Interviewer:
Guru Dev, Pranam (Salutations).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, son. Pranam, Pranam.
Interviewer:
Tomorrow is Shivaratri. On our "Gupt Sadhak Shyama Khyapa" YouTube channel, many of your devotees and followers have expressed interest in hearing from you about Shivaratri. Given that tomorrow is especially a day for women to observe Shivaratri, on the eve of this occasion, Iâd like to ask you about the significance of the day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, there is no separate entity called "Shivaratri" as such. Shivaratri is a brata (a religious vow and ritual). It is primarily intended for women; it isn't really a matter for men. However, since the worship of Mahadev, the God of Gods, is taking place, both men and women worship Him without distinction. And it is only natural; just as sages have no resort but Shiva, humans in their current state have no resort but Him. Many men also come to me... many will come tomorrow. My health is not good, as you know. Thatâs why I haven't been able to go to the temple. I must go tomorrow, as there is a Homa-yajna (fire sacrifice) and other worship rituals scheduled.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, do you know the rules? It is based on a story of a Vyadha (hunter). After fasting all day, there are four sessions of worship during the four prahars (three-hour segments) of the night. The first worship is for Ishan. "Om Ishanaya Namah." That concludes the first worship of the first prahar. Since there are four prahars, the first worship happens before 10:00 PM. From 10:00 PM until 12:00 or 1:00 AM, the second worship takes place. Then, around 3:00 to 3:30 AM, there is another session, and the final worship happens before sunrise. So, four sessions in total. The first is Ishanâs worship. Lord Mahadev must be completely purified and prepared.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He must be purified, and four garlands are required for the four prahars. Additionally, we offer a Namavali (a sacred cloth) to the Lord. After the first prahar for Ishan, the second prahar is dedicated to the worship of Vam (Vamadeba). Before starting, the offerings from the first session must be cleared, and the Lord must be bathed again. This is primarily the task of the Brahmins; later, both men and women pour water. After the worship, they pour water and offer Anjali (prayers). This cycle repeats four times. The second prahar is Vamaachari worship for the Lord. Interestingly, the food offered during these four prahars consists of four different types. If you offer Luchi (fried flatbread) in the first praharâthe Lord is a Saiba (Shiva Himself)âthen Luchi is the initial offering. The second time, perhaps fruits are offered. It is organized this way; four types of food for the four prahars. Itâs quite straightforward.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
First is Ishan, second is Vam, and the third is the worship of Aghor. Ghor and Aghor. Aghori worship takes place. Those belonging to the Nath sectâDevnath, Nathâare all Shaivites. Their lineage is the Shiva clan. This worship is very common among the Nath sect; they worship Him in various places, keeping Shiva at the center. It is a joyful celebration. So, Brahmins worship Ishan in the first prahar, offering fruits and other items. In the second prahar, perhaps Luchi is offered. But there is one rule: food produced by plowing (karshanjukto) cannot be offered. This is because of the principle "Yatra Jiba Tatra Shiva" (where there is life, there is Shiva). Plowing inadvertently kills many earthworms and insects, so Shiva does not accept such food. Wild forest fruits are particularly good for this worship. Other offerings include honey and lotusâboth special elementsâas well as Siddhi (cannabis), often served as a sherbet. Where there is Shiva, Durga is also present, and She is worshipped alongside Him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This entire tradition is linked to the story of the Vyadha. At the conclusion of the brata, there is a legend... Iâll give you the gist, as itâs quite long. This Vyadha worked tirelessly all day hunting but caught nothing. By evening, he managed to hunt a deer, which he tied into a bundle. As night fell, he lost his way. Seeing a wood-apple (bael) tree, he decided to spend the night there and leave in the morning. He climbed the tree, hanging his bundle of meat on a branch. While he slept, his movements caused several bael leaves to fall, and blood from the fresh meat dripped down onto a Shiva Lingam below. This accidental offering of blood and bael leaves pleased Lord Mahadev immenselyâthey say Shiva is most satisfied with Ganges water and bael leaves. He was so satisfied that He later blessed the hunter. That is the essence of the Vyadha's story.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, first, we worship Ishan, then Vam, then Aghor. There is the Aghor sectâGorakhnath, Matsyendranathâall part of the Gorakh lineage. Gorakhpur is named after Gorakhnath, who is also worshipped. Aghor or Aghori worship is performed. For the fourth prahar, the mantra is "Sadyojataya Namah." Apart from "Om Namah Shivaya," there are other mantras like Ravan Kostham or Shiva Kostham that Brahmins use. There is great significance to "Sadyojata"âit represents worshipping Shiva as if He were newborn.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So: Ishan, Vam, Aghor, and finally Sadyojata. The Puranas tell a story of Goddess Kali taking a terrifying form; everywhere She stepped, fire erupted, followed by a trail of corpses. She was in a fierce warlike state, and even Shiva was concerned. To stop Her, He took the form of Sadyojata (a newborn) and lay in Her path. As She approached in Her fearsome Ranadeyi form, She heard the cry of the infant calling out "Ma, Ma." She stopped instantly. No matter how fierce a mother is, she cannot ignore such a cry. She picked Him up and cradled Him. That is the significance of Sadyojata. These four worship sessions conclude with women pouring water and offering four garlands. The ritual materials change each time.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
While this brata is primarily for women, Iâve seen many men and boys participating by pouring water. Nowadays, many people perform everything at once because they cannot wait or because of current social conditions. They often pour water during the first prahar and leave. However, many girls still stay for all four prahars. When we conduct the worship here, the girls remain through the entire night, pouring water in the final prahar before heading home.
