Jagannath - Metaphysical Attributes

Metaphysical Attributes

Jagannath is described as an Avataree i.e. the cause of the Avatars, and not merely an Avatar. The incarnations emanate from Jagannath, who is the cause of all material creation. Therefore, Jagannath does not have any life stories and lila, in contrast to Avatars like Parshurama, Rama, Krisna etc.

According to author Dipti Ray in Prataparudra Deva, the last great Suryavamsi King of Orissa:

“In Prataparudradeva's time Oriya poets accepted Sarala Dasa's idea and expressed in their literary works as all the Avataras of Vishnu (Jagannath) manifest from him and after their cosmic play dissolute (bilaya) in him (Jagannath). According to them Jagannath is Sunnya Purusa, Nirakar and Niranjan who is ever present in Nilachala to do cosmic play…. The five Vaishnavite Sakhas of Orissa during Prataparudradeva's time expounded in their works the idea that Jagannath (Purushottama) is Purna Brahman (i.e. god in toto) from whom other Avataras like Rama, Krishna, etc., took their birth for lilas in this universe and at the end would merge in the self of Purna Brahman

Jagannath has been endowed with attributes of all the Avatars of Vishnu. The Puranas relate that the Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu appeared from a wooden pillar.It is therefore believed that Jagannath is worshipped as a wooden idol or Daru Brahma with the Sri Narasimha hymn dedicated to the Narasimha Avatar. Jagannath when worshipped alone is called Dadhi Vaman Sanskrit for the Dwarf who likes curds ,reminiscent of the Vamana Avatar. Jagannath appeared in the form of Rama another avatar of Vishnu to Tulsidas, whom he worshipped as Raghunath when visiting Puri in the 16th century. From the times of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jagannath has been associated with Krishna. Jagannath as the dutiful son offers oblations in memory of parents of all the Human Avatars of Vishnu annually.

Jagannath is venerated by Non Vaishnav sects as well. Jagannath is said to assume the form of any God to satisfy his devotee's desire. In the Bhagavata Purana the Sage Markandeya established that Purushottama Jagannath and Shiva are one. Jagannath in his Hathi Vesha (elephant form) has been venerated by Ganapatyas like Ganapati Bhatta of Maharashtra as the God Ganesh.