Odana Sasthi
At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony
known as the Oòana-ñañöhé. This ceremony
indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should be given
to Lord Jagannätha. That covering is directly purchased from a weaver.
According to the arcana-märga, a cloth should first be washed to remove
all the starch, and then it can be used to cover the Lord. Puëòaréka
Vidyänidhi saw that the priest neglected to wash the cloth before
covering Lord Jagannätha. Since he wanted to find some fault in the
devotees, he became indignant.
Srila Prabhupada briefly described the ritual of Odana Sasthi in his
purport to Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya lila 16-78:
"At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony known as the Odana-sasthi.
This ceremony indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should
be given to Lord Jagannatha. That covering is directly purchased from a
weaver. According to the arcana-marga, a cloth should first be washed to
remove all the starch, and then it can be used to cover the Lord."
Odana Sasthi is also described in Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya lila:
Around this time, the festival of Odana Sasthi began at Puri and Lord
Jagannatha was dressed in new clothes--all starched. Although starched
cloth is considered improper and impure, the purjaris nevertheless dressed
Him in this way. On this day the ceremony of 'wearing new starched clothes'
was being celebrated with pomp and grandeur. Sri Gaurasundara watched the
ceremony along with the devotees. Lord Jagannatha was dressed in various
bright colored starched clothes (white, pink and green), and was decorated
with garlands and flowers. Varieties of festive music played and Mahaprabhu
enjoyed the festival with great pleasure until late in the evening. He
then returned to His residence along with His devotees. On the way home
the two friends, Svarupa Damodara and Sri Vidyanidhi, raised a discussion
regarding the Lord's starched clothes.
Vidyanidhi said, "In this part of the country there is considerable
discussion regarding Sruti and Smrti, yet how is it that the Lord is dressed
in un-holy starched clothing?
Svarupa Damodara replied, "Perhaps it is the custom of this place.
If it is the custom, then where is the fault? Had it not been the wish
of the Lord, the King would have forbidden it."
Vidyanidhi replied, "God can do whatever He likes, but why should His
priest attendants put starched clothes on Him.? Starched cloth is so un-holy
that the hand which has touched it has to be washed. These things are not
decided by the estate officers. I see that the King also wore starched
cloth on his head today."
Svarupa Damodara said, "Brother, perhaps there is nothing wrong in using
this cloth on the day of Odana Sasthi. Because the Lord Himself has appeared
on this earth in the form of Jagannatha Deva, rules and regulations are
not applicable to Him."
Vidyanidhi protested, "Jagannatha Deva is the Lord, He is omniscient.
But can these people be like Him? Are they beyond all rules and regulations?"
In this way the two friends discussed in a jovial mood until reaching their
residence, then took rest.
That night Vidyanidhi dreamed that Jagannatha and Balarama were very
annoyed with him. They slapped Vidyanidhi on his two cheeks and said, "I
have no caste, and neither do my attendants. It is I who have made the
rules which you think there is deviation from." Weeping, Sri Pundarika
Vidyanidhi put his head on the feet of Jagannatha and said, "Oh Lord, I
have been rightly served according to my offence. Today is very auspicious
for me, Your good hand has touched my forehead. I do not now what good
deed I performed in my previous birth to have such a benediction." The
Lord then disappeared. When Vidyanidhi awoke in the morning, he found that
his two cheeks were swollen as a result of the slapping by Sri Jagannatha
and Balarama.
Every morning Svarupa Damodara came to Vidyanidhi's place and they went
to the Jagannatha Mandira for darsana together. That morning Svarupa Damodara
arrived as usual, but found Vidyanidhi still lying in bed. When he inquired
as to why he was still in bed, Vidyanidhi called him to his side and explained
his extraordinary dream. Hearing this and seeing Vidyanidhi's swollen cheeks,
Svarupa Damodara was overwhelmed with joy. He said, "I don't know of any
other such instance where the Lord has punished a man in his dream, but
today I have seen this with my own eyes. Is there any man so fortunate
as you in the three worlds?" Svarupa Damodara joyfully praised Sri Vidyanidhi.
As a friend feels delighted at the well-being of his friend, so Svarupa
Damodara thought himself extremely lucky because of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's
fortune.
There's some nice pics from Mayapur's web-site HERE