Interviewer:
I have a question, Guru Dev. After the worship, is there a specific rule about giving the Prasad (offering) to someone special, like a Brahmin?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, not exactly. Once the four sessions are over, the following morning, they offer something to a Brahminâperhaps sweets or an invitation to a meal. It is customary to give something to a Brahmin before breaking their own fast. They do not eat until they have made this offering. That is the rule of the brata.
Interviewer:
You mentioned it is a brata. Every brata must have a specific goal or purpose.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
All bratas are observed for a purpose, whether for Goddess Durga or others. Those who take this vow might do so for three, five, or seven years before concluding it. They might feed children or perform other acts of charity.
Interviewer:
Is it true that unmarried women observe this brata to find a husband like Shiva?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Certainly, that is the primary reason for Shivaratri. Though, in truth, if someone actually got a husband exactly like Shiva, they wouldnât last a day with Him! Imagine a man wearing tiger skin, with snakes around his neck, and massive matted hair... who could live with that? Shiva is worshipped in many forms. He has been worshipped as a Kirat (hunter), living in a hunter's home with Goddess Durga also in that form. The Puranas are full of such stories. This is simply a tradition women follow.
Interviewer:
And what about married women who observe the Shivaratri brata?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For them, it is about the next life. The next life is a significant concept. As you might have seen in the "Death" video, the next life matters. It isnât always about getting everything in this current life. Many observe it with the hope of securing a good husband in their next incarnation. It is a spiritual effort by women. Shiva means mangal (auspiciousness or well-being). One who brings auspiciousness is Shiva.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Shiva we visualize... let me tell you a small story. Look at Him: meditating, indifferent to everything, in -40 degree temperatures. What is He doing on the Himalayas in such cold? He is practicing Yoga. Scientifically speaking, because He lives in such extreme cold, He has matted hair to prevent the cold from entering His head. The snakes wrapped around Him provide a protective layer with their saliva. He also smears Himself with Vibhuti (sacred ash) from the Yajna, which acts as an insulator against the cold. Youâll notice dogs and other animals also seek out ash for warmth in winter.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there is the aspect of intoxication. Iâm not talking about the original Shiva here, but rather a common joke: people offer alcohol and hemp, thinking, "I wonât consume it, so let's give it to Shiva." Alcohol and hemp can cause constipation, which is why bael (wood-apple) is offeredâit aids His bowel movements. When the fruit isn't available, bael leaf juice is used. We call this "AC Bael." This is a scientific interpretation of the Shiva on the Himalayas. Matted hair for the cold, snake saliva as a shield, ash for warmth, and bael to counter the effects of staying awake and intoxicated. When fruit is scarce, the juice of the leaf is the remedy. This is the scientific view. As for Vishwa-ishwar, He is in the heavens... but discussing that would take too much time.
Interviewer:
Guru Dev, we are grateful for your insights. On behalf of your many devotees and followers, we thank you for speaking about Shivaratri and its celebration on the "Gupt Sadhak Shyama Khyapa" YouTube channel, despite your illness. To our viewers: please note that Guru Dev will not be able to be at "Shanti Kunj" regularly for the next month due to his health. We also request that you do not call the phone number provided on the channel outside of the specified hours. This is for the sake of Guru Devâs health, and we hope you will honor this request. Please subscribe to our channel, and like and share our videos. Pranam, Guru Dev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, son. Pranam.