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Jagan Nath Puri
From Cuttack, Guru Nanak visited Jagan Nath Temple in Puri. According to David Smith (1868). “Puri is the most popular spiritual center of peace and the country tranquility. The city of Puri is anything but a heaven upon the earth.” Jagan Nath Puri is known as one of the famous four Dhams of Hinduism. Legends tell us that Guru Nanak arrived at Puri with his disciple ‘Mardana’ via Cuttack and Bhubneshwar. Guru Nanak reached Puri beach in the evening near the present Swargdwar. He sat down in meditation. Mardana was hungry but being a Muslim he was not allowed to enter into Jagan Nath temple for the Mahaprasad. He blamed Guru Nanak for selecting such a place where they had to face starvation. Suddenly, somebody appeared and offered food and drink carrying utensils of Gold in the early hours of morning. However there was a commotion in Jagan Nath temple that the gold utensils of the Lord were missing. Guru Nanak appeared to the king in his dream that night, Guru Nanak being offered food in gold utensils by Lord Jagannath himself. As the news of the theft was given to the Raja Partap Rudra Dev, he gave a broad smile and marched towards the sea-beach in a procession to welcome the saint. Raja found that the saint was in meditation and the golden utensils were lying close by. The king and his party gave a hearty welcome to the saint who had came to Puri to pay homage to Lord Jagan Nath.
Mangu Math Puri, Orissa: N
He visited Puri and stayed in front of Sikh Paur. In the evening when the evening prayers (aarti) were being performed at Jagan Nath temple, Guru Nanak did not get up and joined the masses. The pandas questioned as to why he did not join Aarti. Guru Nanak replied, “I do not join false aarti.” “What is the True aarti?” he was questioned. Guru Nanak uttered his Arati in Raag Dhanasari: “Gagan mah(i) thal rav(i) chand Deepak bane taarioka mandal janak moti.[1](SGGS, p. 663)
On explaining the meanings, the king fell at guru’s feet. The place was made into brick temple and named as Mangu Matth. Guru Nanak was invited to pay his visit to the temple at the time of Arati in the evening. All present were spell bounded by the Arati sung by Guru Nanak Dev ji.
In a paper entitled Guru Nanak in Oriya Sources, author Raghubir Singh Tak describes an Oriyan palm leaf manuscript preserved in the Jagannath Temple Museum, which documents the point in history when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Guru Nanak were visiting the holy dhama at Puri Jagannath at the same time, along with other associates. Raghubir Singh Tak, formerly a Professor in the Department of Guru Nanak Studies, GNDU, describes the manuscript. According to Raghubir Singh Tak, (2003) [2] Account of Guru Nanak is given on folios 76-77 of an Oriya Palm-leaf manuscript as under:
“When Raja Pratap Rudra came to Shri Kshetra, a play by Rupa Goswami was being staged in the royal palace near sea shore. The surveyor of Bidansi came down from the horse back and said that Guru Nanak Gosain of North was coming to Jagan Naterh Puri accompanying seven niralambi saints. He had established a gaddi (religious seat) at Bhadrak. With a smile on his face, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that all the rivers rush towards the sea. Guru Nanak accompanied by seven saints arrived at Jagan Nath Puri on 5th of Maithuna month san 919 (1513 AD). Being Champak Dwadashi, there was heavy rush of pilgrims. The padihari (a guard on the Singh dwar) mistook Guru Nanak for Muslim and did not allow him to go into the temple. Guru Nanak sat under banyan tree just near the Singh dwar. In a congregation of pilgrims and saints, Guru Nanak read out from his pothi:
Nigam ru
a alekha jogdishi: Hairat bhagat pavat uplesha
Rahat mandar kandar tha:in: Jagatnath jag hridai gosain.
Then he miraculously demonstrated Jagannath’s image on his palm. Guru Nanak got prompt recognition and was conferred by the King of Puri; a robe of honour along with other gifts such as rice, coconut, Tulsi, twin torch (jora Masa:l) chauri etc. Arrangement was made for the visit of Guru Nanak to the temple. On Hera: Panchami, Sri Chaitanya met Guru Nanak
A congregation was organized near Pitristambh. To listen to the sermons of Guru Nanak, Purshotam along with his brother and Mahalakshmi went to the congregation in the guise of devotees. Both the brothers started drawing water from the well and served water in the assembly. Mahalakshmi could not come in front of her husband’s elder brother, so she started carrying water from the base of the well through the stairs. It is known as Bauli Math. Hukam Das built this Bauli Math. The translated text from Oriya provided by Dr H.S. Patnaik of Utkal University.
Bhakta Panchak (Five Saints):
It is the title of a Palmleaf Oriya manuscript (No. 143), preserved in the Jagannath Temple Museum, Jagannath Puri. According to Sri Sada Shiv Rath Sharma, the Curator of the Museum, the author of the manuscript was Jasobant Das of Sisu Math, Puri. He is said to have been a contemporary of Raja Pratap Rudra Deo, who reigned over Orissa from 1504 to 1534 A.D.
