INTERVIEWER:
Here in Shantikunj, you can see that today is Maha Ashtami. On this day of Ashtami, many devotees have gathered here to offer their prayers and requests to the Mother Goddess. Today, we will learn from Gurudev about this Maha Ashtami and the Sandhipuja. Gurudev, my respects to you.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
My blessings to you, son.
INTERVIEWER:
My question for you today is about the Sandhipuja. Today is the day of Sandhipuja, and I would like to know more about it from you.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Sandhipuja is nothing but a transition. It takes 24 minutes from the end of Ashtami and 24 minutes from the start of Navami. These two periods of 24 minutes each make a total of 48 minutes. As Ashtami ends, 24 minutes are taken, and as Navami begins, 24 minutes are taken. This is called "No Man's Land." Here, only the Adya-shakti Mahamaya, the primordial power, will receive the offerings. No one else will. This is the worship of Chamunda.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Goddess Chamunda killed Chanda and Munda. She also killed Raktabija. When Goddess Durga was fighting on the battlefield, the demon Raktabija appeared. Mother Durga became concerned because for every drop of his blood that hit the ground, millions of new demons were instantly created. Mother Durga wondered, "How will I kill him?" She then called upon the Adya-shakti Mahamaya Chamunda. Chamunda is a skeletal figure; she has no flesh or fat on her body. She is a skeleton with deep-set eyes that burn like fire. Mother Durga summoned her in this form. Chamunda asked, "Mother, tell me what I must do."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Durga replied, "You must kill Raktabija. Expand your mouth and stretch out your tongue." Chamunda agreed. Durga said, "When I strike Raktabija, let not a single drop of his blood fall on the ground. Use your large tongue—so large it touches the earth—to lick up and consume the blood." Mother Durga blessed her, and so it happened. Chamunda expanded her mouth and tongue, and as Raktabija was struck, she consumed every drop of blood. In this way, Raktabija was drained of blood and killed. That is why she is called the slayer of Raktabija and the destroyer of Chanda and Munda.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Then came Chanda and Munda, even more terrifying demons. Mother was again worried about how to kill them. She once more sought the help of Chamunda. Chamunda asked what needed to be done, and Mother told her she must slay Chanda and Munda. In the ensuing battle, Chamunda grabbed Chanda and Munda by their hair and lifted them into the sky. With her strange and divine weapon, she severed their heads. She then brought the heads to Mother Durga as an offering. Mother Durga was very pleased and happy. She declared that from this day forward, Chamunda would be famous in the world. This is the worship of Chamunda, the primordial power. She appears for a fraction of time and then departs.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Her appearance is terrifying. As the scriptures describe: she is blue-black like a dark cloud, with four arms, holding a strange weapon, adorned with a garland of human skulls, clad in tiger skin, and her eyes are sunken and red. Her body is vast, reaching from the sky to the earth. She is a skeleton, and fire burns in her eyes. During the time of the great apocalypse (Pralaya), she is the one who sustains the earth. Even Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar (Shiva) seek her protection then. They do not have the power to sustain the earth during the great apocalypse; only the primordial power can.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
The earth has seen many such apocalypses, and the Mother has always saved it. Because she did not even eat a fallen leaf (parna) during her penance, one of her names is Aparna. The earth is ancient, and she has protected it through many terrifying times. Even now, during this COVID-19 pandemic, I pray to the Mother that she takes this disease away from the earth. This disease is her creation, and she alone can remove it. COVID-19 has destroyed and stunned the entire world. I ask everyone to pray, not just me—people all over the world should pray that Mother removes COVID from the earth.
INTERVIEWER:
Gurudev, I have one more question. You explained the Sandhipuja in detail. As we offer Anjali (floral offerings) to Adya-shakti Mahamaya, what should we actually be asking of her?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
We ask for many things in the mantras. We ask for long life, for children, for wealth, and for the removal of our enemies. We are always asking, "Give me, give me, give me." We have nothing to give her; we only have things to take from her. And she does give. If someone worships her with true devotion and surrender, she certainly provides.
INTERVIEWER:
You mentioned COVID, but when an individual offers Anjali, should they only ask for themselves or for everyone?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Anjali is not just for oneself, son. It is for the welfare of the entire world and for human peace. It is a prayer for everyone on earth. Anjali is for world peace and the welfare of humanity. We pray that wherever people are, they remain well. To ask only for oneself is not the true meaning of Anjali. It is about sharing the Mother’s blessings with everyone. Some people are narrow-minded and only think of their own children or family, but that is not it.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
We say, "Sarva Mangala Mangalye"—blessings for the welfare of all. It is for everyone's good. Rabindranath Tagore said the same: "Let the soil of Bengal, the water of Bengal, the air of Bengal, and the fruits of Bengal be fulfilled, O Lord." This is the essence. You live in this world. If you seek the welfare of the world, you will also be blessed. You, your children, and your family are all part of this world. Mother blesses the whole.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Durga Puja is a social bond. It brings everyone together. It’s about the meeting of hearts. You see this when Muslims celebrate Eid; they embrace each other. We do the same during Bijoya Dashami with our traditional "Kolakuli" (hugging). Though some of these traditions are fading or becoming mere "fashion" now, the essence of the old ways—the traditional attire, the sense of community—was once very strong.
INTERVIEWER:
Friends, you heard from Gurudev today about Sandhipuja. Tomorrow, we will hear from him about another aspect of Durga Puja. Gurudev, I offer my respects to you.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
My blessings to you all.