Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Since its done for such a long time, it should be considered to be allowed by acaryas as an exception from a rule. Any references available?

Mrdanga is not allowed inside Jagganatha Puri temple (they do not follow our rules, pancaratrica).

But Sri Bhakti-ratnakara 5.3128 states:

. In Sri Sangito-parijata it is said: "In the mRdaNgas middle part the demigod Brahma always resides. All the demigods who stay in Brahmas planet also stay in the mRdaNga. Because all the demigods reside within it, the mRdaNga is all auspicious." Music scholars say the mRdaNga and other musical instruments were created from the letters of the alphabet.

For us, since we would allow anyone in the temple, certainly even if mrdanga is contaminated (not Balarama mrdanga), we have to allow it. Haridasa Thakura never entered the Jagannatha Temple, nor did Rupa and Sanatana. The standard of external purity or not being contaminated by the killing of the cow is very high there:

kali-yuge sri krsna caitanya abatara
khelibara prabandhe kaila khola karatala

In the Kali-yuga Sri Krsna Caitanya descended to this world. He enjoyed kirtana pastimes with khola and karatala.

I have never found a confirmation to the suggestion that khola was actually designed by Mahaprabhu, but it is claimed. Leather is not the same as conch, dont mix up the two, conch is an acceptable item in the vedic temple, we are not vedic (vaidic) we are pancaratric.

>I have never found a confirmation to the suggestion that khola was actually designed by Mahaprabhu, but it is claimed.

My mind is speculating and telling me that maybe in those days, they were making mrdanga from the skin of bull or cow who had died naturally. But I am not able to find any evidence for this hypothesis.

The rule no animal skin in the temple refers to any animal skin, regardless of the death (violent or natural).