Lord Jagannātha: The heart of vibration
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Trends July 1, 2026 Dr.Pankaj Kumar Mahana
Lord Jagannātha, the ruling divinity of Śrīkṣetra (Purī, Odisha), represents a universal and inclusive conception of deity beyond sectarian borders. The paper argues that his theological importance is tied to the philosophical notion of vibration, conceived in Indian philosophy as Śabda-Brahman (the Absolute as sound) and Nāda-Brahman (the Absolute as cosmic vibration). Drawing on Vedic literature, Purāṇic texts, Vaiṣṇava theology, Tantric symbolism, and devotional traditions, it contends that Jagannātha is the metaphysical centre of holy vibration, where divine sound, ritual performance, and devotional experience meet. The study suggests that sacred vibrations from chanting, temple ceremonies, kīrtana, mahāprasāda, and Ratha Yātrā form a dynamic spiritual environment connecting believers with the divine presence. It also surveys 20th-century scholarship showing the blending of tribal, Purāṇic, Śaiva, Śākta, and Buddhist influences in the tradition.