Disciple:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, baba. Pranam.
Disciple:
Our Sharadiya festival (Durga Puja) is about to start in a few days. We all look forward to celebrating it with joy. However, given the current situationāthis pandemic and the COVID-19 situationāif we venture out for a few moments of joy, we might have to suffer a lot of pain later. It could even lead to death. In this context, we see that many major temple committees and puja organizers have taken certain decisions. Please share your thoughts on this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Their decisions are correct. Even if it took some time, awareness has finally dawned. The idea of holding "Ghorowa Puja" (intimate or neighborhood-specific puja) is good. If the locals celebrate within their own circles, there won't be massive crowds. Honestly, Durga Puja requires a lot of people. The local boys and girls come together to organize everything and gather the materials. The priest just comes, performs the puja, and leaves. So, I would say a sense of consciousness has awakened in them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When I performed the Annapurna Puja last time, it was during the peak of COVID. I told the local police station that I wouldn't allow a single person inside. Usually, we have two to three thousand people attending. I didn't let anyone in. You won't believe itāon the day of the puja, I sat on a chair outside the gate and didn't let anyone enter. People handed over their offerings from outside; someone would take them in, offer them to the Goddess, and return them. We didn't allow anyone inside for Anjali (flower offerings) either.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The struggle is that such a massive festival provides a livelihood for people across all sectorsāthe Dhakis (drummers), the priests, pandal makers, lighting technicians, and microphone operators. They all earn from this. Their entire year often depends on the income from this one festival. It is a major source of revenue for the community.
Disciple:
And it brings a lot of joy to people's minds.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, the joy is there, but look at the Dhakisāthey wait all year for this. Then there are the pandal and light technicians. By God's grace, they are getting some work now because we have "thirteen festivals in twelve months." They manage to earn something. But there is a class of people who earn their primary income during Durga Puja.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Furthermore, consider the children who need new clothes. In this COVID situation, people are financially exhausted. About 80% of people are struggling. Their primary concern is what they will eat tomorrow. If vegetables aren't available for less than 50 rupeesāthis might be different in rural areas where production happens, but in urban and suburban areas, people are buying pointed gourds for 50 rupees and potatoes for 30ā40 rupees. This dampens the joy significantly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But nature still prepares itself. The Shiuli flowers bloom, and the environment changes. This morning, I was looking at the skyāthe white, fluffy clouds of autumn. These are signs of the Mother's arrival. Maa Durga herself says, "I have no physical form; I am the manifestation of this universe." Nature reflects thatāthe Kash flowers are blooming. All the elements needed for Her puja are ready.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Actually, our puja should have started last month, right after Mahalaya. But because we had two new moons in one month, it became a "Molo Mash" (an inauspicious or intercalary month). Everything was pushed back by a month. Maa won't get the Kanya Rashi (Virgo); she has to work with Tula Rashi (Libra). In turn, Kali Puja will be in Dhanu or Makar Rashi. Nobody is getting their usual zodiac alignment this year. This is the rule for an intercalary year. No auspicious work is typically done during Molo Mash.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regardless, there is joy, especially for the children. Those of us who are older might not go out to see the idols as much; maybe we just walk to a nearby pandal to offer our respects to the Mother. The real excitement is for the kids who want to go out and celebrate.
Disciple:
Even at home, there is a beautiful atmosphere.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. From the food to the general environment, everything changes. No matter how much unrest there is in a household, people spend these four days in joy.
Disciple:
But Gurudev, in this current situation, people must be cautious. Please speak on that.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, in Andhra Pradesh, COVID had almost disappeared. The same happened in Kerala. But then, they made certain decisions against the warnings of the health department. The health officials repeatedly warned them to be careful, but they didn't listen. Now they are suffering the consequences. I forget the name of the lady in the health department there, but she warned that this wasn't the right time. They bypassed the health department's advice to celebrate, and now they have 5,000 to 10,000 new cases every day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The rule for COVID is simpleāand I've said this beforeādon't mingle too much. Maintain distance. That is the only medicine. Wearing a mask, using sanitizer, and keeping your head coveredāthese are scientific practices. We weren't used to these habits, but COVID taught us that covering the nose and mouth prevents germs from entering. Washing hands before eating is very healthy. People have now accepted this. Wherever you go, you see masks and sanitizers. People have become more disciplined.
Disciple:
Gurudev, on another note, many major pujas in West Bengal have banned the entry of visitors. This is a revolutionary step. However, we see on TV that they are still building massive, elaborate pandals.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They are doing that so people can watch the puja on TV. Most people will stay home and watch the telecast to see the Goddess. So, they have decorated everything for the TV audience.
Disciple:
That's fine, but they could have kept it small-scale. The money saved could have been used for social welfare.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You see, the members of these puja committees are not uneducated. Highly educated people are involved. Whatever decision they take, what can I say? It's an old argumentāto reduce expenses and give to the poor. But these committees have their own way of functioning.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is also an ego involved: "I organize such a big puja, how can my pandal be small?" This battle of egos has always been there.
Disciple:
They could have managed the situation better.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I agree. If they had scaled down and used the resources for service, it would have been better. Though I must say, the government is providing a lot of rice and wheat through rations. Because of this, the price of rice in the market hasn't spiked; it's around 40ā45 rupees. Some people who don't want to eat the ration rice even sell it or give it to their domestic help. Those who have money don't care, but those who don't are depending on the government rations. The government has done a great job providing rice and wheat during this COVID period. They increased the price of potatoes, but the supply of grains has helped alleviate people's distress.
Disciple:
I've also read that some committees have canceled their puja celebrations and are instead distributing the funds among the needy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is an excellent sign. It shows people are moving away from their egos. If they are doing something for the truly destitute instead of building big pandals, it's a blessing from God. Perhaps God has given them this wisdom.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many people won't go out to see the idols anyway due to the fear of COVID. I see the chaos near my houseāthe way some young people ride motorcycles with girls on the back, rushing from pandal to pandal. It's a kind of rowdiness that increases during Durga Puja every year. They act like they are "someone" important.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But the atmosphere at home during these four days is special. On Ashtami, most households prepare Luchi and Alur Dom. Many don't even eat rice that day. If only this peaceful environment lasted all year. But as soon as the puja ends, the envy and malice return.