Narrator:
Discussion with Gurudev and his disciples. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9QwB2jXG1g
Narrator:
This transcript provides an English translation and well-formatted record of the conversation, which involves a spiritual Guru and his disciples on the auspicious day of Ashtami.
Devotee:
Pranam (Salutations), Gurudev. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Devotee:
Gurudev, today is a very special day - it is the tithi of Ashtami.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, today is Ashtami.
Devotee:
Ashtami is a very auspicious moment, highly recommended for receiving spiritual initiation (diksha) and beginning auspicious work.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. We say, "Ashtamyam Mangala Dine, Chaturdashyam Tathapi Ba..." These are very auspicious days for initiation. Even though I don't strictly follow the almanac (panjika) - I usually give initiation to whoever comes immediately - today is indeed special.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This young man has come from quite far, from Krishnanagar. What is your name?
Devotee:
I first saw Gurudev on YouTube. Since then, I have considered him my Guru in my heart. Even when I performed my daily prayers and rituals at home, I would keep Gurudev in my mind. This is my first time meeting him in person, but in my heart, I had already accepted him. It was a long-held desire of mine to receive diksha from him. Today, by the grace and mercy of the Mother Goddess, that auspicious union has taken place. Receiving this initiation from Gurudev is an incomparable achievement for me. This wouldn't have been possible without Mother's blessings.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I felt his devotion, so I initiated him.
Devotee:
I heard that you have initiated three people today. You have applied the "kohl of knowledge" to their eyes. There is another person here who has come from Berhampore, isn't that right?
Devotee:
I first discovered Gurudev on Facebook, not YouTube. After listening to him, I felt a deep connection. Later, I found his YouTube link and started following him regularly. What drew me in most were his morning teachings. I began to remember him as my Guru every morning. I was waiting for the day I could finally receive initiation. Today, that hope has been 100% fulfilled. I feel a great sense of peace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Devotee:
There is one more person here. Please tell us your name.
Devotee:
My name is Tapan Sarkar. I have come from Kalimpong, though I have been working in South India for the past year. About a year ago, I saw Gurudev on YouTube and called him. I didn't know his address then, but I eventually found it. I arrived here last Monday. After speaking with Gurudev, he told me he would initiate me this Saturday. He kept his word and initiated me today. I feel very blessed and ask for his continued blessings.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Of course, you have them.
Devotee:
Gurudev, many people come to you for initiation. Recently, some came from Siliguri, and others from even further.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, just last night, someone from Bombay called me wanting initiation. He is non-Bengali. We spoke for a long time. He said he watches me on YouTube and wants to come for diksha during the Navratri before Durga Puja. People are coming from everywhere - Tripura, and even Bangladesh. Many young men from Bangladesh are eager to come, but they are currently stuck because trains and buses aren't running due to the lockdown. They are very anxious to get here. Among them are many Muslim youths who also have great respect for me.
Devotee:
Gurudev, on this auspicious day, many are receiving diksha. Our culture says the Guru applies the "kohl of knowledge" to take us from darkness to light. Could you explain the significance?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is true, but there is more to it. There are several chakras within the body. Initiation involves awakening these chakras with a touch. That is the true essence of diksha. Beyond that, I provide the Mother’s "seed mantra" (beej mantra). I work on the Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, the Kula-Kundalini, the Vishuddha, and the Ajna chakra - the "Third Eye." I try to help open that Third Eye. Many people take initiation, and I hear that some disciples in places like Kamakhya and Tarapith are performing very deep spiritual practices (sadhana) after receiving it. It makes me happy.
Devotee:
But after taking initiation, the disciple also has responsibilities, right?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people come to me already "prepared" by their past lives; they just need that final spark. I pray to the Mother that they stay happy and well, wherever they are in the world. The bond between Guru and disciple is very deep and subtle. This is the result of prarabhda - the fruits of past lives. Perhaps I was their Guru in a previous life, and they have been searching for me. Like that gentleman who found me all the way from South India.
Devotee:
I am very hopeful. I pray to Gurudev that I may always have unwavering devotion (achala bhakti) and never go astray.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Listen, those who truly believe in God and call upon Him cannot go down a wrong path. As long as you have faith, you will be protected. I am happy to see the younger generation awakening. They are doing good work and seeking spiritual roots. They will return to their lives and their jobs, but they will carry this practice with them.
Devotee:
If I may add to Gurudev's point - in today's world of globalization, we are all busy with our work. But if we look at the traditions of the past, even in the West, people are looking back at Indian culture and the Gurukul system. That tradition is almost lost here, but it has immense value. If we can combine modernity with our roots, it is a perfect combination. We need technology and progress, but if we sever our roots, we cannot survive as a people. That is why the Guru and the Vedic traditions are so essential today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are three "Kuls" (lineages): the maternal, the paternal, and the Guru-kul. When I took initiation from my Guru, Bamdab Baba, I promised him I would stay in the cremation grounds (shhmashana). I have lived in the shhmashana for 40 years now. I do go home occasionally with his permission, but most of my time is spent here in spiritual practice.
Devotee:
We see you here almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I follow my Guru's instructions to the letter. I firmly believe my Guru is still alive. I don't know what others see, but he still guides me. Some might call me mad, but I'll tell you a story. The great author Sanjib Chattopadhyay once wrote in a story called Tarapith Mahapith that Bamdab Baba still comes to Tarapith at midnight and chants "Tara! Tara!" Only those with a pure heart can hear it. I have heard it. I have heard that sound at midnight in Tarapith. I was inspired by such accounts to believe that my Gurudev has not left us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the end, it all comes down to devotion and faith (bhakti and shraddha). People today are so caught up in the struggle for survival that they forget these things. But those who come to me, like these young men, do keep up their practices. One is a devotee of Durga, another a devotee of Krishna, another a devotee of Tara. That is good.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, it is hard to find the right environment for sadhana nowadays. There are too many people everywhere - from Tarapith to Bakreshwar. There is no peace.
Devotee:
You often mention the three ideal places for practice.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes: Shhmashanae (cremation grounds), Prantore (open fields), or Shunyagare (an empty, quiet house). In such places, one can attain God very quickly. But the most important thing is a pure mind. You must clear the "clutter" and the "six enemies" (shada ripu) from your heart. If you call God with a pure heart, He will respond. In this age of Kali, it doesn't take much time for Him to respond if the call is sincere.
Devotee:
We have learned so much from you today. It was wonderful to see these three new disciples start their journey.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am getting many calls from the younger generation. I always ask them, "Can you uphold the weight of this initiation?" They insist that they want it.
Devotee:
Please bless us all, including those watching this virtually.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I must say one thing - a human being cannot truly give blessings. Only the Mother Goddess gives blessings. I take from Her and pass it on to others. If I think I am the one blessing, it breeds ego, and ego leads to a spiritual fall. I tell everyone: "Go to the Mother. Seek Her blessings." That is all you need.
Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.