The manuscript written (engraved) in Oriya script, contains description of the five saints: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Jagan Nath Das, Achuta Nand Das, Nanak Acharya and Sisuant Das. The size of the palmleaf is just that of a foot rule. Each page of the palm leaf manuscript contains five verse lines. The manuscript was copied by Sri Madhu Sudan Das in 1807 A.D. from an old manuscript. The opening lines of manuscript on page 14, dealing with Guru Nanak, are as under:
"I shall tell the life account of bhakta. In the north, there was a Guru named Nanak, whose miraculous life account I will propound that will fascinate the heart of bhaktas. The theme of the portion dealing with Guru Nanak’s visit read out by Sri Sada Shiv Rath Sharma is as under:
During the 13th year of the reign of Raja Pratap Rudra Deo of Puri, on Bhadon Shukla Ekadashi sal 924 (Oriya year), Guru Nanak along with Mardana and fourteen other sanyasis arrived in the morning at Puri to visit Jagan Nath temple. From Guru Nanak’s dress (detailed in the manuscript) he was mistook for a khaleefa (Caliph) and was not permitted to enter the premises of the temple. One of the sanyasis explained that Guru Nanak was the same person who had shown/kautak (miracles) at Kaliaboda (Cuttack). Guru Nanak, along with the sanyasis, went near the seashore and started reciting bhajans (devotional songs), as per his wont.
The king of Puri in his dream saw Lord Jagan Nath telling him not to perform any rituals and ceremonies in the temple (of Lord Jagan Nath) when He (Lord Jagan Nath) goes (in the morning and evening) to hear /katha, bhajan (devotional service) of a saint (Guru Nanak) on Swarga Dwar near Pitri Stambh. On enquiry, it was found that there had been some disruptions in the daily performance of rituals in the temple. The king went to pay homage to Guru Nanak and saw, to his great surprise, that Lord Jagan Nath, Balram and Subhadra were standing there, while bhajans were being recited. The king tendered his apology to Guru Nanak, presented him clothes and ornaments and took him to the temple of Lord Jagan Nath in a royal procession along with a band.
After visiting the temple, Guru Nanak sat near a banyan tree just opposite the temple, where now stands Mangu Math. Guru Nanak, while delivering his sermon, raised his palm vertically and the king saw the image of Lord Jagan Nath on the palm (the flags of Mangu Math and Bauli Math still bear the insignia of a white palm on their red flags). Guru Nanak was given a royal send off when after a stay for 24 days, he left Puri alongwith the sanyasis. The king of Puri and other persons accompanied him (Guru Nanak) to Chandi Nala (a place at a distance of about 23 Miles from Puri) on Jagannath road and bade him an impressive farewell.
Two of Guru Nanak’s Punjabi disciples called Mangoo and Gaddar established this Mangu muth. The place was made into brick temple and named as Mangu Mutth. In Samvat 1713, Haridas Udasi set up his dera. King of Puri made an endowment in the name of Guru Nanak and built some cottages there. The Gajapati Raja also granted the right of chanvar seva or Mayur Pankhi seva to be rendered by the Mahant of the Muth. Later Raja Birka Kishore Dev granted a sanad allowing chanvar seva to Mongu Muth in the 16th century. The total plot on which Muth was established is 11 guntas and 21 biswa amounting to Rs.12,895/- as per records of 1873. The grandson of Mangal Dutt, Thakur Das started continuous free rations and attached two villages of Rs 2000/- income free of tax. The priests of the place continued free kitchen for quite some time. Later they developed their own families on the Gurdwara site and sold the properties. Later, only a few shops were left which were rented to get some funds for existence.[3]
In the year 1868 Smith, Sanitary Commissioner of Bengal reported that Punjabis came to Puri walking on foot about 2000 miles for long six months! They used to stay at Puri a day or two and walked back home happily. The Nanak Panthis were attracted to Lord Jagannath after Guru Nanak’s journey to Puri Dham. Guru Nanak’s association with Mangu Muth and Galua Muth have made them sacred which bear evidence of Nanak ji’s visit to Puri and his deep reverence for Lord Jagan Nath.[4]
http://www.vismaadnaad.org/gurd/Guru Nanak Baoli/DSC08062.JPG
Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baoli, Puri Orissa
Next day, the local people requested the Guru for a source of water, it being scarce in the area. Guru Nanak advised Mardana to dig a hole in the sandy surface of the sea-beach and to everyone’s surprise sweet water gushed out. A well of sweet water was later constructed around this source and a historical monument called Bauli Sahib or ‘Bauli Muth’ was constructed by Baba Sri Chand ji, Udasi Son of Guru Nanak. The place is maintained by Udasis till date. Similarly Mangu Muth was established near Singhdwar (Gate of Heaven) which was controlled by Nanak Panthies. Mention of this is made by J.S. Armstrong, Magistrate to the Commissionerate Orissa Division about its location, in the year 1873.[5]
About three Kms from the city on the sea shore there is a water source of sweet water known as Baoli Sahib created by Guru Nanak. There is no other place having such sweet water as that of Baoli Sahib in entire Orissa. All the visitors to the sea first have a wash in the sea and then in the Baoli sahib.[6]
In Samvat 1713, Haridas Udasi set up his dera. The grandson of Mangal Dutt, Thakur Das started continuous free rations and attached two villages of Rs 2000/- income free of tax. The priests of the place continued free kitchen for quite some time. Later they developed their own families on the Gurdwara site and sold the properties. Later, only a few shops were left which were rented to get some funds for existence.
