Interviewer:
Gurudev, Pranam.
Gurudev:
Pranam, Baba, Pranam.
Interviewer:
Friends, welcome to our YouTube channel, "Gupta Sadhak Syama Khepa." Gurudev, we have ten directions, and ten guardians (Pal) protect these ten directions. Many of your devotees and followers ask various questions on our channel and want to hear from you on these matters. One such devotee has asked us to talk about these ten guardians (Dash Dik Pal).
Gurudev:
Yes, there are ten directions, and ten guardians protect them: East, West, North, South, Ishan (Northeast), Agni (Southeast), Nairit (Southwest), Vayu (Northwest), Urdhva (Upward), and Adhah (Downward).
Gurudev:
What we see today as Feng Shui actually originated from this. It originated from these ten guardians of the directions. For instance, where you should place your kitchen, where the bathroom should be, where the bedroom should be, and where other things should be placedâit is all mentioned here by these ten guardians.
Gurudev:
Now, in our East, we have Indra, the lord of the thunderbolt (Vajra). He is the lord of storms. We can undoubtedly say, as per Khona's verses (Khonar Bochon): "Pube ore"âmeaning if clouds form in the east, we say there will be a storm and lightning.
Gurudev:
Again, when clouds form in the West, we say: "Paschime bore"âmeaning there will be heavy rain, and everything will be submerged in water. So, there is a significance to this.
Gurudev:
The mantra for the East is: "Lam Indraya Suradhipataye Pitavarnaya Vajrahastaya Airavatavahanaya Saparivaraya Namah." This puja of Indra, along with his family in the east, is performed during Durga Puja. The puja of the ten guardians is performed especially during Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami.
Gurudev:
So, first is the East: "Lam Indraya Suradhipataye Pitavarnaya Vajrahastaya Airavatavahanaya Saparivaraya Namah."
Gurudev:
The East is protected by Indra. Now, after East, let's come to the West. The West is protected by Varuna, the god of water. Varuna Dev is seated on a Makara (a sea creature). The mantra is: "Vam Varunaya Jaladhipataye Pashahastaya Ankushavahanaya Saparivaraya Namah."
Gurudev:
"Vam Varunaya Jaladhipataye Shuklavarnaya Pashahastaya Makaravahanaya Saparivaraya Namah." The Makara refers to the crocodile; he sits on a crocodile. This is his mantra. Offerings are made with flowers.
Gurudev:
After East and West, let's go to the North. In the North is Kubera, the lord of the Yakshas. We say: "Kam Kuberaya Yakshadhipataye Naravahanaya Gadahastaya Saparivaraya Namah." So, Kubera is in the North.
Gurudev:
We often talk about Gandhal (a place). That is Kubera's city, the city of Yakshas. It is in the North. That's why the North is so magnetic for us.
Gurudev:
Then comes the South. The mantra for the North was: "Kam Kuberaya Yakshadhipataye Naravahanaya Gadahastaya Saparivaraya Namah." North is protected by Kubera.
Gurudev:
Now, who protects the South? Yama. "Dam Yamaya." These soundsâDam, Vam, Am, Ram, Lamâare all "Beej" (seed) mantras. For the North, the Beej was Kam. For the South, where Yama resides, it is Dam.
Gurudev:
"Dam Yamaya Pretadhipataye Krishnavarnaya Dandahastaya Mahishavahanaya Saparivaraya Namah." He sits on a Mahisha (buffalo). Many people get scared if they see a buffalo in their dreams because Yama is on a buffalo. Yama is in the South.
Gurudev:
"Dam Yamaya Pretadhipataye Krishnavarnaya Dandahastaya Mahishavahanaya Saparivaraya Namah."
Gurudev:
So, East, West, North, South are done. Now, Ishan (Northeast). In Ishan, it is said: "Ham Ishanaya Bhutadhipataye Shuklavarnaya Saparivaraya Namah." The Northeast corner is considered the haunt of ghosts and spirits (Bhuta-Preta). That's why one should not build a bathroom in the Northeast corner. No toilet chambers should be there because spirits reside there.
Gurudev:
Next is Nairit (Southwest). "Kham Nairitaye Rakshasadhipataye Shuklavarnaya Pashahastaya Saparivaraya Namah."
Gurudev:
Then, after Ishan and Nairit, comes Agni (Southeast). "Ram Agnaye Tejodhipataye Raktavarnaya Saparivaraya Namah." Fire is there. That's why it is said to keep the kitchen in the Southeast (Agni) corner.
Gurudev:
After Agni, Ishan, and Nairit, there is the Vayu (Northwest) corner. Vayu (wind) provides us with "Pran" (life force). That's why windows should be placed in the Northwest corner so that the life-giving air can enter.
Gurudev:
The mantra for Vayu is: "Vam Vayave Pranadhipataye Mrigavahanaya Saparivaraya Namah." Vayu is the lord of life (Pranadhipati). And wind is swift, so he is seated on a deer (Mriga).
