Disciple:
Gurudev, my respects to you.
Gurudev:
Blessings to you.
Disciple:
Dear viewers, I hope you are all well. We are starting a new episode today. Gurudev, today is the auspicious occasion of Maa Annapurna Puja, Maha Ashtami. Could you tell us something about this puja and its significance?
Gurudev:
Yes, certainly. In this house, we held the Annapurna Puja for 32 years. However, after my brother passed away, we stopped organized celebrations. We had some disruptions during the COVID-19 period as well, when the government restricted large gatherings and even dismantled pandals because so many people used to visit. This year, because of my brother's passing, we couldn't organize it on a large scale.
Gurudev:
The word "Annapurna" literally means "She who fulfills or provides food." There is a story in the Puranas about this. When Sati sacrificed her life, Lord Shiva took her body and began his dance of destruction (Tandava). Brahma and Narayan grew fearful that the world would end if he continued. Narayan then released his Sudarshan Chakra, which cut Sati's body into 51 pieces. These pieces fell in 51 different locations, which are now known as the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Gurudev:
When the last of Sati's remains were gone, Shiva realized she was no longer with him. In deep grief, he took his trident and went to Kashi (Varanasi). He declared that from that day on, he would reside in Kashi, and it is said that Kashi rests on the tip of his trident. It is often called the "hanging city." There is also a place called "Vyas Kashi," located about 20–30 kilometers away, where it is said one must stay for three nights.
Gurudev:
In ancient times, Kashi was a small area centered around Mahakal and Ganesh. Today, it has expanded significantly. Every day in Kashi, a "Mahamrityunjay Yagya" is performed. I have witnessed this myself.
Gurudev:
Historically, when Kashi was attacked, the original Vishwanath Shila (sacred stone) was thrown into a well. Since Mahadev resides there, Parvati took the form of Annapurna to provide him with food. By feeding Mahadev, she essentially feeds the entire world. The word "Shiva" implies that wherever there is life (jeev), there is Shiva. Therefore, feeding Mahadev is synonymous with feeding every living being.
Gurudev:
There is another story involving Ravana. When Ravana performed penance to seek immortality from Lord Brahma, Brahma initially refused. Ravana then began cutting off his own heads in sacrifice. Seeing his extreme devotion, Brahma finally agreed to grant him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality. Brahma said he couldn't grant absolute immortality but told him to choose another boon. Ravana eventually asked that no god, demon, or celestial being could kill him. Brahma said, "So be it."
Gurudev:
However, Ravana's father, the sage Vishrava, pointed out that Ravana had forgotten to mention "humans" in his list of protections. Ravana dismissed this, saying he ate humans and didn't fear them. But that loophole allowed Lord Narayan to incarnate as four humans—Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna—to defeat Ravana.
Gurudev:
Kubera, Ravana's half-brother, was also very wealthy—even wealthier than Ravana, though Ravana had his golden city of Lanka. Kubera's father advised him to go to the Himalayas and pray to Lord Shiva for protection. Shiva told Kubera to establish his kingdom in the North, in a place called "Gyangunj" (or Alakapuri). Shiva blessed the place so that anyone who resided there would become immortal. To this day, Gyangunj is considered a mystical place where time stands still. People there do not age, though their hair and nails grow rapidly.
Gurudev:
Shiva also asked Kubera to offer a portion of his wealth to Maa Annapurna, as she provides food for all. This is why the Annapurna temple in Varanasi is adorned with gold—there are about eight maunds of gold on the temple dome. It is a tradition that when devotees visit the Annapurna temple, they offer a small piece of gold.
Disciple:
Can common people perform Annapurna Puja at home?
Gurudev:
Yes, although it is rooted in Tantric traditions, it can certainly be performed at home. We did it for 32 years. I have heard people say that worshipping Annapurna brings great wealth. In my case, I may not have become "rich" in terms of money, but we have never lacked for anything. Maa Annapurna has provided for us.
Gurudev:
I remember once, while I was meditating at Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi, an old woman with a walking stick came to me and asked for some money for food. I gave her what I had. She blessed me, saying, "Go, your house will be full." Later, I realized she might have been the Goddess herself in disguise. Since then, we have worshipped her every year.
Gurudev:
I will recite the "Dhyana Mantra" for Maa Annapurna. Common people can also listen to or recite this at home:
Gurudev:
"Raktāṁ-vicitra-vasanāṁ nava-candra-cūḍāṁ, annapradāna-niratāṁ stanabhāra-namrām. Nityaṁ prapulla-vadanāṁ vividhābharaṇāṁ, vande bhagavatīṁ bhavaduḥkha-hantrīm."
Gurudev:
(She wears diverse red garments, has the crescent moon on her head, and is constantly engaged in giving food. She is slightly bowed by the weight of her grace, always has a cheerful face, and is adorned with various ornaments. I salute the Goddess who destroys the sorrows of the world.)
Gurudev:
In this specific form, Shiva has ten faces and twenty hands, and she feeds him. Worshipping her ensures that one never lacks food, clothing, or shelter.
Disciple:
Gurudev, we will go into more detail about Gyangunj and Kubera in another episode. Thank you for sharing the significance of Maa Annapurna today.
Gurudev:
You're welcome. May everyone be well and healthy. Blessings to all.
Disciple:
My respects to you, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Peace be with you.