Devotee:
Guru, Pranam (greetings). In our previous episode, we were hearing from you about Sati, and in that context, you mentioned the 51 Sati Peethas (sacred sites where body parts of the Goddess Sati fell). To begin our discussion today, I would like to ask you about the Sadhaks (spiritual seekers) who visit these sites to perform their spiritual practices.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You see, where the body parts of the Mother fell—all 51 Peethas—were once very inaccessible. They were completely surrounded by dense forests. This isn't a modern thing; it happened a long time ago. Ordinary people wouldn't even venture near them. Take Kamakhya, for instance; people have only started going there in large numbers in the last 100 or 200 years. Before that, the Mother resided in a cave, and there were no houses or anything of the sort.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Let me tell you a short story. The King of Cooch Behar once resolved to conquer Assam. Before he set out, he had heard that Goddess Kamakhya was there. He made a vow to the Mother: "If I can conquer Assam, I will offer you worship and build a temple for you." He succeeded in his conquest. On his way back, he remembered his vow and went to the cave in the evening. There was a Sadhak there who regularly recited hymns to the Mother. The Mother would manifest and bless him, but on one condition: if anyone else saw her during that time, she would kill them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The King arrived and insisted on seeing the Mother. The Sadhak said it was impossible, but the King, now the ruler of Assam, was adamant. The Sadhak warned that he would die if the King saw her. The King then resorted to trickery. He sent his soldiers away and hid behind a large rock. In the evening, as the Sadhak recited the hymns and the Mother appeared, she immediately killed the Sadhak. She then grabbed the King by his hair and told him: "You resolved to conquer Assam and you have succeeded. Now, build my temple."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The King agreed, but the Mother warned him: "Never enter these Nilachal hills again. If even your descendants look upon this hill, your lineage will be destroyed." Even today, if someone from the Cooch Behar royal family passes by, they use curtains in their cars so they don't look at the Nilachal hill.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The King returned home and discussed the temple. He had promised to build it with gold, but he didn't have enough in his treasury. He was distressed. That night, the Mother appeared in his dream and said, "You don't need that much gold. Just place a small amount (one rati) of gold in every brick." The temple was built by Vishwakarma (the divine architect), and every brick contains that bit of gold. This is the story of Kamakhya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We revere the Sati Peethas for one reason: spiritual energy. Who else will give us power? One person cannot give power to another. For power, you need both positive and negative forces. I am the positive, the male; I need the negative. Just as a light needs two wires, positive and negative, to glow, we seek that energy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Peethas have a radiating power where the Mother's body parts fell. People might be bad and do wrong things, but the earth and the Mother do not change. The Peethas remain sacred. People say Tarapith is ruined now, but I say no, it cannot be. The Mother is there; how can it be ruined? People might change, but the Mother remains alive there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The problem now is that all 51 Peethas used to be remote. Now, because of modernization, trees are being cut down and crowds are flocking to these temples. There is no need for it. Having Mother Saraswati or Narayana at home is enough. But people go to these Peethas and disturb the Sadhus who are meditating there, even driving them away. Sadhus can no longer meditate peacefully in places like Tarapith, Kalighat, or Kamakhya because of the crowds. Many have left and are now meditating in the remote corners of the Himalayas. People go, offer worship, but nothing good comes of it because they don't understand the sanctity. They come back to us complaining of troubles even after visiting Kamakhya. It's because the Mother doesn't listen to those who don't follow the path properly. People have money and cars now, so they think they are doing something great, but they are actually disturbing the sanctity with alcohol and other things. This is not good.
Devotee:
I want to ask you about what you called "holding a Peeth." Is there a specific ritual for that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, certainly. When a Sadhak goes to a Peeth, specifically to "hold" it, they must make a vow (Sankalpa). They might vow to stay for three nights, ten days, two years, or five years. Once the vow is made, they cannot leave the Peeth. Everything—eating, sleeping, and daily needs—must happen within that sacred area. When we "hold" a Peeth, we often don't even eat. We stay there for prayer, meditation, and rituals like Homa (fire sacrifice) for our own spiritual growth and to reach the Mother.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Nowadays, people take groups of 50 people for a Homa. No one knows whose name the ritual is being performed for; the person performing it just takes the money. Everyone thinks it's for them, but it's for no one. And then there's alcohol. We tell people not to get caught in these traps. Going to a cremation ground or a Peeth to perform rituals without proper understanding is an offense. The Mother gets very angry. Why should a householder go to a cremation ground to light a fire or recite mantras? But people are told it will bring them great results, and they believe it. They come back and tell us they've lost everything. I tell them repeatedly not to fall for these schemes.
Devotee:
We've been hearing from you about the Sati Peethas and the Sadhaks. To conclude today's discussion, you've visited many of these sites during your long spiritual journey. Since we can't discuss all 51, could you share some of your experiences from a few of them?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
First, there is Tarapith. In West Bengal, there are sites like Arthahas, Bagula, Bakreshwar, Kankalitala... there are about 8 or 9 Peethas here. These are all very powerful. Forty years ago, they were very isolated. Tarapith was quite fearsome. All of them were in the middle of forests. Now they've been cleared and made accessible. But back then, we saw things that were frightening. People were told not to stay at night at Arthahas because you could hear the Mother's loud laughter—"Ha! Ha! Ha!"—at night.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The most amazing thing I've seen at these temples is that even when no one is around, it feels as if someone has just finished a ritual. We've seen incense and lamps burning, and when we asked where the priest was, they'd say he just left, even though we saw no one. This happened at Bakreshwar, Bagula, Arthahas, Kankalitala, and Tarapith. Each one is a Shakti Peetha.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Whatever work you do there will be successful. At Bargabhima, we have Sol fish. In Tarapith too, Sol fish is offered. We roast it, mash it, and offer some to the foxes and some as the Mother's food. You will find such similarities everywhere. When I asked if the Mother is worshipped as Ugra Tara here, they later admitted she is. The Mother holds a skull-cup (Kharpar). These are all forms of the same Kali. Bama-khepa was a devotee of Tara, but he also worshipped Dakshina Kali. You have to understand all the ten Mahavidyas (wisdom goddesses).
Devotee:
Pranam, Guru. Friends, you've heard our Guru talk about the 51 Peethas, the Sadhaks, and his personal experiences. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khepa," and share and like our videos. Also, our Facebook Live sessions have started. Keep an eye on our YouTube channel for updates on when the Guru will be live on Facebook. Pranam, Guru.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa unveils the profound significance of the 51 Sati Peethas, explaining that these sites radiate spiritual energy where the Mother's body parts fell. He narrates the fascinating origin story of Kamakhya temple and the curse upon the Cooch Behar royal family. He emphasizes that true spiritual practice at these sites requires discipline and vows—not casual tourism. The teaching warns against the modern trend of disturbing sacred spaces with crowds and commercial rituals, explaining why true Sadhaks have retreated to the Himalayas.