Nagarjuna Besa: The Story of Warrior Avatar

By Binit Kumar Bhoi 

Lord Jagannath is adorned with a flowing beard and moustache, an image so unusual that most devotees never witness it in their lifetime. This extraordinary transformation occurs during the Nagarjuna Besa, one of Odisha's rarest religious observances, celebrated only on a specific date that appears once in several centuries.

The Legend Behind the Sacred Attire

The origins of this remarkable tradition lie deep within the Sarala Mahabharata, Odisha's beloved retelling of the epic. During Arjuna's years of exile, Naga princess Ulupi, pulled him beneath the waters into Naga Loka. Their union produced a powerful son named Nagarjuna. Yet their joy was shadowed by a terrible curse from an enraged sage, who cursed her that her son would unknowingly defeat his own father in a battle, and till then, they would completely forget
each other’s existence.

Years rolled by. The great war of Kurukshetra ended, and the world moved into a new age. When Pitru Paksha arrived, that solemn fortnight was dedicated to honoring ancestors. Kunti requested her son to fetch a rhino from the forest, and fate drew father and son together in a dense forest. Neither recognized the other. What began as an encounter between two warriors turned into a terrifying duel. And then fate fulfilled the prophecy, and Nagarjuna defeated Arjuna. Only then did the curse break and memories flooded back, and the horrifying truth became clear. Nagarjuna had committed the gravest sin: patricide. Consumed by anguish and seeking redemption, he turned to Lord Krishna.

The Birth of Mala Tithi

Krishna's always had a plan, as he knew time, space, and realities. He created a new date beyond the traditional Panchuka period, so Surya Dev can come up and bless Arjuna and Naga Arjuna, in a rare occurrence called "Mala Tithi" that manifests once across several centuries. On this sacred day, Arjuna returned to life, and Nagarjuna found liberation from his unbearable sin, finally attaining moksha. This miraculous Mala Tithi became the occasion when Jagannath Mahaprabhu assumes the Nagarjuna Besa or the Warrior Avatar. The deity appears in a form that captures both divine
power and earthly penance: a long, flowing beard, traditional tiger skin attire, and ornamentation with sixteen sacred weapons.

The Deeper Symbolism

The Nagarjuna Besa carries shows a powerful tradition, the story of Parashurama, the warrior sage who destroys adharma and establishes dharma through righteous force. Both narratives converge on a fundamental truth that resonates through Odishan spirituality: dharma ultimately prevails, whether achieved through sacrifice or through battle. This rare avatar serves as a reminder that even the gods embrace multiple forms to teach humanity its most essential lessons. In Nagarjuna's story, we see redemption, transformation, and the eternal possibility of moksha, no matter how grave the transgression. For devotees fortunate enough to witness this once-in-centuries occurrence, the Nagarjuna Besa becomes a celestial event that could bring luck or destruction to transform your life.