Devotee:
Gurudev, Pranam. Starting today's episode with a Pranam to Mother. You've already spoken to our viewers about the Shasthi, Saptami, and Ashtami of Durga Puja. Could you please tell us something about Nabami and Dashami?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, I'll tell you. From the day of Saptami, every morning, Mother is offered warm water in a glass and a branch of a Bel tree for cleaning her teeth. This is called 'Ushmodak Sahit Danta Kashtha.' After this, Mother's 'Maha Snan' (Grand Bath) is performed. This bath happens every day from Shasthi to Nabami. After the bath, various deities like the Sun, the Nine Planets, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Mother Durga, and Shiva are worshipped.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Once these are completed, the primary worship begins with the 'Ashta Shakti' (Eight Powers) who were with Mother on the battlefield during her fight with Mahishasura. These include Brahmani (the presiding deity of Brahma), Maheshwari (the presiding deity of Shiva), Kaumari, Vaishnavi (the presiding deity of Narayana), Narasimhi (an avatar of Narayana), Varahi (Mother Durga in the form of a boar), Aindri (presiding deity of Indra, seated on an elephant), and finally, Mother Chamunda.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the worship of the Eight Powers, the 'Dash Dikpal' (Deities of the Ten Directions) are worshipped: Indra in the East, Varuna in the West, Kubera in the North, and Yama in the South. Then, the corners are worshipped: Ishan (where spirits reside), Agni (where we cook), Vayu (the deity of life), and Nairit.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Next comes the worship of the 'Ashta Bhairav' (Eight Bhairavas): Asitanga Bhairav, Ruru Bhairav, Bhishana Bhairav, Samhara Bhairav, Chanday Bhairav, and Krodhay Bhairav. These are worshipped individually. Following them are the 'Ashta Bhairavi' (Eight Bhairavis): Ugrachanda, Prachanda, Chandogra, Chandanayika, Chanda, Chandawati, Chandarupa, and Chandika.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After some other minor rituals, the 'Balidan' (Sacrifice) takes place at a designated time. This might involve a goat, or symbolic sacrifices of fruits like pumpkins and sugarcane. There is a specific sacrifice at the Vimla Temple in Puri. During that time, the Jagannath Temple is completely closed because Jagannath is a supreme Vaishnava, yet the sacrifice happens for Mother Vimla.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Following this, the 64 Joginis, who were with Mother and reside in the crevices of the Himalayas, are worshipped. Worshipping them brings success. They supported Mother during the battles against Madhu-Kaitabh, Mahishasura, Chanda-Munda, and Shumbha-Nishumbha. Each is worshipped individually with a five-fold offering.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then, the 'Batuk' are worshipped. There are four Batuks: Siddha Batuk, Jnana Batuk, Samaya Batuk, and Sahaj Batuk. They protect the Mother's abode. It is said that Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha all play roles in protecting her.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This marks the end of the Nabami Puja. Then, preparations begin for the 'Homa' (Sacrificial Fire), which is quite elaborate and follows Vedic rituals. Some combine it with Tantric rituals as well. Durgaprasanna Paramhansadev once performed such a Homa on the instruction of his Guru, Nigamananda, during a severe cholera outbreak. While the ritual stopped the deaths in the village, he returned home to find that his own wife and children had passed away.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the Homa, 'Dakshinanta' marks the end of the Nabami rituals. Then comes Dashami. There aren't many elaborate rituals for Dashami. Mother is offered 'Dahi-Chira' (curd and flattened rice), as cooking complex meals isn't common then. In East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh), people often offer Colocasia leaves (Kochu Shak) and fish.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The sacred thread is then cut, and Mother is told, "Go back to Shiva and stay in peace. Return to our home again next year." This is whispered into her ears along with other mantras. After moving the sacred pot (Ghat), the 'Aparajita Puja' is performed. Then follows the immersion (Bhasan). Historically, Zamindar and royal families would immerse the idol immediately after the thread was cut, even if it was midday. Nowadays, people delay the immersion, which I believe is one of the reasons for the lack of peace in our society today.
Devotee:
I have a question. Are Lakshmi, Kartik, and Ganesha actually Mother Durga's children?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
According to the Devi Purana and the rituals followed by Ram Chandra, they are not her children. We have discussed this in detail in another episode, which you can listen to. To conclude, none of them are her children.
Devotee:
So, viewers, you've heard all about the rituals from Shasthi to Dashami from Gurudev. Have a great Puja, stay healthy, and stay well. Let's end today's episode here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Thank you everyone.