Daru otherwise means wood. Brahma is
the mystic expression of the Lord. It is the cosmic cause and comic result of
the universe. It means ever expanding and endless. Thus Daru Brahma or Daru
Devata is the supreme power of the Universe. We know Lord Jagannath and other
three images seated on the Ratna Singhasan of Jagannath Temple are made of wood. The wood is not any
ordinary wood; it is neemwood and neem-wood is also called Daru in the interior
parts of Orissa.
The greatness of Darubramha has
become lively in Sarala Mahabharata. Once being enraged, king Hiranya
questioned his minor son Prahallad about the existence of Lord Vishnu.
Prahallad trembling with fear indicated towards a pillar of the palace as his
answer. Hearing the bold answer of Prahallad, Hiranyakashiapu with much
cruelity and wrath hit the pillar by his sword. Immediately, Lord Vishnu
emerged out of the pillar taking the form of a lion-headed human being and
mitigated the sorrows of Prahallad.
The lion-headed God is named as God
Narasingha, who is also regarded as the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In
his invocation, Sharala Das has described God Narasingha as Shri Jagannath.
Both Lord Shri Rama Chandra and Lord Shri Krishna Chandra are also named as
Kodandadhari and Dandadhari. Thus, it indicates the relation of these Lords
with Daru. In the Musali Parva of Oriya Mahabharat, it has been described that
the hunter Jara scored an arrow to Lord Shrikrishna and the Lord breathed his
last and merged with Lord Vishnu. Later, Jara and Arjuna, while started to
perform the cremation of Lord Shrikrishna, they heard the heavenly voice, "set
fire to my mortal remains using the log on which you would find the symbols
conch, wheel, club and lotus. As per the direction, Arjun placed the body of
Lord Shrikrishna on sandal wood and set fire. But the Pinda (heart) did not
burn. During the event, Jara thought that Shrikrishna had earned sins during
His life time and thus, the fire is unable to make His body to ashes.
While Jara was thinking deeply, again
the Heavenly voice resounded, "This heart will not be gutted in fire. Immerse
the body in the sea, it will be worshipped on the Neelasundar hill." After
alapse of long years, a Daru was seen floating on water on the confluence of
river and Bay of Bengal at Banki - Muhan near Jagannath Dham, Puri. King
Indradyumna and Savar Biswabasu brought the Daru to the shore. King
Indradyumna, desirous of constructing idols of Lord sighted the sacred wood
according to search made as per the command of the Lord Jagannath to King
Indradyumna but wood could not be sized, and form of Lords could not be
conceived. But one offered flower, from the head of the deity, Kakatpur
Mangala, on advice of sage Narada, was taken and touched on the sacred wood,
Daru Brahma. It facilitated the splitting of wood, into three parts for
construction of idols Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra according to
requirement.
Nabakalebara (construction of New
idols of the three Lords) is regular feature of Jagannath Dham at regular
intervals. Old, worn out idols are rejected and buried under earth and in their
place, new idols for 3 deities, i.e. Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram, are
constructed. From that time, tradition, still remains that carpenter sevaks and
priests living with discipline pray, Maa Mangala of Kakatpur remaining
prostrated before the deity at Kakatpur to bless them by showing sacred trees
and their location, which alone are suitable for construction of the idols in
Nabakalebara. In fact, they get the indication, and exact location of the
sacred trees and path leading to the location, in dream. This practice and
custom and tradition have been existing for years together, without any
deviation. Successful guidance, without fail, from the deity to find out the
sacred tree, is evidence of the power and energy of Maa Mangala of Kakatpur.
This is unchallenged evidence which stands unrebutted giving concrete proof of
blessing, power of mother Mangala on their devotees. Even Lord Jagannath who is
the hood of all universe is assisted by mother, who is the original power for
creation, is actively guiding the carpenters and priests to find out suitable
sacred wood, according to specific features, for construction of the sacred
idols, what to speak of other evidence.
