Interviewer:
Gurudev, Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Interviewer:
Greetings to all our viewers. We are starting a new episode today. Gurudev, there is something I have been wondering about and would like to learn from you. If you could tell us a bit about "Mahakal." We have heard so much about Mahakal, but we want to hear it from you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Today is Mahakal Jayanti. The Mahakal temple is located on the banks of the Shipra River. It is about 8 kilometers away from the main city of Ujjain. This temple is at least 600 years old. In the past, it was primarily a place for Tantriks. Ordinary people used to be afraid to go there. Only the Tantriks would visit. They used to perform goat sacrifices and offer liquor (Madira) to the deity.
Interviewer:
I see.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The tradition of animal sacrifice was stopped a long time ago, so meat is no longer offered. There is one thing that I believe is also being phased out now—the offering of liquor. There is a famous phenomenon where, when a bowl of liquor is held in front of the idol's mouth, it disappears as if the deity is drinking it. You can offer as much as you want, and it just vanishes.
Interviewer:
That's incredible.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
A British official once became very skeptical and ordered his men to dig around the temple to find where the liquor was going. They dug everywhere but couldn't find a single drop or any hidden pipe. He was quite frustrated. This has been a long-standing tradition. However, as people are becoming more aware and modern, many feel that such things shouldn't be associated with God. Because of this, the tradition of offering meat and liquor is largely coming to an end.
Interviewer:
Why is that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People today are more conscious. They don't want these types of offerings to be part of the worship. This is a very ancient temple—some say it is thousands of years old. In the old days, Mahakal was worshipped with meat and liquor. It was an amazing sight; as soon as the vessel touched the idol's mouth, the liquid would be gone. Even today, if a large bowl of liquor is held there, it disappears. No one knows where it goes, despite many scientific investigations. Nothing has been proven.
Interviewer:
It truly is a mystery.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He is "Mahakal"—the one who controls Time (Kal). One who has Time under his control is Mahakal. Even Mother Kali is seen standing on the chest of Mahakal. There is a song that says, "Coming to the lap of Mahakal, Gauri became Mahakali." So, from Mahakal comes Mahakali. Also, Ujjain is one of the four places where the Kumbh Mela is held. It is a very significant gathering of devotees.
Interviewer:
You mentioned the four Dhams. Does Mahakal fall under that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Mahakal is considered a major Dham, just like Nashik (Tryambakeshwar) is a Dham. These are places where the Kumbh Mela takes place.
Interviewer:
How many "Bhairavas" are there?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are many Bhairavas and Bhairavis. For every Bhairava, there is a Bhairavi. In the tradition of the Ten Mahavidyas, there are ten forms of the Mother and ten corresponding Bhairavas.
Interviewer:
Are they located near the temples?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they are usually located nearby or in specific spots. Common people might not always know this, but it is said that after worshipping the Mother Goddess, the pilgrimage is incomplete if you do not worship her Bhairava. For example, in Kamakhya, the Bhairava is situated by the Brahmaputra River. You must worship there to complete the ritual. Similarly, at Kalighat, the Bhairava is Nakuleshwar. Every Goddess has a corresponding Bhairava.
Interviewer:
So the worship is incomplete without both?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. You cannot have one without the other. To complete the worship, both the Bhairava and the Bhairavi must be revered.
Interviewer:
That's very insightful.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Another specialty of Mahakal is that after his ritual bath, he is smeared with "Bhasma" (sacred ash). This ash is specially prepared from the Mahamrityunjay Yagna. It is turned into a powder and applied to the deity. He is said to be very pleased by this. This "Vibhuti" (holy ash) shouldn't be called ordinary ash; it is sacred. When this Vibhuti is applied, it is a very powerful sight.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Gurudev, for sharing this knowledge about Mahakal today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You're welcome.
Interviewer:
Our viewers have learned a lot today. Stay healthy and stay well. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa unveils the mysteries of Mahakal, the Lord of Time at Ujjain's ancient temple. He describes the inexplicable phenomenon where offerings of liquor vanish before the deity—a mystery that even British investigators could not solve. The teaching emphasizes that Mahakal represents the cosmic control of Time itself, and that from him arises Mahakali. The practice of smearing sacred ash (Vibhuti) from the Mahamrityunjay Yagna upon the deity highlights the profound connection between fire rituals, sacred substances, and divine worship in the tantric tradition.