Narrator:
We are currently at Tarapith, at the Mundamali Tola, specifically at the Maa Shmashaneshwari Temple. Sitting before us is Gurudev.
Narrator:
My question to Gurudev isāGurudev, please tell us something about Shmashankali. Today, our Gurudev, Sri Shyama Khepa, will tell us something about Mother Shyama, Mother Tara, and Shmashankali. We are waiting to hear from him. Next to him, you can see a picture of Gurudev's own guru, Sri Bamdeb Baba. Gurudev is seated in front of it. You can see this seat (asana); I have shown it before. Gurudev, if you could kindly tell us about the significance of this seat and this place.
Gurudev:
Regarding the significance, this is Maa Shmashaneshwari. Every cremation ground (shmashan) has a presiding deity, a Shmashaneshwari. This idol is Maa Shmashaneshwari. She is Kali, definitely Kali, but specifically Shmashankali.
Gurudev:
Now, Kali has many forms. There is the black form, the blue form, and this ash-colored form, which is actually the true form of Maa Shmashankali.
Gurudev:
The color of the Mother's body is this ash color. And everything she holds in her hands is the same as other formsāshe has the scimitar (kharga) and the garland of skulls (mundamali). Everything is there. Here, Mahadev is also present. And you can see some headsāheads of corpses and heads of foxes.
Gurudev:
There are monkey heads, mongoose headsāvarious types of heads. In a way, you can call this a "Panchamundi Asana" (Seat of Five Skulls). It is a very spiritually active (jagrata) place. Whenever I come here, I sit with the Mother for a while. I like sitting near her and looking at her.
Gurudev:
And look, a ritual fire (homa) is being performed here. This homa is happening right in front of Maa Shmashaneshwari. Whenever I come to Tarapith, I perform a homa, but I do it here at Mundamali Tola. The main temple area is very crowded and chaotic. That's why I perform the homa here, in this peaceful spot, right in front of Maa Shmashaneshwari.
Gurudev:
Maa Shmashaneshwari and Maa Tara are one and the same; there is no difference. This place is Tarapith. And the Mother here is always spiritually active. I have received proof of her being "jagrata" many times while staying here. There is no doubt about it.
Gurudev:
It is a very secluded and quiet place. There aren't many people around. You can see a few dogs. A little while ago, I heard foxes howling in the distance. That means there are foxes here too. It was nice to hear the foxes right before starting the prayer (puja).
Gurudev:
As I said, this is a Panchamundi Asana. There are several human heads here. Besides those, there are skulls of foxes, monkeys, and owls. All kinds of heads are present here. That's why it's called a Panchamundi seat. Each of these is spiritually active. We offered them some alcohol just now; they are very fond of it.
Gurudev:
So, we offered them alcohol. And the homa is continuing in front of the Mother. She is extremely active here. The scimitar (kharga) you see there is the one used for sacrifices (bali). It's quite large and formidable.
Gurudev:
Previously, human sacrifices used to be performed with it. Now, goat sacrifices are done. There is a sacrificial altar (harikath) here as well. What more can I say about the Mother? There are no words. I just like coming here and sitting. Bapi (the caretaker) gave me the keys, so I am sitting here. It feels wonderful.
Narrator:
Gurudev, so can we understand that Mother Tara, Shmashankali, and everything established by Gurudev Bamdeb are one and the same?
Gurudev:
Yes, they are one and indivisible. There is no second. The Tarapith cremation ground is vast, extending nearly one and a half kilometers.
Gurudev:
Currently, it's about a 1.5-kilometer stretch. However, many settlements and lodges have cropped up now. Earlier, none of this existed. It was a continuous cremation ground. There was just one path connecting Tarapith to Mundamali Tola. Now, with all these buildings, it has become a bit difficult.
Gurudev:
Even our Dwaraka River has become much smaller. Anyway, that's a different matter. But there is immense peace and comfort here. I've been sitting here since 9:00 PM. It's almost 10:00 PM now, and the homa will end soon. I am sitting here in deep peace.
Gurudev:
There is no chaos, no trouble, no disturbance from people. The Mother's homa is happening peacefully, and I am sitting in the Mother's room, as you can see. Truly, it is my good fortune that I can sit near the Mother at this time of night. She is always spiritually present here.
Narrator:
Gurudev, I wanted to ask one more thing for everyone's benefit. You mentioned the "Panchamundi Asana." Could you tell us a bit more about what constitutes this seat?
Gurudev:
It's not much; a Panchamundi seat is made using five types of heads. It requires the head of a monkey, a human (specifically from the Chandal community), a mongoose, a snake, and a fox. Some people use an owl's head as well.
Gurudev:
Wherever these five specific heads are present and established, it is called a Panchamundi seat. As you can see, we are sitting on one. It's an established seat. All the skulls here are spiritually "awake." They are fond of alcohol, so we offered some today.
Narrator:
Thank you so much, Gurudev. You always teach us so much, yet our curiosity never fades. Once again, this is the Gurudev's seat, the Shmashankali seat, and the Panchamundi seat he spoke of. There is the scimitar and the skulls. Behind it is the Dwaraka River, which you have mentioned before. You also spoke about Bamdeb Baba's "Nada" (roar) at 3:00 AM.
Gurudev:
Regarding the roar, Bamdeb used to shout "Tara! Tara! Tara!" when he cried out at night. Everyone in the neighboring villages could hear his roar. It could be heard from a great distance.
Gurudev:
There is nothing more to say about Baba; he was Lord Shiva himself. I have received his mercy and compassion. He has perhaps gifted me something, and with that, I continue my journeyāhelping people and doing good.
Gurudev:
That was my vow to Baba, and that is what I asked of him. He has given me something, and I am greatly blessed. Many people come to me, and by the Mother's grace, I try to help them. I give them simple things like a piece of brick, wood, or soil in the Mother's name, and they find relief.
Narrator:
Gurudev, thank you so much. Our deepest respects to you. You have shared so much with us. Once again, here is the Gurudev's seat, the Panchamundi seat, the scimitar, and the skulls. There is the image of Bamdeb Baba, and Gurudev is seated here. Gurudev, our salutations.
Gurudev:
Blessings to you all. Namaskar.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa offers a rare glimpse into the sacred cremation ground at Mundamali Tola, Tarapith, where the ash-colored form of Maa Shmashaneshwari resides. This discourse reveals the esoteric significance of the Panchamundi Asanaāa seat formed from five types of skulls that serves as a spiritually active focal point for tantric practice. Gurudev honors his guru Bamdeb Baba, acknowledging the transmission of spiritual power that enables him to serve others through the Mother's grace.