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Puri: The Srimad Bhagwat Gita vividly describes the mystique surrounding the ‘Olata Brukhya’ (upturned tree) concept. Srikrishna, had uttered ‘Urdhamulamadhahsakham….’ (The world as a spiritual entity is like a reversed tree) while describing the Sripurushottam mystique in the 15th chapter of Sripurushottam Yoga.
The Olata Brukhya concept also finds mention in the Kathopanishad. According to scriptures, persons aware of the Olata Brukhya concept are known as scholars (Pandits). Adi Shankaracharya had termed the spiritual world as ‘Brahmabrukhya’. According to him, human beings can attain salvation by virtue of detachment from the material world.
The Jagannath culture is also associated with the Olata Brukhya concept. The Nabakalebara rituals of the Srimandir deities depict the Olata Brukhya concept of the spiritual world. Lord Jagannath is considered as tree that
symbolises the Universe. The Brahma (supreme soul) is infused into the Brukhya (tree) or daru (holy log) during Nabakalebara. Scriptures also describe Lord Jagannath as ‘Darubrahma’.
Religious scholars cite several usages of Olata Brukhya concept in Nabakalebara rituals, such as—
1 The first holy log (daru) of the deities which was washed ashore had its branches towards land and roots floating into the sea. Thus, the daru had touched the land mass first and was referred to as Olata Brukhya.
2 Customarily, priests perform a yajna before felling the spotted Neem tree which is identified as daru.
3 Maharana servitors axe the Neem tree from its roots. They collect the trunk for carving out idols and bury the residues including the leaves and branches.
Hindu texts have cited instances wherein saints, yogis and demons have undertaken penance by standing on their heads seeking boons. Many preachers have enlightened themselves by undertaking such penance.
According to texts, the supreme soul resides at the tip of a tree symbolising the spiritual world. The humans reside at the bottom. Thus, human beings should free themselves of material desires to move upward and get united with the supreme soul.
Scholars have described Lord Jagannath as ‘Patitapaban’ (liberator of people indulging in vices such as lust, anger, attachment, greed and ego).
Four centuries ago, poet Jasobanta Das of Panchasakha age had written a couplet, ‘Olata brukhe khele lotani para. Athakathi panjurire na pade dhara.’ He had described the human body as an
overturned tree and the soul as a bird that flees the mundane world.