Jagannath
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun An avatar (or incarnation) of the Hindu god Vishnu, worshipped as a major deity at the temple in Puri, Odisha, India. Jagannath is typically depicted with a large, stylized, wooden head and stumpy limbs, and is part of a triad with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
Usage
The word "Jagannath" is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this deity. It is often used in religious, cultural, and historical contexts related to Hinduism and the Indian subcontinent. * The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri attracts millions of devotees. * The temple of Jagannath is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. * Devotees believe that worshipping Jagannath can lead to salvation.
Advanced Usage
- Etymology: The name "Jagannath" is derived from Sanskrit, combining "jagat" (world, universe) and "nātha" (lord, master), meaning "Lord of the Universe."
- Cultural Reference: The English word "juggernaut," meaning a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force, originates from "Jagannath," referring to the massive, unstoppable chariots used in the Rath Yatra festival.
Variants and Related Words
- Jagannatha: An alternative spelling of the name.
- Juggernaut: (Noun) A literal or metaphorical massive, inexorable force, object, or institution. This is a distinct English word derived from "Jagannath."
- The new tax law became a political juggernaut.
Synonyms
- Krishna: Jagannath is often identified as a form of Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu.
- Vishnu: The supreme deity of whom Jagannath is considered an avatar.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Like the chariot of Jagannath: Used to describe something that is massive, unstoppable, and crushes everything in its path. This is a direct cultural reference to the deity's festival.
- The reform movement gained momentum, moving forward like the chariot of Jagannath.
Noun
- an avatar of Vishnu