A woman out of the ordinary, without the back-up of any long lineage or a traditional monastic set-up; a Sanyasini without a Guru but her inner Self as her guide; since childhood, in communion with Durga-Ma, the Goddess riding a lion, teaching her how to heal and ease the miseries of people.

In Hindu mythology Goddess Durga is Shiva's consort and the mother of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Karttikeya. She represents the primordial energy (Sk.shakti), being the manifested power of the unmanifested Consciousness (Sk .chit) and Existence (Sk.sat).

Commonly known as Mataji, Kumari Cintury (38) has dedicated her life to help the people of Darjeeling hills, in her own unique ways involving spiritual insight, also concerning knowledge of indigenous medicinal plants. Her temple has space for beliefs and rituals from Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity and her devotees come from all caste and creed of the area.

Interviewer: Please tell us about your early life.

Mataji:

When I was in my mother's womb she felt unusual sensations, being under the impression that something other than a child was in her womb. I was born after seven months, as the second of four children.

As a child I had many dreams, seeing myself worshipping in caves along with tigers, lions and other animals around. I was born and brought up in Sonada, 15 km from Darjeeling. My school studies did not go very well because of the numerous spiritual experiences which came in the way.

When I was worshipping at home my body was moving involuntarily, and people thought I was crazy. My mother believed I was acting and sometimes even hit me. All family members used to eat meet and eggs from which I fell sick. My mother was illiterate but went to an astrologer who lived in Bagdhara in Kalimpong. The astrologer told my mother not to give me meet and eggs, saying that my body was filled with 'Devi' (the Goddess). She requested her not to hit me and taught me how to perform certain rituals. She also calculated the exact date when I would have to open my own temple of worship.

Interviewer: Where did you receive your spiritual education?

Mataji: Twice I disappeared physically during sleep, once for 21 days at the age of fifteen and again for 11 days at the age of nineteen. My family was looking for me all over, even involved the police in search for me. An astrologer told my family that I would return on my own and nobody should look for me.

During these periods I was worshipping Goddess Durga mostly in an unconscious state. I was aware of her presence as well as of the presence of her nine entourages. They taught me the art of mantra and worship. Only once I awoke from my slumber because it was raining and my condition was disturbed by raindrops falling on my body. I looked around and found myself f on a tree overlooking a graveyard. I felt very frightened and started weeping till I lost my consciousness again, falling into the same dreamy condition of being taught by Goddess Durga.

After I returned from this initiation I opened a small temple in Sonada. I was sixteen years old then. But people's disbelief led me to Darjeeling where I was helped by many to construct the present temple. Then, from my age of seventeen I became a Mataji.

 Interviewer: How do you diagnose and treat patients?

Mataji: When I look into my mala (rosary) the Goddess is there to tell me the problem of the patient. The advice given can be anything, from reciting a mantra to sending them to a naturopath or a biomedical practitioner, or even for surgery.

In India even today a lot of diseases are caused by black magic. People go to a tantric practitioner and against payment ask him to transfer illness to a certain person, which is possible if the tantric is given some hair, nails or a piece of cloth of the person. I am able to detect if black magic is involved in an illness and neutralise it through mantras and prayers. The source of the black magic evoked by the tantric is mostly the dark side of Goddess Kali. I have been given a special mantra to protect myself while I work against the magic spells, because in the past they have been directing their attack to me. For a whole day and night I have to recite a mantra for protection before counteracting the spell.

I also treat epilepsy during early stages, successfully. If the disease is old I cannot do anything. Epilepsy involves a significant disturbance of the subtle body which is hard to cure.

In the temple we also hold regularly a fire puja called homa. It is an offering of special substances into the fire along with prayers to pacify disturbing planetary influences. It is meant for the peace of this world, but some o f the devotees also hold clothes of patients into the smoke to transfer the blessings to the sick.

Diseases caused by karma from previous life times cannot be cured. The karma has to be 'repaid'. But I give advice to the patients on how to improve the condition and ease their pain.

In my dreams I sometimes see medicinal plants, tree barks, etc., and am taught how to prepare certain remedies. The plants are common to this region and I prepare their powder for internal and external use, such as for stomach ulcers, piles, rheumatism, arthritic pains, etc. During the preparation I use mantras and prayers to sanctify the medicines.

Interviewer: What are your wishes for the future?

Mataji: I want to build a home for destitute children and also to grow medicinal plants in an area which through my prayers will spiritually enrich the soil and the medicines made out of plants from there.

Interviewer: What message would you like to give to the people?

Mataji: Spirituality in a person can best be achieved through service and devotion to the poor, the weak and the sick. Prayers can strengthen us to do this better. My prayers are always there with those who wish to follow this path.