Brahma Padartha of Sri Sri Jagannatha

[Suraj]

Hare Krsna!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

I recently watched the Ratha yatra of their Lordships Sri Sri
Jagannatha, Sri Sri Balabhadra and Srimati Subhadra Devi on the TV. In
the commentary, it was mentioned that during the Naba Kalebara (New
Body) ceremony held once in 12-19 years, the Brahma Padartha (Supreme
Matter) of the deities is taken out from the wooden idols and placed
in new ones. I googled some time about the Naba Kalebara ceremony and
found out this:

1. That the Brahma Padartha is the navel of Sri Krsna, which remained
unburnt after His cremation and turned into a deep bluish colored
stone. This was worshipped by tribals, which was subsequently stolen
from them by a minister of Orissa in 9th century.
2. That no mortal being is allowed to see or touch the Brahma Padartha
which "would result in their immediate death" I couldn't understand
the reason behind this. Because, Krsna says "Aham Bija Pradah Pita"
Surely a father wouldn't kill his children. Then I realized that was
because the Atman of the animal/man, would have attained Moksa
instantly. That is, any type of association with the supreme Lord
guarantees Moksa.
3. For the reason mentioned in (2), the Orissa government orders a
black out of the entire city of Puri on the night of Naba Kalebara.
There is a curfew imposed around the temple of Sri Jagannatha. And the
priests who actually transfer the Brahma Padartha of Jagannatha, their
eyes and hands are bound by silk cloth. One priest describes the
feeling of holding the Brahma Padartha as "holding a rabbit in my
hand"

Does anyone know more about this ceremony?

[Anuttama devi dasi]

I'd love to read more about this. Anyone?

[Gaura Keshava das]

Suraj, namaskaram

I'm not going to waste my time too much on this. I considered not
replying because of the critical nature of the members of this forum.

In my opinion you would have been better off asking this question on a
forum that contained some devotees who actually know something about
deity worship like the Deity Worship conference on PAMHO.

Having said that. The first thing you have to know is that the worship
of Jagannatha in Puri is NOT performed strictly according to Vaisnava
principles but involves many smarta traditions.

There are many strange traditions. This particular one called Nava
Kalevara meaning New Body.

It does not follow the system used by Vaisnavas of Jirna Pratistha
when a deity's body is damaged or old. The idea is that the Brahma or
"soul" of Jagannatha, Balarama, and Subadra is a small thing that is
transferred from the old deities to the bodies of the new deities.

Of course we as Vaisnavas do not believe that the deity has a soul or
is different from His body. However the system of worship set up by
Adi Shankaracyarya of Jagannatha in Puri apparently does.

The old priest in the temple at midnight with silk blindfold and
gloves takes from a cavity in each deity's chest something and places
it in the new deity's chest.

There are several ideas as to what this is.

Here are some of the traditional speculations:

1. Three pieces of the original wood Daru Brahma (my favorite as this
one makes the most sense).
2. Three salagramas.
3. The teeth of Lord Buddha.
4. The navel and perhaps other unburned bones of Lord Krsna.

As you can see none of this sounds very Vaisnava-like.

There is also an elaborate system of choosing the time when the new
deities are carved and how the special wood is found for them.

Those details can be found in many books about the traditions about
Lord Jagannatha specifically Cult of Jagannatha by K.C. Misra.