Baba Shamsher Singh ji Delhi wale visited Baoli Sahib. Seeing its dilapidated condition, he built a beautiful Guru ke Mahal at the neglected places of Guru ji’s visit after purchasing a plot of land in Balia Panda and built Gurudwara Arti Saheb. A beautiful children park was constructed in front of the beautiful Gurudwara Arti Saheb In the memory of Bhai Himmat Singh. Gurdwara Arti Sahib is a four stories building and has comfortable rooms for sangat to stay and a langar is attached for serving food for all the 24 hrs without any discrimination of religion, caste, creed and gender. This holy place of Puri is related to Bhagat Jaidev and Bhai Himmat Rai (Singh). Bhai Himmat Singh was the beloved one of the Tenth Guru who in 1699 on the day of Baisakhi, offered his head to the Guru and was baptized as Singh through “khande di pahul.” Bhai Himmat Rai ji was born on 18th January 1661 to mother Dhanu ji and father Guljari ji and brought up in Jagan Nath Puri. He came to Anandpur Sahib at the age of 17 years and at the time of amrit he was 38 years old. Bhai ji was devoted Sikh and remained ready to serve Guru Ghar. On 7th Dec.1705 in the battle field of Chamkor di Garhi, he fought bravely along with two pyaras Bhai Sahib Singh and Bhai Mohkam Singh ji before sacrificing his life. The hymns of poet Bhagat Jaidev, the great saint of Orissa find venerable in Sri Guru Granth Sahib compiled by 5th Guru in 1604.[8]
Guru Nanak in Orissa
The famous Hindu Temple of Jagannath, was visited by Guru Nanak Dev in 1509 during his eastern travels. He preached against idolatry and exhorted the people to sing praises of the One God, who is Formless and yet all forms are His. Gurdwara Baoli Sahib and Mangu Math served by Udasi priests commemorate the Guru's visit. These were first established by Bhai Almast, the notable Udasi preacher, during the middle of the seventeenth century.
Guru Nanak's meeting Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Guru Nanak both met at Puri and spent some time there. This incident is recorded in Chaitanya Bhagbat of Iswar Das written in Oriya in 17th Century. The author, Ishvar Das, was one of Mahaprabhu’s close associates in Puri, and the only biographer to mention the event, perhaps because the meeting was brief and only the eyewitness devotees of Puri knew about it. Ishvar Das writes: (Ishvar Das’s Chaitanya Bhagavat, Adhyaya 61).
“In the congregational singing led by Shri Chaitanya in Nagar Purushottama (Puri dham), Nanak and Saranga (another name for Mardana who played the sarangi), the two bothers Rupa and Sanatana along with Jagai and Madhai also joined in. Gopal Guru, for whom Guru Nanak had deep affection, was there as well, along with Nityananda Prabhu, who was considered an incarnation of Balarama. They all relished the kirtan at Jagannath Puri.” [9]
According to Padmabhushan Dr. Durgadas Basu, a National Research Professor, Guru Nanak was given mantra diksha by non other than Prabhu Nityananda while the latter was traveling through Bangladesh (Bengal). That Sri Nanak was a ‘mantra shishya’ of Nityananda Prabhu has been written down in his autobiography and the last chapter of the Guru Grantha Sahib, while elaborating the greatness and glory of the holy ‘Naam’.
In the Granth Sahib, it is written:
"In order to attain salvation, one must chant the holy name of Ram, Hari or Vishwambhar." [10]
There is an excellent narration of Lord Caitanya's meeting with Guru Nanak at Puri Jagannatha, delivered by H.H. Srila Bhakti Sravan Tirtha Goswami of Gaudiya Matha. He writes:
"A contemporary of Mahaprabhu, Guru Nanak was older to Mahaprabhu by 16 years. He departed five years after the disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Nanak sought a religious path that avoided the formal structures of both Islam and Hinduism. However, in the Guru Granth Sahib, there are frequent references to Hari, Krishen, Gobind, Gopal and Ram.
Clearly, Nanak dev ji believed in a God that was both formless and full of form, Nirgun as well as Sagun. One does not negate the other. Both coexist at the same time, resonating with Sri Chaitanya’s philosophy of ‘Achintya Bhed Abhed’ (inconceivable unity in duality).
