North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: Jagannath Puri Dham of Odisha is famous all over the world for its divinity and the faith of devotees towards Lord Jagannath. We all know that here royal dishes are offered to the Lord every day, which we call “Chhappan Bhog”. But, would you believe that there is an incident recorded in the Puranas, when these gods, who fed the world, themselves had to suffer from hunger?
Yes, this is the story of the time when Lord Jagannath and his elder brother Balabhadra did not get even a single grain of food for 12 years. Come, let us know this interesting and educational story in very simple words.
After all, why did Mother Lakshmi get angry?
It is said that once upon a time, Mother Lakshmi became very angry with Lord Jagannath over some issue. The reason was that Mother Lakshmi felt that Lord Jagannath was so engrossed in eating and drinking that he was underestimating the rules of household and the importance of food (wasting food or not appreciating it).
In anger, Mother Lakshmi separated herself from the temple and the kitchen of the Lord. Now since Mother Lakshmi is ‘Annapurna’, as soon as she left, it seemed as if all the splendor and food also went with her. The result was that the stores of Jagannath temple became empty. Not only in the temple, but it is believed that at that time there was such a famine in the state that even the gods were not getting food.
When God had to beg
According to mythology, the situation became so bad that Lord Jagannath and his brother Balabhadra had to wander here and there on an empty stomach. Those who feed the world were themselves forced to beg today. But the magic of Goddess Lakshmi was such that at whichever door he went, either the food would be over or people would refuse him.
It is said that he remained troubled with hunger and thirst for 12 years. Neither water nor food was available. This leela was probably to explain how important it is to respect ‘food’ and ‘grihalakshmi’ in life.
The old woman and that porridge
When the hunger became unbearable, the Lord approached the hut of an elderly woman. Actually, this old woman was none other than Goddess Lakshmi in disguise. Both the brothers asked him for food. The woman said, “I don’t have any royal food to give, I can just make some Khichdi.”
At that time, God, suffering from hunger, found that khichdi no less than nectar. When Mother Lakshmi (an elderly woman) served that simple khichdi, Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra ate it with so much gusto that they were satisfied. As soon as he ate, he realized that this taste was not of ordinary hands, but of Goddess Lakshmi.
And since then the tradition started…
After this incident, Lord Jagannath convinced Goddess Lakshmi and promised that from now on he would never disrespect food and the honor of the kitchen would always remain intact. This is the reason that even today, no matter how many dishes are prepared in the Jagannath temple, the Mahaprasad of ‘Khichdi’ is considered the most sacred and favorite of God. This ‘Karma Bai’s Khichdi’ Or ‘Khichdi Prasad’ Known as.
What is the lesson learned?
This story teaches us that food in the house and respect for the woman of the house (Lakshmi) should be on top. Where food is disrespected, blessings never stop. So next time you leave food in your plate, remember this story of Lord Jagannath.
