Divine friend.

Even to this day the descents of Bhandu Mohanty get prasadam from the temple. Indeed what ancestry what clan. Truly blessed.

The Story of Bandhu Mohanty and Lord Jagannath

A Tale of Poverty, Devotion, and Divine Friendship

In the holy land of Puri, there once lived a noble-hearted but extremely poor Brahmin named Bandhu Mohanty. His name “Bandhu” means friend, and truly, he lived like a friend to the world—kind, honest, and full of devotion toward Lord Jagannath.

Bandhu Mohanty lived with his wife and children. Poverty tightened its grip day by day.

Sometimes they had food, sometimes they slept hungry.

But every night, before sleeping, Bandhu would fold his hands and pray:

“Jagannath, you are the Lord of the universe.

You know my troubles.

Give me strength to endure.”

He never asked for wealth. Only for faith.

But one day, the suffering grew unbearable. His children lay crying from hunger. His wife, with tears in her eyes, whispered:

“Why don’t we go to Puri, the Lord’s own home?

Our Jagannath will not let His devotees starve.”

Bandhu Mohanty agreed.

The journey to the Lord’s home

The family walked for days, with barely anything to eat.

When they reached Puri, it was late at night.

The temple was closed.

The streets were asleep.

The children were exhausted and faint with hunger.

In despair, Bandhu clasped his hands and prayed:

“Jagannath! They say you are ‘Dina-bandhu’—

Friend of the helpless.

Today, your friend is standing at your door.

Please take care of my children.”

And then… the miracle happened.

The Divine Bowl — ‘Mahalaxmi’s Bhoga’

That very night, in the sanctum of the temple, the Lord spoke softly to Maa Lakshmi:

“My devotee has arrived hungry.

Give him the food you prepared today.”

Lakshmi smiled, filled a golden bowl with warm, fragrant rice and ghee, and placed it near the gate.

Outside, Bandhu heard a soft sound—like a bowl being set down.

He opened the door to find:

A shining golden vessel, filled to the brim with mahaprasad

The divine fragrance of Jagannath’s kitchen

Warm rice, glowing as though it held the light of compassion itself

The family ate to their hearts’ content.

For the first time in weeks, the children fell asleep with full stomachs and peaceful smiles.

The Missing Bowl and the Temple Inquiry

Next morning, the temple priests saw that a golden bowl from Lord’s treasury was missing.

Shocked, they searched everywhere but found nothing.

The matter reached the King of Puri. The king ordered:

“Whoever has taken the Lord’s vessel must return it immediately.”

Meanwhile, Bandhu Mohanty sat in a corner of the street with the same golden bowl beside him, unaware of its value.

When the guards found the bowl with him, they accused him of stealing.

Bandhu cried:

“I am a poor man, my Lords.

But I did not steal.

This bowl appeared outside the door last night.

We thought some kind soul left it for us.”

The king, wise and humble, decided to take Bandhu to the temple and place him before Lord Jagannath.

As Bandhu stood trembling before the Lord, the king asked:

“Did you give your golden bowl to this man?”

And then… a divine voice echoed in the temple:

“Yes.

The bowl was given by Me.

Bandhu Mohanty is My true devotee.

Let no one doubt him.”

All present fell to their knees.

The king bowed and said:

“From today, you are the Lord’s own guest.

You shall never know hunger again.”

He arranged a home, food, and daily offerings for Bandhu Mohanty and his family.

God never abandons a sincere devotee.

The heart’s purity is more important than wealth.

Even in deepest poverty, devotion shines the brightest.

Jagannath is truly ‘Dina-bandhu’ — Friend of the helpless.