Lord Jagannath And His Devotee

Lord Jagannath is always welcoming his devotees. To Him all are equal whether he is a Hindu, Muslim or belongs to some other religion.

Bhakta Salabeg, being a Muslim, is a much celebrated devotee of Lord Jagannath. He composed many heart touching, sweet and melodious Bhajanas on Lord Jagannath. He was, therefore discarded from his family. Then started roaming here and there singing Bhajanas of Lord Jagannath. He visited Mathura, Vrindavan and other holy places and enjoyed the Lilas of Lord.

There was an incident which indicated his depth of devotion to Lord Jagannath. It was the time of Car festival. On his way back to Puri Salabeg fell ill and prayed Lord "Oh, Jagannath! please wait on your chariot till I return to Puri." Actually, there was an accident for which the chariot of Lord, was detained on Bada Danda and, it could be possible for Salabeg to see Lord on chariot. It shows love and affection of Lord for devotee Salabeg.

Ganapati Bhatt, of Karnataka was a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesh. He read Brahma Puran and could know that Brahma in real form was residing at Nilagiri Sri Kshetra Puri. He decided to come Puri and to have Darshan of Brahma. He reached Puri on the day of Snana Purnima, the full moon day of Jyestha of Oriya calendar. Ganapati Bhatta saw Lord Jagannath, Paramabrahma on Snana Mandap with other deities. He keenly observed at Jagannath but he could not observe his dearest Ganesh. Being disappointed, he left the temple to go back to his native place. Lord Jagannath, could know the feelings of his devotee. He himself as Brahman met Ganapati Bhatt and implored him to come and see Lord once again on Snana Mandap before leaving Puri. It was evening, and on the persuasion of Brahman, he came to Snana Mandap. To his surprise, he saw Lord Jagannath in the head of elephant. He danced on the road; saying that, God had fulfilled his desire. From that day three deities appear in Gajanan Vesha after taking bath on Snana Mandap.

Jholia Kabir, a Muslim was living in a village on the bank of river Ganga. He was very poor and residing with his mother. He was a weaver; and whatever he was getting by weaving a cloth, was very difficult to maintain his family. Moreover, Kabir was a kind - hearted man; and whoever came to his house never go empty hand. He engaged rest of the time of the day in Bhajan and Kirtan of Lord Jagannath. Although, he was poor his kindness, generosity and devotion to Lord was spread all over that area. One day, Lord Jagannath in the form of a poor Brahman came to the house of Kabir and begged him a cloth to put on. At that time Kabir was going to market with a cloth to sell and to bring some food materials for his family.

First, Kabir thought in his mind, that there was nothing in the house. He then decided to satisfy the Brahman. Accordingly he gave the cloth to the Brahman and after putting on the cloth the Brahman blessed Kabir. Then the Brahman left that place. Kabir sitting beneath a tree prayed Lord Jagannath for his Lila.

Lord Jagannath is always very kind for his devotee.

He immediately changed his Brahman Avatar to a Gopal boy. And, carrying food materials and other necessites, went to the house of Kabir. Lord asked Kabir's mother to keep all the materials in her house. The lady was astonished seeing so many things. She thought, that perhaps her son had good income that day. After keeping all things in the house duly arranged, the Gopal boy went away. When Kabir returned to his house, at that time, his mother was busy preparing food for her son. The lady narrated everything and showed the house, that was filled with so many materials that would take some years to finish. Kabir was astonished seeing all the things. Really, it is the kindness of Lord to his devotee.