Devotee:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings, son. Speak.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we did a live episode with you yesterday. We received a lot of questions there; many people wanted to know various things.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those questions were coming so fast, one after another! I didn't even get a chance to speak properly. If I am given a little time, it helps, but you were asking so rapidly—how quickly can I answer? Tell me. Because of that, some things were missed.
Devotee:
That's true, Gurudev. Your live programs are short, so there isn't much time. That is the main issue. But some questions came up that require a more detailed explanation for people to truly understand.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, otherwise people won't understand. That becomes a problem, right?
Devotee:
Today, you mentioned two important topics that people wanted to know about. One of them is regarding the "Sapta Sati" (The Seven Chaste Women).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that question about the Sapta Sati came up yesterday.
Devotee:
Please tell us about the Sapta Sati, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, we have seven Satis. Mother Kamakhya's body is composed of these seven Satis. That is why Kamakhya is referred to as "Maha Sati." She is the only one. Someone asked if we can perform separate "Hom" (fire rituals) for each of these seven Satis. Yes, you certainly can. It is a very good thing to do.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
All the talismans we make and the chanting we do are centered around these seven Satis. If you look at the idol of Mother Kamakhya, you will see seven colors. Each part of her body has a different color, representing the colors of the seven Satis.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In our tradition, the seven Satis are identified as: first, Gouri; second, Gandhari; third, Shobari; fourth, Kirati; fifth, Matangi; sixth, Krishna; and seventh, Jashode. Mother Kamakhya's form is made of these seven.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As you can see, "Jonipuja" is being performed there now. Jonipuja is performed specifically to conquer "Kam" (lust/desire) and nothing else. This is a significant part of Tantra. For those practicing Tantric sadhana, "Kam" is the first hurdle. Among the six "Ripu" (internal enemies), the first is Kam, followed by Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), Mad (pride), and Matsarya (envy). To conquer these, one must first conquer desire. That is why Kamakhya is a sacred Sati-Peeth where Tantriks perform chanting, rituals, and Jonipuja. There is a specific method for this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Among the Sapta Sati, first is Gouri, or Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. She is the first Sati. The second is Gandhari, from the Mahabharata, who is also a Maha Sati. Then comes Shobari. Lord Jagannath stayed in the house of the Shobars (a tribal group) for a long time. That is why for one month, the Shobars protect the Jagannath temple. After her is Kirati. One of Mahadev's names is Kirat, and his consort is Kirati. Both Shobari and Kirati are Maha Satis.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there is Matangi, who is even more formidable. After her is Krishna—by "Krishna," we refer to Draupadi. And finally, Jashode.
Devotee:
You mean Krishna's mother?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Not his biological mother, his foster mother (Yashoda). So, Mother Kamakhya's body is formed from these seven Satis. All our rituals, chants, and talismans are based on them.
Devotee:
Gurudev, you mentioned that Mother Kamakhya has seven colors. Does that mean those seven colors are the skin tones of these seven Satis?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is believed to be their colors or something similar, proving that she is composed of their forms. That is why these Satis are so highly revered. If someone wants to perform a fire ritual, they can first give an offering to Kamakhya and then to each of the seven Satis. We have done this—invoking them by name and performing offerings in the name of the fire.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To recap, they are: Gouri, Gandhari, Shobari, Kirati, Matangi, Krishna (Draupadi), and Jashode.
Devotee:
So, we can do separate rituals for each, or just for Kamakhya, as she represents them all?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, rituals for Kamakhya are sufficient, but doing them separately for the Satis is also very good. Many people don't know their names, which is why I've listed them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The word "Sati" refers to a woman who has never sought or even thought of another man. Take Gandhari, for example; her husband was blind, yet she never thought of anyone else. Shobari and Kirati are the same. These women never approached or thought of any man other than their husbands. That is why they are called Maha Satis. In the old days, people would speak of "Sati Savitri" in the same vein. I didn't have enough time to explain this properly yesterday.
Devotee:
I have another question, Gurudev. Does the Sapta Sati ritual have to be done at Kamakhya, or can it be done elsewhere?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You can do it anywhere. The entire world is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. What is the need for a new idol? As the saint-poet Ramprasad Sen sang: "Since the three worlds are the manifestation of the Mother, don't you know that? Why then do you wish to worship an idol made of clay?" He wrote this regarding the worship of Brahman (the Supreme Reality). People often don't realize that the entire universe is her form.
Devotee:
Gurudev, now I would like to ask you about the "Batuk" (guardian deities).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ah, the Batuks. I started to speak about them yesterday but couldn't finish. As I get older, I forget things! Batuk puja is performed at the very end of a ritual. There are four Batuks who guard the Mother.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They are: Siddhputra Batuk (Ganesh), Gyanputra Batuk, Sahajputra Batuk, and Samayputra Batuk. Ganesh is invoked first as the "Siddhidata" (the giver of success). Then comes Gyanputra Batuk, which refers to Lord Brahma, the possessor of knowledge. Then Sahajputra and Samayputra. These four surround the Mother. Essentially, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar (Shiva) surround her, along with Lord Ganesh. They must be worshipped as the Mother's Batuks at the end of any puja—be it for Kali, Durga, or any other form. Once the Batuk puja is done, the entire ritual is considered complete.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I couldn't recall all the names quickly yesterday. At my age, everything doesn't always stay at the front of my mind during a live session.
Devotee:
We understand, Gurudev. Live programs have very tight schedules, making it hard to explain things in depth.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If a person asks a question and doesn't get a clear or satisfying answer, then my speaking is of no use. I want people to truly understand. I don't claim to know everything. Yesterday, someone asked about "Atharo Kali" (18 forms of Kali) and "Stoujya," which I am not familiar with.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many questions come from different places. I answer what I can. The point of a live session is to explain things. If you aren't satisfied with the answer, it doesn't help. That is why I wanted to do this episode today—to make sure people are satisfied with the correct information.
Devotee:
It's great that you directly admit when you don't know something, Gurudev. It shows your honesty.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If I don't know, I must say so. Why should I pretend? Sometimes things come back to me later. Regarding "Atharo Kali," there are many names for Mother Kali nowadays—Moyda Kali, Sankata Kali, the Kali of Kalighat, and many more. "Atharo Kali" (18-armed Kali) might be a name used in some places. They are all ultimately the same, but it is impossible for any one person to remember every single local name and form.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It bothers me if I can't explain things properly. That's why I wanted to clarify the names of the Sapta Sati and the Batuks today. Those who worship the Sapta Sati with devotion gain a great deal. While there are many Satis in our history, these seven are specifically highlighted in our scriptures. They form the "Maha Sati" form of Mother Kamakhya.
Devotee:
Dear viewers, you have heard Gurudev's detailed explanation. He felt a bit uneasy about not being able to clarify these points yesterday, so he wanted to make sure everyone understood the significance of the Sapta Sati and the Batuks. We have learned so much today, and I am sure it has cleared up your confusion as well. Thank you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you, son.