Preparations for Rathayatra
[Madhya 11 & 12]
Jagannatha Puri is world-famous for the Rathayatra festival – the annual occasion when Lord Jagannatha mounts His magnificent chariots, leaves the temple compound, and indiscriminately gives His audience to one and all. Shri Chaitanya encouraged the Bengali Vaishnavas to participate in this unique festival and assist Him in experiencing the depths of transcendental ecstasy.
Prema-Kirtan arrives – After the Snanayatra festival, which takes place two weeks prior to Rathayatra, Shri Chaitanya travelled to Alalanatha. When He heard that the Bengali Vaishnavas were scheduled to arrive, He immediately returned to Jagannatha Puri. As the procession of devotees appeared, Gopinath Acharya praised the glorious character and qualities of each devotee. Although Maharaja Prataparudra had witnessed innumerable kirtan parties, he sensed something unique about their chanting. Sarvabhauma explained: “This sweet transcendental sound is a special creation of the Lord known as prema-sankirtan, congregational chanting in love of Godhead.” Due to their spontaneous love, the Bengali devotees instinctively ran to meet Shri Chaitanya, even before taking darshan of Jagannatha. The golden renunciant was their life and soul! Deeply inspired by their natural devotion, the King arranged all facilities for their stay.
Meeting Shri Chaitanya – Gopinath Acharya and Sarvabhauma witnessed the meeting of Shri Chaitanya and the Bengali Vaishnavas at Kasi Mishra’s house. Shri Chaitanya lovingly received each one of them, expressing His appreciation with heartfelt words. Feeling great love for Haridas Thakur, whose life was completely dedicated to chanting of the holy names, Shri Chaitanya personally arranged his place of residence in Jagannatha Puri. Thereafter, all the devotees happily took prasadam together.
Beda-Kirtan begins – Shri Chaitanya then inaugurated the beda-kirtan by systematically organising the singing parties and sending them in four different directions. Krishnadasa describes how the tumultuous vibration of nama-sankirtan reverberated throughout the fourteen planetary systems. Inspired by their enthusiastic chanting, Shri Chaitanya expanded Himself and entered all four parties. Tears of love gushed from Shri Chaitanya’s eyes like a syringe as He danced in transcendental abandon, causing everyone to drown in wonder.
Cleansing of Gundicha – Prior to the annual Rathayatra, the Gundicha temple (where the procession ends) is thoroughly cleansed in preparation to receive Lord Jagannatha. Shri Chaitanya equipped everyone with the necessary instruments and personally guided the temple cleaning. He systematically organised the devotees, each of whom served cooperatively to achieve the task, maintaining a joyous and devotional spirit throughout. This important pastime is synonymous to the cleansing of our own hearts, in which we attempt to free ourselves of undesirable qualities (anarthanivrtti), so we can truly welcome the Lord into our lives.
In the company of His close associates, Shri Chaitanya relished the sublime process of chanting, dancing and feasting. Through loving and humorous exchanges, the Lord exhibited the sweetness of spiritual relationships. Thus, the scene was set for the historic Rathayatra festival.
Before the ecstasy of Rathayatra could manifest, certain things had to be in place. First the devotees arrived, later there was congregational chanting in the beda-kirtan, and finally the cleansing of the Gundicha temple. In the same way, before we can experience the ecstasy of spiritual life, Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur outlines some crucial stages in our spiritual development:
Sadhu-sanga – association of devotees.
Bhajana-kriya – determined chanting of the holy name.
Anartha-nivrtti – cleansing of the heart.
According to this great Vaishnava, completion of these stages brings one to the platform of nistha (mature spiritual conviction). This is the platform from which one can experience the profound happiness of spiritual love, known as ruci (attraction), asakti (attachment), bhava (ecstasy) and prema (pure unalloyed love).
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