In 1506 Nanak visited seven regions across India. He lived for 71 years and within his life time he is believed to have spent 25 years travelling all over the country from Himalaya to Cape Comorin.
He also visited Mecca and Madina, Turkey and China. It has been estimated that he had walked about 50,000 miles on foot with wooden sandals. He also converted Raja Seonath, the king of Ceylon to his own religion. Before proceeding towards Ceylon he visited Orissa.
Legend says that Guru Nanak arrived at Puri with his disciple 'Mardana' a Muslim follower. When Guru Nanak reached Puri beach in the evening near the present Swargadwar, he sat down in meditation.
Mardana was hungry but as he was a Muslim he was not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple for Mahaprasad. So the disciple blamed Nanak for selecting such a place where they had to face starvation.
Suddenly at that time somebody appeared and offered food and drink in golden utensils. In the early hours of morning however there was a commotion in the Jagannath temple because the gold utensils of the Lord were missing.
The news was conveyed to the Maharaja of Puri. Guru Nanak appeared to the Raja in his dream that night. So when the Raja heard about the theft, he smiled and marched towards sea-beach in a procession to welcome the saint.
The Raja found the saint in meditation and the gold utensils were lying close by. Then the king and his party gave a hearty reception to the saint who had come to Puri to pay his homage to Lord Jagannath.
Nanak was invited to visit the temple at the time of Aarti in the evening. When the aarti started, Guru Nanak stood silent, not participating. Later when asked why, he said, this was not homage enough to the glory and wonder of the Lord of the Universe, to whom Nature paid a far more sublime tribute. In reply, he sang verses which remain immortal for their exquisite mystic poetry:
Once when his disciples were thirsty but had no water to drink, he requested them to dig a hole in the sandy surface of sea-beach and to their surprise sweet water came out. A well was constructed around this hole. Near that well a Gurudwara called Bauli Saheb came into existence. This is now called 'Baulimath'. This is a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. [8]
Sri Chaitanya Bhagwata
It is an Oriya manuscript written by Sri Ishwar Das. It was donated by Prachi Samiti, Cuttack to Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar. The manuscript was edited by Rai Bahadur Arthabaltaba Mohanty and published by the University in 1953. The author does not provide any date of his work. However, Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhaya deems it as a work of sixteenth century, whereas Bimanbehari Majumdar is of the opinion that the work is of eighteenth century.
Sri Chaitanya Bhagwata is a detailed biographical account of Sri Chaitanya (1485-1533 A.D.) but no incident of his life is dated; The book contains as many as five references to Guru Nanak on pages 268, 279-80, 382-83, 405-9 and 429."[12]
Return Journey
From Puri Guru Nanak started his return journey to Punjab through Madhya Pradesh, Uttter Pradesh and Haryana. He proceeded along Chilka lake enjoying its natural flora and fauna. Thereafter he turned along Mahanadi towards MP through Khorda, Raja-Ranapur, Nayagon and Sanagarh enjoying the nature in the villages and the jungles around. [13]
References
[1]Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 663
[2] Raghubir Singh Tak, 2003 Guru Nanak and His Teachings edited by Madanjit Kaur, Amritsar, Guru Nanak Dev University p.163-165: The translated from oriya provided by Dr H.S. Patnaik of Utkal University,
[3] Gyani Gyan Singh, 1997, Gurdham Sangreh, Sri Amritsar, Dharam Parchar Committee SGPC, 15 Decr p.42.
[4] Gitarani Praharaj , Orissa Review June,2009.
[5] Gyani Gyan Singh, 1997, Gurdham Sangreh, p.42-43
[6] Gurmukh Singh, September 1995, Sikh Shrines, Amritsar, Singh Bros, p. 338.
[7] gurbaani.com - This website is for sale! - gurbaani Resources and Information.
[8] Gyani Gyan Singh, 1997, Gurdham Sangreh p.42, Mangu Math, Baoli sahib
[9] Ishvar Das’s Chaitanya Bhagavat Adhyaya 64.
[10] The Sampradaya Sun - Independent Vaisnava News - Feature Stories - November 2009
[11] Gitarani Praharaj , Orissa Review June,2003.
