The Miracle Story of Lord Jagannath Swami and Devotee Salabeg

A Dark Time for Devotion: The Rule of Aurangzeb

A long time ago, there was a very strict king named Aurangzeb. He did not like the Hindu religion and tried to stop people from praying in temples. He even forced Hindu women to marry his soldiers.

The Birth of Salbeg: Between Two Faiths

One such Hindu woman was married to a soldier named Lalbeg. After marriage, she was given a new name—Fatima—and was not allowed to pray to her gods anymore.
Later, she had a son named Salbeg, who grew up to become a soldier, just like his father

A Soldier’s Cry: Salbeg’s Turning Point

During a war, Salbeg got badly injured and was left to die by his own father. In desperation, he cried out to his mother for help.

A Mother’s Faith: The Introduction to Lord Krishna

His mother revealed,

“I was born a Brahmin, and my father was a devotee of Lord Krishna. He always said that Lord Krishna helps anyone who prays to him with love.”

Salbeg, having no other hope, began praying to Lord Krishna.

The Miracle of Healing: Lord Krishna Appears

For twelve days, Salbeg prayed with a pure heart. On the twelfth night, Lord Krishna appeared in his dream and gave him some holy ash, telling him to apply it to his wounds.

When he woke up, the ash was truly there. He applied it and was miraculously healed.

A Life Devoted to the Lord

Grateful for his life, Salbeg decided to spend the rest of his life singing bhajans (devotional songs) in praise of Lord Krishna.

A Journey to Puri: Meeting Lord Jagannath

Someone told him,

“Go to Puri in Odisha. There, you can see Lord Krishna as Lord Jagannath during the big Chariot Festival.”

Salbeg traveled to Puri and saw the beautiful chariot of Lord Jagannath during the grand Rath Yatra.

 

A Devotee’s Plea: The Chariot That Waited

The next year, Salbeg was far away in Vrindavan and couldn’t reach Puri in time. From afar, he prayed:

“O Lord, please wait for me. I want to see you!”

When the festival began, people tried to pull Lord Jagannath’s chariot—but it wouldn’t move.

Divine Intervention: Salbeg Arrives

As Salbeg rushed to Puri, the chariot remained still. When he finally arrived and touched the ropes, the chariot started moving immediately!

The crowd cheered,

“Jai Jagannath!”

Everyone saw this as a sign of Lord Jagannath’s deep love for His devotee, no matter his background.

 

A Final Wish: Resting Near the Lord

Before his death, Salbeg chose to live in Puri, near the Lord he loved so dearly. Even today, during the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath’s chariot pauses at Salbeg’s resting place, honoring his devotion.

The Eternal Message: Love Beyond Religion

The story of Salbeg shows that God looks at the heart, not religion. Though born in a Muslim family, Salbeg became one of the most beloved devotees of Lord Jagannath. His pure love was enough.

Moral of the Story

True devotion knows no boundaries. Lord Jagannath accepts all who come to Him with a pure and loving heart—regardless of caste, creed, or religion.