Recently I came across an ancient Indian figure. I am usually curious about Indian legends and stories, so was quite fascinated by this creature. It is apparently better known in Oriya-land. It is called a Navagunjara,
Pic source: http://metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/73296
Interesting isn’t it!
How many different animals and birds can you count?
Head – Cock – I thought it was a parrot earlier but it is a cock
Neck – Peacock
Hump – Bull
Body – Lion
Legs – Elephant, Tiger, Human Hand and Deer
Tail – Snake
Really fascinated I started digging up more information about this creature.
Surprisingly not much is available online about it. I guess this is one more obscure aspect of Indian lore almost lost in the fast-technifying world.
The little I found online talks about a Mahabharata incident where Arjuna while riding his horse, all of a sudden comes across this Navagunjara. His first instinct is to draw his bow and shoot the bird. But he spotted that in its human hand the creature carried a lotus flower. He remembered that Krishna had told him, the human mind is finite while the universe is much vaster and infinite. He realizes that the Navagunjara is just another unique creature in the infinite universe and then bows down to it.
There are also other references which suggest this creature is Vishnu’s form, but I haven’t found any story about it. I overall find this interpretation incomplete. Usually when such creatures have been depicted in India culture there are very specific reasons for it. The idea that ‘Universe is infinite’ could be depicted in many other ways, so this unusual creature should have some more story to it.
I value understanding the etymology of words because often that gives us a lot of insight into the words meaning.
Navagunjara:
Nava = 9 , Gun = Quality , Jara = Old / Praise
So probably the creature depicts 9 qualities – and it could be used as a praise, you are awesome as the Navagunjara 🙂
I saw two such hybrid animal/bird creatures in the Channakesava temple in Belur, Karnataka. This Channakesava temple is popularly known for its exquisite & intricate sculptures. There is a woman dancer’s sculpture in the main sanctum and she has a bird on her hand. This bird is a hybrid of a parrot and peacock. The face part is parrot while the latter part is peacock. It depicts that women should have the Pride of a peacock but with the sweet speech of the Parrot. A very symbolic way of expression.
Again outside this temple, we come across another unusual creature.
Body a boar (strong, resilient), feet of a lion (formidable claws), eyes of a monkey (see afar) and some other features as well. A whole mix of these animals to depict perfect war qualities. I believe the guide told us it is the most fierce animal in war. I don’t remember exactly the details of this creature, but it is cultural to depict hybrid animals in order to show what qualities someone should have, in war one must be really formidable while a dancer should speak sweetly and carry herself with pride.
Similarly, Navagunjara should depicts certain 9 qualities, if we understand the context of it then these qualities may apply to a divine person? Since the Navagunjara is often considered to be a form of Vishnu.
Cock – awaken others around? Could mean leadership quality too
Peacock – pride/beauty
Hump of a Bull – purity/devotion
Body of a Lion-majesty?
Legs: elephant-stable, tiger-speed, deer-gentle/grace
Human hand with lotus – spiritual quest
Snake as tail. Tail shows balance and snake is also a symbol for the kundalini/energies. Could mean balanced energies
Since the Navagunjara is a tale common in Orissa, it is possible that some of the meanings of the symbols may differ. But I feel that each of the animals/birds signify certain qualities. There should be a few more tales about this creature in Indian lore.
The reason I take much interest in the ancient Indian lore and cultural is because a lot of the ancient wisdom are embedded into our culture and stories. That is why I find that despite the urban folks rejecting religion, they still have some very Indian roots because of the sheer cultural depth. It would be really sad if we didn’t grasp that depth despite the culture being all around us. Hence, I always look deeper into Indian lore… what all insights it may reveal.
Loved your take on the navagunjara and it’s application in life 🙂
Thanks Naresh 🙂
hey this is good work. I love the interest you take in the lores. I hope to find more deep and profound takes on the mythology of India. Keep up the good work 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and the good words 🙂
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Hi Priyanka, I came across your blog through a friend. Happy to know that we have somewhat similar interests. Reading your article gave me informations about two more chimeras described in Indian folklore. These are always intended to be interpreted properly; but, never with a fixed formula. The interpretations help us in understanding our culture and many times, to lead a better life.
Before I wrote about Nabagunjara, I tried to search for as many articles as possible. Eventhough I am from Odisha, I never heard many stories about it, except the Arjuna episode.
In another article, Nabaginjara, was reasearched by a sociology scholar Smita Das, as amalgamation of cultures of Odisha and south India. I liked the article and her way of interpretation.
Keep searching and keep writing like this.
Thanks for sharing Nita. Would like to know any other stories you may have come across.
Hi,
Nice to see your article on Navgunjar Rupa. Yes it is a very popular Mahabharata story in Odisha. But the essence and philosophy of Navgunjar is bit more dipper in Odisha.
Thanks for the comment, Pramod. Can you share more of this lore?
Navagunjar is virat-rupa (omnipresent) that Krishna shows to Arjun during Mahabharat. However your definition of Navagunjar in todays context is more appropriate, one can find eight atop at Neelachakra of Jagannath Temple and also at north gate. In Berhampur Dist the traditional cards also called Navagunjar where Arujan card is called King.
what i read about Nabagunjar is O.K. but if a photo is brought in which direction,and in which wall of the house it should be kept?
No clue anna 🙂
Nabagunjara is a symbolic fancy act of Krishna/Jagannath which assumes the organs of all living creatures (nine) in one body, imagined & mentioned by Sarala Das in his “Sarala Mahabharata’. Head – Cock, Neck – Peacock, Hump – Bull, Body – Lion, Legs – Elephant, Tiger, Human Hand and Deer, Tail – Snake, totalling nine creatures. The suggestive meaning of this image is to console the failures, to develop affection for the sins, to grasp the evils, to pardon animalism, etc. Its indigenous to Odisha folklore only & nowhere mentioned in other texts in India.
Hey Taranisen, your comment went into spam. Just saw it now.
Thanks for your views. I am not aware of Sarala Mahabharata, but you are saying it is first mentioned in that? Then it must be quite old and popular enough to be known by folks without having read it?
I felt very glad to read the stuff what u have given and thanks fr sharing such an explanation u made about the qualities to take was good from navagunjara,
Indeed more interest and popularising is needed for the rich odia culture which has much deeper meaning than meets the eye…
Glad to read the interpretation of Navagunjara, dear Priyanka, and thanks for bringing this this up for discussion among the community! Very curious about its mystic interpretations. Keep seacrhing and sharing…