Devotee:
Greetings, Gurudev. It seems that due to a slight mistake on my part, the video might not have started earlier. Still, I seek your forgiveness, and that of Mother Durga. Gurudev, tomorrow is Maha Ashtami. Right after Maha Ashtami, in the evening, we have the Sandhi Puja. Could you please explain the significance of Sandhi Puja and tell our viewers and devotees a bit more about it?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Sandhi Puja is the worship of Goddess Chamunda. It takes place in a "No Man's Land" of time—meaning, as the eighth day (Ashtami) is ending, 24 minutes are taken from it, and as the ninth day (Nabami) begins, 24 minutes are taken from that. Adding these together makes 48 minutes. This 48-minute window is the time for Sandhi Puja.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
According to the Devi Purana, this Sandhi Puja is a form of Durga Puja. It was performed by Lord Ramchandra. He awakened the Mother during the Dakshinayana (the southern transit of the sun). Usually, the Mother sleeps during Dakshinayana. To slay the demon Ravana, Lord Ramchandra awakened her and performed this worship.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
During the ritual, he offered 108 lotus flowers. Legend says one lotus was missing because the Mother was testing him—but that is a separate story. 108 lotuses are used for this worship. Within those 48 minutes, everything from the ritual sacrifice (balidan) to the lighting of 108 lamps must be completed. All these must be done.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Mother must be summoned from the heavens. She is described as: "Aim-kaari Srishti-rupayee Hreem-kaari Japa-palika" (The creator in the form of "Aim" and the protector in the form of "Hreem"). She resides in the heavens; she is brought down from the sky and established in the sacred pot (ghat). Only then does her worship begin.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
During this specific time, no other deities receive offerings. Durga, Saraswati, Kartik, or Ganesh—none of them are worshiped or offered water. Only Mother Chamunda is worshiped.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What does Mother Chamunda look like? The scriptures describe her as dark as a blue lotus, with four arms. She holds a strange skull-topped staff and is adorned with a garland of human heads. She wears a tiger skin, and her form is terrifyingly skeletal, with no flesh on her body. Her tongue lolls out, she is vast in size, and her blood-red eyes look downward, burning like fire. She is naked, and her body reaches from the earth to the sky. This is the form of Mother Chamunda.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is very difficult to worship this form; in fact, it is nearly impossible for most. However, following the traditions of the Devi Purana, we perform the worship exactly as Lord Ramchandra did.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our "original" or primary worship is the Annapurna Puja in the month of Chaitra (spring). That is the original Durga Puja. This autumn worship is actually Ramchandra's puja. He awakened the Mother prematurely (Akal Bodhon) to defeat Ravana. The Mother blessed Ram, telling him he would be able to kill Ravana. That is why she came to this world at this time.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the end, he killed Ravana with her blessings. The rituals performed at that time are what we follow today. This autumnal Durga Puja is that very celebration.
Devotee:
I see.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is why, during the floral offerings (Anjali), we chant: "Kali Kali Mahakali Kalike Paapoharinim..." This is because Mother Durga took the form of Kali. Because she became Kali, elements of Kali worship are included in the Anjali. Kali Puja also takes place; it happens on the day of Nabami. When the worship of the 64 Yoginis is performed, Kali Puja, Tara Puja, and various other forms are worshiped.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Furthermore, she is the presiding deity of Lord Narayana (Vishnu). Narayana once asked the Mother, "Mother, I wish to be born from your womb, please give me permission." She granted it. At that time, she was bathing in Mansarovar. Seeing Narayana, she felt bashful and scolded him slightly. Narayana said, "Mother, I have come with a petition; I wish to be held in your womb." Because she held Narayana in her womb, she earned the name Katyayani. In Kanya Kumari, she is known as Katyayani. She is called Katyayani, Dakshayani, and Narayani. There is also a fourth name, Shivani—the wife of Shiva. She is worshiped using these four names.
Devotee:
Gurudev, it is very difficult to describe all of this in brief, and perhaps not everyone can explain it as clearly as you do.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I simply speak based on what I have understood through my studies. As I said, this isn't the "original" Durga Puja; it was a premature awakening (Akal Bodhon) for the slaying of Ravana. That is why it is called Akal Bodhon. We worship her exactly as Ramchandra did. This puja is performed in that tradition.