[12] BABA NANAK VISITED PURI (ORISSA)
[13] Gyani Gian Singh, Twareekh Khalsa Dasan Guruan, Guru 1, Part 1, p. 129
From Cuttack, Guru Nanak visited Jagan Nath Temple in Puri. According to David Smith (1868). “Puri is the most popular spiritual center of peace and the country tranquility. The city of Puri is anything but a heaven upon the earth.” Jagan Nath Puri is known as one of the famous four Dhams of Hinduism. Legends tell us that Guru Nanak arrived at Puri with his disciple ‘Mardana’ via Cuttack and Bhubneshwar. Guru Nanak reached Puri beach in the evening near the present Swargdwar. He sat down in meditation. Mardana was hungry but being a Muslim he was not allowed to enter into Jagan Nath temple for the Mahaprasad. He blamed Guru Nanak for selecting such a place where they had to face starvation. Suddenly, somebody appeared and offered food and drink carrying utensils of Gold in the early hours of morning. However there was a commotion in Jagan Nath temple that the gold utensils of the Lord were missing. Guru Nanak appeared to the king in his dream that night, Guru Nanak being offered food in gold utensils by Lord Jagannath himself. As the news of the theft was given to the Raja Partap Rudra Dev, he gave a broad smile and marched towards the sea-beach in a procession to welcome the saint. Raja found that the saint was in meditation and the golden utensils were lying close by. The king and his party gave a hearty welcome to the saint who had came to Puri to pay homage to Lord Jagan Nath.
Mangu Math Puri, Orissa: N
He visited Puri and stayed in front of Sikh Paur. In the evening when the evening prayers (aarti) were being performed at Jagan Nath temple, Guru Nanak did not get up and joined the masses. The pandas questioned as to why he did not join Aarti. Guru Nanak replied, “I do not join false aarti.” “What is the True aarti?” he was questioned. Guru Nanak uttered his Arati in Raag Dhanasari: “Gagan mah(i) thal rav(i) chand Deepak bane taarioka mandal janak moti.[1](SGGS, p. 663)
On explaining the meanings, the king fell at guru’s feet. The place was made into brick temple and named as Mangu Matth. Guru Nanak was invited to pay his visit to the temple at the time of Arati in the evening. All present were spell bounded by the Arati sung by Guru Nanak Dev ji.
In a paper entitled Guru Nanak in Oriya Sources, author Raghubir Singh Tak describes an Oriyan palm leaf manuscript preserved in the Jagannath Temple Museum, which documents the point in history when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Guru Nanak were visiting the holy dhama at Puri Jagannath at the same time, along with other associates. Raghubir Singh Tak, formerly a Professor in the Department of Guru Nanak Studies, GNDU, describes the manuscript. According to Raghubir Singh Tak, (2003) [2] Account of Guru Nanak is given on folios 76-77 of an Oriya Palm-leaf manuscript as under:
“When Raja Pratap Rudra came to Shri Kshetra, a play by Rupa Goswami was being staged in the royal palace near sea shore. The surveyor of Bidansi came down from the horse back and said that Guru Nanak Gosain of North was coming to Jagan Naterh Puri accompanying seven niralambi saints. He had established a gaddi (religious seat) at Bhadrak. With a smile on his face, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that all the rivers rush towards the sea. Guru Nanak accompanied by seven saints arrived at Jagan Nath Puri on 5th of Maithuna month san 919 (1513 AD). Being Champak Dwadashi, there was heavy rush of pilgrims. The padihari (a guard on the Singh dwar) mistook Guru Nanak for Muslim and did not allow him to go into the temple. Guru Nanak sat under banyan tree just near the Singh dwar. In a congregation of pilgrims and saints, Guru Nanak read out from his pothi:
Nigam ru
a alekha jogdishi: Hairat bhagat pavat upleshaRahat mandar kandar tha:in: Jagatnath jag hridai gosain.
Then he miraculously demonstrated Jagannath’s image on his palm. Guru Nanak got prompt recognition and was conferred by the King of Puri; a robe of honour along with other gifts such as rice, coconut, Tulsi, twin torch (jora Masa:l) chauri etc. Arrangement was made for the visit of Guru Nanak to the temple. On Hera: Panchami, Sri Chaitanya met Guru Nanak
A congregation was organized near Pitristambh. To listen to the sermons of Guru Nanak, Purshotam along with his brother and Mahalakshmi went to the congregation in the guise of devotees. Both the brothers started drawing water from the well and served water in the assembly. Mahalakshmi could not come in front of her husband’s elder brother, so she started carrying water from the base of the well through the stairs. It is known as Bauli Math. Hukam Das built this Bauli Math. The translated text from Oriya provided by Dr H.S. Patnaik of Utkal University.
Bhakta Panchak (Five Saints):
It is the title of a Palmleaf Oriya manuscript (No. 143), preserved in the Jagannath Temple Museum, Jagannath Puri. According to Sri Sada Shiv Rath Sharma, the Curator of the Museum, the author of the manuscript was Jasobant Das of Sisu Math, Puri. He is said to have been a contemporary of Raja Pratap Rudra Deo, who reigned over Orissa from 1504 to 1534 A.D.
