By Dr Pabitra Mohan Samal, Principal Secretary Law
A visit to the sacred abode of Lord Jagannatha in the year 1987, for the first time in my life, was far more than a journey to a holy place. It was a deeply spiritual experience that filled my heart with peace, devotion, and gratitude. As I stood before the divine presence of Lord Jagannath, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and inner joy that words can scarcely describe. The sacred atmosphere of the temple, the chants of devotees, and the profound faith surrounding the Lord created a feeling of complete surrender and spiritual awakening. That visit not only strengthened my faith but also reminded me of the values of humility, compassion, and selfless devotion. It was an unforgettable experience that left my mind refreshed, my heart content, and my soul inspired.
Human life is precious and is bestowed upon us only once. It is often said that no one can live another person’s life; each of us must walk our own path, face our own trials, and discover our own purpose. Throughout my life, I have encountered many people who questioned my faith. Some have argued that God does not exist and that spending time in prayer and devotion is a futile exercise that could instead be devoted to more “meaningful” pursuits. Others have gone a step further and asked me, “Have you ever seen God?”
My answer has always been simple. I ask them in return, “Have you ever seen the air?” The obvious answer is no. Yet no one doubts the existence of air, because we experience its presence every moment. We cannot see it with our eyes, but we feel its gentle breeze, depend upon it for every breath, and recognize its power when it moves forcefully. In much the same way, I experience the presence of God. Although the Divine may not be visible to our physical eyes, His presence is constantly felt in our lives through His guidance, protection, compassion, and countless unseen blessings. To me, God is as real as the air that surrounds us. Therefore, I firmly believe that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Many truths in life are experienced not merely through sight, but through faith, intuition, and personal realization.
Faith is not born out of blind belief; it is strengthened through life’s experiences. Every individual who sincerely seeks the Divine eventually encounters moments that transcend logic and ordinary human understanding. Such moments reinforce the conviction that there is a supreme power silently orchestrating events for our ultimate good.
Among the many unforgettable experiences of my life, one stands out as truly extraordinary and continues to strengthen my faith in the boundless grace of Lord Jagannath. It was in the year 1991, when I secured admission to the LL.M. programme in the Postgraduate Department of Law, Berhampur University, Odisha. At that time, the University had sanctioned only sixteen seats for admission to the LL.M. course. Many of my close friends, despite being meritorious and deserving, could not secure admission due to this limited intake. We felt that the restriction was unfair, particularly when most other postgraduate departments in the University had twenty-four seats.
Consequently, we collectively represented our grievance before the University authorities and organized a peaceful agitation, requesting the enhancement of seats from sixteen to twenty-four. During the course of our protest, we waited outside the chambers of the Registrar and the Vice-Chancellor, hoping that our genuine demand would receive a sympathetic hearing.
As I stood near the Registrar’s chamber, an unusual thought crossed my mind. Looking at the office, I silently prayed to Lord Jagannath: “O Lord, will I ever be blessed with the opportunity to occupy such an office and serve as the Registrar of any University in my lifetime?” It was a simple, spontaneous, and deeply heartfelt prayer, uttered without the slightest expectation that it would ever become a reality.
After some time, the University authorities accepted our representation and graciously enhanced the number of LL.M. seats from sixteen to twenty-four. As a result, my friends also secured admission and were able to pursue their higher studies. We all felt immensely relieved and grateful. I completed my LL.M. with dedication and perseverance and had the privilege of securing First Class First in the University. Thereafter, in 1997, I was selected for the Odisha Judicial Service and began my career as a Judicial Officer. Naturally, once I entered judicial service, the thought of ever becoming a University Registrar faded completely from my mind. The nature of judicial service and university administration are entirely different, and ordinarily, a Judicial Officer would not aspire to or expect to hold the office of Registrar in a University.
However, the Divine often works in ways beyond human imagination.
In December 2010, I was transferred from my post as Senior Civil Judge, Nuapada, and posted as Deputy Director, Odisha Judicial Academy, Cuttack. Around the same time, by order of the Hon’ble High Court of Orissa, I was entrusted with the additional responsibility of serving as the In-Charge Registrar of the National Law University, Odisha.
The moment I assumed that office, my mind travelled back nearly two decades to that day in 1991, when I had stood outside the Registrar’s chamber at Berhampur University and silently prayed to Lord Jagannath. What had once seemed like an innocent and almost impossible wish had, in His mysterious way, become a reality. The Lord created an entirely different path and blessed me with the opportunity to discharge the responsibilities of the Registrar of a National Law University.
To many, this may appear to be a mere coincidence. To me, however, it is a profound manifestation of the divine grace of Lord Jagannath. It taught me that no sincere prayer ever goes unheard. The Lord may not answer our prayers immediately, nor always in the manner we expect, but He fulfils them at the right time and in the way He deems best. This remains one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.
It is an experience that profoundly strengthened my faith in Lord Jagannatha, the compassionate protector of His devotees, affectionately revered as Bhaktara Bhagaban, the Lord who never abandons those who surrender to Him with a pure heart. What happened on that occasion was nothing short of miraculous. Circumstances that appeared impossible by human standards unfolded in an astonishing manner, making the impossible possible through His divine grace. It remains one of the most inspiring episodes of my life and continues to remind me that when all worldly avenues seem closed, the boundless mercy of Lord Jagannatha can open doors beyond human imagination.
One more thing I would be remiss if I did not mention here. Ever since my induction into the Judicial Service in 1997, I have continuously prayed with deep devotion to be stationed at Puri at least once in my career, so that I could have the opportunity to serve in the sacred land of Lord Jagannatha in any capacity. For nearly twenty-seven years, this prayer remained in my heart. To my utter surprise and profound gratitude, in recent times I was entrusted with the position of Principal Secretary, Law, Government of Odisha, which provided me the opportunity to work closely in matters connected with Puri and the Lord Jagannath.
I firmly believe that the long-cherished prayer of my entire service period has, in its own mysterious way, been fulfilled and graciously answered by His divine will. It is an enduring testimony to the belief that sincere devotion and persistent prayer are never in vain, and that Lord Jagannath fulfills the deepest aspirations of His devotees in His own perfect time and manner.
Looking back over the years, I realize that almost every major storm in my life has gradually subsided through the infinite grace of Lord Jagannatha. There were times of despair, uncertainty, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, yet sincere prayers, unwavering faith, and complete surrender to His divine will gave me the strength to persevere. Time and again, He transformed adversity into opportunity, sorrow into hope, and fear into courage. These experiences have convinced me that while human effort is indispensable, it is ultimately the grace of Lord Jagannatha that guides us safely through the trials and tribulations of life. His blessings have been my greatest source of strength, and for that, I remain eternally grateful.
Jay Jagannatha, Maa Subhadra and Prabhu Balabhadra