Twenty Two Steps--Baisi Pahacha

The TWENTY TWO steps of Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri

To see the Lord of Universe or Lord Jagannath, one has to climb the twenty two  steps (baisi pahacha in odiya) through lions gate (simha dwar). Many interpretations are there to symbolise these twenty two steps which are to be climbed to reach inner complex of the temple. Different religious interpretations are given to these Holy Steps so that one can feel the sense of sacrificing all sin and be prepared in body and mind to see the GOD with all holiness.

These steps are considered so sacred that pilgrims touch these in hand with reverence and also allowed their children to roll on.

“Nibrati prabrati e dui bhed jaana mana re

E  dui rupa aapa barga thile nbrati nhoi nmilei jana tapa

Ananta aapabarga jini yehu brhma bhajanti

Baisi aasakti jinile nirguna brahma milanti”

                                                                Sishuveda, sishu ananta das

First Interpretation:

As per yogashastra a man posses 5 types of mana and 25 types of prakrti. Out of these 25 prakrti, 3 are Apara and 22 are Para prakrti. The 22 para prakrti are:

1)      Kama

2)      Sambhoga

3)      Keli

4)      Lova

5)      Sancaya

6)      Kosa or panjikarna

7)      Abamaya

8)      Himsa

9)      Ersa

10)   Kisunata

11)   Kapata

12)   Mithya

13)   Ghma

14)   Ninda

15)   Ajnata

16)   Krodha

17)   Raga

18)   Dvesa

19)   Ahankar

20)   Mada or parba

21)   Utkantha

22)   Maithuna

A yogi has to cross twenty two para prakrti to see the lord.

 Second Interpretation:

 Baikuntha, the place of lord vishnu, is situated above sapta lokas, sapta patala and ashta baikunth.  These are as follows:

  Sapta Loka                                                                          

1.   1.  Bhu loka 
2.        Bhubaha loka    
3.        Svaha loka
4.        Svaha loka
5.        Jana loka 
6.        Tapa loka
7.          Satya loka                                                                                                                    

Sapta Patala

1. Atal patala
2. Sutal patala 
3. Bital patala
4. Talatala patala
5. Mahatala patala    
6. Rasatala patala  
7. Patala 

Ashta Baikunth

1. Sri baikuntha
2. Kaibalya baikuntha
3. Karanamaba baikuntha
4. Sesasai baikuntha
5. Svetadeep baikuntha
6. Parabyoma baikuntha
7. Garbhodaka sai baikuntha  
8. Kailasa baikuntha

One has to cross Seven  Loka, Seven Patala and Eight Baikuntha and hence these are symbolically represented as 22 steps.

Third Interpretation:

It symbolises the Panca Matra, Pancha Bhuta, Panca Vija, Panca Deva and Jiva and Parama. Hence 22 steps are there.

Fourth Interpretation:

Further it symbolises twenty two  tirthas of Shrimad Bhagbat with ten GOD.

1)      Basudeva

2)      Narayana

3)      Madan-mohan

4)      Ram-krsna

5)      Sridevi

6)      Bhudevi

7)      Bimala

8)      Bhubanesvari

9)      Pancarasa Asta Sattika Bhaba

10)   Tribija

11)   Trisakti

12)   Triguna

Hence calculating all , these are represented in 22 steps.

Fifth Interpretation:

1)      First five steps describes all five sense organs. Eye, ear, nose, tongue and skin.

2)      Second five steps five breathing prana. Up-brathing(prana), down-breathing(aprana),back-brathing(vyana),out-breathing(udana), and on-breathing(samana).

3)      Third five steps describes the inner beauty. Looks(rupa), aesthetics(rasa), taste(swad), smell(gandha) and noise(sabda).

4)      Fourth five stepsare for pancamahabhutas. Earth, water, fire, air and space.

5)      Twentyfirst step is for wisdom.

6)      Twentysecond step is for ego.

After crossing each of these steps , a pilgrim can see the Lord Jagannath.

Sixth Interpretation

AS PER THE Bhagvata purana , there are twenty four avataras of lord vishnu. Out of these twenty two are considered most important and these in form of steps symbolises for salvation. These are:

1.       Caturasana

2.       Narada

3.       Varaha

4.       Matsya

5.       Yajna

6.       Nara-Narayana

7.       Kapila

8.       Dattatreya

9.       Prsnigarbha

10.   Rsabha

11.   Prithu

12.   Narasimha

13.   Kurama

14.   Dhanvantari

15.   Mohini

16.   Vamana

17.   Parasurama

18.   Rama

19.   Vyasa

20.   Balarama

21.   Krsna

22.   Kalki.

According to belief, all sins of the pilgrims disappear when they touch these step even once.

Seventh Interpretation

As per Jainism, these twety two steps of Puri temple represent Twenty Two Tirthankars out of twenty four. The other Two Tirthankars are represented through the Ratnavedi of the temple and the Grand Road or Badadanda of Puri. When a jain deotee enters the temple and starts climbing these holy steps , he touches each step with deep respect .

Baisi pahacha or the Twenty Two steps is the to salvation. In different bhajans , these steps are described as the place where one can examine himself and affirms his faith in the Lord of Universe or lord Jagannath.....

Jai Jaigannath.......