Navagunjar is a fascinating mythical creature, first conceived by the 15th-century Odia poet Sarala Das in his version of the Mahabharata, known as the “Sarala Mahabharata.” This composite being is a striking example of how mythology and art intersect to explore profound spiritual and philosophical concepts. In Sarala Das’s narrative, Lord Krishna assumes the form of Navagunjar to test the Pandava prince Arjuna’s ability to recognize divinity in its many forms. The very name “Navagunjar” translates to “nine (nava) forms (gunjar)” or nine attributes, emphasizing its nature as a composite being. In odisan traditional painting artists depict Navagunjar very often with little deviations.
The Navagunjar is depicted with a mixture of various animal parts, symbolizing different aspects of life and existence. Commonly, the representation of Navagunjar includes:
Head of a Rooster is Symbolizing vigilance and courage.
Neck of a Peacock is Representing beauty and grace.
Hump of a Bull is Signifying strength and resilience.
Waist of a Lion is Embodying power and majesty.
Tail of a Serpent is Indicating agility and mystery.
Each leg is often from different animals, like the elephant, tiger, and deer, symbolizing stability, power, and agility respectively.
Human Arms Holding a lotus flower, a mace, a wheel, or sometimes a conch shell, these arms signify human traits and the capacity for wisdom, purity, and spirituality.
This amalgamation of various body parts into a single entity signifies the idea of unity in diversity, highlighting that the divine can manifest in multiple forms. It challenges the viewer to recognize the divine presence beyond physical appearances, urging a deeper understanding of the world.
The concept of composite creatures is not unique to the Odia tradition; it is a theme found across various cultures worldwide. These beings often hold symbolic meanings and are used to convey complex ideas about the universe, spirituality, and human nature.
In Persian miniature art, similar composite creatures are depicted, often embodying aspects of mythology, allegory, and poetic imagination. For example, the creature called “Simurgh” is a legendary bird in Persian mythology that combines features of a peacock, dog, and lion. Simurgh symbolizes wisdom, protection, and purity and is often seen as a guardian figure, bridging the earthly and the divine.
The Sphinx, an iconic figure from ancient Egyptian mythology, is another composite creature, featuring the body of a lion and the head of a human. The Sphinx represents strength and wisdom, often guarding the entrances to temples and tombs. Its role as a protector and symbol of divine knowledge echoes the themes found in the Navagunjar depiction.
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monstrous creature composed of different animals – typically a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail. It is often seen as a symbol of chaos and hybridity, challenging the natural order. The Chimera’s presence in myths serves as a metaphor for facing and overcoming fears.
The Nue is a legendary creature in Japanese folklore, known to have the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki (raccoon dog), the legs of a tiger, and a snake for a tail. It is a representation of misfortune and bad omens. The appearance of Nue in tales usually signifies the presence of evil spirits or impending danger, much like how composite creatures often carry deep symbolic meanings in other cultures.
The Navagunjar is more than a mythical creature; it is a profound symbol of the interconnectedness of all life and the divine. By representing different aspects of nature in one form, it illustrates that every part of the universe is an essential piece of the whole. The tradition of imagining composite creatures spans across cultures, from Persian miniatures to Greek myths, each culture using these beings to express complex ideas about life, spirituality, and the cosmos. The Navagunjar stands as a testament to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Odisha, offering a unique lens through which we can view the unity of diverse elements in life and the divine.
