Dasia plucked a green coconut from his tree and gave it to a young Brahmin man. He instructed him to offer it to lord Jagannath on his behalf.
Dasia Bauri’s coconut offered with pure devotion: Lord Jagannath is also known as Bhabagrahi (lord of emotions). The lord who understands the thoughts, feelings, and pure devotion of his devotees. It is only through the depth of devotion that the Lord himself gives darshan to the devotee. An inspiring tale of Dasia Bauri of Baligram beautifully demonstrates faith and devotion for lord Jagannath.
Dasia was born in a low caste(Dalit community). He was living in a village named Baligram, four miles away from Puri. In the eyes of society, he was untouchable and hated. Dasia lost his parents during childhood. Since childhood, he had a strong faith in lord Jagannath. As years passed, he married to a religious woman. Both of them earn their living by selling clothes every day.
At that time, people from low castes were not allowed to enter the temple. Therefore, Dasia was deeply saddened. Dasia’s unwavering faith in lord Jagannath gradually deepened. He stopped engaging in physical labor to dedicate all his time to spiritual practices. During his conversation with lord in teary eyes, he requests lord to remove all his sins and give him darshan.
One day a group of upper caste devotees from his village planned to visit the Jagannath temple in Puri. On hearing this news Dasia plucked a green coconut from his tree and gave it to a Brahmin young man. He instructed him to offer it to lord Jagannath on his behalf. After completing your darshan, stand near the Garuda pillar and offer it to God. Stand there and say, ‘Dasia has sent this coconut for you, please accept it.’ If Sri Jagannath does not take the coconut from your hand at your request, then he will bring my coconut back to me, he said. Then the Brahmin young man left for Puri. After having darshan of the lord, he remembered Dasia’s coconut and did as instructed. He closed his eyes and stood for some time. To his surprise Sri Jagannath took the coconut from the Brahmins hand invisibly. The Brahmin’s heart filled with devotion. The Brahmin began to sing the Lord’s praises. Gradually, everyone came to know about this incident. The story showcases Dasia’s great faith and devotion towards lord Jagannath.
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