Narrator:
Mother's worship method?presented by gurudev? YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmZ4ug1wnE
Narrator:
This is a transcript of the audio, translated and formatted for clarity.
Devotee:
Gurudev, my respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings, son. Tell me.
Devotee:
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Motherâs installation in this ashram. There is already a permanent idol here, yet you bring another idol for worship. What is the significance of this practice involving two different idols?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, I am a devotee of Kali. Originally, we used to perform the annual Kali Puja here. But then "Ma Bama Tara" arrived. I donât know how she came, but once she did, she didn't let anyone else enter. Itâs a remarkable thingâsince she arrived five years ago, she has dominated this space. However, I must still perform the Kali Puja. So, we create a separate Kali idol for the ritual. It isn't kept in this main room; we perform the worship outside because Ma (Tara) doesn't allow anyone else to stay here. She reigns alone. We bring the Kali idol, perform the puja, and by the end of the nightâbefore sunriseâthe ritual is completed, and the idol is immersed. That is our tradition.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Previously, we used to perform the "Pancha Makara" puja, which included wine and meat. We performed rituals with external offerings as well as internal tantric practices. But a change occurred about five years ago during the "Maha Mrityunjaya" period. For the last few years, we have completely stopped using wine, meat, onion, or garlic. Since our Guru is now seen in a more "Vaishnav" (sattvic/vegetarian) light, we have made everything sattvic. Even the Mother is now worshipped in a sattvic manner here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, we have a unique tradition: before we begin the main puja, we perform "Mora Puja" (corpse worship). Itâs extraordinaryâevery single year weâve done this, a corpse has arrived at this cremation ground just before the puja starts. We go there, offer "Bhog" to the corpse, and perform "Shiva Bhog." Even though jackals aren't around anymore, we still offer Shiva Bhog symbolically. We worship the funeral pyre first, and only after that do we sit for the main puja. We cannot begin until a corpse arrives and that ritual is completed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding sacrifices, we practice "Sattvic Bali" (symbolic sacrifice). We sacrifice ash gourd, sugarcane, ginger, and bananas. Mother loves sacrifice, but we do not wish for bloodshed. In my 35 years as a priest, I have only ever performed one animal sacrificeâa goatâbecause it was a specific tantric requirement at the time. But generally, we use sattvic substitutes.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For example, we treat ginger as a substitute for meat. Doctors say ginger increases cholesterol just like red meat does, so symbolically, ginger is our "red meat." We offer these sacrifices, and the worship continues throughout the night. We must immerse the idol before the sun rises. The permanent idol stays, but the one brought for the ceremony is returned to the water immediately.
Devotee:
Youâve mentioned the tradition of the corpse arriving. What if, for some reason, one doesn't arrive?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It will come. That is where the divine power manifests. People often ask me, "Will a body come today?" And every time, right before the puja, a body arrives. Last year, people even took photos of itâwhich they shouldn't have done. These are private, spiritual matters, but nowadays, people want to make everything public and "viral." I prefer to keep these rituals hidden. We even lock the gates when we perform the pyre rituals because the cremation ground is officially closed then.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the old days, we worshipped by the light of candles and amidst the smoke of wooden funeral pyres. It was intense and formidableâseeing five or six pyres burning while worshipping the Mother. Now, with electric furnaces, that atmosphere has changed, but we maintain the old ways as much as possible.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We start the puja at 10:00 PM. Why? Because the Sun represents solar energy, and the Mother represents "Maika" (lunar/shakti) energy. These two energies shouldn't clash. By 10:00 PM, the sun has fully set across all of India. This is scientifically and spiritually the right time to begin.
Devotee:
This ashram has changed a lot, hasn't it?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it used to be just an open field. We worshipped under the "Chetpal" trees. Now there are buildings and sheds. People come here and find peace, which is why we call it "Shanti Kunj" (The Grove of Peace). We perform "Maha Mrityunjaya" and "Pratyangira" (Tara) homams (fire rituals) for the welfare of the world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everything I have achieved is because of Ma Tara. My success, my lifeâitâs all her grace. There is a lot of pain and struggle hidden in my journey of seeking her, things I don't share with everyone. I follow the path of devotees like Ramprasad, who dedicated everything to the Mother.
Devotee:
Gurudev, what about the timing this year?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This year is a bit complicated because of the "Sankranti" (astrological transition). Usually, auspicious works aren't done during Sankranti. The Amavasya (new moon) lasts until about 5:00 PM, and then the "Pratipada" begins. So, our puja will actually fall on the Pratipada.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To be honest, the current alignment of the planets is not very good. Whether we worship or not, the global situation looks grim. Based on the planetary positions, I foresee difficult times aheadâperhaps famine, epidemics, or even major earthquakes and wars in 2020. Itâs a very concerning time. But as the Gita says, "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana"âwe must do our duty (the puja) without worrying about the results. We do our part for the Mother, and she will handle the rest.
Devotee:
My respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you, son.