JUGGERNAUT Meaning and
Definition
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Juggernaut is a noun that refers to an overwhelming, unstoppable force or power, often associated with an institution, religion, or movement, which is capable of obliterating or crushing everything in its path. The term originates from the Sanskrit word "Jagannātha," which means "Lord of the Universe," and is commonly associated with the Hindu deity Vishnu.
In modern usage, a juggernaut is often used to describe an unstoppable force or phenomenon that acquires an increasing amount of power, influence, or popularity to the point where it becomes notably dominating or destructive. It can refer to a person, organization, or system that appears invincible and inflexible, leaving no room for opposition or dissent.
The term juggernaut can also highlight the blind devotion, fanaticism, or unyielding pursuit of a cause or ideology. It emphasizes the immense compulsion or momentum that overrides any logic or reasoning, causing individuals or groups to act in an irresistible, even reckless, manner, often leading to detrimental consequences.
The word juggernaut has been used metaphorically and figuratively in various contexts outside of religious or spiritual domains, such as politics, economics, or social movements. It signifies an imposing, relentless force that engulfs everything in its path, leaving little room for resistance or alternative viewpoints.
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A famous idol among the Hindoos, which at certain festivals is dragged forth, elevated on a lofty and ponderous carriage, under whose wheels, when in motion, pilgrims were wont to sacrifice themselves.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of JUGGERNAUT
The word "juggernaut" has its origins in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from two Sanskrit words: "jagati" meaning "going, moving" and "natha" meaning "lord" or "master". These words were combined to form "jagannatha" which referred to the Hindu god Krishna.
During the medieval period, the English came into contact with the annual procession of a large and heavy carriage holding an idol of the deity Jagannatha in the town of Puri, in present-day Odisha, India. The procession often involved extravagant rituals and the belief that anyone who got in the way of the carriage would be crushed.
European observers described this spectacle as resembling an unstoppable force. As a result, the word "juggernaut" entered the English language in the 17th century and began to be used metaphorically to describe anything powerful and unstoppable.
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