Across the sacred land of India, the divine pastimes of Lord Jagannath are celebrated in countless forms. The temple of Lord Jagannath in Odisha is world-renowned not only for its unique Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) but also for the unparalleled grace shown by the Lord toward His devotees. One such enchanting tale is that of Odisha’s King Purushottama Dev and Princess Padmavati of the Kanchi kingdom—a story in which Lord Jagannath Himself intervened to protect His devotee and manifest His divine blessings.
King Purushottama Dev’s Devotion
King Purushottama Dev of Odisha was not only a great monarch but also an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath. He believed that the true master of his kingdom was the Lord Himself, and he considered himself merely a servant. His devotion was so profound that every year, during the Ratha Yatra, he would personally sweep the path in front of the Lord’s chariot with a broom—a humble act that underscored his deep reverence.
During a journey to South India, fate introduced him to Princess Padmavati of Kanchi. The two grew fond of each other, and the king of Kanchi eagerly proposed that his daughter be married to King Purushottama Dev. With joy and pride, the king accepted the proposal and returned to his own land.
The Chariot Festival and the Broken Marriage Proposal
Some time later, as discussions about the royal wedding were underway, the minister of Kanchi was sent to Odisha to finalize the details during the Ratha Yatra. There, he witnessed King Purushottama Dev, as always, diligently sweeping in front of Lord Jagannath’s chariot. To the minister, this humble act appeared unbecoming of a king, and he reported this to the Kanchi ruler.
Offended by what he perceived as an insult to royal dignity, the Kanchi king withdrew his earlier marriage proposal. Moreover, he organized another svayamvara (a bride’s self-choice ceremony) for his daughter, inviting various kings—but notably, excluding King Purushottama Dev.
Stung by this humiliation, King Purushottama Dev resolved to attack Kanchi and declared war.
War and the Miracle of Lord Jagannath
Before the battle commenced, the king of Kanchi laid down a condition: if King Purushottama Dev were to lose, then the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balrama, and Subhadra would be moved to Kanchi and installed behind the idol of Lord Ganesh; however, if Purushottama Dev won, then Lord Ganesh’s idol would be placed behind that of Lord Jagannath.
As the conflict began, a disastrous fire broke out in the armory of the Odisha army, severely weakening their strength and making defeat seem inevitable. In his despair, King Purushottama Dev turned to Lord Jagannath in prayer, beseeching His help.
That very night, the king received a divine vision in his dreams. Lord Jagannath appeared and reassured him, saying, “O King, do not fear. I will personally come to your aid.”
The next morning, as the king’s forces assembled for battle, a miraculous sight unfolded: two mysterious warriors appeared on horseback—one riding a black horse and the other a white one. Their presence on the battlefield suggested that they were leading the charge in the conflict.
Along the way, the duo stopped by an elderly woman named Manika. They drank some buttermilk from her, and in return, they gave her a ring along with instructions to present it to the king.
Victory in Battle and the Renewed Marriage Proposal
When King Purushottama Dev reached the battlefield, Manika presented him with the ring. As soon as the king recognized the ring as belonging to Lord Jagannath, tears welled up in his eyes. He immediately realized that the two enigmatic warriors were none other than Lord Jagannath and Balrama themselves, come to lend him their divine support.
Inspired by this miraculous intervention and bolstered in faith, the king fought with renewed vigor and emerged victorious over Kanchi. Not only did he conquer the Kanchi kingdom, but he also secured the hand of Princess Padmavati. This time, the king of Kanchi willingly consented to the marriage.
Thus, Lord Jagannath demonstrated that He never abandons His true devotees—His intervention affirmed that genuine devotion is always recognized and rewarded.
Lessons from the Tale
- Divine Respect for True Devotion: Lord Jagannath honors the sincere devotion of His devotees. King Purushottama Dev’s humility and unwavering faith earned him divine assistance.
- The Power of Patience and Trust: Even in the face of overwhelming challenges, steadfast belief in the divine can lead to miraculous outcomes.
- Devotion Transcends Social Status: The king, despite his royal stature, performed humble tasks as a testament to his deep spiritual connection—a reminder that true devotion surpasses all worldly distinctions.
- Never Disparage Another’s Faith: The Kanchi minister’s misinterpretation of the king’s humble act led to a grave error. This teaches us to respect and value sincere faith rather than belittle it.
- The Boundless Grace of God: The intervention of Lord Jagannath in the most desperate times reaffirms that divine grace is limitless and ever-present.
Important Questions and Their Answers
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What did King Purushottama Dev do every year during the Ratha Yatra?
He would personally sweep the pathway in front of Lord Jagannath’s chariot with a broom, showcasing his deep devotion and humility. -
Why did the king of Kanchi withdraw the marriage proposal?
The minister’s report that the king was seen sweeping during the chariot festival was interpreted as undignified behavior for a monarch, leading the Kanchi king to cancel the proposal. -
How did Lord Jagannath assist King Purushottama Dev?
Lord Jagannath, along with Balrama, appeared as two valiant warriors on horseback on the battlefield, guiding the king’s forces to victory. -
How did the king come to recognize the divine intervention?
An elderly woman named Manika presented him with a ring—when he identified it as the one given by Lord Jagannath, he understood that the divine had indeed intervened on his behalf. -
What is the central lesson of this tale?
The story teaches us that sincere devotion is always honored by God, and that faith, patience, and humility are the true virtues that bring divine blessings.
Hare Krishna! May the grace of Lord Jagannath forever remain upon us.
