Legends of Shree Jagannath

Book excerpt: The book narrates interesting and amazing legends of Lord Jagannath. The mythical, historical, metaphysical, philosophical and cultural paradigms intertwine leading to an open-ended interpretation as questions arise in the seeker's mind get the corresponding answers based on their perception and intellect, blurring the lines between illusion and reality. Here faith replaces reason heralding a miraculous transformation of the "soul.” A true makeover, revealing the essence of the self, removing imprints of past "Samskaras" as one takes a dip in the ocean of "Bhakti.” It is in this mode that one should read these legends of the Lord. It is this esoteric experience which each quest for divinity signifies. Numerous accounts have been written, numerous experiences abound, yet it is " one's experience of the divine which defines and transforms one's vision of the real and surreal....I leave the decision to the readers....to experience their own version of reality as the ultimate goal which matters is "Sharanagati" to obtain "Kaivalya" a superior form of Liberation or "moksha", here "the power of the pure consciousness settles in its own pure nature".(Kaivalya Pada:Sutra 34 of Patanjali's Yogasutras.)