Interviewer:
In this evening's hour, I start today's episode by offering my salutations to Ma Tara and Baba Tara of Shantigunj and by offering my salutations to you as well.
Gurudev:
Salutations, my son.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, we did a live episode yesterday, and a question came up then, but due to a shortage of time, you couldn't answer it in detail.
Gurudev:
Which one was it?
Interviewer:
It was regarding Shiba-bhog. If you could elaborate on that.
Gurudev:
Yes, Shiba is a very important part of our Tantra practice. Shiba means jackal or dog. We prefer to offer the bhog to the jackal. Jackals aren't found everywhere. They live in packs and come out at night in search of food; they don't come out during the day. So, we try to offer the bhog in places where jackals are known to be. We prepare for this carefully. We clean the area where we hear the calls of the jackals with cow dung. We buy a clay pot and then we have to buy a Shol fish. We cook that fish and offer it as bhog under the tree. The jackals eat it. In our Tantra tradition, there is a belief that if the jackal calls out after eating the bhog, then the purpose for which you are performing the ritual will be successful. People perform Tantra rituals for many different reasons, and it is said the work will be successful if the jackal calls. That is why there is a tradition of Shiba-bhog, and we offer it before starting the puja.
Gurudev:
Our Bama Khepa also had a place called Shiba-bhog-tola, and it was located deep within the cremation grounds. These days, people frequent that place, but back then, it was a terrifying, deep cremation ground. There were many jackals and fishing cats there at the time. They would come and eat. Shol fish is a very beneficial thing. When we went to the Bargabhima Temple, we heard that the Goddess loves to eat Shol fish curry. They gave me some while I was having my meal. They told me it was Maha-prasad and not to waste it. So, I ate it. Usually, Brahmins do not eat Shol fish because the fish itself is considered a Brahmin. That is why Shol fish has such significance. Some people even roast the Shol fish in the sacrificial fire, mash it, and offer it as Maha-prasad. Just as the Maha-prasad in Nepal is buffalo meat, here, mashed Shol fish is offered as Maha-prasad. It is also distributed to others. Those who drink alcohol often use it as a side dish. It has many benefits.
Interviewer:
But Gurudev, you just mentioned that the Shol fish is a Brahmin. How is that possible?
Gurudev:
If you look at the body of a Shol fish, you will see a mark that looks like a sacred thread. That is why we say the Shol fish is a Brahmin, and Brahmins should not eat it. Shiba-bhog is a powerful ritual in our Tantra practice. We wait for the jackal to call. The call of the jackal signifies that the purpose of your ritual will be fulfilled. Bama Khepa also offered bhog to the jackals. The jackals are considered companions of the Goddess. In the depiction of Goddess Kali, she is shown holding a severed head, with blood dripping from it and a jackal following her to drink that blood. This is the imagery. A jackal is almost always present in the idol of Goddess Kali as her companion. It is called Shiba. So, one should not perform the puja without offering Shiba-bhog. You must offer it before you sit for the puja. It's not about grains or rice; it has to be something like fish. If fish is not available, then meat can be used. Mahamangsho—the meat of a freshly sacrificed goat—can be offered. Usually, we use fish, but in its absence, fresh meat is offered. We offer it with the chant "Mangsho mangsho Mahamangsho." This is the ritual. This is a very significant aspect of Tantra practice. The Goddess has a jackal with her, and she holds a severed head. The jackal drinks the blood. This is why it is essential to offer Shiba-bhog first.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, offering my respect to all women, I want to ask you a question. When the artisans make the idol of the Goddess for Durga Puja, they use soil from the doorstep of a brothel (Beshya Dwaro Mrittika). Why is that?
Gurudev:
Yes, it is called Beshya Dwaro Mrittika. Look, the crows maintain our environment; we call them friends of the environment. Similarly, these women are also friends of the environment. If they weren't there, society would have perished. Society stands because of them. Many people go to them. If they weren't there, others might have been victimized. They are very powerful. Not only is money being spent there, but vital energy is also being spent. These women hold that vital energy. Vital energy is a very powerful thing. Lord Shiva himself has spoken about the power of vital energy. Where is this energy being spent? It is with these women. That is why the environment is not being polluted. They can absorb that energy. That is why they have been given a place near the Goddess. Even Mahishasura fought against the Goddess and eventually found a place at her feet after she forgave him. I call these women friends of the environment. A bit of soil from their doorstep is required to make the idol. It is applied to the body of the Goddess. Scientifically speaking, so much energy is being spent and lost there. Vital energy is power. Who is taking it? These women are. That is why they are given a place near the Mother.
Interviewer:
So, it is a way of showing them respect.
Gurudev:
Absolutely. It is a way of showing respect. Those who wrote the scriptures for Durga Puja included them. Durga Puja is a massive festival. So many people earn from it—the drummers, the artisans, the priests, the people who make the pandals, the decorators, the light-men. It is such a grand festival, the likes of which cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. It binds the whole society together. So, that energy is held by the Mother. Using that soil increases the power of the Goddess. It is not just a common practice; that soil is essential. It is also used during the Mahasnan (the ritual bath of the Goddess). The Goddess is bathed with this soil on the days of Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami. This soil has immense power. The Goddess is going to slay the demon, so she needs power. The Gods gave her weapons, but who will give her physical strength? That strength is transferred through this soil.
Gurudev:
The Goddess is in a fierce form while fighting the demon. That is why there are two types of Chandi Path: one is the regular Chandi and the other is Rudra Chandi. The Rudra Chandi is for when the Goddess is in her fierce battle form. Not many people know about it. In our homes and pandals, she is worshipped in her gentle (Soumya) form as Mahalakshmi. But there is a demon at her feet, which means she took a fierce form to slay him. She is both Rudra and Soumya. The soil from the brothel is used because of the energy that is concentrated there. Lord Shiva himself gave permission for this. The soil from their doorstep, where they have been walking all night, holds great power. If those brothels weren't there, every home would have become a brothel. You can see it even now; many women are following that path without being labeled. But the women who are in the brothels are labeled. They are the outcasts of society, yet their home is called Patitalay (the abode of the fallen). Just as the Himalayas are the abode of snow (Him-alay), this is the abode of those who society has cast out. They have immense power and they have preserved the environment. That is why I respect them and offer my salutations to them. They are protecting our society. Many people go to them to satisfy their lust. They are holding that energy. When a man loses his vital energy, he loses his strength. The women hold that strength. That is why that soil is so important for Goddess Durga.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, I am very satisfied with your answer. You have beautifully connected the Goddess with these women. Thank you so much, Gurudev. We end today's episode by offering our salutations to Ma Tara and to you.
Gurudev:
Salutations. Salutations.