JUGGERNAUT

Juggernaut

(noun) a crude idol of Krishna

Jagannath, Jagannatha, Jagganath, Juggernaut

(noun) an avatar of Vishnu

juggernaut, steamroller

(noun) a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

juggernaut (plural juggernauts)

A literal or metaphorical force or object regarded as unstoppable, that will crush all in its path.

(British, sometimes, derogatory) A large, cumbersome truck or lorry, especially an artic.

An institution that incites destructive devotion or to which people are carelessly sacrificed.

Source: Wiktionary


Jag"an*nath, Jag`an*na"tha, n. Also Jug"ger*naut. [Hind. Jagan-nath lord of the world, Skr. jagannatha.] (Hinduism)

Definition: 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.

Jug"ger*naut`, n. Etym: [Skr. jagannatha lord of the world.]

Definition: 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 Pûri 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

5 June 2025

UNDERLAY

(verb) raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type; “underlay the plate”


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