From Inner Peace to World Peace: Jagannath Consciousness in the Literature of Odisha

Guruprasad Mohapatra¹ & Swati Samantaray²

¹Research Scholar, School of Humanities, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. orcid.org/0000-0003-1736-3564. Email: gprasadkhurda@gmail.com

²Associate Professor, School of Humanities, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar². orcid.org/0000-0002-4823-9278. Email: swati.sray@gmail.com

  Volume 9, Number 4, 2017 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v9n4.16

Received October 30, 2017; Revised December 15, 2017; Accepted November 30, 2017; Published December 25, 2017.

Abstract

Lord Jagannath of Puri is considered to be the focal point of the cultural synthesis of Odisha. This is manifested in innumerable sacred scriptures and in ritualistic practices of the revered divinity – Lord Jagannath. This paper shows how the literature of Odisha presents Jagannath consciousness as a way to achieving world peace from inner peace of mind. Jagannath consciousness follows humanism and it preaches the philosophy of love and peaceful co-existence among the entire human community. Moreover, it proclaims the victory of human endeavour over all narrowness and establishes universal brotherhood. The prime objective of Jagannath culture is to inspire the worshipper as well as the devotees to transcend the barriers of individual identity to achieve cosmic consciousness. It is believed that this state of cosmic consciousness is attained through the realization of soul, and it brings glory to life and enhances epistemological vision of humankind. The paper studies the vast literary and artistic traditions of Odisha in order to show how the principles of synthesis, assimilation and progression are inherent in the Jagannath culture.

Keywords:  Jagannath Consciousness, Jagannath Cult, Vaishnavism, Jainism, Buddhism, world peace.