Jagannath – Balabhadra – Subhadra In Tantric Philosophy - The Tantric Essence of the Jagannath Trinity: Adi Shakti and the Eternal Cosmic Energy
The temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri, one of the four sacred dhams of India, is revered as a center not only of Vaishnav worship but also of profound Tantric significance. Beneath the devotional exterior of Jagannath consciousness lies an esoteric layer of worship that identifies the Lord and His siblings—Balabhadra and Subhadra—with the supreme feminine power, the Adi Shakti. In Tantric philosophy, every form of divinity is an expression of Shakti, the primordial creative energy that manifests the universe. Thus, Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra together represent the eternal play of Shakti in its manifold aspects.
Jagannath as Adi Shakti – The Supreme Mother
In Tantric understanding, Lord Jagannath is not seen merely as Vishnu or Krishna but as the embodiment of Adi Shakti, the primordial mother of creation. The circular eyes of Jagannath, without eyelids, symbolize the infinite awareness of the Divine Feminine that sees beyond time. In the Devi Bhagavata Purana (7.33.1), it is said:
"Devi alone is the origin of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara; She is the source of creation, preservation, and dissolution."
This verse supports the Tantric interpretation that the Supreme Being—manifested as Jagannath—is ultimately the Mother of the cosmos.
The black hue of Jagannath signifies the infinite void (Shunya), which in Tantra is the womb of creation. The Shunya Purusha or “Void Person” represents the transcendental state beyond form, where the masculine and feminine merge into one. Thus, in Tantric symbolism, Jagannath embodies the totality—formless yet manifest, masculine yet motherly.
Balabhadra and Ugratara – The Fierce Aspect of Shakti
Balabhadra, the elder brother of Jagannath, is often associated with strength and protection. In Tantric philosophy, He corresponds to the fierce goddess Ugratara. Ugratara is the manifestation of intense transformative energy—the power that destroys ignorance and purifies consciousness. The white color of Balabhadra mirrors the dazzling radiance of spiritual wisdom that emerges after the dark void of Jagannath.
In certain Tantric traditions, Ugratara is visualized standing on the chest of Shiva, symbolizing the subjugation of inertia by dynamic energy. Likewise, Balabhadra stands as the stabilizing force that upholds Dharma through the power of determination and purity. He is thus both protector and purifier—the masculine reflection of Ugratara’s terrifying yet compassionate grace.
Subhadra and Bhuvaneshwari – The Cosmic Mother of Space
Between Jagannath and Balabhadra stands Subhadra, serene and golden. She is identified with Bhuvaneshwari, the goddess who creates and sustains the worlds (bhuvanas). Bhuvaneshwari represents the divine matrix of existence—the vast cosmic womb in which creation unfolds. Her placement between the two brothers signifies balance: the harmonizing power that unites the dark void (Jagannath) and the radiant light (Balabhadra).
In the Tantra Sara and other Tantric texts, Bhuvaneshwari is described as the embodiment of order and equilibrium within the cosmic play of Shakti. Subhadra’s presence in the sanctum thus symbolizes the Divine Compassion that binds the universe with love and balance.
The Jagannath Triad – Unity of Shiva and Shakti
The Jagannath trinity can also be seen as the unity of the masculine and feminine energies within the Divine. The deities’ lack of fully defined limbs and forms reflects the Tantric principle of “Arupa” (formlessness). They represent the energy before manifestation—the stage where Shiva and Shakti are inseparable. In Tantra, liberation is achieved by realizing this unity within oneself, where the individual soul merges with the cosmic energy.
The temple of Jagannath is also connected to the worship of Dakshina Kali in certain regions of Odisha, where Jagannath is venerated as Kali in the form of a mother. This fusion of Vaishnav and Shakta worship underscores the Tantric truth that the Divine is both Vishnu and Shakti, beyond the duality of gender and form.
Symbolism and Spiritual Significance
The three siblings together form a sacred triangle of Tantric symbolism:
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Jagannath represents the transcendent void—the infinite awareness of Adi Shakti.
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Balabhadra embodies conscious force—the radiant power of wisdom and transformation.
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Subhadra manifests compassion and creation—the cosmic field of manifestation.
Their worship is thus not limited to devotion alone but serves as a profound spiritual meditation on the nature of reality, energy, and consciousness. The Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) itself symbolizes the movement of divine energy through the universe—the journey of the soul drawn by the forces of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Final Thoughts
The Tantric interpretation of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra unveils the hidden Shakti essence of the trinity. Beyond their popular Vaishnav identity, they personify the threefold manifestation of the Divine Mother—void, power, and space. In this way, the Jagannath cult of Odisha transcends sectarian boundaries and presents a universal truth: that all creation is born from, sustained by, and ultimately dissolved into the eternal energy of Adi Shakti.
Thus, the Lord of the Universe, Jagannath, is not only Vishnu but the all-pervading Mother, the boundless consciousness that nurtures and transforms all existence.