Because of your deep devotion, I have taken that remaining pain upon myself. Since then, Lord Jagannath has remained ill for these 15 days.
The story behind lord Jagannath’s Anabasara: Lord Jagannath and his leelas are beyond the common man’s understanding. Lord Jagannath is also known as ‘Bhabagrahi ’ (lord of emotions). After a ceremonial bath with 108 pots of sacred water, Lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are kept in an isolated sick room called Anasara Ghara. The trinities are treated with herbal medicines and juice, and are allowed to rest.
According to a mythological belief, Lord Jagannath himself took 15 days illness of one of his devotees. In Puri, there lived a devotee of lord Jagannath named Madhav Das. He lived alone and had nothing to do with the world. He used to sit alone and sing Bhajans of Lord Jagannath. Madhav considered Jagannath as his friend and used to talk and play with him. Not only this, but the lord also used to perform many leelas with Madhav.
One day, Madhav suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea. He became weak and was unable to sit or stand. He did not take help from anyone. Whenever anyone asks him to provide any help, Madhav simply denies. He used to say, ‘I have only one Jagannath. He will protect me.’ His condition deteriorated so much that he passed urine and stool in his clothes. Then Jagannath Swami himself came to serve Madhav Ji as a servant. Lord Jagannath used to clean Madhav Ji’s dirty clothes with his own hands and also clean him and serve him completely.
When Madhavdas ji recovered and regained consciousness, he immediately recognised that this was his Lord. One day Shri Madhavdas ji asked the Lord – ‘Prabhu! You are the owner of Tribhuvan. You are serving me. You could have cured my disease within seconds.’ Then Jagannath Swami said to him – ‘Look, Madhav! I cannot bear the pain of devotees, and that’s why I served you myself. Whatever is destined, it will happen. If you do not cut it in this birth, then you will have to take the next birth to suffer it. I don’t want my devotee to have to take the next birth again due to a little destiny.
You still had 15 days of suffering left. But because of your deep devotion, I have taken that remaining pain upon myself. Since then, Lord Jagannath has remained ill for these 15 days. This has been going on for years since then. This story beautifully expresses the idea that suffering and recovery are universal. And even God sets an example of patience, healing, and renewal for his devotees.
After 15 days, Lord Jagannath reappears in a rejuvenated form during the Nava Jaubana Darshan, marking his regained health and youth, followed by the grand Rath Yatra. He comes riding on a chariot to meet his devotees. Rath Yatra is held every year on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashadha month. According to the ancient belief, 15 days from Jyeshtha Paksha Purnima is the season’s twilight period, in which there are health-related problems. The Lord is sick to give the message to the devotees to take health precautions during this season.
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