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Meaning of JUGGERNAUT

Pronunciation:  'jugu`nowrt, 'jugur`not

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [n]  a crude idol of Krishna
  2. [n]  an avatar of Vishnu
  3. [n]  a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way
 
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 Synonyms: Jagannath, Jagannatha, Jagganath, steamroller
 
 See Also: avatar, force, god, graven image, idol, power

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \Jug"ger*naut`\, n. [Skr. jagann[=a]tha lord of the
    world.]
    One of the names under which Vishnu, in his incarnation as
    Krishna, is worshiped by the Hindoos. [Written also
    {Juggernnath}, {Jaganath}, {Jaganatha}, etc.]
    Note: The principal seat of the worship of Juggernaut is at
          P[^u]ri in Orissa. At certain times the idol is drawn
          from the temple by the multitude, on a high car with
          sixteen wheels. Formerly, fanatics sometimes threw
          themselves under the wheels to be crushed as a
          sacrifice to the god.
    
  2. \Jug"ger*naut\ [Hind. Jagan-n[=a]th lord of the
    world, Skr. jagann[=a]tha.] (Hinduism)
    A particular form of Vishnu, or of Krishna, whose chief idol
    and worship are at Puri, in Orissa. The idol is considered to
    contain the bones of Krishna and to possess a soul. The
    principal festivals are the Snanayatra, when the idol is
    bathed, and the Rathayatra, when the image is drawn upon a
    car adorned with obscene paintings. Formerly it was
    erroneously supposed that devotees allowed themselves to be
    crushed beneath the wheels of this car. It is now known that
    any death within the temple of Jagannath is considered to
    render the place unclean, and any spilling of blood in the
    presence of the idol is a pollution.
    
 

 

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