due order are: Pomegranate (Dāḍima). coconut, mango, Jackfruit, dates, palmyra fruit, old embylic myrobalan, śrīphala (bilva fruit), orange, arecanut, karmaṅgaka (Carissa carandas) and jātīphala (nutmeg).

8. After offering different types of food consisting of lambatives, sweet juices etc., the devotee should offer seat and other services and then eulogize the Site of the universe.^[1]

9. “O Lord of the universe, O omnipresent one, O Lord of things past, present and future, save me. O lotus-eyed one, O Viṣṇu, save me from the ocean of worldly existence.

10. Formerly in the terrifying vast expanse of the ocean water without any support you killed Madhu for the sake of protecting the universe. O Slayer of Madhu, protect me.

11. You took three steps and killed the huge army of Daityas. You (thus) protected the three worlds. O Trivikrama, obeisance to you.

12. You assumed the form of a dwarf having the (Vedas) Ṛk, Yajus and Sāman within. With your wonderful form you enchanted (everyone). Obeisance to that Māyā-wielder.

13. You hold Śrī perpetually on your chest. You grant prosperity to the devotees. Obeisance to you, O Śrīdhara.

14. You are the presiding deity of all sense-organs. You are always the Lord of sense-organs. You are the sole cause of the happiness of devotees. O Hṛṣīkeśa, obeisance to you.

15. This universe consisting of mobile and immobile beings has originated from the lotus coming out of your navel. It is the permanent seat of the Creator. O Padmanābha, obeisance to you.

16. This universe consisting of mobile and immobile beings is bound by the ṃree Guṇas belonging to you. Such a Lord has been bound with ropes by a cowherdess (Yaśodā). O Dāmodara, obeisance to you.

17. You killed the demon Keśin who caused havoc in all the three worlds. You are the master of all types of happiness. O Lord Keśava, protect me.

18. You are the creator of the worlds. You are the first cause of the worlds. Brahmā created living beings (with your guidance). O Viṣṇu of unimaginable greatness, O Nārāyaṇa, obeisance to you.

19. The universe is deluded by your Māyā that has no beginning. Obeisance, obeisance to Mādhava, the embodiment of all Dharmas.

20. You are accessible to the wise ones through perfect knowledge. You are the bestower of the goal on those who are helpless. By your favour, O Govinda, let my Vrata be concluded (successfully).”⁹⁸²

21. Every month, at the conclusion of the worship the devotee should pray with these Mantras with great devotion, with palms joined in reverence. He should thus pray to Janārdana at the end of worship.

22. Thus the devotee should perform this Vrata (named) Mūrtipañjara (‘Cage of the Mūrtis’) for a year. In order to get full benefit he should perform the rite of installation.

23. The devotee should make gold images of the twelve Mūris of Viṣṇu in accordance with his capacity. These Mūrtis should be placed in twelve pots.

24-26. Those pots should be covered with mango leaves separately and draped with white cloths. They must contain perfumed water with tender leaves (of mango) put in them. In the mystic diagram, Sarvatobhadra, square in shape, these pots should be placed in the eight cardinal points and the Mūrtis should be worshipped in them separately by means of the twelve-syllabled Mantra (viz. oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya) with offerings and services. At the outset, O Brāhmaṇas, all of them should be bathed in Pañcāmṛtas.

27-31. The following things must be provided for: songs, instrumental music, dances etc., worship of Brāhmaṇas, twelve pairs of cloths, twelve umbrellas, twelve pairs of shoes, fans, water-pots, beds, footstools, sweet scents, wreaths, good betel leaves, rings, ear-rings etc.

Lamps should be burned with ghee. They must be twelve in number. The night should be spent thus.

In the morning, the rites in the sacred fires should be performed.

For each deity three hundred Homas should be offered with sacrificial twigs, ghee and Carus. The Homas with gingelly seeds should be offered one thousand and eight times while uttering the Vyāhṛtis (viz. Bhūr, Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ).

At the end of the Homas he should partake of (the Naivedya) and give monetary gifts to the preceptor. Twelve well-adorned tawny-coloured cows should be given.

32-33. Thereafter, the devotee should feed one hundred and forty-four Brāhmaṇas. The devotee should gift away to the preceptor all those twelve images along with their pots, canopies, chowries, etc. with due courteous offerings and services. By performing this Vratarāja (‘the king of holy rites’) the devotee shall realize all desires.

34. Twelve festivals have been glorified including Guṇḍicā festival of Viṣṇu. By performing this Vrata one obtains the same merit as one gets by viewing those festivals of Viṣṇu.

35. By the favour of the Lord of Devas the devotee shall attain the region of Indra, overlordship of the entire earth, and the eight supernatural powers.

36. Nārada performed this extremely meritorious Vrata for twelve years and the sage became a living-liberated soul.

37. Other Vaiṣṇavas too performed this many times formerly. There is no other Vrata more pleasing to the Lord than this.

38. It is conducive to virtue, fame, and longevity. It is favourable to Brāhmaṇas. It causes increase in the family. You all are the sages of restrained souls; you do perform this excellent Vrata.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This prayer gives the etymologies of the different names of Viṣṇu (Jagannātha).