16 Questions
What was Ganapati Bhatta's strong belief about Brahman?
Brahman had a face like an elephant
Why did Ganapati Bhatta not offer obeisances at the temple?
He was disappointed with the deity's face
Who did Lord Jagannath appear to after Ganapati Bhatta left the temple?
Mudiratha
What did Mudiratha ask Ganapati Bhatta to do?
Take darshan of the Lord again
What did Ganapati Bhatta accuse Mudiratha of doing?
Cheating him
What did Mudiratha promise Ganapati Bhatta?
That he would show him the elephant face of the Lord
Where was Lord Daru-brahma situated according to the story?
In Nilagiri
What benefit did Mudiratha claim that Ganapati Bhatta would get by taking darshan of the Lord?
He would get four kinds of benedictions
What form did Lord Jagannath take to meet with Ganapati Bhatta?
An old brahmana
Why did Ganapati Bhatta think there was no Brahman in Puri?
Because people who saw the Lord didn't attain liberation
What is the meaning of 'kalpataru'?
A wish-fulfilling tree
What is the significance of the 'smana-mandap' in the story?
It's where the deities are bathed (abhishek)
What was the occasion when Ganapati Bhatta reached the Lion Gate of the Jagannath temple?
Deva-snana purnima
What did Ganapati Bhatta prepare himself to do after meeting the Lord?
To enter Puri dham
What was the Lord's response to Ganapati Bhatta's conclusion?
He smiled and explained
What was the outcome of Lord Jagannath's conversation with Ganapati Bhatta?
Ganapati Bhatta's doubts were cleared
Study Notes
Lord Jagannath and Ganapati Bhatta
- Lord Jagannath took the form of an old brahmana to meet Ganapati Bhatta, who was sitting sadly, wondering why he didn't attain immediate liberation after seeing the Lord in Puri.
- Ganapati Bhatta believed that Brahman is in Nilagiri, and seeing Him would grant immediate liberation, but he didn't see Brahman in Puri.
- He reasoned that if people had seen Brahman, they would have merged into His body and attained liberation, but since they returned without liberation, there must be no Brahman in Puri.
The Lord's Explanation
- Lord Jagannath explained that He is known as Kalpataru, a wish-fulfilling tree, and He fulfills everyone's desires.
- The people who came to Puri and returned without liberation had done so because they desired to go back to their homes, and the Lord fulfilled their desires.
- He assured Ganapati Bhatta that if someone comes to Puri with a desire to be happy, get liberation, or go back to His abode, they will get the result according to their desire.
Ganapati Bhatta's Experience
- Ganapati Bhatta prepared to enter Puri and took darshan of Patita-pavana at the Lion Gate of the Jagannath temple on Deva-snana Purnima.
- He saw Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra, and Sudarshan Chakra being bathed, but he didn't see the elephant face of the Lord, which he believed to be a characteristic of Brahman.
- Disappointed, he left without offering obeisances.
The Lord's Intervention
- Lord Jagannath appeared to Mudirath, the representative of the King of Puri, and told him to bring Ganapati Bhatta back, as he was disappointed and didn't see the elephant-faced form of the Lord.
- Mudirath ran to bring Ganapati Bhatta back, explaining that Lord Daru-brahma could give four kinds of blessings and fulfill all desires.
A quiz about the story of Lord Jagannath and Ganapati Bhatta from the Purnana. Discover what happens when the Lord meets Ganapati Bhatta in disguise.
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