In North eastern versions of Mahabharata, this incident is described. During exile Arjuna wandered in the forest, uncertain as to perform penance towards which form of the Lord.
At this time he comes across a strange animal that he had never seen before. The animal was composite of nine animals. It had the head of a rooster, the neck of a peacock, the waist of a lion, the hump of a bull, serpent as tail, the leg of an elephant, another leg of a tiger, yet another leg of a horse and a human hand holding a lotus or chakra. It was termed as Navgunjara.
Arjuna’s natural reaction was to take his bow and attack the monster before it could attack him. But then Arjuna noticed that Navagunjara was holding a lotus. So, he lowered his bow and wondered what kind of creature it was.
Krishna then appears to him and says that the navagunjara is another of his forms, (similar to the Virata Rupa of the Bhagwad Gita). In the navagunjara, Krishna expresses the plurality of approaches to understanding of reality. Krishna says that the ultimate reality is one, but appears different to different people. So whatever penance he do it ultimately a penance towards Krishna himself.
We have a number of gods and goddesses which lead to different religious sects and, therefore, there are many and varied temples, festivals, rites and rituals. Just like many branches arise from the same trunk which finds its nourishment in the springs of water in the earth; it is the same water that they drink. This aadharam or base is called brahman.
The navagunjara motif is sculpted at the northern side of the Jagannath Temple, Puri. Also, the Nila Chakra disc on the temple has eight navagunjaras carved on it, with all facing towards the flagpole above.
Om brahmane namah!!
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