To see the Lord of Universe or Lord Jagannath, one has to climb the twenty two steps baisi pahacha in odia through lions gate (simha dwar). Many interpretations are there to symbolise these twenty two steps which are to be climbed to reach inner complex of the temple. Different religious interpretations are given to these Holy Steps so that one can feel the sense of sacrificing all sin and be prepared in body and mind to see the God with all holiness.
These steps are considered so sacred that pilgrims touch these in hand with reverence and also allowed their children to roll on.
First Interpretation:
As per yogashastra a man posses 5 types of mana and 25 types of prakriti. Out of these 25 prakriti, 3 are Apara and 22 are Para prakriti. The 22 para prakriti are:
Kama
Sambhoga
Keli
Lova
Sankshaya
Kosa or panjikarna
Abamaya
Himsa
Irsha
Kisunata
Kapata
Mithya
Ghama
Ninda
Agyanata
Krodha
Raga
Dwesa
Ahankara
Mada or parba
Utkantha
Maithuna
A yogi has to cross twenty two para prakriti to see the lord.
Second Interpretation:
Baikuntha, the place of lord vishnu, is situated above sapta lokas, sapta patala and ashta baikunth. These are as follows:
Sapta Loka
Bhu loka
Bhubaha loka
Svaha loka
Svaha loka
Jana loka
Tapa loka
Satya loka
Sapta Patala
Atal patala
Sutal patala
Bital patala
Talatala patala
Mahatala patala
Rasatala patala
Patala
Ashta Baikunth
Sri baikuntha
Kaibalya baikuntha
Karanamaba baikuntha
Sesasai baikuntha
Svetadeep baikuntha
Parabyoma baikuntha
Garbhodaka sai baikuntha
Kailasa baikuntha
One has to cross Seven Loka, Seven Patala and Eight Baikuntha and hence these are symbolically represented as 22 steps.
Third Interpretation:
It symbolises the Panca Matra, Pancha Bhuta, Panca Vija, Panca Deva and Jiva and Parama. Hence 22 steps are there.
Fourth Interpretation:
Further it symbolises twenty two tirthas of Shrimad Bhagbat with ten GOD.
Basudeva
Narayana
Madan-mohan
Ram-krishna
Sridevi
Bhudevi
Bimala
Bhubanesvari
Pancarasa Asta Sattika Bhaba
Tribija
Trisakti
Triguna
Hence calculating all , these are represented in 22 steps.
Fifth Interpretation:
1) First five steps describes all five sense organs. Eye, ear, nose, tongue and skin.
2) Second five steps five breathing prana. Up-breathing(prana), down-breathing (aprana),back-breathing (vyana),out-breathing (udana), and on-breathing (samana).
3)Third five steps describes the inner beauty. Looks(rupa), aesthetics(rasa), taste(swad), smell(gandha) and noise(sabda).
4) Fourth five steps are for Pancha mahabhutas. Earth, water, fire, air and space.
5) Twenty First step is for Wisdom.
6) Twenty Second step is for Ego.
After crossing each of these steps , a pilgrim can see the Lord Jagannath.
Sixth Interpretation:
As per the Bhagabata purana , there are twenty four avataras of lord vishnu. Out of these twenty two are considered most important and these in form of steps symbolises for salvation. These are:
Caturasana
Narada
Varaha
Matsya
Yajna
Nara-Narayana
Kapila
Dattatreya
Prsnigarbha
Rsabha
Prithu
Narasimha
Kurama
Dhanvantari
Mohini
Vamana
Parasurama
Rama
Vyasa
Balarama
Krishna
Kalki
According to belief, all sins of the pilgrims disappear when they touch these step even once.
Seventh Interpretation:
As per Jainism, these twenty two steps of Puri temple represent Twenty Two Tirthankars out of twenty four. The other Two Tirthankaras are represented through the Ratnavedi of the temple and the Grand Road or Badadanda of Puri. When a jain devotee enters the temple and starts climbing these holy steps , he touches each step with deep respect.
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