Purushottam Dev: Invasion of Kanchi with the divine intervention of Lord Jagganath

Purushottam Dev the king of Puri heard about the beauty and the grandeur of Princes Padmavati,  the daughter of King Saluva Narasimha of Kanchi Kingdom, now located in Tamilnadu. Our king Purushottama sent his nuptial proposal to the father of Padmavati. The King of Kanchi sent a spy to Puri so as to  know the wellbeing of Purushottama Dev and his Kingdom Puri. Incidentally when the spy reached Puri it was the time for annual car festivities called Ratha Jatra. The spy looked at the prosperity of Puri Kingdom. But he observed an unusual event. On the Bada Danda or Grand Road he found three newly built chariots. On questioning he was told King Purushottam Dev will come to the street before cars are being pulled. He got the solace as he would be able to have a look on the prince of Puri, as he had taken the arduous job of travelling couple of weeks from south end of this sub-continent to the eastern part. 

Finally prince Purushottam Dev appeared while adorned in white cladded attire and a turban on his head. Through the wooden staircase the king reached to majestic chariots called ratha. But the spy was dumbstruck when he spotted King Purushottama hold a broom in his hand and started cleaning the three chariots one after another. He had the diehard believe a Khetria(king) should always lift a sward in his hand to wage a war and not a broom.

With a heavy heart the spy returned to Kanchi and reported the ugly things that he witnessed at Puri. The king of Kanchi decides how at all he could get his daughter married with someone who holds a broom in his hand. The Kanchi King thought holding a broom and dusting the car of the lord is an unholy act and should be done only by people of lower caste. He sent his messenger while refusing the proposal of king Purushottam Dev. Our King Purushottam Dev was deeply hurt and headed for Kanchi with his cavalry of armed forces to invade the kingdom of Kanchi. But the army of our Puri king Purshottam Dev was brutally bruised by the mighty kingdom of Kanchi. After the defeat Purshottam Dev returned back to Puri with a heavy heart. 

On reaching Puri at night King Purshottam Dev went inside the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Mandira of the trinity. He shut the door of the garbagruha from inside. As if a child while crying he pleaded Lord Jagannatha saying entire life he served him as his sole deity, but now he has been dishonoured for the sole reason he swept the floor of the chariots with a broom. While repenting king Purushottam caught sleep over there. At midnight king Purushottam Dev had a vision. Lord Jagannath appeared there and dictated him to invade the kingdom of Kanchi once again. Further he clarified not to fear, as this time he will be going along with his elder brother Balabhadra to fight the war on behest of him at every step. King Purshottam waked up and thanked Lord Jagannath with prostration.

Rajadhi Raja Purusottam Dev recruited a new Senapati(commander) and armed forces. He restored his inventory of arms and ammunitions. Somewhere in 15th Century AD in the hot summer King Purushottam Dev along with his cavalry of armed forces started their expedition to conquer the kingdom of Kanchi which is 1,300kms away in the southern end of this subcontinent. 

While they were travelling somewhere near Chilika Lake a cowherd lady ceased the path of the army. She stood firm on the middle of the path. She said she will not allow the King to move ahead an inch, unless and until He pay her dues. The milkmaid was summoned to the king Purushottam Dev. On questioning the lady said her name is Manika. Two soldiers of Puri kingdom went that way a while ago riding two horses. The elder soldier was riding a white horse, whereas the younger soldier was riding a black horse. They were thirsty and halted here. They drank her butter milk to their heart's quench, but did not pay the price of the butter milk. On asking for the money they said they do not have any. But they handed over her one finger ring to exchange it with you for the price of buttermilk. She said I will not allow you to cross this place unless and until you pay the price of two tumblers of buttermilks.

Manika unfurled the knot of her saree and

took out a diamond studded ring that she had hidden in it. A mere glance at the ring glittered the eyes of King Purusottam Dev. He instantly recognised the diamond studded ring to be that of Lord Jagannath only, which has been stored safely in the treasury of the Jagannath Temple. He was assured it to be Lord Jagannath himself as no one can touch the ornaments of the Lord since the keys of the treasury is with him. King Purusottam got assured that two soldiers who are leading them are none other than Lord Jagannatha
 and Lord Balabhadra themselves. While holding the ring the king looked towards skyward and kneel down there on the ground with tears of happiness in his eyes. He immediately recalled the vision that he had in the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Jagannath temple. This miracle of Lord Jagannath instilled ample confidence in Purushottam Dev. With this divine intervention of Lord he was assured that he will definitely conquer the kingdom of Kanchi. Purushottam despite being a king  touched the feet of that old milkmaid. Purushottam said “Oh Mother how fortunate you are as you have served buttermilk to Lord Jagannath and his elder brother with your own hands”. Purushottam handed over swarna mohar(gold coins) to compensate the price of butter milk that has been drank by Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra. On taking the blessing of Manika, Purshottam headed for Kanchi. The army of Puri had to confront many wild animals while traversing the dance forests of the coastal area.

While blowing the Sankha(conch) and trumpets and beating the drums with a revived vigour once again the armed forces of Puri invaded the border of Kanchi kingdom. There was a fierce battle. Purushottam now fought the war fearlessly with the sole assurance his two adorable deities are there among his armed forces. Finally king Purushottam won the war. He made Princes Padmavati the prisoner of war(POW) and brought her along with.

While returning he halted near Chilika lake to meet that milkmaid Manika, who had handed over the diamond ring of the Lord Jagannath. He donated the entire village to her, which is now being called as Manikapatna. On reaching Puri there was celebrations in the entire kingdom. People welcomed the cavalry while blowing conch and trumpets; playing mridungs and bells; igniting fire crackers; singing and dancing.

But a thing to be noted King Purushottam did not touched the Princes. She was kept with dignity. King Purushottam asked his Pradhan Mantri(Prime Minister) to get princes Padmavati married to an untouchable person so as he can retaliate with her father. King Purushottam had a very wise Prime Minister he took the custody of the princes and gave a word no sooner he finds a suitable untouchable person, he shall get the princes  married with him. The Prime Minister kept the princes safe and healthy for couple of months at an isolated place.

When a couple of months passed by, it was again time for the annual festival of Rath Yatra. While King Purushottam was doing the chera pahanra or sweeping the surface of the ratha(car) with a golden broom at the nick of the hour the Prime Minister reached the spot along with princess Padmavati. He said “Your Highness you have ordered me to find a sudra or a person of lower order and  to get Princes Padmavati marry. And your highness today I found that person. And that is none other than you yourself, because you are holding a Broom in your hand and cleaning the Raths. And you have to keep your word by marrying Princess Padmavati”. The Prime Minister handed over a garland to King Purushottam to put that in her neck. King Purshottam had no other option, but to obey to the dictum of his Prime Minister.    

This is how with the divine intervention  of Lord Jagannath king Purushottam Dev and Queen Padmabati led a happy and contended life. The kingdom of Puri thrived during his reign and for many generations that followed them.  

                           

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E. Kiran Mohan(The Writer)
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