Two ‘Kshetras’ (holy places) in this world (‘Bhoo loka’) are spoken of by the Vedas. One is Seshagiri (the Hill Sesha) with the Srinivasa Perumal in Tirupathi and the other one is Jagannatha Kshetra in Puri.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to say, “The waters of the Ganga, the dust (‘rajas’) of Vrindavan and the Prasada of Puri – all these three are ‘Brahmaswaroopa’ – verily the Brahman.
What is it that one should never eat and that is to be totally avoided?
It is that which a cat leaves after eating a little. The Shastras say that the worst sin is earned by consuming what a cat has left after eating a little.
The same Shastras say that the Puri Prasada can be taken even from the cat’s mouth and eaten! So pure and special is the prasada of Puri Jagannatha kshetra.
Kanchi Mahaswami Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamiji would never drink even a drop of water before completing Sri Chandramouleeswara Puja. Until then not a drop of water would go into Him. But when someone brought Prasad from Puri Jagannatha Kshetra, Maha Periyava snatched it from his hands and took it! One should take this Prasad in this manner without any second thought.
According to ” Skanda Purana” Lord Jagannath redeems the devotees by permitting them to partake his Mahaprasad, to have His darshan and to worship him by observing rituals and by offering of gifts. Mahaprasad is treated here as ‘Anna Brahma’. The temple kitchen has got the capacity to cook for a lakh of devotees on a day. Mahaprasad is cooked only in earthen pots and medium of food is fire wood only.
The steam-cooked food is offered to Lord Jagannath first and then to Goddess Vimala after which it becomes Mahaprasad. This Mahaprasad is freely partaken by people of all castes and creeds without any discrimination. The items offered include cooked rice, dal, vegetable curry, sweet-dishes, cakes etc. Dry confectionaries are prepared of sugar, gur, wheat flour, ghee, milk and cheese etc.
Mahaprasad consolidates human bond, sanctifies sacraments and grooms the departing soul for its journey upwards.
Such is the greatness of Puri Prasad!
*****
Source: namadwaar.org and other sites.
Categories: Devotee Experiences
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara
If Jaganatha swami is AnnaBrahmam our Maha Periyava is Purely ParaBrahmam only,any one who had a darshan once in his life of Our Maha Periyava is a real blessed soul.We know our mind is not pure but a polluted one only.Once the nama of our Maha Periyava seep in to our heart,we too become pure.It is like that only “Raman Irukkum idathil Kamam Irukkathu,Kamam irukkum idathil Ramanum Irukka Mattar”
Dear Mr.Suresh,
i am really fortunate and blessed to have such good contacts like you and Mahesh.
Thanks for sharing all about Mahaperiyava.You are like my sons. Always Periyava’s blessings will guide you.
Saraswathi.
So nice of you to say that Mami. We feel so blessed indeed to receive your blessings. Our namaskarams to you.
Hara Hara Sankara, Jaya Jaya Sankara. Hara Hara Sankara, Jaya Jaya Sankara. Hara Hara Sankara, Jaya Jaya Sankara. Hara Hara Sankara, Jaya Jaya Sankara.
This site really a good one.why can’t they make small statue of Maha periva. And if they sell ,people like us can buy and keep in our pooja room for worshiping.
you can buy a small brass vigraha from Sri Matam in Kanchipuram. it costs Rs 1500.
Thank you sir.