Narrator:
On this rain-drenched evening, seeking peace, I offer my salutations to Mother Bamabara and begin this episode. Friends, a warm welcome to those new to the Guptasadhak Shyama Khepa YouTube channel, and my thanks to our old friends for staying with us. Pronam (salutations), Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pronam. Be well.
Narrator:
Gurudev, in just two days, it is Koushik Amavasya. Many of us and our viewers are unaware of what Koushik Amavasya actually is.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have spoken about this before. You might not know, but I discussed Koushik Amavasya and Tarapith a year or two ago. Do you know what the word \"Koushik\" means? It means \"changing the cell\" or \"transforming the body.\" Mother Tara once changed her cells/form, which is why one of her names is Koushika. She is Tara, but she is also Koushika because she transformed her physical existence.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is a matter concerning Mahadev. It is not something for ordinary householders to observe or witness. It is a profound and fearsome thing that the common man does not understand. Nowadays, people have turned it into a fad. Every neighborhood is forming groups to go to Tarapith for Koushik Amavasya. But no one reflects on why it is observed. They just think, \"Itās Koushik Amavasya, letās go to Tarapith, weāll get great benefits.\" Some deceptive groups perform rituals just to exploit people.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People need to know why we observe Koushik Amavasya. This day is not for the general public; it is for saints, sages, and those who practice Tantra. Mahadev performed a specific Kriya (ritual/act) on this day. He performed it with Mother Durgaāor rather, Ugra Tara. If you go to Tarapith, you will see a picture of Mahishasura Mardini (Durga) above where Mother Tara sits. She is essentially Ugra Tara or Durga.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The story goes that Devadidev Mahadev once told Mother Durga, \"I want to perform a Kriya with you.\" Mother Durga did not agree initially. She said, \"I cannot be naked before you because I am the Mother of the Universe. If I am naked, the whole world and all of motherhood becomes exposed. I cannot do this.\"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Mahadev became very angry. Seeing his displeasure, Mother Durga eventually agreed but said, \"I will transform my form. I will change from Durga to Kali. You may perform your Kriya with Kali, as she is naturally naked.\" So, she transformed into Kali and Mahadev performed the Kriya with her. If you go to Tarapith, you might still find an old, rare picture of Mother Kali sitting on a bull with Mahadev.
Narrator:
And did this happen on Koushik Amavasya?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, every Koushik Amavasya marks this transformation. It is a very intense spiritual event between Mahadev and Kali. Ordinary people should not even look at depictions of it. Those pictures used to be sold, but they are mostly banned or unavailable now.
Narrator:
Gurudev, we saw a book in your temple called Adharani Tantra, written by Krishnachandra Agambagish. You told us that the explanation of Koushik Amavasya is in that book. Is that true?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is true. If you go to Shantiniketan, you can see where the Adharani Tantra is still practiced. Many of the old masters have passed away, but the practice continues. Mother Durga became Kali, and while performing the Kriya with Mahadev, she became absorbed into the womb of Time (Mahakal).
Narrator:
That is a beautiful and profound story.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, but as I said, householders should not participate in these specific pujas. Only Tantriks should perform them.
Narrator:
Gurudev, with your permission, I want to say something to our viewers. Friends, as you know, our Gurudev is free from greed and has no desire for money. Many of us are his disciples because of this selfless nature. However, we hear that some people are using Gurudevās name to extort money for \"rituals.\" We want to warn you: if anyone asks for money claiming \"Gurudev said so\" or \"itās for this ritual,\" come and ask Gurudev directly before giving anything. People are greedy. They might say, \"Your husband has left; give 5,000 rupees and Iāll bring him back.\"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
(Angrily) That is entirely wrong! People give the money and then later I find out about it. It has happened many times. They sell my name.
Narrator:
We want to alert everyone. If you want any work done, take Gurudevās blessing directly. He provides the \"Kori\" (sea shells) and the red cloth with his own hands. If it comes from someone else, it won't work.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I donāt need money. The things we useāthe red cloth, the shellsāsome cost a little to buy from the market, but I don't take money for the service. We get the shells from the pond right here. Why would I take money? It takes a bit of physical labor to prepare these things, that's all. I never lie. But people use my name for their own gain. I've heard stories of people claiming they gave 10,000 rupees. When I asked my assistants to bring the person who supposedly took the money so we could go to the police, the person made excuses and fled. The police know me well; they wouldn't tolerate such fraud.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people try to threaten me, saying, \"Iāll see what kind of Sadhu you are.\" I tell them, \"What will you do? I haven't taken your money or cheated you.\" It makes me very angry.
Narrator:
Please don't be upset, Gurudev. We are just informing the viewers. Letās go back to Koushik Amavasya. You said Mother Durga transformed into Kali to perform the Kriya with Mahadev. What is the result of this Kriya?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This Kriya is essential for those of us who practice Tantra. Mahadev is the Guru of Tantra. Bengal is the land of Tantra; it is the field of Mahadev and Durga. We perform many rituals here. Sometimes a female partner is needed for certain rituals, though people today view that negatively.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bama Khepa (the famous saint) also performed such rituals. People used to come in groups. There is a famous story about Bama Khepa. After a ritual, he asked, \"Have you brought food?\" No one had. So, he went to a funeral pyre, took the intestines of a corpse, put them on a leaf, and started eating them like noodles! The onlookers were so disgusted they started vomiting. This was a demonstration of his spiritual stateāwhere nothing is \"pure\" or \"impure.\"
Narrator:
So that was also a type of Koushik Kriya?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In a way, yes. Also, when we immerse the idols of the Goddess, there is a mantra that says, \"Go into the water and perform the Kriya in bliss, and come back to my house after a year.\" We whisper this into the ear of the idol. But I repeat, people should not flock to these places out of curiosity. I see people doing \"distorted\" things now. I went to a ritual once and saw them taking fifty or sixty small birds, dipping them in ghee, and throwing them alive into the sacrificial fire. The birds were screaming as they died. That is not Tantra; that is a perversion! Tantra is meant for the well-being of humanity, to take away their sorrows. What is happening now is just for show and greed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
And another thingāI heard that at Tarapith, some are now boycotting the use of alcohol in the puja. Some say alcohol shouldn't be offered to the Mother. I say, if you have a \"good mind,\" do what you feel is right, but do not go before the Mother with a glass of liquor in a disrespectful way. She is your Mother, but she is not an ordinary woman. She takes revenge if she is disrespected. Those who have felt her \"whip\" know what I mean.
Narrator:
Thank you, Gurudev. Pronam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Be blessed.