Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Keep one more thing in mind: Kamakhya is the Goddess of Mercury (Budh). Mercury grants intellect and governs business. If someone's Mercury is weak, we tell them, "Go to Kamakhya, offer your prayers there, and things will get better." It is a massive remedy. Go to the sacred pond (Kund), circumambulate it seven times while chanting the mantra we provide. Whatever curse or obstacle is upon you will be cut away, and Mercury will be pleased.
Host:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam. I hope you all are doing well and chanting the Holy Name (Harinam).
Host:
We are currently discussing the series on the Dasha Mahavidya (The Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses). We have already covered the first two goddesses, Ma Kali and Ma Tara, in previous episodes. Today, Gurudev will talk about the third goddess, Ma Shodashi. Gurudev, please tell us everything about Ma Shodashi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ma Shodashi's name is comprised of 16 syllables. Shodashi is actually Ma Kamakhya, also known as Kameshwari. Her Bhairava (consort) is Kameshwara. Some people also call Her Lalita Sundari, Goddess Lalita, or Raj Rajeshwari.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Her main abode is the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. You can easily travel to Guwahati by bus, car, or train. When you get there, you'll see long queues which take a tremendous amount of time to get through. However, if you travel by train and show your train ticket, they usually direct you to a separate, faster line.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, Shodashi is associated with a 16-syllable mantra. We generally never reveal these syllables to anyone, nor should they be spoken casually. I once stayed at Kamakhya for a whole month.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Actually, the name "Kamakhya" comes from the concept of conquering Kama (lust/desire). To conquer desire, one must go there and do penance; going anywhere else won't yield the same results. In Tantra Sadhana, our first task is to overcome the six inner enemies (Shadripu): Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (attachment), Mada (pride), and Matsarya (envy). Lust is the very first enemy. If you cannot control lust, your Tantric practices will wash away. You won't be able to achieve anything. That is why we go to Kamakhya—to worship, meditate, and do penance—so the Mother Goddess may be pleased and help us control the carnal desires generated by the body. This is what Kamakhya is most famous for.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I don't want to chant any specific mantras here, because I usually don't share them publicly. But I will say that if someone goes there to do penance to conquer desire, it is highly effective. The sacred Yoni Puja is performed there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I was very curious about the Ambubachi festival, the time when the Goddess is said to menstruate. I was actually there during that time. I asked the local priest if it was true that the water magically turns red. He explained that the Goddess, Her yantra, and Her remains are situated beneath the water level inside the temple. Anyone who goes in can touch the water.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People who had visited Kamakhya before had given me a piece of red cloth, claiming, "Keep this Kamakhya cloth; it will bring you great fortune." But when I went there, I realized a lot of it was nonsense. People bring red cloth, the priests dye it with red color, leave it near the Mother during the closed days, and hand it back when the temple reopens. That's how they convince people. The actual sanctum is underwater, and it is kept heavily guarded.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You can use the water from the tank-like structure where you worship, but you shouldn't take that water home. Taking it home brings misfortune. Where would you keep it? It is highly sacred but technically Ucchista (remnants); you cannot just store it anywhere in a normal house. That is why we advise people not to bring things back from Kamakhya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Animal sacrifice is very common there—goats, buffaloes, and especially pigeons. As evening falls, the temple premises are covered with pigeons. At night, cats come out, catch the pigeons, and drag them away. I saw this myself because I was staying in a room right next to the Mother's temple.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I was warned not to wake up at night and not to look outside. The night guard there was usually intoxicated. He warned me, "Be careful. Do not pick up or touch anything from the ground, especially from the cremation ground (Shmashan)." There is a Shmashan a little further down the hill where Shmashan Kali resides. To get to it, you have to cross a certain path, and they explicitly told us not to walk that path after 3:00 PM. All activities should be done in the morning. The deity there is fiercely awakened (Jagrata). If you go further down, you will also find Goddess Bagalamukhi. The Ten Mahavidyas are scattered all around the hill.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When you sit there, you feel a deep sense of peace. However, nighttime is genuinely terrifying. I had heard rumors that a tiger comes from the neighboring jungle at night to guard the Mother Goddess. The locals told me this. They warned me, "Do not step outside at all. Stay in your room. If you feel scared, call out, and the guard will come." I stayed alone in that room, right next to the temple, for an entire month. Mornings and afternoons were fine, but as soon as night fell, I felt terrified. Back then, the room rent was just 40 rupees a day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
While I was there, I was told that performing Kumari Puja (worshipping a prepubescent girl as the Divine Mother) is a highly auspicious tradition there. They insisted I must perform it before leaving. I provided the funds, and they brought a beautiful, bright little girl at 9:00 AM. I sat for the puja, worshipped her properly, and gave her toys and whatever a child needs. She happily took them and left. Kamakhya is considered the absolute best place to perform Kumari Puja. I made sure to do it, leaving nothing out.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later, I learned that Ma Kamakhya is the presiding deity of the planet Mercury (Budh). Mercury governs our intellect and our business ventures. Therefore, worshipping the Mother serves a dual purpose: conquering lust and appeasing Mercury.
Host:
So, regarding Ma Shodashi... people usually say that in the Dasha Mahavidya, it's Kali, Tara, and then Shodashi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, Shodashi refers to the 16 syllables. Actually, Ma Kamakhya is Shodashi. This is why Kumari Puja is so effective there. Shodashi literally means a 16-year-old maiden. Her age never increases or decreases; she remains eternally sixteen. To worship Her, you need the 16 syllables, which are extremely rare. Many people don't know them, and even those who do cannot just speak them casually. Anyway, I had a wonderful experience staying there for a month—praying, meditating, performing fire rituals (Yagyas), and then returning.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people call Her Lalita Devi or Raj Rajeshwari. She is also often called Tripura Sundari. However, technically, Goddess Tripura Sundari resides in the state of Tripura. Bringing Her name here creates confusion. Tripura Sundari is a different, incredibly beautiful Goddess residing in Tripura. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to visit Her temple yet. People have shown me pictures and invited me multiple times, but it hasn't happened yet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But regarding Kamakhya or Shodashi, performing Kumari Puja there brings immense merit. Those who get the chance to do it are truly fortunate.
Host:
You all just heard Gurudev's insights on Ma Shodashi. In the next episode, we will discuss the next Goddess. I will now request Gurudev to conclude the episode as he always does.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, as I always say: in the age of Kali Yuga, there is no need for complex rituals. God does not demand grand pujas. Only one path is open to us—Harinam Sankirtan (Chanting the Holy Name).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Harinam Kevalam. Harinam Kevalam. Harinam Kevalam.
Kalau nasty eva, nasty eva, nasty eva gatir anyatha.
(In the age of Kali, there is no other way, no other way, no other way).
Kalau nasty eva, nasty eva, nasty eva gatir anyatha.
(In the age of Kali, there is no other way, no other way, no other way).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no other salvation in Kali Yuga besides the chanting of Harinam. That is the best path. May you all stay healthy, stay well, and keep chanting Harinam.
Host:
Just a reminder, you will find the links to all our previous episodes in the description box below. Stay well, everyone. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, brother. Pranam.