Interviewer:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings, my son. Speak.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, today is Happy Navami. Every year during this puja, we talk about the rituals—how people should offer Anjali (prayers/offerings) and other aspects of the ceremony. You always explain these things so well.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, this time we held the Anjali and the Hom (fire sacrifice). On Ashtami, there is the Hom and Anjali. This morning, many people came to offer Anjali. Now the Hom is ongoing with a few people. This happens every Ashtami. Tomorrow is Navami. What would you like to know about Navami?
Interviewer:
Regarding Navami, just like every year, what should the common people do—those who are at home and cannot go out? What message do you have for them?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tomorrow is a very auspicious day, especially for the Brahmins. Navami marks the conclusion of the puja. In the morning, the Brahmins perform their duties. The Goddess is awakened with rituals. First, she is offered warm water. The mantra is "Ushnodok-shahit Danto-Kashta Namah," meaning the Goddess is offered warm water and a dental twig (to brush her teeth).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After she wakes up and "brushes," many offer her tea, just as we have tea upon waking. We offer her tea as well. Then the elaborate puja begins. On Navami, everything that might have been left out on Saptami or Ashtami is performed. No ritual is skipped. Worship is offered to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. Then Durga is worshipped, followed by Lakshmi, Kartik, and Ganesh.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then comes the worship of the Ashta Bhairav (Eight Bhairavs): Asitanga Bhairav, Ruru Bhairav, Bhishana Bhairav, Samhara Bhairav, Chanda Bhairav, Unmatta Bhairav... there are eight such Bhairavs. Each must be worshipped individually.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are others like Krodha Bhairav and Kapala Bhairav. After the Ashta Bhairavs, the Ashta Shakti (Eight Shaktis) are worshipped. These are the fierce forms the Mother took during her battle with Mahishasura: Ugrachanda, Prachanda, Chandogra, Chandanayika, Chanda, Chandabati, Chandarupa, and Chandika. These eight Shaktis helped the Mother in battle, so they are worshipped.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then, the Doshodikpal (Guardians of the Ten Directions) are worshipped. This includes Indra in the East, Varuna in the West, Kubera in the North, Yama in the South, and the guardians of the corners like Agni, Vayu, and Ishan.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This ritual actually relates to the foundation of Vastu or Feng Shui—how a person should build a house, which direction the kitchen or windows should face, and where the air flows. This is all part of the Doshodikpal worship.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Following this, the 64 Joginis (Yoginis) are worshipped. They accompanied the Mother and are said to reside in the crevices of the Himalayas near Kailash. They stay away from human settlements. The Dashamahavidya (Ten Great Wisdoms) like Kali, Tara, Bagalamukhi, and others are also present. Sri Ramakrishna used to say that one must worship the 64 Yoginis to attain spiritual success.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there are smaller rituals for Ghor and Aghor, and the Mother's companions, Jaya and Bijaya. Finally, towards the end, the Hom is performed. After the Hom, there is a Boli (sacrifice).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a tradition regarding the "sacrifice pot" (Bolir Haari). Widows usually do not eat rice cooked in that pot. During these days, they eat other foods. This continues until Navami. After the sacrifice, the final Hom and Dakshina (offerings to the priest) take place.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Navami is the biggest puja. Once the Brahmin finishes the Hom and receives Dakshina, his work is largely done. People give whatever they can as Dakshina. Then the Brahmin can go home. There is also the Chandi Paath (recitation of the Devi Mahatmya). Some do it in parts over the days, others do it all at once on Navami.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
At the very end, four Batuks (young boys representing deities) are worshipped: Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar, and Ganesh. They are considered the guardians of the Mother's sanctuary.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
On the following day, there is the ritual of Suto Kata (cutting the thread). The Brahmin performs puja for Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh, Shiva, and Narayan. Then comes the Bisarjan (immersion).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are rituals involving the Rahu Danda and Ketu Danda. The Mother is said to be wary of Rahu and Ketu, so they must be appeased with water (Tarpana) before the Mother's Maha Snana (Great Bath).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For the Bisarjan, a vessel of water is prepared with turmeric. The reflection of the Mother is captured in the water. The Brahmin chants mantras, asking the Mother to reside happily in the water for a year and then return to us again.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there is the Aparajita Puja. It is a significant ritual involving a specific mantra. A vine of the Aparajita plant is brought and tied to the sacred pot.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the pot is moved, the immersion process is complete. In the evening, women feed the Mother betel leaves and apply vermilion (Sindur). When she leaves, a ritual called Kon-kanchuli is performed, similar to what is done when a daughter gets married and leaves home. Once this is done, one is not supposed to look at the Mother's face again.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Finally, there is the tradition of writing the Mother's name—some write "Durga" 108 times, some 100,000 times—on paper and immersing it with her or in the Ganges. This is done for protection and blessings.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is the ritual. Then we wait another year.
Interviewer:
So the countdown begins again from Dashami.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes. We ask her to return after a year. The women whisper in her ear, "Mother, come again."
Interviewer:
I see the Hom is still happening here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, we are offering Luchi (fried bread) and Cholar Dal to the Mother. Today is Ashtami, so rice is not eaten. Women fast from rice for the well-being of their husbands and children.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Gurudev. You have explained everything from the beginning to the end of the puja.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have told you what I know. I don't think there is much else.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings.