Disciple:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru:
Pranam, my son. Speak.
Disciple:
Gurudev, we often hear that there are many stages in the spiritual world. Among them, the 'Panchamundi' (five skulls) seat is said to have a huge impact on a seeker's life. Could you please tell us something about this Panchamundi seat today?
Guru:
Well, look, this is a matter of Kamakhya. It is said that the deity residing on five skulls is 'Panchamundadhivasini'. This is essentially related to Kamakhya, and nothing else.
Guru:
Now, what is meant by the Panchamundi seat? It depends on the seeker's willpower. If a seeker intends to create a Panchamundi seat, they can. Skulls weren't easily available before, but now they are.
Guru:
First, what's needed is a Chandala's skull. Who are called Chandalas? Those who burn dead bodies are called Chandalas. Their skull is needed, and it's very hard to find. You can find a thousand human skulls, but you won't easily find a Chandala's skull.
Guru:
The Chandala's skull is required, and a Hanuman's (langur) skull is also needed. So, that's two skulls. The third one can be a mongoose's skull, symbolizing extreme speed. There's a meaning behind each of these. Then, a snake's skull is needed; snakes are fierce and strike instantly. You can also use an owl's skull.
Guru:
This is how the Panchamundi seat is prepared. These must be 'awakened'. Then, on an Amavasya (new moon) night, they are awakened. If they aren't awakened, nothing happens; it's just skulls. There's an elaborate process.
Guru:
After midnight, this Panchamundi seat is created. Only a seeker can make it; no one else can help. I once visited Ramprasad's ancestral home—his maternal uncle's house. In the middle of the forest, I was taken to see it. It was covered in vines and leaves. Ramprasad himself had made that Panchamundi seat at a place called Garalgacha. That was his maternal home.
Guru:
His maternal relatives showed me the old deeds from that time. They don't allow anyone to touch the Panchamundi seat. I went there, and it was fenced with iron. I touched it, but I didn't feel much. Perhaps it became inactive because no one sat on it for a long time. These skulls only become active when someone sits on them. They are awakened on nights like Amavasya, Purnima, or Ekadashi.
Guru:
The Chandala's skull is particularly fierce. It needs to be offered wine and food, otherwise, it won't stay active. A Hanuman's skull is also needed. So, these two—the Chandala and Hanuman skulls—are essential. Then come the snake, mongoose, and fox skulls. A fox skull is very good. And an owl's skull.
Guru:
With these five, the Panchamundi is formed. There's a specific method for this, which shouldn't be disclosed. It's done on a fierce Amavasya night after midnight. If an ignorant person sits on it, their death is certain. The power is like 440 volts; it will throw you off. This is no lie; it's true, provided the Panchamundi seat is correctly awakened. If it remains inactive for 10-20 years, it's different.
Disciple:
Gurudev, why does a seeker make it? What power does it give?
Guru:
Power, power, power! 440-volt power will reside in their body. That's how power is generated. Mother Kamakhya is always seated on five skulls. That's why she's called Panchamundadhivasini. Its power is immense. You don't just sit for one night; you must sit repeatedly to build that power. Then the seeker's capability becomes entirely different.
Disciple:
Gurudev, we've heard of 'Shava Sadhana' (meditation on a corpse). How is this related?
Guru:
Shava Sadhana is different. We have done it; you might have seen us in the crematorium. But the Panchamundi seat is a significant step. A seeker must sit on it. We had three or four here, but they've lost their power. I've been taken to many places, but I saw no power in them.
Disciple:
Does the power depend on the seeker who awakens it?
Guru:
It's about mental strength. A seeker doesn't care; they might perform Shava Sadhana or sit on five skulls. I have sat on them, but I didn't find many that were active. At Ramprasad's place in Garalgacha, the power has diminished, yet they still sit there occasionally. They told me they sit there sometimes.
Disciple:
If someone else wants to sit on a seat created by another seeker, do they need permission?
Guru:
Yes, permission is needed. The one who created it must give permission. Sitting there helps keep it awakened. Its power is vast, and there are mantras to keep it active.
Guru:
There are two powerful things: Shava Sadhana and Panchamundi. When Ramprasad was practicing, his guru Krishnananda Agambagish came and told him he must perform Shava Sadhana. He agreed and performed it on a funeral pyre all night. It causes a fierce reaction in the body. So much power comes that you can command someone to die, and they will. That's why many seekers avoid it, as it can lead to people's deaths if they get annoyed.
Disciple:
Gurudev, through meditation, we prepare our body to hold such power. Is there any indication when a seeker needs a Panchamundi seat?
Guru:
The seeker realizes it themselves and arranges it. Skulls like Hanuman's are findable, but a Chandala's skull is very difficult to get.
Disciple:
You've said before that things come to you if you seek them. Are these skulls the same?
Guru:
Yes, if a seeker tries, they will find them. Only the Chandala's skull is very hard. Others like cobra, mongoose, fox, and even cow skulls are sometimes used. These must be awakened on an Amavasya night.
Disciple:
And what about animal skins like tiger or deer skins?
Guru:
Yes, Mother Chamunda is described as wearing a leopard skin (Dipi Charma). It signifies extreme speed. If you sit and meditate on a tiger skin, you might get a fever within an hour because it's so powerful. Tiger, deer, and cheetah skins are all used. Cheetah skin is very fierce. Mother Chamunda wears it.
Guru:
Royal Bengal tiger skin is also important, but people usually use cheetah skins. Deer skin is also used by seekers for meditation.
Disciple:
Do these skins provide power?
Guru:
People just bring them to us. They aren't related to the Panchamundi seat itself. These are just types of seats (asanas)—tiger skin, cheetah skin, deer skin. Blankets are also used as a substitute as they are made from animal hair.
Disciple:
How is the purification and sanctity of the seat maintained for Panchamundi?
Guru:
It's even more intense for Panchamundi. There are mantras to awaken and sanctify it before sitting. The energy can be both calm and fierce—Ati-soumya, Ati-roudra.
Disciple:
What is the connection between animal parts and meditation? Why does it work faster?
Guru:
It's all about power. Krishnananda Agambagish told Ramprasad that 100 years after him, someone else would come to the banks of the Ganga—Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Krishnananda Agambagish was the one who propagated Tantra.
Disciple:
Today we discussed the Panchamundi seat. We've left out some of the more complex parts because these things shouldn't be misused. We'll present more in future videos. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru:
Pranam, my son.