PLATE THREE

“The very strongly built dayitas (carriers of the Jagannatha Deity) were
as powerful as drunken elephants. They manually carried Lord Jagannatha
from the throne to the car. While carrying the Deity of Lord Jagannatha,
some of the dayitaés took hold of the shoulders of the Lord, and some
caught His lotus feet. The Lord Jagannatha Deity was bound at the waist
by a strong, thick rope made of silk. From two sides the dayités caught
hold of this rope and raised the Deity. While the Lord was being carried
from the throne to the car, King Prataparudra personally engaged in the
Lord's service by cleansing the road with a broom that had a golden
handle. The King sprinkled the road with sandalwood-scented water.
Although he was the owner of the royal throne, he engaged in menial ser-
vice for the sake of Lord Jagannatha. Although the King was the most ex-
alted, respectable person, still he accepted menial service for the Lord; he
therefore became a suitable candidate for receiving the Lord’s mercy.”
(pp.117-121)