The manuscript written (engraved) in Oriya script, contains description of the five saints: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Jagan Nath Das, Achuta Nand Das, Nanak Acharya and Sisuant Das. The size of the palmleaf is just that of a foot rule. Each page of the palm leaf manuscript contains five verse lines. The manuscript was copied by Sri Madhu Sudan Das in 1807 A.D. from an old manuscript. The opening lines of manuscript on page 14, dealing with Guru Nanak, are as under:
"I shall tell the life account of bhakta. In the north, there was a Guru named Nanak, whose miraculous life account I will propound that will fascinate the heart of bhaktas. The theme of the portion dealing with Guru Nanak’s visit read out by Sri Sada Shiv Rath Sharma is as under:
During the 13th year of the reign of Raja Pratap Rudra Deo of Puri, on Bhadon Shukla Ekadashi sal 924 (Oriya year), Guru Nanak along with Mardana and fourteen other sanyasis arrived in the morning at Puri to visit Jagan Nath temple. From Guru Nanak’s dress (detailed in the manuscript) he was mistook for a khaleefa (Caliph) and was not permitted to enter the premises of the temple. One of the sanyasis explained that Guru Nanak was the same person who had shown/kautak (miracles) at Kaliaboda (Cuttack). Guru Nanak, along with the sanyasis, went near the seashore and started reciting bhajans (devotional songs), as per his wont.
The king of Puri in his dream saw Lord Jagan Nath telling him not to perform any rituals and ceremonies in the temple (of Lord Jagan Nath) when He (Lord Jagan Nath) goes (in the morning and evening) to hear /katha, bhajan (devotional service) of a saint (Guru Nanak) on Swarga Dwar near Pitri Stambh. On enquiry, it was found that there had been some disruptions in the daily performance of rituals in the temple. The king went to pay homage to Guru Nanak and saw, to his great surprise, that Lord Jagan Nath, Balram and Subhadra were standing there, while bhajans were being recited. The king tendered his apology to Guru Nanak, presented him clothes and ornaments and took him to the temple of Lord Jagan Nath in a royal procession along with a band.
After visiting the temple, Guru Nanak sat near a banyan tree just opposite the temple, where now stands Mangu Math. Guru Nanak, while delivering his sermon, raised his palm vertically and the king saw the image of Lord Jagan Nath on the palm (the flags of Mangu Math and Bauli Math still bear the insignia of a white palm on their red flags). Guru Nanak was given a royal send off when after a stay for 24 days, he left Puri alongwith the sanyasis. The king of Puri and other persons accompanied him (Guru Nanak) to Chandi Nala (a place at a distance of about 23 Miles from Puri) on Jagannath road and bade him an impressive farewell.
Two of Guru Nanak’s Punjabi disciples called Mangoo and Gaddar established this Mangu muth. The place was made into brick temple and named as Mangu Mutth. In Samvat 1713, Haridas Udasi set up his dera. King of Puri made an endowment in the name of Guru Nanak and built some cottages there. The Gajapati Raja also granted the right of chanvar seva or Mayur Pankhi seva to be rendered by the Mahant of the Muth. Later Raja Birka Kishore Dev granted a sanad allowing chanvar seva to Mongu Muth in the 16th century. The total plot on which Muth was established is 11 guntas and 21 biswa amounting to Rs.12,895/- as per records of 1873. The grandson of Mangal Dutt, Thakur Das started continuous free rations and attached two villages of Rs 2000/- income free of tax. The priests of the place continued free kitchen for quite some time. Later they developed their own families on the Gurdwara site and sold the properties. Later, only a few shops were left which were rented to get some funds for existence.[3]
In the year 1868 Smith, Sanitary Commissioner of Bengal reported that Punjabis came to Puri walking on foot about 2000 miles for long six months! They used to stay at Puri a day or two and walked back home happily. The Nanak Panthis were attracted to Lord Jagannath after Guru Nanak’s journey to Puri Dham. Guru Nanak’s association with Mangu Muth and Galua Muth have made them sacred which bear evidence of Nanak ji’s visit to Puri and his deep reverence for Lord Jagan Nath.[4]
http://www.vismaadnaad.org/gurd/Guru Nanak Baoli/DSC08062.JPG
Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baoli, Puri Orissa
Next day, the local people requested the Guru for a source of water, it being scarce in the area. Guru Nanak advised Mardana to dig a hole in the sandy surface of the sea-beach and to everyone’s surprise sweet water gushed out. A well of sweet water was later constructed around this source and a historical monument called Bauli Sahib or ‘Bauli Muth’ was constructed by Baba Sri Chand ji, Udasi Son of Guru Nanak. The place is maintained by Udasis till date. Similarly Mangu Muth was established near Singhdwar (Gate of Heaven) which was controlled by Nanak Panthies. Mention of this is made by J.S. Armstrong, Magistrate to the Commissionerate Orissa Division about its location, in the year 1873.[5]
About three Kms from the city on the sea shore there is a water source of sweet water known as Baoli Sahib created by Guru Nanak. There is no other place having such sweet water as that of Baoli Sahib in entire Orissa. All the visitors to the sea first have a wash in the sea and then in the Baoli sahib.[6]
In Samvat 1713, Haridas Udasi set up his dera. The grandson of Mangal Dutt, Thakur Das started continuous free rations and attached two villages of Rs 2000/- income free of tax. The priests of the place continued free kitchen for quite some time. Later they developed their own families on the Gurdwara site and sold the properties. Later, only a few shops were left which were rented to get some funds for existence.
