Lord Jagannath Fulfills His Desire

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It was cold when we reached Kolkata from Hyderabad on 23rd of December 2011. The sun had shown up around noon time the next day. The information from Chakdah was that it was frigid there, much more than Kolkata. With this news, Srila Gurudev's plan to go to Chakdah was uncertain. Srila Gurudev was totally unwilling to stay in Kolkata while such a grand festival was being observed in Chakdah, but we were worried about the cold.

On the morning of December 25th, the sun was bright in Kolkata, marginally warmer than the day before. Srila Gurudev was the first to note the difference in climate and said, "Lord Jagannathdev is very merciful; nothing is impossible for him. He made the climate suitable. It is not good to say that it is cold and we cannot go. I am certain that Lord Jagannath will do something. We can go to Chakdah tomorrow.” But the news from Chakdah was not encouraging—our concern increased, but his determination has not decreased.

So on December 26th at 11:00 am, we all set off for Chakdah. Srila Gurudev witnessed the mercy of Lord Jagannathdev, the master of all mystics all the while. He was given a grand reception with arati and kirtan. To our surprise, it was not so cold that night. The next day on the 27th of December, the sun shined continuously from the sunrise, and Srila Gurudev spent some time in the morning sun while praising the glories of Jagannath. He spoke harikatha at around 11:30 am on that day. He sang Lord Jagannath's glories and spoke of His mercy on him as He made it possible for him to visit Chakdah. 

His Divine Grace sat in the sweet afternoon sun that day, and when the night came, it was also not so cold. The next day even the sun was so bright that by midday, we started feeling the heat. Srila Gurudev chanted on his beads while walking in the sunlight. He thoroughly enjoyed his stay at Chakdah. 

We reached Kolkata by 4 pm on Dec 28, totally spellbound by such a miracle. Lord Jagannath made arrangements for his own devotee. In the pastimes of Krishna, we have heard that Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadhrata before the sunset, and if he could not succeed, he would enter into the fire and kill himself. Lord very cleverly covered the sun with His disc when Jayadhrata had removed his defenses in a relaxed mood. When he came out of the hiding, Krishna immediately removed the disc covering the sun. Jayadhrata was killed by Arjuna. Every time Lord keeps the vow of his devotee—He is the greatest magician.

We got something similar to witness this time when Lord Jagannath changed the climate to have darshan of his pure devotee and to fulfill his desire.

Jai Gurudev! Jai Jagannath! Jai Chakdah dham!

—Sri Bhakti Suhrid Paramadvati Maharaj




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