HOW THE YOUNG CHILD “DHARMAPADA” SACRIFICED HIS LIFE TO SAVE THE LIFE OF TWELVE HUNDRED KONARK SUN TEMPLE WORKERS?

HOW THE YOUNG CHILD “DHARMAPADA” SACRIFICED HIS LIFE TO SAVE THE LIFE OF TWELVE HUNDRED KONARK SUN TEMPLE WORKERS?

Author

Sudhira Mantry (HOD)

Maa Omwati College of Education

Hassanpur, Haryana, Palwal

India

The State Odisha may be a small state in India, but Odisha's history is extensive.  Its most famous old names being Kalinga, Utkal, and Odra. King Kapilendra (1435-66) was the first king of the Kalinga Kingdom (ancient Odisha). He won territories from his Muslim neighbors and seriously expanded the Kalinga kingdom. The last independent Hindu ruler of Odisha was King Mukunda Deva in 1560-1568. It was an important date in the History of Odisha. Out of all, the king of ancient Odisha, Langula Narasimhadeva (1238-1264), was unparalleled as a builder.

The tremendous Sun temple at Konarka bears the testimony in the subject of art, structure, and sculpture.  He was once no longer uniquely a remarkable military genius or builder; however, he was once a high-quality statesman of his time. His sound administration used to be marked with catholicity. He was once a champion of the reason for Hinduism. His Lingaraj temple inscription exhibits that he developed a monastery referred to as Sadasiva Matha in the Ekamrakhetra (Bhubaneswar). This monastery used to be the asylum for the refugee Hindus, who got here from Gauda and Radha being oppressed with the Muslim rulers' aid. The concept of Langella has been burdened for many abrupt derivations about the title of Narasingha Deva. When he walked speedily due to his aggressive nature, his lengthy gown resembled a tail, and for this reason, the king got here to be recognized as Langula Narasimha Deva. He dominated for 27 years. Besides this correct historical proof,  it seen with the Konark sun temple's more than one stone panel representations of the king, there is no different present proof that assists any of the other interpretations about the term 'Langula' as the identity of the Narasingha Deva I.  Narasingha Deva I was a protector and a follower of the Shaiva, Shakti and Jagannath factions during his rule. The Sun temple, which is known as “Konark Temple,” is one of the greatest achievements of Narasingha Deva I. The Konark Sun Temple was commissioned by Narasingha Deva I.

A popular Odisha exists to this day about the construction of Konark temple, where the sun's first ray reflects. Sun Temple at Konark is located about 35 kilometers from the Puri coastline of Odisha. This temple was dedicated to the Hindu God Sun (Surya).   As per the legend, 1200 Badhei (Oriya term) masons lead by a leader sculptor named Bishu Maharana was given the primary task to complete the project of Konark Temple within 12 years. 

Due to delay, the temple was not completed by the end of 12 years as the uppermost portion of the temple “Kalasha” did not fit properly due to some wrong measurement. During the construction time, no worker could not visit their home until the temple as it was the order of the king… When Bishu Maharana left his home for this project, his wife was pregnant at that time. In between, his wife gave birth to a son named “Dharmapada.” Dharmapada has grown gradually, and one day he asked his mother about his father. When a little child came to know about his father, Dharmapada Stubborn, before his mother said he wanted to meet his father.

But his mother told him, you might go, but how can your father identify you as you are his son. It was very critical for Dharmapada that how he assured his father that he is the son of great architecture Bishu Maharana. Then his mother found a way the solution the problem. She told Dharmapada that you go with Ber (Jujube) of our own farm, and then your father can easily identify you.  Then Dharmapada went to visit his father.  Anyway, the construction of the temple was going on, and it was nearing its completion. Still, the chief architect Bishu Maharana and his workers were not happy as all they are facing a major problem if fixing the “Kalasha” on the top portion of the temple. When the king came to that still, the temple is incomplete; then, he orders the task's completion by the next day of the morning; otherwise, all 1200 workers would be beheaded. It was the last day for all of the workers, and all they are so depressed about this as they all know that the king will detach our heads from our bodies. After a long journey, finally, Dharmapada reached the construction site, and he did not take much time to introduce before his father. Bishu Maharana was very excited and glad to see his son. When Dharmapada came to know his father and all workers' problems, then a twelve-year small child was interested in accomplishing the task. But all the workers and Bishu Maharana lost their faith, and they did not believe that Dharmapada will accomplish the task. But finally, Dharmapada accomplished the task within a concise period of time. 

All of them became very excited but still, all of the workers assured about their death. The chief architect Bishu Maharana was happy to see his son and his achievement, but in opposite how can he save the life of 1200 workers those who work with him for the last 12 years.  All the workers were come to Bishu Maharana to save their lives. All they know, the king will still kill them when he came to know that a small child could do it. Bishu Maharana could not understand what he has to do, but there was no more time to decide that one side of his son's life and another side the life of all 1200 workers. He was in a dilemma to which he has to save; on hearing this, Dharmapada immediately got up at the top and jumped off into the sea's deep blue water to sacrifice his life to save the life of 1200 workers. A young child, who achieved the ultimate glory by completing the greatest sun temple, sacrificed his life for others.