Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Jagannātha’s divine form is very special and full of many mysteries. Parabrahma resides within the heart of Jagannātha. That Parabrahma is Kṛṣṇa, and indranīla-maṇī. There is a śālagrāma there. This is called Parabrahma. Brahmā said, “I will place this Parabrahma here,” when the original Jagannātha Deities were carved. “I will keep Parabrahma hidden inside Jagannātha, in the kuñja in His heart.” When the four logs of wood came to Cakra-tīrtha, Kṛṣṇa was present inside one as Nīla-Mādhava, Naṭavara-Nanda-kiśora. Only four Dayitās are allowed into the secret enclave where the transferral of Parabrahma is performed from one Jagannātha to another. There are no lights. All the lights in Jagannātha-Purī are turned off during the night of Nava-kalevara, when Parabrahma is transferred from the heart of one Jagannātha to the new Jagannātha. The Dayitās are also blindfolded before doing the ceremony. It is said that the opening in Jagannātha is two feet by two and a half feet. This is covered by many layers. When this cave in Jagannātha’s heart is opened, a brilliant light shines forth. Bhubaneśvarī resides within Subhadrā-devī. She is transferred to the new Subhadrā Deity by her appointed dayitā priest. Ananta-Vasudeva is within Baladeva Prabhu and He is transferred to the new Baladeva. Brahmā hid these Deities within the wooden Deities of Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā. Therefore, Mahāprabhu would say, “You are not a Deity, You are directly Vrajendra-nandana.” Why? Kṛṣṇa is hiding inside Jagannātha. There no one will disturb Him and He can stay privately with Śrīmatī Rādhārānī and the Vrajavāsīs. The Gauḍīya Guru-varga, under guidance of Mahāprabhu, in the Svarūpa-rūpānuga-paramparā know these secrets and disclose them at the appropriate time.