Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, after leaving Ghatak,…
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, after leaving Ghatak, reached Puri as per his scheduled program. For Guru Ji, this grand fair was a golden opportunity to propagate his principles. Wherever idol worship or ritualistic traditions were prevalent, Guru Ji would speak against those customs, which compelled priests and scholars to engage in debates with him. However, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s radiant personality and profound wisdom always prevailed over them.
When Guru Ji arrived in Jagannath Puri, the festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra, dedicated to Lord Krishna, was approaching. A large number of devotees were gathering for the fair. Guru Ji selected a scenic spot near the seashore, set up his camp, and began kirtan to attract visitors. Soon, a large crowd gathered around him. Guru Ji then began reciting his divine hymns:
Doojee maayaa jagat chit vaas ॥ Kaam krodh ahankaar binaas ॥
Dooja kaun, kaha nahi koi ॥ Sabh mahi ek niranjan soi ॥ (Raag Gauri, Ang 223)
Jagannath Temple Hearing the sweet melody, many devotees sat around Guru Ji. After the kirtan, he addressed the devotees, saying that the only true Jagannath is the Supreme God, who is omnipresent. He questioned, "How can this small idol be called Jagannath, which was made by a craftsman among us?"
"If we consider this small idol as Jagannath, then its creator, the craftsman, must be above this creation. The true master of the universe is not an incomplete idol, but the omnipresent God. God cannot be created from stone or clay; He resides in every particle. He is the true deity of all humans, and remembering Him is essential for spiritual strength."
Reaction of the Local People These unconventional thoughts were unbearable for many locals, and they started whispering among themselves. The news spread like wildfire that a man from Punjab had come, who, along with his followers, was singing kirtan and speaking against idol worship.
He was saying that this incomplete idol, which is believed to be Lord Krishna, cannot be Jagannath, because Jagannath means the Lord of the entire universe, the omnipresent Supreme God.
Summoning by King Pratap Rudra Puri The local ruler, King Pratap Rudra Puri, was a highly learned person. He decided to debate directly with Guru Ji to know the truth. Desiring Guru Ji’s darshan, he sent an invitation to Guru Ji to attend the evening aarti at Jagannath Temple.
Receiving the invitation, Guru Ji arrived at the temple courtyard exactly during the aarti, but he did not participate. Instead, he sat silently with his disciples, observing.
Questioning Guru Ji’s Absence in Aarti After the aarti ended, the priests and temple officials surrounded Guru Ji and asked:
"Why did you not participate in the aarti?"
Guru Ji replied:
"I am always present in the aarti of my great Jagannath. His aarti never ends; it continues every moment."
The Priests Demand Evidence The priests then asked, "Where is this aarti happening? Show us."
Guru Ji responded:
"In the vast sky, the sun and moon serve as the lamps, the countless stars are like embedded pearls in this grand plate of the cosmos. The fragrant breeze acts as incense, and the wind waves the royal fan over the Supreme God."
Then, Guru Ji recited:
Gagan mai thaalu ravi chandu deepak bane taarikaa mandal janak moti ॥ Dhoop mal-ayanal pawan chavaru kare sagal banrai phoolant joti ॥
Kaisi aarti hoye Bhav Khandna teri aarti ॥ Anahata sabad vaajant bheri ॥ Rahao ॥
Sehsa nainanan nain hai tohi kau sahsa murati nana ek tohi ॥ Sahas pad bimal nan ek pad gandh binu sahsa tav gandh ev chalat mohi ॥2॥
Sabh mahi jot jot hai soi ॥ Tis ke chanan sabh ghat chanan hoi ॥
Gur saakhi jot pargat hoi ॥ Jo tis bhaave su aarti hoi ॥3॥
Hari charan kamal makarand lobhit mano an-dino mohi aahi piasa ॥ Kripa jal dehi Nanak saar-ing kau hoye jaa te tere naami baasa ॥4॥
(Raag Dhanasari, Ang 663)
Guru Ji’s Explanation Guru Ji further explained:
"The entire vegetation is an offering of flowers to God. His aarti is performed by nature itself! The unstruck melody of divine sound constantly resonates.
In this vast cosmic form, God has thousands of eyes, yet in His formless state, He has none.
In His cosmic form, He has countless sacred feet, yet in His formless essence, He has none.
In His formless nature, He has no nose, but in His grand cosmic form, He has thousands.
Seeing this divine play, I am overwhelmed with awe.
O mortal being, the light of that Supreme Being is present in all creatures, and because of His light, everything shines.
Only through the Guru’s grace can one experience this divine light. The prayers of those who truly love God are accepted as aarti.
I long to drink the nectar of God’s lotus feet and yearn day and night for His divine vision.
O Lord, please bless this thirsty soul with a drop of Your merciful grace so that Your holy name may reside in my heart forever."
King Pratap Rudra Puri’s Realization Hearing this profound explanation, King Pratap Rudra Puri was deeply moved. He decided to seek initiation from Guru Ji.
Thus, Guru Ji initiated thousands of devotees along with King Pratap Rudra Puri, blessing them with spiritual enlightenment.
To commemorate Guru Ji’s visit, the king built a beautiful Dharamshala and a Satsang Bhavan near the seashore, where daily prayers to the formless God were offered.