After Snana-yatra, when Lord Jagannatha falls sick, He spends two weeks in His private apartments in the company of His wife, Laksmidevi, the goddess of fortune. At that time, He develops an intense desire to go to Vrindavan. So, on the pretext of participating in the Ratha-yatra festival, the Supreme Enjoyer leaves Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri) on His cart and journeys to Sundaracala, which is full of beautiful flower gardens that look just like Vrindavan. There, He takes up residence at the Gundica temple, which is a replica of Vrindavan, and absorbs Himself in the mood of Vraja, wandering from flower garden to flower garden. Although He promised Laksmidevi that He would return the next day, He does not return.
After waiting for two or three days, the goddess of fortune begins to feel neglected and becomes resentful. In an angry mood, she decorates herself gorgeously and mounts her golden palanquin, accompanied by many members of her family, all of whom exhibit extraordinary opulence. Carried by four men and bedecked with many different kinds of jewels, Laksmidevi’s palanquin is surrounded by people carrying umbrellas, camara (white yak-tail hair) whisks for fanning, and flags, and it is preceded by musicians and dancers. Hundreds of maidservants, all attractively dressed and wearing valuable necklaces, carry water pitchers, cämara whisks, and boxes for betel nuts.
When the procession arrives at the main gate of the Gundica temple, angry Laksmidevi orders her maidservants to arrest all the principal servants of Lord Jagannatha. The maidservants then bind the servants of Jagannatha, handcuff them as if they were common thieves, and make them fall down at the lotus feet of the goddess of fortune. Being pushed and shoved and chastised by the maidservants, Lord Jagannatha’s servants almost lose consciousness. “Why did your Lord Jagannatha abandon the great opulence of the goddess of fortune and, for the sake of a few leaves, fruits, and flowers, go see the flower garden of Srimati Radharani?” the maidservants ask. “Your master is so expert at everything, but why does He do such things? Bring Him before the goddess of fortune.” Saying this, the maidservants begin to beat the Ratha car with sticks, and Lord Jagannatha’s servants submit to the goddess of fortune with folded hands, assuring her that they will bring Lord Jagannatha before her the very next day.
Being thus pacified, the goddess of fortune returns to her apartments, and the next day Lord Jagannatha mercifully returns to Nilacala.