Baba Shamsher Singh ji Delhi wale visited Baoli Sahib. Seeing its dilapidated condition, he built a beautiful Guru ke Mahal at the neglected places of Guru ji’s visit after purchasing a plot of land in Balia Panda and built Gurudwara Arti Saheb. A beautiful children park was constructed in front of the beautiful Gurudwara Arti Saheb In the memory of Bhai Himmat Singh. Gurdwara Arti Sahib is a four stories building and has comfortable rooms for sangat to stay and a langar is attached for serving food for all the 24 hrs without any discrimination of religion, caste, creed and gender. This holy place of Puri is related to Bhagat Jaidev and Bhai Himmat Rai (Singh). Bhai Himmat Singh was the beloved one of the Tenth Guru who in 1699 on the day of Baisakhi, offered his head to the Guru and was baptized as Singh through “khande di pahul.” Bhai Himmat Rai ji was born on 18th January 1661 to mother Dhanu ji and father Guljari ji and brought up in Jagan Nath Puri. He came to Anandpur Sahib at the age of 17 years and at the time of amrit he was 38 years old. Bhai ji was devoted Sikh and remained ready to serve Guru Ghar. On 7th Dec.1705 in the battle field of Chamkor di Garhi, he fought bravely along with two pyaras Bhai Sahib Singh and Bhai Mohkam Singh ji before sacrificing his life. The hymns of poet Bhagat Jaidev, the great saint of Orissa find venerable in Sri Guru Granth Sahib compiled by 5th Guru in 1604.[8]
Guru Nanak in Orissa
The famous Hindu Temple of Jagannath, was visited by Guru Nanak Dev in 1509 during his eastern travels. He preached against idolatry and exhorted the people to sing praises of the One God, who is Formless and yet all forms are His. Gurdwara Baoli Sahib and Mangu Math served by Udasi priests commemorate the Guru's visit. These were first established by Bhai Almast, the notable Udasi preacher, during the middle of the seventeenth century.
Guru Nanak's meeting Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Guru Nanak both met at Puri and spent some time there. This incident is recorded in Chaitanya Bhagbat of Iswar Das written in Oriya in 17th Century. The author, Ishvar Das, was one of Mahaprabhu’s close associates in Puri, and the only biographer to mention the event, perhaps because the meeting was brief and only the eyewitness devotees of Puri knew about it. Ishvar Das writes: (Ishvar Das’s Chaitanya Bhagavat, Adhyaya 61).
Srinibasaye Viswambhara
Kirtan madyare vihar
Nanak Saranga ye dui
Rupa Sanatana duibhai
Jagai Madhai ekatra
Kirtan Karanti Nritya
Kirtan madyare vihar
Nanak Saranga ye dui
Rupa Sanatana duibhai
Jagai Madhai ekatra
Kirtan Karanti Nritya
“In the congregational singing led by Shri Chaitanya in Nagar Purushottama (Puri dham), Nanak and Saranga (another name for Mardana who played the sarangi), the two bothers Rupa and Sanatana along with Jagai and Madhai also joined in. Gopal Guru, for whom Guru Nanak had deep affection, was there as well, along with Nityananda Prabhu, who was considered an incarnation of Balarama. They all relished the kirtan at Jagannath Puri.” [9]
According to Padmabhushan Dr. Durgadas Basu, a National Research Professor, Guru Nanak was given mantra diksha by non other than Prabhu Nityananda while the latter was traveling through Bangladesh (Bengal). That Sri Nanak was a ‘mantra shishya’ of Nityananda Prabhu has been written down in his autobiography and the last chapter of the Guru Grantha Sahib, while elaborating the greatness and glory of the holy ‘Naam’.
In the Granth Sahib, it is written:
“Swasi grasi harinam samali
Simar bus vishwambhar ek”
Simar bus vishwambhar ek”
"In order to attain salvation, one must chant the holy name of Ram, Hari or Vishwambhar." [10]
There is an excellent narration of Lord Caitanya's meeting with Guru Nanak at Puri Jagannatha, delivered by H.H. Srila Bhakti Sravan Tirtha Goswami of Gaudiya Matha. He writes:
"A contemporary of Mahaprabhu, Guru Nanak was older to Mahaprabhu by 16 years. He departed five years after the disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Nanak sought a religious path that avoided the formal structures of both Islam and Hinduism. However, in the Guru Granth Sahib, there are frequent references to Hari, Krishen, Gobind, Gopal and Ram.
Clearly, Nanak dev ji believed in a God that was both formless and full of form, Nirgun as well as Sagun. One does not negate the other. Both coexist at the same time, resonating with Sri Chaitanya’s philosophy of ‘Achintya Bhed Abhed’ (inconceivable unity in duality).
