Cast in the mould of lord Vishnu like Dharmaraj Yudhisthira and King Vikramaditya, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Dev is reverentially held as the Chalanti Vishnu (moving image of lord Vishnu) among the people.
As lord Jagannath is the lord of the Universe, as the Jagadguru Shankaracharya is thought of as the preceptor of the world, so also his Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev is widely perceived as the unassertive presiding authority of the Hindus of the globe. His name adorns the horoscope of the newborn in every Odia household as the harbinger of benediction while the birth details are enumerated into it. Having crossed the threshold of the Prince College of Raipur, he had his graduation from the St Stephens College, Delhi with Honours in History, Bachelor in law from the Delhi University and Master Degree in law from the Northwestern University, Chicago; thereby combining in him the best of the Oriental and the best of the Occidental cultures. He has been involved exponentially in the spread of the Shree Jagannath Culture both nationally and internationally. In an interview to The Pioneer, Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev spoke to Sugyan Choudhury from his Bhubaneswar Sahid Nagar residence.
Your Majesty, could you tell us the reason behind the recent reported untoward incident in regards to the transfer of the Brahma material that has shaken the faith of many in the worldIJ
You are referring to the very secret and significant rituals of Ghata Parivartan. This is the most important ritual of Nabakalebar of the lord. The Ghata Parivartan or entering a new body takes place when there is an extra month of Ashadha. It happens almost at a difference of nineteen years or so. Discarding the old body and entering in to a new one is the significant process involved in the ceremony. It is wrong to call it “Brahma material”; it can be called as “Brahma Tatwa” or Brahma essence. This year, it was scheduled to be done on 15th of June, but due to inordinate delay in making of the new body by the authorised carpenters, the consequent delay in the Yajna occurred by the authorised Brahmins. The Purnahuti or the completion of the Yajna which was to take place on the 15th June evening had taken place around 2.30 am on 15th/16th June, thereby compelling the occasion to materialise sometimes in the afternoon of 16th June. The allegations of derelictions of duty or breach of traditions have come in, but they are being investigated by the SJTA (Shree Jagannath Temple Administration). We have to wait for the result of the inquiry when the managing committee will take an appropriate measure so that such a thing never gets repeated in future. However, the transfer of the Brahma Tatwa was confined to four Daitapati Sevaks in a closed chamber who have sworn that it was duly completed by them. Hence, there should not be any misgivings, and I assure the devotees round the world to pin their faith on the lord with the same intensity without being adversely affected by any wrong message.
The Banajaga Yatra was hitherto confined to temple authorities only. How could it be made a public showIJ
The entire process of Nabakalebar including the Banajaga Yatra is a very secret affair which ought to be completed with utmost devotion and sincerity. It is not meant for public show, but what happened this year Nabakalebara received media publicity in the manner which the previous Nabakalebars had not. But then, a substantial presence of the media has been able to cover the same. The presence is a good thing, but it should not have been made a live coverage as per our tradition.
Could you share the public opinion that the SJTA over the years is trying to minimise the influence of the Gajapati in the temple administrationIJ
It seems there still exists some confusion over the issue. The Gajapati Maharajas were in the charge of the temple administration till 1960. Their powers were gone after the State Government took over the charge of the temple since 1960. We are governed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Act of 1955, where there is no administrative power vested in the Gajapati. However, owing to the long centuries of historical and cultural connection, the State Government in its collective wisdom has made the Gajapati the Chairman of the Management Committee. I offer my views along with other seventeen members of the temple committee, This Act also does not vest any administrative power in the committee, which is only a policymaking body. The entire administrative power rests with the Chief Administrator of the temple, who happens to be a very senior IAs officer of the State Government. However, this is the Temple of lord Jagannath, Who is the lord of the Universe and this temple does not belong to Odisha and India alone. It belongs to the whole of humanity. Truly, the management of the temple with its elaborate and extensive rituals which are unique can be satisfactorily run by the Government with its power and resources which is impossible to be complied by the royal household. Hence the question of interfering with the Gajapati’s power is misconstrued; rather, it is for you to ask how far the Gajapati interferes in the affairs of the temple administration, which I do not do. (laugh)
Why has the SJTA repeatedly tried to undermine the rights of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya on the temple affairsIJ
The Shree Jagannath Temple Act of 1955 clearly distinguishes the secular and religious affairs of the temple. The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of this Act empowering the State Government for the temple administration without interfering in the religious affairs. If difficulties are experienced then the opinion of the Shankaracharya is sought, and the decision of the Shankarachya is binding and final. Everyone including the Government and the Managing Committee will have to abide by it. The Shankaracharya is held in high esteem by Hindus all over the world and in the temple affairs. He is regarded as second to lord Jagannath. The duties of the Shankaracharya are enshrined in the Record of Rights of the temple.
What would be your timely advice to the Government for successful completion of Nabakalebar without any further untoward incidentIJ
I am not in the Government. But as far as I know, the Government has had been preparing the infrastructure over the years to see that the devotees will not be experiencing any encumbrances during their visit to Puri. Every year, we expect ten to twelve lakh of people here. But this year owing to the lord’s Nabakalebar, we expect double the number putting the figure at twenty-four to twenty-five lakh. There should be effective coordination between the temple authorities, the district administration and the Government for a successful completion of this unique event of this millennium. The Management Committee of the temple has asked the SJTA Chief Administrator for coordination among the servitors and particularly to see timely completion of the rituals on the Gundicha day on July 18, Bahuda day on July 26 and Sunabesha day on July 27.
Is your lordship pleased with the arrangement of the Government for internationalising this eventIJ
As far as I know, the Government of Odisha in the Department of Tourism & Culture is making an all-out effort to capitalise this event of this millennium and thereby to promote the Rath Yatra and tourism nationally and internationally.