Host:
Warm greetings and Saradiya (autumn festival) wishes to the viewers and listeners of the Mashshanti YouTube channel. Gurudev, my respects to you.
Gurudev:
Blessings.
Host:
Durga Puja is the biggest festival for Bengalis. Our Saradiya festival truly begins on Shashti (the sixth day). Could you tell us something about the Shashti Puja rituals?
Gurudev:
On the day of Shashti, the Mother (Durga) arrives from Kailash with her entire family. She takes up residence in the Billva Shakha (the branch of a Bael or Wood Apple tree). That is why a ritual is performed at the base of the Bael tree, either in the morning or evening. This is known as Shashti Puja. It takes place at the tree, not in the main pandal. The priests perform it there.
On this day, the Kola Bou (Banana Bride) is prepared. The Nabapatrika (nine leaves/plants) are tied together. These nine plants are bound to a banana tree and worshipped. The next morning, it is taken for a ritual bath. As I said, the Mother resides in the Billva Shakha.
Host:
Could you explain the significance of the nine plants in the Nabapatrika?
Gurudev:
Each of the nine plants represents a different aspect of the Divine.
Paddy (Dhanya): Representing Mahalakshmi.
Bael (Billva): Representing Shiva/Durga.
Turmeric (Haridra): Representing Durga.
Taro (Kachu): This is where Ma Kali resides.
Giant Taro (Mana Kachu): This is the abode of Ma Chamunda.
Pomegranate (Darimba): Representing Ma Rakta-Dantika. It is said that pomegranate juice is like blood, hence the association.
Ashoka: Representing Shoka-Rahita (the remover of sorrow). Women often eat the buds of this tree on Ashtami to remain free from grief.
Jayanti: Representing Kartiki. Worshipping this plant is especially important for those wishing for children.
Banana (Kola): Representing Brahmani.
These nine plants are tied to the banana tree to form the Nabapatrika.
Host:
And then comes the ritual bath?
Gurudev:
Yes. On Saptami morning, the priest carries the Nabapatrika on his shoulder, accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, to a pond or the Ganges for the Mahasnan (Great Bath). After the holy bath, it is brought back to the pandal, dressed in a saree, and placed beside Lord Ganesha.
Host:
People often refer to her as Ganesha's wife.
Gurudev:
No, that is a misconception. There is no logic behind that. Lord Ganesha's wives are Siddhi and Buddhi. We often mistake Lakshmi and Saraswati for Ganesha's sisters as well, but that is also incorrect.
To understand this, one must study the Baikrita Rahasya (The Secret of Manifestation) within the Chandi Path. It explains who created whom. Did Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara (Shiva) create Durga, or did Durga create them? People usually think Durga emerged from the combined energy of the gods. But the Baikrita Rahasya—which priests often recite silently so others cannot hear—suggests a different truth.
Host:
Can that truth be shared?
Gurudev:
It is a deep secret. But the family we see—Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha—they are not actually her biological children in the way we think. It is a "divine family" representing the cosmic powers.
Ganesha is actually a form of Narayana (Vishnu). He holds the conch, discus, mace, and lotus, and Mahalakshmi is associated with him. Kartikeya is a form of Brahma, and Ma Saraswati is his presiding deity. And Ma Durga herself is associated with Shiva. So, Durga Puja is essentially the worship of the forces of creation, preservation, and destruction—Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. We call it "Durga Puja" for the common people, but it is the worship of the Primal Shakti.
Host:
So, the popular belief that they are her children is wrong?
Gurudev:
Completely wrong. Furthermore, the Lakshmi and Saraswati who accompany Ma Durga are not the peaceful figures we usually see. They are warrior goddesses who fought alongside Durga in the battle against the demons. They wear necklaces of skulls and are draped in tiger skins. They are fierce forms of Shakti who participated in the war.
Host:
One more thing—the nine days of Navratri begin much earlier. Why do we in Bengal start our public celebrations only from Shashti?
Gurudev:
Because of the lack of people and resources to perform the full nine-day ritual. Setting up the sacred pot (Ghat) and performing the rituals for all nine days requires immense dedication and time. So, most people take a shortcut and begin the public festivities on Shashti.
Host:
Gurudev, what we have learned from you today is quite different from the common stories we hear. Many viewers and listeners will be enlightened by this. We will end here for today. My respects to you.
Gurudev:
Blessings to all.