Narrator:
Viewers, you are watching Gurudev perform the Annaprashan (first rice-eating ceremony) for another small child today. We are approaching him now.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Om Brahmo-vachaha... Brahma-tapobhimana Mantrasya... Brahmarshi... (Chanting continues with various invocations to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara, invoking the Vedic and Gayatri mantras for the ritual).
Interviewer:
I have come to Gurudev once again. Gurudev, I see another child today who will receive their first grain of rice from your hands. I have a question I've been wanting to ask. I saw another ceremony like this a few days ago where you fed a child. Why is it that parents of children born through the "Mother's Grace" (divine blessing) specifically want you to feed them the first bite of rice? Is there a special reason for this sentiment?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You see, many people come to us. So many, in fact, that we have to keep a record and schedule them. We call them and say, "Come tomorrow," or "It's your turn now." There are many who have children after great difficulty.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When people come to us, the first thing we ask is, "Have you seen a doctor?" If they haven't seen a doctor, we can't do much. But when the doctor says "No" (that medical science has reached its limit), people find some hope with us. Most of the time, doctors have already told them it's impossible.
Interviewer:
Right.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The common issues doctors mention are low sperm count or issues with the eggs not maturing or bursting. This is what we see most frequently. In such cases, science might fail, but spiritual practice offers a path.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We tell them to ask the Divine. This is done according to Vedic rites. The fire you see burning here is Jagdev (living fire)—it is a part of the Vedas. Homa (fire ritual) must be done by reciting Vedic hymns. We follow the Vedic method. We don't use Tantric methods alone. We combine the two. You've heard of Nityananda Maharaj and Nigamananda Maharaj? They were disciples of Bamdeb Baba. They used to say one thing: always try to combine Tantric and Vedic methods. If you do that, the work will be successful.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It's an amazing thing. Durgaprasanna Paramhansa said the same thing. Once, a person went to him for permission to do a certain work. He said, "Yes, you can do it, but on one condition: it must be both Vedic and Tantric. If you can do that, you will succeed." There was a cholera outbreak in Bangladesh back then. Everyone went to him and pleaded, "Gurudev, please save us."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He told them, "If you do this, the village will be saved." He performed a combination of Vedic Homa and Tantric rituals. The village was saved, but not a single member of his own family survived. When he returned home after finishing the ritual, he found his mother, his wife—everyone had passed away. No one was left in his lineage. It was incredibly pathetic. He saved the village, but lost everyone of his own.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He went back to his Guru and told him what happened. The Guru said, "You went to do public good. You will receive the good, but you must also accept the bad. You saved the public, so you had to lose something." We use both Tantric and Vedic mantras. As we light the fire, we recite: Agni Prajwalityam Vande Jatavedam Hutasanam... (Reciting the Sanskrit hymn to the God of Fire).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We use both. It makes the hair on one's arms stand up. I didn't know these things before, but I learned that the fire is Jataveda. All the mantras are based on the Vedas. I realized he (the Guru) was right. By applying these methods, children are being born to those who thought they couldn't have them. I don't want to publicize this too much, or people will swarm me from everywhere.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, one small thing. You mentioned the ritual, and you often sit at a distance while the Homa is performed. Does your presence play a hidden role?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, certainly. When we go to perform a Homa, we first have to visit the Shamshan (cremation ground). It is said that before starting the Homa, you must stand at the cremation ground and perform certain tasks. Only then can you come and begin.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Even now, that is done. If you observe, before he (the disciple) sits for the ritual, he goes upstairs. If there is a "body" (referring to a spiritual presence), it's good; if not, it's still okay. But he goes. It is my instruction: go there, finish the work, and then come and start the Vedic ritual. The combination of Tantric and Vedic work will always yield results. This is what Gurudev taught.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I follow the lineage of three generations: Bamdeb Baba, Nityananda, and Durgaprasanna Paramhansa. They are our foundation.
Interviewer:
That is wonderful to hear. So, the core reason is that since these children are born through the Mother's blessing and your guidance, the parents feel a sentiment that if you feed them the first grain of rice, it completes the blessing.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They often say, "Dadu (Grandfather), the child is here because of you. If you feed them the first bite, we will be so happy." We don't take money for this. We use the Bhog (offering) from the temple. We make a little Payesh (rice pudding). I tell them to bring some milk and rice. We use about 250 grams of milk and the rice they provide to make the Payesh for the baby.
Interviewer:
I see. Thank you, Gurudev. This is what I wanted to know today. My respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bless you.
Narrator:
That's all for today, viewers. We saw how these rituals bridge the gap between the ancient traditions and the modern world.