Host:
Friends, tomorrow is Shyama Puja. On this occasion, I am showing you the Mother (Goddess Kali) in our temple. After this, I will go to Gurudev; he will have much to say. Please stay with us.
Host:
Friends, as you can see, the fire of the Hom (sacred ritual fire) is still burning. The ritual ended just a short while ago.
Host:
Gurudev, my salutations to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings, baba.
Host:
Tomorrow is Sri Sri Shyama Puja. I would like to hear something from you regarding this occasion.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, tomorrow is Shyama Puja. Today, I extend my love and best wishes for Kali Puja to all the people of India and those who love me. Today is Bhoot Chaturdashi. Actually, the worship begins today and continues into tomorrow for Kali Puja. Kali Puja occurs on Amavasya (the new moon), but Chaturdashi is a very significant day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
According to our customs for Bhoot Chaturdashi, one must eat 14 types of greens (Choddo Shak) and light 14 lamps (Choddo Prodip). These rituals are being performed. However, the situation this year is quite complicated regarding the almanac (Panjika)—there is some confusion about when exactly to eat the greens or light the lamps.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everything seems a bit scattered this year. You saw how Durga Puja passed; similarly, Kali Puja is also facing some timing issues regarding the zodiac signs. It is not aligning perfectly with the Libra sign (Tula Rashi) as it usually does. It is quite difficult; the year 2020 has been very chaotic.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Nevertheless, we will perform the Chaturdashi rituals throughout the night. We give more importance to Chaturdashi than just the Amavasya of Kali Puja. For us, Bhoot Chaturdashi or Shiv Chaturdashi is a massive occasion. Tonight, there will be worship throughout the night. There will be four phases (Pahar) of Shiva worship. In the first phase, the worship of Ishan will take place. In the second phase, Vam...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As we discussed before, whether it is Durga Puja or Kali Puja, the worship of Ghor and Aghor is essential. These Aghori rituals are a must. People commented a lot when we spoke about Aghor last time, but you cannot complete these Pujas without honoring Ghor and Aghor.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no doubt about this. This Chaturdashi is a very good day for spiritual work. That is why we are emphasizing today. Tomorrow, Kali Puja will happen as usual at night, but tonight's rituals involve extensive Hom and Yagya (sacrificial fire rituals) starting after 10 PM.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This year's Kali Puja, despite the astronomical misalignments, is still being observed. Similar chaotic situations happened a hundred years ago as well. I don't know what the government is doing regarding fireworks, as that is a source of joy for people, but I don't think it will be celebrated as grandly this year.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding Kali Puja on Amavasya, I believe only Brahmins who are properly initiated should perform it. In my opinion, general people or women should perhaps stay back from the core rituals because it is "Kaal Puja"—the worship of Time and Death.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the Tantric method, Kali Puja is very intense and formidable. It isn't meant to be "watched" casually. The household Pujas performed by many priests today don't really follow the true Tantric essence. Without the use of "Beej" (seed mantras), the Puja is incomplete. Every mantra in Kali Puja must use "Beej."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To make Kali Puja successful, one must also worship the Dashmahavidya (the ten Mahavidyas). You cannot just worship Kali alone. While general Brahmin Pujas are elaborate, Tantric rituals are different. If we sit at 10 PM, by 12 AM we complete the Anganyas.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shodash Nyas is a vital part; it takes about two and a half hours. If we start the main Kali Puja at midnight, it finishes around 1:55 AM. Then follows the worship of Mahakal, who resides at the Mother's feet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are different styles of worship—some follow the scriptures/books, and others follow the Tantric or Aghori path. You cannot compare the two. Traditionally, these are performed by realized Sages (Sadhaks). We have always done it this way. While we observe the Amavasya, the Chaturdashi preceding it is far more important to us.
Host:
Gurudev, you mentioned these elaborate Pujas. Are they happening only in this temple or elsewhere too?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I cannot speak for other temples, but this is our tradition here. We hold onto the Chaturdashi significance. There are specific verses regarding the importance of Tuesday, the 8th day (Ashtami), and the 14th day (Chaturdashi).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tonight, the four phases of Shiva worship will occur: first Ishan, then Ghor and Aghor, then Vam, and finally Sadyojata.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This has great spiritual benefits. Tomorrow, there will be worship of Kuber and Mahalakshmi. In Kalighat, there are three main Pujas tomorrow: Mahasaraswati in the morning, Mahalakshmi in the afternoon, and Mahakali at night. Kalighat is a "Kali Kshetra," so it will be very vibrant tomorrow.
Host:
Gurudev, you mentioned earlier that if Puja is done strictly by Tantric methods, it could cause "damage" or "loss," and you mentioned women shouldn't be there. What is the purpose of such a Puja then? Why do Tantrics do it?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tantrics do it for power and spiritual energy. You cannot compare the needs of a common household to that of a Tantric. A Tantric worships the Mother for Sadhana (disciplined practice). In strict Tantric settings, there is no place for general crowds, men or women, because of the intensity.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look at Kalighat—the Goddess is female, yet all the cooking is done by male Brahmins. No woman is allowed to touch the offerings. Even in Tarapith or Kamakhya, it is the same. This is because it is a patriarchal tradition. They have kept women separate from these core rituals.
Host:
But Gurudev, if women cook, is there something wrong with that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, the priestly society might criticize me if I speak against this. In Kalighat, they believe the Mother won't accept food touched by women. That is their language. But I personally consider all women as the Mother. Don't sons eat food cooked by their mothers?
Host:
But in our temple, women do cook and the food is offered as Bhog.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. My approach is completely different. I give equal respect to women as I do to men. Although I have studied the Vedas, I see that the "Vedic Man" tradition has sidelined women. Even though the Goddess herself is female, men do the cooking. I have never found a satisfactory explanation for this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It seems to be a deep-rooted social system. But here, mothers and daughters cook, and the Mother accepts it. I don't know what the scriptures say about my "sin" for breaking these rules, but I believe women are neglected in society and they should be honored.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have even had women perform the Mahamritunjaya Yagya. They cook, they participate in the fire rituals, and the Mother stays in joy. I stay in joy.
Host:
Gurudev, you explained the methods of Puja and spoke so beautifully about the honor of women. It felt very good to hear. My salutations to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.