In 1506 Nanak visited seven regions across India. He lived for 71 years and within his life time he is believed to have spent 25 years travelling all over the country from Himalaya to Cape Comorin.
He also visited Mecca and Madina, Turkey and China. It has been estimated that he had walked about 50,000 miles on foot with wooden sandals. He also converted Raja Seonath, the king of Ceylon to his own religion. Before proceeding towards Ceylon he visited Orissa.
Legend says that Guru Nanak arrived at Puri with his disciple 'Mardana' a Muslim follower. When Guru Nanak reached Puri beach in the evening near the present Swargadwar, he sat down in meditation.
Mardana was hungry but as he was a Muslim he was not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple for Mahaprasad. So the disciple blamed Nanak for selecting such a place where they had to face starvation.
Suddenly at that time somebody appeared and offered food and drink in golden utensils. In the early hours of morning however there was a commotion in the Jagannath temple because the gold utensils of the Lord were missing.
The news was conveyed to the Maharaja of Puri. Guru Nanak appeared to the Raja in his dream that night. So when the Raja heard about the theft, he smiled and marched towards sea-beach in a procession to welcome the saint.
The Raja found the saint in meditation and the gold utensils were lying close by. Then the king and his party gave a hearty reception to the saint who had come to Puri to pay his homage to Lord Jagannath.
Nanak was invited to visit the temple at the time of Aarti in the evening. When the aarti started, Guru Nanak stood silent, not participating. Later when asked why, he said, this was not homage enough to the glory and wonder of the Lord of the Universe, to whom Nature paid a far more sublime tribute. In reply, he sang verses which remain immortal for their exquisite mystic poetry:
“In the salver of the sky The Sun and Moon shine like lamps,
The galaxy of stars are scattered like pearls;
The chandan-scented winds waft as Thine incense,
The forests are Thy flowers.
(Thus) is Thy arati performed,
O, Thou Destroyer of fear!”
The galaxy of stars are scattered like pearls;
The chandan-scented winds waft as Thine incense,
The forests are Thy flowers.
(Thus) is Thy arati performed,
O, Thou Destroyer of fear!”
Once when his disciples were thirsty but had no water to drink, he requested them to dig a hole in the sandy surface of sea-beach and to their surprise sweet water came out. A well was constructed around this hole. Near that well a Gurudwara called Bauli Saheb came into existence. This is now called 'Baulimath'. This is a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. [8]
Sri Chaitanya Bhagwata
It is an Oriya manuscript written by Sri Ishwar Das. It was donated by Prachi Samiti, Cuttack to Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar. The manuscript was edited by Rai Bahadur Arthabaltaba Mohanty and published by the University in 1953. The author does not provide any date of his work. However, Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhaya deems it as a work of sixteenth century, whereas Bimanbehari Majumdar is of the opinion that the work is of eighteenth century.
Sri Chaitanya Bhagwata is a detailed biographical account of Sri Chaitanya (1485-1533 A.D.) but no incident of his life is dated; The book contains as many as five references to Guru Nanak on pages 268, 279-80, 382-83, 405-9 and 429."[12]
Return Journey
From Puri Guru Nanak started his return journey to Punjab through Madhya Pradesh, Uttter Pradesh and Haryana. He proceeded along Chilka lake enjoying its natural flora and fauna. Thereafter he turned along Mahanadi towards MP through Khorda, Raja-Ranapur, Nayagon and Sanagarh enjoying the nature in the villages and the jungles around. [13]
References
[1]Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 663
[2] Raghubir Singh Tak, 2003 Guru Nanak and His Teachings edited by Madanjit Kaur, Amritsar, Guru Nanak Dev University p.163-165: The translated from oriya provided by Dr H.S. Patnaik of Utkal University,
[3] Gyani Gyan Singh, 1997, Gurdham Sangreh, Sri Amritsar, Dharam Parchar Committee SGPC, 15 Decr p.42.
[4] Gitarani Praharaj , Orissa Review June,2009.
[5] Gyani Gyan Singh, 1997, Gurdham Sangreh, p.42-43
[6] Gurmukh Singh, September 1995, Sikh Shrines, Amritsar, Singh Bros, p. 338.
[7] gurbaani.com - This website is for sale! - gurbaani Resources and Information.
[8] Gyani Gyan Singh, 1997, Gurdham Sangreh p.42, Mangu Math, Baoli sahib
[9] Ishvar Das’s Chaitanya Bhagavat Adhyaya 64.
[10] The Sampradaya Sun - Independent Vaisnava News - Feature Stories - November 2009
[11] Gitarani Praharaj , Orissa Review June,2003.
[12] BABA NANAK VISITED PURI (ORISSA)
[13] Gyani Gian Singh, Twareekh Khalsa Dasan Guruan, Guru 1, Part 1, p. 129
