Speaker 1:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bless you.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, our country is enriched with many rivers and canals. We are surrounded by seas. There is a saying in our folk tales about going "beyond the seven seas and thirteen rivers." We have heard this since childhood—that a princess lives beyond the seven seas and thirteen rivers.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, we have heard this since childhood. But the truth is, the seven seas and thirteen rivers are within your own body. They exist within the human form. We often don't realize this. Although it sounds like a folk tale, these elements are present within you. We see this practiced during rituals; for example, during Durga Puja, water from thirteen rivers and seven seas is required. While many people know about the seas, many do not know the names of these thirteen rivers. Those who are priests or scholars might know, as the water is brought in small bottles to bathe the Goddess. In the past, kings and emperors used to hire people specifically to collect water from these seven seas and thirteen rivers for Durga Puja. They were paid for this task. Nowadays, you can find bottles labeled with these names in shops, though we can't be sure of their authenticity. As for the seven seas, they were originally known as: The Mediterranean Sea, The Caspian Sea, The Red Sea, The Arabian Sea, The Black Sea, The Bay of Bengal, and The Dead Sea (which is now considered "dead" or dried up). So, there are effectively six active seas now. Regarding the thirteen rivers, at least eight of them are prominent Indian rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Gandaki, Purna, Shwet-Ganga, and Kousiki. Then there are Bhagabati (of the netherworld), Mandakini (of heaven), and others. Water from these thirteen rivers and seven seas is used for the "Maha Snan" (Grand Bath) of Goddess Durga on Ashtami.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many people are unaware of this, but it is very important. These seven seas and thirteen rivers exist within the human body. Our bodies are made of "rivers and canals"—blood flows through numerous veins and arteries. If we could dictate or map them spiritually, we would find all thirteen rivers and seven seas within us.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, there is also an invisible river in the sky called the Viroja River.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Viroja is a formidable river. It is invoked during rituals, especially during the "Sannyas" (monastic initiation) ceremony. Those taking Sannyas perform the "Viroja Hom" (fire ritual). It is said to be in the sky, and spiritual practitioners bring its essence down. Have you ever seen it rain fish from the sky? It happens sometimes—thousands of fish fall, and the roads have to be cleared. Where do they come from? There must be a source above. This makes us wonder about the rivers in the sky. The Viroja River is one such celestial river, and it is vital for our Sannyas rituals. There is a river named Viroja in Odisha as well, but the celestial one is what we use in our spiritual practice. During the initiation, the seeker shaves their head and performs their own "Pindo-daan" (funeral rites). When a person dies, "Shraddha" is performed; a Sannyasi performs this for themselves while alive. They offer the "Pindo," consume a portion of it, and then perform the Viroja Hom. These are deep spiritual secrets not easily understood by common people.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Coming back to the thirteen rivers within the body, they are represented by: Tears (Oshru), Mucus (Shingni), Feces (Bistha), Urine (Mutra), Sweat (Ghormo), Phlegm (Kof), Blood (Rakto), Reproductive fluid (Rojo), Saliva (Lala), Semen (Shukro), Milk (Dugdho), Clarified oil/fat (Sudha), and Honey/Nectar (Madhu). These are the thirteen "rivers" within the human form. Since we cannot extract these to offer to the Deity—as they are considered impure or internal—we collect water from the external thirteen rivers for rituals.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The seven "seas" within the body are: The Eyes (Chokkhu), The Ears (Korno), The Nose (Nasika), The Tongue (Jihva), The Skin (Twak), The Mind (Mon), and Knowledge (Gyaan). So, the seven seas and thirteen rivers are all within you. There is no need to look outside, but for the sake of ritual purity for the Gods, we use external sources.
Speaker 2:
Gurudev, those who perform "Nyasa" (a ritual of touching body parts) must also encounter these, right?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, there are sixteen types of Nyasa. During Kali Puja, it can take three to three and a half hours just to perform these. One must purify the body through Nyasa before starting the Puja. Every part of the body is touched with specific mantras. If you are not purified, the Divine will not accept your offerings.
Speaker 1:
We have never heard this discussed before, not even on YouTube. It is fascinating that the "princess" of the folk tales—the soul or the divine essence—lives beyond these seven seas and thirteen rivers within our own bodies.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. This is also linked to the "Maha Snan" of Lord Jagannath. The rituals for Goddess Durga and Lord Jagannath are very similar. At Kalighat and other Shakti Peethas, the Maha Snan is performed at the same time, often behind closed doors or curtains. The idols or sacred objects are treated with extreme care. It is said that if an ordinary person sees certain parts of these rituals, they could lose their sight or even their life due to the intense spiritual energy. During the Snan Yatra, whether at Kalighat or Tarapith, the sacred remains or "Anga-Pratyanga" (limbs/relics) of the Mother Goddess are handled with immense caution. Everything happens at a specific, synchronized time. When Lord Jagannath bathes, all other deities across the 51 Shakti Peethas are also bathed simultaneously.
Speaker 1:
We have learned so much today, Gurudev. We usually live in ignorance. Thank you for sharing the existence of these seas and rivers within us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I try to share as much as I can. People should know these things.
Speaker 1:
We will end here for today. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bless you, my child.
Spiritual Insight
The folk tale of the princess living beyond the seven seas and thirteen rivers is not merely a children's story—it is a profound spiritual metaphor. The "princess" represents the divine soul (Atman) that resides deep within our own bodies, beyond the seven seas (the senses and mind) and thirteen rivers (the bodily fluids). While external ritual requires collecting water from actual rivers and seas for purity, the true journey is internal. The celestial Viroja River, from which fish sometimes fall as rain, reminds us that the spiritual realm is not separate from nature but intimately connected. The Maha Snan of Durga and Jagannath, synchronized across all 51 Shakti Peethas, demonstrates the unity of all divine worship across space and time.