https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=NavagunjaraNavagunjara - Revision history2026-08-18T05:55:33ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Navagunjara&diff=428711&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Created a new article2023-09-18T18:03:05Z<p>Created a new article</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Mythical creature composed of nine animals in Hinduism}}<br />
[[File:MET DP140154.jpg|thumb|Navagunjara|260x260px]]{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}<br />
<br />
'''Navagunjara''' or '''Nabagunjara'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Odissi fabric with a spiritual touch |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/404066/odissi-fabric-spiritual-touch.html |website=Deccan Herald |last1=Chaudhury |first1=Swaati |date=May 4, 2014 }}</ref> is a mythical creature composed of nine different animals in [[Hinduism]]. <br />
<br />
The animal is a common motif in the [[Pata-Chitra]] style of painting, of the [[India]]n state of [[Odisha]]. It is considered an astral form of the god [[Vishnu]], or of [[Krishna]], who is considered an [[avatar]] of Lord Vishnu. It is considered a variant of the ''[[Vishvarupa|virat-rupa]]'' (omnipresent or vast) form of Krishna, that he displays to [[Arjuna]], as mentioned in the [[Bhagavad Gita]], a part of the epic [[Mahabharata]].<ref><br />
{{cite web |url =http://www.asianart.com/articles/patachitra/folklore.html#32p |title= Pata-Chitras of Orissa: An Illustration of Some Common Themes|access-date=2008-10-12 |work= journal|author = Cesarone, Bernard |publisher= /www.asianart.com|year= 2001 }}<br />
</ref><br />
<br />
== Literature ==<br />
[[File:Jagannath as a monstrous beast, with a human worshipper and Wellcome V0017731.jpg|thumb|260x260px|[[Jagannath|Jagannatha]] as Navagunjara]]<br />
The version of the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'', written by the [[Odia people|Odia]] poet [[Sarala Dasa]], narrates the legend of Navagunjara; no other version has the story. Once, when Arjuna was doing penance on a hill, Krishna-Vishnu appears to him as Navagunjara. Navagunjara has the head of a rooster, and stands on three feet, those of an elephant, tiger and deer or horse; the fourth limb is a raised human arm carrying a lotus or a wheel. The beast has the neck of a peacock, the back or hump of a bull and the waist of a lion; the tail is a serpent. Initially, Arjuna was terrified as well as mesmerized by the strange creature and raises his bow to shoot it. Finally, Arjuna realizes that Navagunjara is a manifestation of Vishnu and drops his weapons, bowing before Navagunjara.<ref><br />
{{cite book |title= Indian Mythology: Tales, Symbols, and Rituals from the Heart of the Subcontinent|last= Pattanaik |first= Devdutt |year= 2003|publisher= Inner Traditions / Bear & Company|isbn= 9780892818709|pages= 19, 21 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zdkswFlJtjQC&dq=Navagunjara&pg=PA19}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Architecture ==<br />
The Navagunjara-Arjuna scene is sculpted at the northern side of the [[Jagannath Temple (Puri)|Jagannath Temple]], [[Puri]].<ref>{{cite book |title= The Jagannatha Temple at Puri: Its Architecture, Art, and Cult|last= Starza |first= O. M. |year= 1993|publisher= BRILL |isbn= 9789004096738|pages= 45|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=v4bV3beb0n8C&dq=Navagunjara&pg=RA1-PA45}}</ref> Also, the [[Nila Chakra]] disc atop the Jagannath Temple has eight Navagunjaras carved on the outer circumference, with all facing towards the flagpost above.<br />
<br />
== In popular culture ==<br />
{{Vaishnavism}}<br />
Navagunjara is also depicted in [[Ganjifa]] playing cards as the King card and Arjuna as the minister card, in parts of Odisha, mainly in Puri District and Ath-Rangi Sara in Ganjam District, Odisha. This set is known as Navagunjara.<ref><br />
{{cite web |url =http://www.epicindia.com/magazine/Visual-Arts/a-short-history-of-ganjifa-cards |title= A Short History Of Ganjifa Cards|access-date=2008-10-12 |work= magazine|author = Kishor Gordhandas |publisher=Epic India|date= 25 November 2007}}</ref><ref><br />
{{cite web |url =http://it.geocities.com/a_pollett/cards25.htm|title= HISTORICAL NOTES|access-date=2008-10-12 |work= website|publisher= Geocities|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723043645/http://it.geocities.com/a_pollett/cards25.htm|archive-date=2009-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.altacarta.com/trade/asia001.html|title= Asian Cards|access-date=2008-10-12 |work= website|publisher= Alta Carta}}</ref><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[Nawarupa]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hindu legendary creatures]]<br />
[[Category:Forms of Vishnu]]<br />
[[Category:Forms of Krishna]]<br />
[[Category:Mythological hybrids]]<br />
[[Category:Mythological monsters]]</div>Ajay Kumar