When Jagannath Listens: A Prayer answered Beyond Expectations

 

                                   When Jagannath Listens: A Prayer answered Beyond Expectations

                                                   

Sharing this experience which happened during our vacation with son Mayur residing at canary Wharf London – April 2024.  

Context: Our faith is to travel with our Lordship deities wherever we go. There is no trip without them. Being a UK trip we were not sure of procedures at immigration and as a matter of caution we voted to carry only Patitha Pavana Jaganatha with us (photo above). We love him dearly and he reciprocates completely. His love for devotees also comes with protection because he is most magnanimous.

This is our way to at least make an attempt to practice Gita guidelines: 

In Gita 10.9 Krishna says:

mac-cittä mad-gata-pränä

bodhayantah parasparam

kathayantaç ca mäm nityam

tusyanti ca ramanti ca

Translation: The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.

This episode is an example of how Lord Jaganatha always protects us.

On 14^th April 24, our flight schedule was departure to India at 12.30 pm with reporting time being 10.30 am.  Travel time from Canary Wharf to Heathrow airport is 90 minutes – first by bus and then by metro. We started at 8.30 am to have allowance for unseen hurdles if any. Mayur accompanied us till midpoint Green Park station where we change trains to reach Heathrow. Time 9.15 am. In underground metro mobile connectivity is not good. At about 9.40 am my wife Sneha asked me where is my laptop.? I soon realised I had forgotten the same at home. Panic gripped me as it was office laptop. Work without laptop is unimaginable. Said my silent prayers to Lord Jaganatha and expressed complete surrender.

Task looked hopelessly impossible. As train emerged overground at Acton Town 9.45 am spoke to Mayur. Explained the predicament. As a typical Gen Y kid, he made it amply clear that task was impossible. Given that he had to reach home (15 minutes away) and 90 minutes travel time to airport. I was calm and said do not worry if we try sincerely Lord Jagannatha is there to help us. I tried to control my emotion and be calm. Lot of ups and down in decision making. Sent Sneha ahead so that atleast she could complete check in formalities peacefully. I alighted the train hoping to receive laptop from Mayur midway and then reach Heathrow. This did not seem a good idea. Changed my mind and boarded train again as nothing seemed like a perfect solution. Most anxious moments: Reached airport at 10.30 am. I could not speak to Mayur as he was apparently in the metro with no connectivity.

Baggage drop completed by 11.10 am as there was a long queue. I could at last speak to Mayur. He said he would reach airport by 11.25 am. It was a miracle. Cleared security at 11.45 am and reached the departure gate at 12 noon. Fortunately, gate opened at 12.15 pm. Iran drone attack on Israel (during midnight) had led to changed flying routes for all airlines to avoid disturbed airspace leading to delays and extended travel times. We boarded the flight and reached home safely. All mercy of Patitha Pawana Jagannatha. Lord’s mercy which we call miracle:

·        gate opening delay of 15 minutes.

·        Mayur reached airport in fastest possible time ever imaginable. Mayur attributed it to luck and said he could not believe it.

These experiences enhance our faith on  how each one of us can enjoy transcendental loving pastimes with Lord. We should create a desire within ourselves to have such pastimes with Lord both during painful and joyful situations. When we face tough situations we  can then surrender to Lord Jagannatha lovingly and unconditionally. He reciprocates each and everytime. Though we see his Love only when he solves our painful situations. 

He is bhava grahi. If we take one step towards Him he takes ten. We should seek this eternal blissful relationship ever willingly and realize the true purpose of our manusya/manava jiva.