Narrator:
Panch Makare Puja, next Saturday, by Gupta Sadhak Shyamakhyapa.
Disciple:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings, my son. Speak.
Disciple:
I was saying, regarding SHHMASHHANA kali. Mother Kali has arrived here and she will be worshipped. All preparations are underway.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, I have decided to perform the Puja this Saturday. It falls on the Revati Nakshatra, so we will perform it then. That is my intention. There will be Hom-Yajna and prayers throughout the night. Worshipping the Mother during the day isn't common. And when we say SHHMASHHANA kali, it simply means the form of Kali who resides and is worshipped in the cremation grounds. But there is a specialty. SHHMASHHANA kali has blood on her mouth. Blood drips from the corners of her mouth. This is a unique feature. From this, we understand that she is thirsty for blood, Raktapipasu. She loves Boli, sacrificial offerings. And as you know, sacrifice means blood. She is very fond of that. You will see blood on her mouth and even on her body. Now, performing these rituals is quite difficult. From what I have seen, and I have performed them myself, it is hard to keep up with the mental intensity. SHHMASHHANA kali is a major undertaking. One must understand the underlying principles first. Three principles are involved: Atma Tattva, Vidya Tattva, and Shiva Tattva. Without specialized knowledge, these rituals cannot be performed. For instance, when we worship Goddess Lakshmi, we do it with Narayan-gyan, consciousness of Vishnu. When we worship Kali or Durga, we do it with Shiva-gyan. For Saraswati, it is Brahma-gyan. There are three main paths of ritualistic practice: Divyachar, the path of the gods, this is a Sattvic pure way. However, for Kali Puja, this isn't usually the path. Virachar, the heroic path, practiced by kings and warriors. Pashvachar, once you enter the path of Pashvachar, there is no turning back. We usually practice Pashvachar for SHHMASHHANA kali. We perform the Puja using the Panchamakara, the five M's. Everything is within the body; we manifest it through rituals. Even our bodies are seen as an offering, Naibedya. This upcoming Kali Puja will definitely be performed through the Panchamakara path. It requires wine, Madya, meat, Mamsa, and fish, Matsya, for the Mother's offerings.
Disciple:
And you mentioned blood earlier?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, blood is essential. We will need about one syringe of blood. The rule is to offer blood from the thigh. In the human body, the thigh is considered a pure spot. The Mother loves blood from there. Typically, we use a syringe to draw about 1cc of blood for the offering. This is very important. I used to give blood every month, but now others come forward saying they want to offer it. So, there is no shortage of blood. One syringe is enough. We mix it with honey before offering. And wine is also needed. The Mother is Ghor and Aghor. You might know of the Aghoris. When she is worshipped, both these aspects are present, and wine must be offered. Even the father, Lord Shiva, requires wine. We use wine and meat in the Puja. It's not a bad thing, but I do feel a certain fear. I fear the SHHMASHHANA kali ritual because I have seen many practitioners, at Kamakhya or Tarapith, who performed these rituals and passed away at a very young age. This energy is very demanding. I stayed up all night thinking about how to perform this Puja. Since the Mother has arrived, I cannot turn her away. I spent the night planning the rituals and the offerings. Traditional offerings like fine rice and lentils do not work for her. The Mother of the Universe provides all kinds of food, but for this, everything must be sharp, the Mantras must be sharp, and the food must be sharp. We offer Shol Mach, snakehead fish. We make a Bhorta mash out of it. We char the fish, remove the bones, and mash it. This is a favorite of the Mother. Some also offer it in a sour preparation. The Mother eats fish every day, and Shol Mach is her favorite. Everywhere I have been, from Tarapith onwards, I have seen Shol Mach being offered.
Disciple:
Do you know why Shol Mach is a favorite?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shol Mach is considered the Brahman among fish. We usually avoid it, but when I went to Borgobhima, they insisted I eat it, regardless of my stature as a practitioner. So, I ate it. In Tarapith, the fish head is always part of the offering. Those who witness the Mother's offerings can have their misfortunes removed. It is the same with the 52 offerings of Lord Jagannath. Witnessing them removes bad luck. While we don't worry as much about other deities like Lakshmi, Ganesh, or Durga, I am very wary of SHHMASHHANA kali. These rituals can only be done at night. Her companions are the dogs and jackals, Shiba. Bamakhepa used to feed them. The ritual involves invoking spirits, Bhoot-Pret, to come and eat first. The Mother is accompanied by Dakini, Yogini, Lakini, and Barnini. These are all within our bodies as well. As I said, SHHMASHHANA kali is different. It is a matter of great fear. Even a small mistake can lead to the Mother drinking your blood. There is no room for error. Look at her mouth, blood is dripping from both sides. She is thirsty. The practitioner must also fast before giving blood; otherwise, the blood is considered leftover or impure, Uchishtha. The rituals also involve using the hair of deceased women. The hair is collected, cleaned, treated with Amla oil, and then mixed with cremation ash. This becomes the Mother's hair. People often take pieces of this hair for amulets, but it is dangerous. The Mother might not say anything, but her companions, Dakini, Yogini, Barnini, will not let you go if you disrespect the ritual. It's like a crow, if you hit a crow, it might not react immediately, but it will snatch your food when you least expect it. These Tantric sciences are very powerful and difficult to master. There are 16 types of Nyasa, placing mantras on the body, to be done. The Puja itself is similar to other Kali Pujas, but the Mantras differ. Also, Ganga water and Tulsi leaves cannot touch the Mother. This is a Tantric rule.
Disciple:
Then what water is used?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pond water. Everything associated with her, even the skulls, must be washed in pond water. No Ganga water or Tulsi. This is well-known to Tantric practitioners. I am telling you what I know from my experience. It is intimidating. I am speaking calmly now, but the energy of Pashvachar is very intense. Once you enter it, you cannot go back.
Disciple:
You have been at the cremation ground for a long time.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, I waited for her to come, and she has come now when I am 78 years old. Now I must perform the rituals. My disciples are doing it under my guidance. I hope everything goes well.
Disciple:
Since you are here, the chances of mistakes are low.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I don't like being praised. It is a matter of fear, that's all. I have seen everyone who performed these rituals pass away. But I have the Father, Shiva, with me, so I don't worry. I just wanted to let you know how the Puja is being conducted.
Disciple:
We have learned a lot.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There will be a Hom-Yajna as well.
Disciple:
Let's end here, Gurudev. Greetings.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings, my son.