Jagannath is a Sanskrit term used to describe a deity form of Krishna. The term means master (nath) of the universe (jagat).

Jagannath is a special very merciful form of Krishna who is very popular among vaishnavas. There are two interesting stories associated with this deity.

First is the story of how Krishna appeared to a great devotee of the lord, King Indradyuma and ordered him to carve a deity from a log he would find washed up on the sea shore. King Indradruma found a mysterious old Brahmin carpenter to carve the deity, but the carpenter insisted that he not be disturbed while he was carving the deity. The king waited anxiously outside his room, but after some time, all sound stopped. The impatient Indradyumna worried what had happened and assuming the worst, opened the doors - only to find the deity half-finished and the carpenter gone! The mysterious carpenter was none other than Vishvakarma, the heavenly architect. The king was distraught as the deity had no arms and legs. Utterly repentant that he had interrupted the carving, the king was only pacified when the muni (sage) called Narada appeared and

The second reason for Lord Jagannath's appearance is the story of how Krishna was eavesdropping on the gopis as they spoke amongst themselves of His pastimes, and how much they loved him. Sister Subadra was instructed to keep watch and ensure Krishna wasn't nearby while the gopis spoke of Krishna. But after a while Subadra was so overwhelmed by the gopis' devotion and their stories that she became completely engrossed in listening. She didn't see the brothers Krishna and Balarama approaching. As the brothers listened their hairs stood on end, their arms retracted, their eyes grew larger and larger, and they smiled broadly in ecstasy. That is why Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra look like they do.

This form is worshiped by Vaishnavas as the abstract form of Krishna.

Jagannatha Puri

Jagannath in Sanskrit is the name of the presiding deity of the Jagannath temple in the temple town of Puri, in Orissa, India.

See also

• Juggernaut
• Ratha Yatra
• Puri

Dźagannatha