Prabhu and Puri - A Tale Spanning Millenia

- by Pratyush Parashar Das

An ancient beach stands on the eastern coast of India, ringed by the roaring yet melodious sea, and crowned by His presence,

Its story catapulted into prominence over a 1000 years ago, when three gigantic logs came floating down, borne by the sea waves,

That danced and formed wavelets with joy, for He had come to honour His devotee's love for Him,

As the logs washed up on the beach, miraculously dry and only slightly wet, a king knelt at their base, tears in his eyes, and a gratitude-filled smile on his lips,

For his Prabhu had come, from the caves all those yojanas away, to grace his kingdom,

And so the logs were towed to a site predetermined in a divinely ordained dream,

As the bricks and stones began to be assembled with haste, for they were to form His home,

For many years thence, the labourers toiled, their backs glistening with sweat but souls fired with purpose, until at last His home was ready, and those of His fellow deities' as well,

And then happened another miracle, when a divine craftsman appeared disguised, cautioning the king not to enter the Prabhu's home as he worked, for Pralaya itself would descend,

Three months continuously worked did he, the chink of his hammer and the rustle of his saw the only sounds,

Until overcome with curiosity, the king's favourite queen demanded to see the craftsman's progress,

Broken open was the lock, and the king struck dumb, for there stood the Prabhu with His siblings, with gentle, loving and unblinking eyes, their frame resplendent, but hands rounded

As the assemblage wondered what became of it all, the craftsman, who was but Vishwakarma, said, oh king, I did warn you to not enter,

But now that you did, I leave you the results of my work as you see them, for they were ordained by He,

A few weeks thence the temple compound was decorated with riches kingly, and the sancto sanctorum lit with a golden light,

As the Prabhu formally took his place as the Divine Spirit and Essence of Puri, taking over His Role as the Watcher and Protector for times eternal

And as I bring my tale to a close, a 1000 years have passed since, but He continues to Watch over His subjects,

As the sea waves roar and crash upon the golden beach, ringed by the waves and crowned by His Presence

Jai Jagannath _/\_