What to do in Ambubachi? What not to do?

[00:00 - 00:26] Intro Segment

Guru: We often say that Mother Earth is menstruating; she is going through her cycle. Mother needs three days of rest. And all those things you see, like covering the Mother’s face with a cloth—these don't have any actual logical basis.

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[00:26 - 00:54] Greeting and Introduction

Guru: Greetings, greetings, my son.

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[00:55 - 01:44] The Meaning of 'Ambubachi'

Guru: I don’t know if you know the meaning of the word "Ambu." First, we must understand the word "Ambubachi." Ambu means water. Michael Madhusudan Dutt mentioned this in one of his sonnets. He was the only one to use it this way: "Kina jane Ambubimbo, Ambu mukhe sadyo pati" (referencing a classic poetic line).

So, Ambu means water. Bachi refers to an observance or a rule to follow. To live according to the rules of the water cycle—that is Ambubachi. There is no other complex scientific or philosophical explanation beyond this. This is the main point: following the flow of water.

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[01:45 - 02:59] Seasonal Transition and Poetry

Guru: Even our poets have written about it: "Chaitre chita bhasma uraye, juraiya jara pitti / Trina-ankure sanchari ras, madhu-rase bhore bitti." This refers to the month of Chaitra. We call Chaitra the "burning month" because of its intense heat. After this scorching heat, the rains come.

We say the "burning month" is over, and the "sweet month" (the month of rain) has begun. Look at the intense heat we’ve had—the grass and buds cannot grow because there is no water.

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[03:00 - 03:55] Mother Earth’s "Menstruation"

Guru: During the Ambubachi period, under the Ardra Nakshatra (a specific lunar mansion), Mother Earth—or rather, the Earth—is said to menstruate. Everyone knows what this means. It implies that for these three days, the Earth is "unwell." We say she is unwell, just as Lord Jagannath is said to be unwell for fifteen days. Even gods can be "sick."

Because we practice Mother-worship (Shakti), we do not want to disturb her during this time.

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[03:56 - 05:05] Scientific and Agricultural Basis

Guru: We tell everyone: do not wound the soil. Those new buds and grass that will grow from the rain will be destroyed if the soil is dug or plowed. This is why we repeatedly say—and this is scientific—do not hurt the soil.

Farmers follow this strictly. They respect the plow because seeds are sown through it. We have a saying: "Guhye om halevyo bije vyo namah"—meaning the plow and the seed exist side-by-side. Without the plow, you cannot sow. So, we say Mother is menstruating; do not disturb her. Let her be alone.

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[05:06 - 06:08] Comparison to Human Traditions

Guru: When women in our homes are on their cycle, mothers often forbid them from going to certain places or performing puja. They teach that Mother Earth is resting. We have merged Mother and Nature; there is no difference between the two. If Nature is menstruating, so is the Mother. And without this cycle, nothing can be created. For a child to be born, this cycle is necessary. Similarly, for the grass and buds to grow, this rest is essential.

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[06:09 - 07:30] Protecting the Earth

Guru: There was no water before, but now the rain is falling. In this "sweet month," the buds are sprouting. It’s purely scientific. That’s why we say: don’t wound the Earth, don’t plow, and don’t dig with a shovel. If you do, the budding life will be destroyed instantly. This is the only reason.

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[07:31 - 08:50] Critique of Superstitious Rituals

Guru: Mother is menstruating—give her three days of rest. But all this other stuff—covering the face with a cloth—is illogical. Why would a menstruating woman walk around with a veil over her head like that? These are inventions by priests for their own interests. They’ve introduced these unnecessary "unclean" concepts.

I was at the Kamakhya Temple during Ambubachi once. I stayed at the main priest's house. I asked him, "Does the water really turn red?" (referring to the myth that the temple's water turns red during this time).

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[08:51 - 10:25] Commercialization and Deception

Guru: The water where Mother resides is deep underground. There are many tall tales. People buy red cloth, spread it out, and the next day they cut it into small pieces and sell them for 100 rupees. I have seen this with my own eyes. I don't believe in that.

I only believe that Mother Nature is menstruating. Therefore, be careful. Do not hurt Nature. Hurting Nature is hurting the Mother. And without this cycle, there is no creation.

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[10:26 - 12:50] Summary of Advice

Guru: Forget all these other rules. There is no need to cover the Mother’s face or avoid looking at her. That is all nonsense. I say: do everything. Do your puja and your rituals. Just don't wound the Earth. Nowhere is it written that you cannot worship.

However, we who practice Tantra take three days off. We don't do anything because Mother is resting, and we don't want to disturb her even by calling out to her through prayer.

Guru: No, we stop everything. Chanting would disturb her. So, we take a three-day holiday. Ambubachi simply means honoring the water—the new rain that acts like honey for the new life in the soil.

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[12:51 - 13:35] Conclusion

Guru: Yes, but as I said, much of that has become a commercial spectacle. I've even seen land being sold there during the festival. It’s sad to see how low people have stooped. I can't stand it, so I usually keep quiet to avoid arguments.

Guru: Exactly. It is a geographical, scientific, and philosophical explanation. Nothing more.

Guru: Greetings, my son.