జై జగన్నాథ్. ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ
I have had the pleasure of reading Sri Ashok Kumar Bal's "Gajapati : A King without a Kingdom".
The book is a befitting and enlightening tribute to the unique association of Puri Jagannath temple with the institution of Gajapati (Current King of Puri), first as Rauta (Deputy), and then as Adya Sebak (Chief Servitor). Some traditions survive tests of time and frosts of fate. The identity of Lord Jagannath as Rashtra Debata ingrained into Odisha's consciousness, acting as a rallying call and unifying factor for the people of the region time and again is an interesting feature. Nevertheless, Lord Jagannath's blessed grace is not just limited to Odisha.
The legend of King Indradyumna, set the tone for the later day Gajapatis, and while the era of the Eastern Gangas ushered in the Golden Age (with the long reign of Anantavarman Chodagangadeba and association with Puri Jagannath temple beginning with Ananagabhimadeva III and 'Langula' Narasingha Deba I proclaiming himself as 'Gajapati' as per Simhachalam Inscription), Kapilendra Deba Routraya established the Suryavamshi Gajapati Kingdom in c.1434 CE. After a century of withstanding Bengal Sultanate's and Deccan Kingdoms' assaults and emerging as the strongest political force of the era, the Gajapati emperor was reduced as the nominal Raja of Khurda and then as the titular King of Puri, a King without a Kingdom under Afghan (later Mughal), Maratha and British domination.
Happenings dealing with the lesser-known infamous episodes of the Gajapatis are presented. The cultural milieu associated with Puri Jagannath temple are detailed in a simple and understandable fashion (viz Rajbesa, Cheerapanhara ritual etc). The identification of the Gajapati as Chalanti Vishnu remains a stark contrast with ground reality, but therein lies the rub. Perhaps, as the author rightly points, such veneration stems from the Gajapati being a King without a Kingdom, deriving his identity not from Political/Material benefits, but rather from the mere fact of being the Adya Sebak (Chief Servitor) of the Lord of the Universe. It is fascinating that this unique association continues to this day and will continue to go on in the future....
Maheeth Veluvali (Sonu)
