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Log inH-M synthesis: The great muslim disciple of Lord Jagannath
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H-M synthesis: The great muslim disciple of Lord Jagannath
by Guest Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:36 am
The strength of Orissa lies in its composite culture and the simple tribal way of life. The most powerful symbols of collective celebration of life emerge from the stories woven around Lord Jagannath.
According to popular belief Lord Jagannath is a tribal deity accepted by mainstream Hinduism. Among the many lores associated with the principal deity of this region is the one about Sal Beg. History and myth have got interwoven in this tale of the Muslim disciple of Lord Jagannath. But it is worth telling for putting the interpretation of the Hindu way of life in proper perspective.
Sal Beg was a general in Aurangzeb’s army — the Moghul Emperor remembered for destroying temples and forced mass conversion of Hindus to the Muslim faith. The general was grievously wounded in a battle and lost his way and was forced to halt. A Brahmin widow helped heal his pus-oozing wound by continuously reciting Lord Jagannath’s name for nine days and nine nights. They married but each kept to their own faith.
Sal Beg who belonged to Aligarh wanted to visit the deity for darshan. As it was not possible for a well-known Muslim general to enter the temple he decided to fulfil his wish when the Lord came out. He set off from Aligarh but could not have reached Puri by the appointed time. He nevertheless continued to ride and legend lets know that Lord Jagannath’s chariot did not move for 8 days that year till this particular devotee could reach his destination. Sal Beg managed to reach the spot where the chariot was stuck.The moment he touched the rope and bowed his head in prayer — a Muslim praying to a Hindu deity! — the devotees had no problem in making the chariot move.
According to one account Sal Beg settled down in Puri and composed verses in praise of Lord Jagannath. Even today the Lord stops at the point where the Muslim devotee had come all the way from a distant land for his darshan. The singing of the verses composed by Sal Beg are part of the ceremonies associated with the Jagannath Yatra.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99feb21/sunday/head1.htm
According to popular belief Lord Jagannath is a tribal deity accepted by mainstream Hinduism. Among the many lores associated with the principal deity of this region is the one about Sal Beg. History and myth have got interwoven in this tale of the Muslim disciple of Lord Jagannath. But it is worth telling for putting the interpretation of the Hindu way of life in proper perspective.
Sal Beg was a general in Aurangzeb’s army — the Moghul Emperor remembered for destroying temples and forced mass conversion of Hindus to the Muslim faith. The general was grievously wounded in a battle and lost his way and was forced to halt. A Brahmin widow helped heal his pus-oozing wound by continuously reciting Lord Jagannath’s name for nine days and nine nights. They married but each kept to their own faith.
Sal Beg who belonged to Aligarh wanted to visit the deity for darshan. As it was not possible for a well-known Muslim general to enter the temple he decided to fulfil his wish when the Lord came out. He set off from Aligarh but could not have reached Puri by the appointed time. He nevertheless continued to ride and legend lets know that Lord Jagannath’s chariot did not move for 8 days that year till this particular devotee could reach his destination. Sal Beg managed to reach the spot where the chariot was stuck.The moment he touched the rope and bowed his head in prayer — a Muslim praying to a Hindu deity! — the devotees had no problem in making the chariot move.
According to one account Sal Beg settled down in Puri and composed verses in praise of Lord Jagannath. Even today the Lord stops at the point where the Muslim devotee had come all the way from a distant land for his darshan. The singing of the verses composed by Sal Beg are part of the ceremonies associated with the Jagannath Yatra.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99feb21/sunday/head1.htm
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