The Pancasakhas were closely associated with Sri Chaitanya from 1510 to1533 A.D. During this period the theory of 'acintya bheda-bheda' ascribed to Sri Caitanya blossomed with all its fragrance in association with the Pancasakhas and Rai Ramananda under the royal patronage of Sri Prataprudra Deva. In fact, long before Sri Chaitanya's visit to Orissa Rai Ramananda had written his drama 'Sri Jagannathballabha Natakam' for which he was bestowed with the royal title of 'Rai'. He started Radhakrisna lila by staging operas and dramas even on the point of open criticism. Jagannath Das composed his Srimad-Bhagavat for which Sri Chaitanya affectionately addressed him as 'atibadi'. It is evident from the accounts of Madhab Pattnaik (from his book 'Vaisnava Lilamrta') that under the Kalpabata tree inside the Puri temple Jagannath Das and Kanhei Khuntia organised Rahas or Rasajatra around the image of Radha and Krisna to the accompaniment of Mridanga, Jhanja and Karta/. Therefore, the Kirtan and Rasa, as well as the ballet centring round Radha and Krisna had already been popular long before the arrival of Sri Caitanya. Sri Caitanya added his divine and ecstatic manifestations to the Bhakti movement which spread to every nook and corner of the State. Nilachal or Purusottama dhama therefore had all the attractions stored for him for which he liked to spend his entire life at Puri even when some of his close associates decided to desert him.
Balarama Das wrote his book 'Bhabasamudra' in the context of the Car Festival. Once, on Rathayatra Day Balarama Das attempted to embrace the holy body of Lord Jagannath on the Ratha. Since he was found to be unclean and impure he was prevented by the Sevayats to do so. On his insistence to offer his prayer to the Lord on the Car itself, he was humiliated and assaulted by the Sevakas. With his heart full of agony and remorse he left the Ratha and went to Saradhabali where he constructed three cars made of sand and started his emotional prayer for Lord Jagannath. The three chariots of the Lord refused to move from Badadanda for consecutive three days and the worried King Prataparudra Deva had to offer his prayer to the Lord for remedy. The Lord appeared in his dreams and asked the King to bring back His beloved devotee Balarama Das with dignity and honour. The King approached Balarama Das with folded hands, offered him the royal honour and brought him back to the Rathas. Surprisingly all the three Cars started moving instantly and reached the Gundica Mandap by the evening. Balarama Das has given a graphic description of the lakhs of devotees who were dancing in religious wilderness and ecstasy. He felt that Sri' Jagannath was his personal God. With his love and tears he appealed to the Lord not to be harsh to a devotee who has surrendered his heart and soul to Him : In his words
Hari ho - Rakhiba Loka je atu Gosain
nirekha jane daya karu nahih
Natha mun tora dosare nathili
Eteka sasti Kimpain paili.
(Oh you Hari - You are the ultimate protector and you had no kindness for the helpless ones. Oh you lord ! I had done no harm to you. Why did I get punishment of this magnitude ?)
Kanhei Khuntia, who was a contemporary of Sri Caitanya, has given an account of Rathayatra in his book 'Mahabhava Prakasa'. In his official capacity as Khuntia (one of the principal servitors) he was present in the Ratha. He has given description of the procession of the deities to the Chariot conducted by the Daitapatis (the group of servitors in charge during the Car festival). In the accounts of the festival he mentions about the presence of King Prataparudra, notaries like Kasi Mishra, a Minister called Laxmidhara, eighteen Karanas, Sri Caitanya and his close associates like Sribasa and Rai Ramananda. This book is devoted to demonstrate the supernatural acts displayed by Sri Caitanya. While speaking about Rai Ramananda he states-
Sehi ate pattapatra Prataparudrara
Matraka atai bhakta bhabi nirantara
Parama krusnanku sehu karai bhabana
sadS seba dasabhabe tahara bhabana
(He was the principal counsellor to Prataparudra. But he was deeply merged with bhakti. He always thought about Krisna, the Ul¬timate and loved the Lord with a sense of absolute surrender). |
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