Narrator:
(Spiritual music and conch shell sounds) Dear viewers, paying my respects to Mother Bhabatarini at Shantikunja, I am starting todayâs episode. Todayâs episode will be a wonderful one, as Gurudeb will be speaking. For those who are new to the \"Gupto Sadhok Shyama Khyapa\" YouTube channel, I welcome you. I also request our old friends to stay with us. Pranam, Gurudeb.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, son.
Narrator:
Gurudeb, we know that from today, Mother Nature (Param Prakriti) is going to adorn herself in a new form. I want to hear about this from your holy mouth. Today marks the beginning of Ambubachi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ah, Ambubachi. The word \"Ambu\" means water. You probably know that. And \"Bachi\" means to speak of, to adhere to, or to follow. This is Ambubachiâadhering to the water. In our Tantric language, there is a saying: \"Asharasya Prothom Dibashey\"âthe water that falls on the first day of the month of Ashar, we collect it and use it to bathe the Mother. That first rain of Ashar is held and used for the Goddessâs bath. This is our ritual. Then, after offering food, we close the doors and do not look at the Motherâs face for three days.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, whether you look at it scientifically or otherwise, in the old days, there was a system where during Ambubachi, one could not dig the soil. Farmers follow this very strictly. Those who work in agriculture do nothing for these three days. They donât dig the earth or use the plow. They follow it religiously.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Here, this tradition used to be very prominent, but it has slowly faded. It was specifically for widows. Nowadays, the concept of a \"widow\" is changingâmany eat fish and meat now. However, there are still a few who observe Ambubachi. They survive on fruits and roots.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a term called \"Bolir Hari.\" Until this period ends, women who follow the ritual cannot eat hot food. They must eat everything cold. Specifically, women eat milk, flattened rice (khoi), jackfruit, mangoes, and similar items. They cannot consume anything hot.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Today, after eating their last hot meal, they will not eat rice again until Sunday, after their bath. For these few days, there is no question of eating rice or anything hot. They cannot even drink hot tea. This was the rule we saw in the past.
Narrator:
You mentioned Sundayâso if it starts on Wednesday, it ends then?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, the \"Nibritti\" (completion) will be on Sunday. Different almanacs might have different opinions, but we consider Sunday as the day of completion. Then widows can eat rice and hot food again. The reason for avoiding hot food during these days is to prevent \"Kaam Bhaab\" (sensual desires). This is particularly observed because of Kamakhya. Since it relates to Kamakhya, no hot items are used so that no sensual thoughts arise in the widows. This is the main reason.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Furthermore, \"Rajoshola\" refers to menstruation. In the past, our mothers were very scientifically minded; they wouldn't let girls go anywhere during their periods. They were kept confined. The reason was that during menstruation, sensual desires increase, and there is a tendency to be drawn toward men. If a child were to be conceived during this time... well, menstruation is necessary for procreation. Without it, there is no birth.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Because of this, parents were very cautious. They wouldn't let girls go out, perform puja, or even chop or wash things. While this was specifically for widows and girls, the timing is maintained because Nature herself is \"menstruating.\" When Nature goes through this cycle, everything follows.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For instance, in the months of Chaitra, Baishakh, and Jaistha, the heat is intense and the earth cracks. The seeds that remain under the soil need the Earth to \"menstruate\" (receive rain) to sprout. This is the ritual. Adhering to the water, following the waterâthat is Ambubachi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This has mostly disappeared from urban areas, but it still exists in some rural parts. Farmers follow it intensely. They put away the plow and the spade. They will not strike the earth.
Narrator:
So you are saying that during Ambubachi, farmers don't plow because...?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Because the seeds in the soil would be destroyed. They don't dig or plow so the seeds aren't harmed. When the rain falls, the seeds sprout and grow into plants. Just as a woman conceives after her cycle, when the Earth goes through this cycle, it allows for the growth of trees and plants.
Narrator:
So, it is for the growth of plants and for a bountiful harvest that we observe Ambubachi?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. As I said, farmers will not plow for these four days. But in our current society, many don't follow this. They don't see the need. In this age of science, some call it a hoax or a gimmick to eat good food. That is what one class of people thinks. But those who are truly observing widowhood do not eat much. They follow the rules. They eat fruits and cold food.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Most importantly, the Mother is offered \"Aam-Dudh\" (Mango and Milk). This is so beneficial. It is said to kill many \"germs\" or toxins in the human body. We offer a bowl of milk and chopped mangoes to the Mother every day. That becomes the \"Prasad.\" If you eat that, it clears many toxins from your body. I don't know the exact science of what is in it, but we know that if someone eats mango and milk during these four days, it cleanses the body.
Narrator:
Gurudeb, I have a question. During this discussion, you mentioned that farmers shouldn't plow and girls shouldn't go out during their periods. What is the connection between Ambubachi and a girlâs cycle?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
A girlâs cycle happens once a month. The mother keeps the girl under strict rules during that time. Similarly, when the water falls on the Earth, the Earth is \"menstruating.\" There is a difference between the two, so don't confuse them. When the Earth cycles, the seeds sprout. That is the system.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Don't take the wrong explanation of Ambubachi. Remember, \"Ambu\" means water, and \"Bachi\" means to follow or respect. Itâs about respecting the rain. There is no \"shady business\" here. It is about honoring the water. At this time, when it rains, Nature cycles. The comparison with girls is because girls cycle once a month. Just as girls are kept carefully, Nature is kept carefully so that people don't plow or dig. Do not hurt the Earth. These things are done for both.
Narrator:
Gurudeb, we were listening to you talk about Ambubachi. Weâve gained a general idea of what it is.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is nothing, yet it is everything. It is the same. Whether it is the Mother, your daughter, or my daughterâwhen they cycle, we tell them not to go here or there. We keep them safe. On the other hand, when our Nature or the Soil cycles, we keep it safe too. Don't plow, don't dig, don't strike the earth. It is the same logic. Precautions are taken on both sides.
Narrator:
If we take precautions on both sides, we get good results. If we plow now, the seeds are destroyed and there is no harvest. Thatâs why farmers follow it so strictly. They put away the plow and tools. No one goes to the field. Gurudeb, we heard from you today. We were getting confused about why you were talking about farmers and Nature alongside girls. Now we see the common thread of precaution.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We respect the cycle. For instance, when a girl has her very first period, we tell her to pluck flowers with her own hands and offer them to Lord Shiva. This is what we say in our Tantric practice. Our Brahmin priests might not even touch her, but we have a ritual. When a girl first cycles, we say: \"Pluck flowers, weave a garland, and place it on Shivaâs head.\" We do this. It is applicable in Tantra. You cannot deny creation. If a girl doesn't cycle, there is no creation. We accept it, but with precautions.
Narrator:
So today we learned about Ambubachi. We learned many things we didn't know before. Dear viewers, perhaps you didn't know these things either.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no point in just shouting \"Ambubachi, Ambubachi.\" The meaning is very simple, but people make it complicated.
Narrator:
Right, Gurudeb. We will leave it here for today. Pranam, Gurudeb.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.