4. Jagannatha Swami's Sand Chariots

 4. Jagannatha Swami's Sand Chariots

Once during Ratha-yatra, Balarama Dasa tried to ride on Lord Jagannatha's chariot but was denied on the plea that he was not a brahmin. Feeling ashamed, Balarama cried and went to the seashore near Banki Mohana. He formed some chariots out of sand and fervently prayed to Jagannatha Swami to sit in his sand chariots. Not tolerating His devotee's distress, Jagannatha left His cart and sat in the sand chariot of Balarama Dasa. Meanwhile, the huge chariots on Grand Road would not move an inch despite the pulling of powerful drunken elephants.

That night the king of Puri remained awake worrying over the mysterious stoppage of the chariot procession. In a dream, Jagannatha Swami told the king that He was sitting in Balarama Dasa's sand chariots, and that he should come beg forgiveness for the misdeed of the temple sevaits. The next morning, the king ran to meet Balarama Dasa, apologized on behalf of the sevaits, and personally escorted him to Jagannatha's cart. Beholding his beloved Lord, Balarama collapsed on the road and cried like a child experiencing the sweet love of His guardian. Jagannatha Swami's chariot started moving forward amidst shouts of "Hari Bol! Hari Bol! Jai Jagannatha! Jagannatha Swami ki jai!" Thus Lord Jagannatha maintained the dignity of His devotee.

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