Narrator:
Om Hring Hring Vajrayojinye Hum Phat Swaha... Om Hring Shring Shmashana Kali Swaha...
Devotee:
Gurudev, my humble greetings to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings to you too.
Devotee:
Today is the worship of the Mother Goddess. As you can see, our Shmashana Kali Maa (Goddess Kali of the cremation ground) will be established over there. Just as there is a Vama Tara temple for Mother Tara here, we have built a small temple for this Mother in the limited space we had.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it is very good. I like it very much.
Devotee:
Today is the fourteenth day of the lunar month (Chaturdashi), and the new moon (Amavasya) is approaching as well. The Mother's worship will span these two days under the Revati constellation. Gurudev, if you could tell us a bit about today's worship?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, what can I say about the Mother's worship? She has come to us, and it was very necessary to perform this puja. We are fortunate to have this timing—the confluence of Chaturdashi, Amavasya, and the Revati constellation. People call her Shmashana Kali, and we see her as such. Usually, Shmashana Kali is depicted with two hands—one holding a sword and the other a severed head. This deity, however, has four hands. But looking at Mahakal Bhairav at her feet and the skulls and other elements surrounding her, we are worshiping her in the form of Shmashana Kali.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This deity is 102 years old. To tell the truth, she was discovered under a house during a renovation. If you look at the painting, you can see how old it is. Once she came to us, we couldn't turn away; we decided she must be established here. So, today being Saturday, the worship is being held. First, we are performing the Homa (sacred fire ritual). Tonight, the main puja will take place. A priest is coming from Midnapore; one has already arrived, and another is on his way.
Devotee:
Standing beside Gurudev is Sujay, whom Gurudev just mentioned. He has come from Midnapore and is a dedicated disciple of Gurudev. He will be performing the Mother's puja today. Gurudev is here to guide us. Sujay, would you like to say a few words?
Sujay:
I don't have much to say. My Gurudev, who is like the Supreme Being to me, is right here. I will try to follow the path he directs me toward. I don't know much myself; I will simply try to perform the ritual with whatever understanding I have. As Gurudev mentioned—and it might be redundant for me to repeat—Shmashana Kali puja is specifically for the "Veeras" (the brave ones).
Sujay:
This worship is intended for those on the path of intensive spiritual practice (Sadhana); it is not meant for ordinary householders. This is a completely Tantric matter—deep, secret, and subtle. It is difficult for me to express it fully in words.
Sujay:
It involves knowing and understanding oneself. It encompasses the four goals of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. I will strive to perform this for the well-being of everyone, following my Gurudev's instructions.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Do something that benefits the world and its people. That should be the goal. I have spent my life trying to do good for others, and I hope for the same here.
Sujay:
We are humble people. You are the one who guides us. Above all is the Mother of the Universe (Jagatmata); everything moves according to her divine plan.
Sujay:
Sometimes we get so caught up in the worldly net of illusions (Maya) that we forget the essence. We think about these spiritual truths for a moment, but then we forget them again as time passes.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Whether you call her Dakshina Kali or Shmashana Kali, it is about being bound by Maya. For the sake of her children, the Mother leaves Kailash to reside in the cremation grounds to offer us comfort and protection. We may feel fear during our practice, but the Mother assures us, "What is there to fear? I am here."
Sujay:
That is why her four hands offer boons and fearlessness. She tells the seeker, "I am here, why do you fear?" and the seeker says the same to the Mother.
Sujay:
My father once told me something that I always keep in mind: "Serve the deity as you would serve your own soul, but fear the ritual's power as you would fear a tiger." Only then is the worship complete. You must have that deep reverence and caution while satisfying the soul through service.
Devotee:
Gurudev has been here since the afternoon. I am not sure how much of the conversation you could hear because of the background noise. On one side, there is the sound of devotional chanting (Harinam Sankirtan), and on the other, the sounds of the cremation ground. Between them, we have the words of Gurudev. We will end this video here and bring you more once the puja begins.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It's fine, let the chanting continue. There is no problem with that.