Speaker 1:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings, greetings. Tell me, what is it?
Speaker 1:
Today is Purnima (the full moon) and Lord Jagannath's Snanjatra (the Bathing Festival). Could you provide some information or insights regarding this?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ah, I see. Look, today's full moon is what we call a "Nashta Chandra" (a spoiled or damaged moon). A shadow—a penumbral shadow—has fallen over the moon. Although it isn't technically a lunar eclipse, many people have been calling me to ask if it is. It's not an eclipse; it's an auxiliary shadow on the moon. It doesn't seem to be the Earth's shadow, but perhaps the shadow of another planet that has partially obscured the moon. Because of this, the moon lacks its usual brilliance and has a hazy appearance. This will last until the shadow moves away.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When the moon appears this way, we call it "Nashta Chandra." Auspicious or significant works are generally not performed during such a time. However, Lord Jagannath's Snanjatra always takes place on this day, the Jyeshtha Purnima.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tradition says that Lord Jagannath goes to bathe in the Swet Ganga (the White Ganges). This "Ganges" is quite unique; it flows underground from the sea and emerges right in Lord Jagannath's kitchen. This water is used for the Lord's worship and the preparation of Bhog (food offerings). Sea water is never used for Lord Jagannath.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is also a connection to the 51 Shakti Peethas. It is believed that during Lord Jagannath's Snanjatra, all 51 Peethas also perform a ritual bath.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding the tradition of Snanjatra, it is said that Lord Jagannath falls ill with a high fever a week before the festival. During this time, he is given "Pachan" (an herbal decoction) in large quantities. Once the fever subsides, he is given the ritual bath. You may have seen the "Gaja Besha" (the Elephant attire) Lord Jagannath wears after the bath.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
From this day, a systematic process begins in temples across the country. At the same time Lord Jagannath is bathed, the 51 Shakti Peethas—including Kalighat and other places where the Goddess's body parts fell—also perform ritual baths. If you were to visit Kalighat today, you would see the temple closed. The sacred stone representing the Mother's face and her hands are moved. The Mother sits on a pedestal where a trident is placed, and on top of that trident, the "Mundu" (the head/face) is positioned.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
During Snanjatra, about five or six priests, while blindfolded so they cannot see, take the sacred relic (the bone) of the Mother from beneath the pedestal. They bathe it with large quantities of Ganges water while chanting special mantras. After the bath, the relic is placed back under the ground, and the Mother is reseated.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lord Jagannath's ritual is similar. Inside his chest lies the "Nabhi" (navel) of Lord Krishna, which is the original relic. Every twelve years, when the "Nabakalebara" (the change of the deity's body) occurs, the priests perform many rituals while blindfolded. Today, during Snanjatra, the Lord is bathed with water from the Swet Ganga, not the sea. After the bath, he is seated again for worship.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This same ritual happens at Kamakhya, Benares, and Narmada—everywhere a Shakti Peetha is located. Today, priests everywhere blindfold themselves to bathe the sacred relics of the Mother.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As Lord Jagannath's fever has broken and his bath has concluded, the process for other major pilgrimages like Kedarnath, Amarnath, and Badrinath also begins today. People start their journeys to these places. Though the deities reside there, those regions experience heavy snow. Usually, after the rituals on Kali Puja night, the deities are moved to lower regions like Kashmir because of the intense snowfall that begins the following day. The temples remain empty during the winter. But from today, the day of Snanjatra, the movement and worship begin anew.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This Snanjatra is not just for humans; it is a matter of the Gods. Lord Jagannath becomes "unwell" and takes herbal medicine for a week to recover before the ritual bath. This is an annual occurrence, not to be confused with the twelve-year Nabakalebara.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, after this Purnima, in fifteen days, the Amavasya (new moon) will come. Two days after that, on the second day of the waxing moon (Dwitiya), the Rath Yatra (the Chariot Festival) takes place. Despite the current situation with the coronavirus, it seems the Rath Yatra will proceed. Lord Jagannath must go out on his chariot.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, there have been some bad omens recently—a fire at the Jagannath temple, a vulture perched on the spire, and the temple flag flying away. These are truly concerning signs. I was there during a previous Rath Yatra, and the crowds are immense. Taking the Lord out and placing him on the chariot amidst such crowds is a massive undertaking.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
While the "Nashta Chandra" today has slightly diminished the spiritual aura of this Snanjatra, we must remember that an omen involving the moon, like a shadow or a Rahu-influence, is significant.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Despite the upcoming difficulties—cyclone "Gati," locust attacks, and the massive cracks found on the ocean floor—we must remain hopeful. Those cracks could trigger a tsunami so large that even 130-story buildings wouldn't survive. I have warned before about a potential earthquake with a magnitude of 8 to 9 on the Richter scale near Kolkata or the coastal areas. NASA has also warned about three asteroids approaching Earth.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everything depends on the Almighty. As long as Lord Jagannath and Mother Kali are with us, we have no reason to fear. In all 51 Shakti Peethas, it is the "Dakshina Kali" who is worshipped. Regardless of the local name of the temple, the core worship is to Dakshina Kali.
Speaker 1:
You have heard about Lord Jagannath's Snanjatra and these significant insights. We will continue to bring such information to you in the future. Please keep watching. Thank you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Thank you.