Gurudev:
Next is Urdhva (Upward). "Am Brahmanne Prajadhipataye Namah." Lord Brahma, the creator, is above.
Gurudev:
And who is below, in the Adhah (Downward) direction? "Hrim Anantaya Nagadhipataye Namah." Ananta Nag (the serpent) is there.
Gurudev:
This is why weapons cannot strike from two directionsâupward and downward. They can only strike from the other eight directions.
Gurudev:
This puja is performed, and Vastu Shastra or Feng Shui follows these principles. As we've said before: "Dakhin duari ghore raja / Purb duari tahr proja / Uttar duari mukhe chai / Paschim duari khajna nai."
Gurudev:
This is from Khona's verses.
Gurudev:
A south-facing house belongs to a king.
Gurudev:
An east-facing house belongs to his subjects.
Gurudev:
A north-facing house brings ashes to the mouth (misfortune).
Gurudev:
A west-facing house has no wealth (taxes cannot be paid).
Gurudev:
Khona was not wrong. Vastu Shastra in Bengali, or Feng Shui, started with these concepts.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you mentioned this puja is done during Durga Puja.
Gurudev:
Yes, specifically during Durga Puja. It isn't usually done during household Saraswati or Lakshmi Pujas.
Interviewer:
Is there a specific reason why it's done during Durga Puja?
Gurudev:
During Durga Puja, many pujas must be performed because many deities are involved. The deities Mother Durga fought alongside must be worshippedâthe "Ashta Shakti" (Eight Powers), the "Ashta Bhairava" (Eight Bhairavas), the "Choushatti Yogini" (64 Yoginis), and of course, these ten guardians. Then there is the "Kshetrapal" (Guardian of the land) who must also be worshipped.
Interviewer:
You once mentioned the "Chamunda Puja" at the midnight hour, during the 48-minute transition.
Gurudev:
Yes, and then there is the "Naba Patrika" puja. First, the Naba Patrika puja, then the ten guardians, the Bhairavas, and so onâthey are all worshipped one by one. Then there are the Kshetrapals, ghosts, and spiritsâeveryone must be worshipped.
Gurudev:
Before we start the main puja, we must offer "Masha Bhakti Bali." This is offered so that ghosts and spirits do not cause any disturbances. We satisfy them first. Even when we perform puja at the cremation grounds (Shashan), we first offer food and prayers at the pyre so they don't cause any trouble, otherwise, they might overturn the ritual pots (Ghat) or cause harm. It's a significant part of the process.
Interviewer:
Could you repeat that?
Gurudev:
Before starting the puja, we offer "Masha Bhakti Bali." This is for the spirits so they don't create obstacles while I sit for the puja. They stay with the Mother; they are her attendants, and they can be mischievous. So we satisfy them first. When we do puja here at the cremation ground, we first offer food at the pyre because otherwise, they might overturn everything. They can cause a lot of damage. It's a major thing; you have to keep them satisfied, otherwise, the lamps might go out, or anything could be overturned. I've seen it with my own eyesâswarms of ants suddenly appearing and covering everything, ruining all the food offerings. I've seen this right here at this cremation ground.
Gurudev:
So, these things matter. Chanting these mantras has great benefits. Not only does it purify the mind, but it also purifies the environment. Even if the mind is heavy, performing these pujas fills it with joy.
Interviewer:
This is truly amazing. The concept of the ten guardians from so many years ago matches perfectly with what you explained today about Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui.
Gurudev:
Exactly, they are the same. People are just profiting off these ancient concepts today. That's all.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, I offer my Pranam to you. May you stay healthy.
Gurudev:
Bless you, Baba.
Interviewer:
Friends, you heard it. At the request of a devotee, Gurudev spoke about the ten guardians, their mantras, and the rituals. Similarly, keep bringing new topics to the "Gupta Sadhak Syama Khepa" YouTube channel. Gurudev will surely speak on them in future episodes.
Interviewer:
But one thing Gurudev emphasizes in every episode: there should be no error in the pronunciation of mantras or the rituals of the puja. We must remember that our subject is the Scriptures and the Deities. Listening to distorted versions from unreliable sources and being guided by them can lead to grave dangers, as Gurudev repeatedly warns us.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Bless you.
Spiritual Insight
The ancient wisdom of the Dash Dik Pal (Ten Directional Guardians) reveals the profound science behind what we now call Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui. Gurudev explains that modern practices of home placementâkitchens in the Southeast (Agni), bathrooms away from the Northeast (Ishan), windows in the Northwest (Vayu)âall originate from the sacred mantras and guardians of the ten directions. Each direction has its ruling deity with specific seed mantras: Indra (East, Lam), Varuna (West, Vam), Kubera (North, Kam), Yama (South, Dam), and others. The article presents the complete mantras for all ten guardians and explains why these rituals are specifically performed during Durga Puja alongside the Ashta Shakti, Ashta Bhairava, and Choushatti Yogini. Gurudev also shares practical insights about "Masha Bhakti Bali"âthe essential offerings to spirits before any ritual to prevent disturbances, based on his direct experiences at the cremation grounds.