Narrator:
My respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings, child. Speak.
Narrator:
Today is Maha Saptami. Saptami is ending, and Ashtami is beginning. We see each day passing and think of Mother Durga coming to her father's house. But now it feels like the Tithi (propitious time) and the stars are moving so fast that the puja is coming to an end very quickly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it is impossible for anyone to perform a truly elaborate puja this time. Tomorrow after 11:00 AM, the Sandhi Puja begins. Finishing all the rituals, including the animal sacrifice (symbolic or otherwise), before that time is a massive task. It's almost impossible. I don't know if people can perform the elaborate rituals for Nabami either. They might just offer a few flowers and finish. Today is Saptami, and tonight the Kaal Ratri Puja (Puja of the Great Night) will be held.
Narrator:
Kaal Ratri?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, in our stories, she is known as Ma Shitala. She is a powerful and formidable Goddess. She is still "alive" in these traditions. Two deities remain active in these stories: Shitala and Manasa. They are very potent. Tonight is the night for her puja and the Hom-Yajna (fire rituals).
Narrator:
Could you tell us more about the Saptami morning rituals?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Certainly. On Saptami morning, the priest goes to the base of the Bel (Wood Apple) tree. After some rituals, the Kola Bou (the Banana Bride) is taken. She is wrapped in a saree and taken to the Ganges (or a nearby pond) with the sound of drums and bells for a bath. After the bath, she is brought to the Puja Pandal.
Narrator:
And then?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then the Maha Snan (The Great Bath) takes place. After that, the Kola Bou is dressed in a new saree and placed next to Lord Ganesha. Some people think she is Ganesha's wife, but that's not true. She represents Nava Patrika—the nine forms of Durga residing in nine plants. These nine plants are very beneficial to humans.
Narrator:
Could you name the nine plants?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Paddy (Dhan): Representing Lakshmi. Bel (Wood Apple): Representing Shiva. Turmeric (Halud): Representing Durga. Colocasia (Kaalo Kochu): Representing Kalika. Mana Kochu: Representing Chamunda. Pomegranate (Darim): Representing Raktadantika. Ashoka: Representing Shokarahita. Jayanti: Representing Kartiki. Banana (Kola): Representing Brahmani.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After this, the Ghot Sthapan (placing of the sacred pots) occurs. Three pots are established: one from the Bel tree, the main Durga pot, and the Shanti Ghot (the Pot of Peace). This is the pot used for the Shanti Jal (Peace Water) after the puja.
Narrator:
What about the bathing of the idol?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Goddess is bathed via a reflection in a large mirror. It's called Kundo Hari. You can't bathe the clay idol directly, so the reflection in the mirror is bathed using eight types of earth (soil) and water from thirteen different rivers. We mix the soil, river water, honey, curd, and ghee to create the bathing water.
Narrator:
That sounds very detailed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is. We chant mantras calling upon all the holy rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Gandaki, and even the celestial Mandakini. We pray to Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, and all the directional deities to bless the water. Then comes the Pran Pratishtha (infusing life) and Chokkhu Daan (drawing the eyes). This is done behind a screen; ordinary people are not allowed to watch. The priest draws the eyes with ghee and a gold needle. Ma has three eyes: the sun, the moon, and fire.
Narrator:
And the other deities?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the life is infused into Ma Durga, the same is done for Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesh. Then the puja for Kartik, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Lakshmi follows in order. We also perform puja for Shiva and even for the Bhoot-Pret (ghosts and spirits). Ma has companions like Jaya and Bijaya; they are worshipped too. Even the Das Dikpal (the guards of the ten directions like Indra, Varuna, Agni, etc.) are worshipped.
Narrator:
Why is puja performed for ghosts and spirits?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We offer them food (Mash-kolai, honey, sweets) as a "sacrifice" so they don't cause obstacles or disturbances during the main puja.
Narrator:
You mentioned eight weapons?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, though we say "Dasa-Praharana-Dharini" (She who holds ten weapons), in practice, during the battle with Mahishasura, Ma used various weapons from her eight main hands. Ma told the demon: "Garja Garja Kshanang Mudha, Madhu Javat Pibamyaham" (Roar, roar for a moment, you fool, while I drink this honey/wine. Once I finish, I will slay you, and the gods will cheer).
Narrator:
Finally, what is the "Arghya"?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Each day—Saptami, Ashtami, and Nabami—an Arghya is offered. It consists of 108 blades of Durba grass, 108 grains of sun-dried rice, a red cloth, and a Bel leaf. It is a very precious offering. Some people even buy these offered Arghyas from the temple for luck. After the evening Aarti, the Goddess is put to rest (symbolically).
Narrator:
Thank you, Gurudev. This was a very enlightening explanation of the Saptami rituals. Tomorrow, we will hear about Maha Ashtami.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings to all.