Narrator:
Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, son. Salutations.
Narrator:
Gurudev, just like every year, Tarapith is extremely crowded for Kaushiki Amavasya. Many spiritual practitioners come here as well. But this year, everything is closed in those places. If you could share your thoughts on this...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, the thing is, Kaushiki Amavasya is not meant for common householders. It is meant for saints, sages, and those who are deep devotees of the Mother. They are the ones who should observe this day. For the average person, this Amavasya isn't really beneficial.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now Tarapith is closed, Kalighat is closed—everything is shut down. What else is open? Nothing. We have also closed our doors here, but we are performing our personal rituals—the prayers and the fire sacrifices (Homa)—as you can see. Honestly, it's better to avoid crowds right now. I have instructed everyone not to come. We are serving the Mother, offering her food, and observing the Amavasya amongst ourselves.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a deeper significance to this. Once, Lord Mahadeva asked Goddess Durga to perform 'Kriya'. Kriya is a profound aspect of Tantra. Mahadeva used to perform Kriya himself. Goddess Durga initially disagreed because, for Kriya, one must be unclad. Durga said, "I am the one sustaining the world. If I become naked, the entire world will become naked. Do one thing: I will change my cellular form (Kosh) and manifest as Kali. You may perform Kriya with her joyfully." And thus, the Mother transformed her form and became Kali. This is why she is known as 'Kaushiki'.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In Tarapith, there's a picture showing Lord Mahadeva and Mother Kali sitting together on a bull. That image represents a specific Kriya and should not be kept at home or in general places. It is quite rare, found mainly in Tarapith. Some might be able to find it if they inquire.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is the essence of it. This Amavasya is for spiritual seekers (Sadhakas). They will worship the Mother. In my opinion, it's better if common people don't observe this specific Amavasya. Those who do, will do, but it generally isn't good for them. It can be quite unfavorable. We have a saying: "Stay indoors when Amavasya falls; do not stir from your home." This is advice for householders. But these days, the line between householders and saints has blurred; it's all become a bit of a mess.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Anyway, Tarapith is closed. Mother Kali and Mother Tara have closed their doors. This is actually for the best. The Mother has dampened the excessive, sometimes misplaced, enthusiasm of the people. It is better to perform these rituals privately and secretly, as they should be. The Mother has put a stop to all the grand displays and lighting of fires just for show. This is good. Bamdeb Baba would also have been displeased seeing such things.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To be honest, the activities at Tarapith aren't always positive, and nothing truly good happens during Amavasya. It is often a time for negative influences. That's why people with ill intentions perform these Homas. Lighting a fire in a crematorium essentially means lighting a funeral pyre. What is to be gained from that? I've said this many times: people go to the great crematorium of Tarapith and recite names and lineages (gotra). I always thought only the names of the deceased were read out with their lineages. Now, they do it for living people in the crematorium, lighting incense and candles. I say, let them light them, but just leave the meat offering there and walk away.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What we are witnessing today is the result of accumulated sins. Nothing else. It's the fruit of human sin. The Mother has intervened. And I don't think she will open her doors anytime soon, given the current situation. So, it's alright; we are conducting the Amavasya rituals here privately without publicizing it. That is all.
Narrator:
Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, son. Salutations.