Speaker 1:
We have arrived at the Samadhi Temple of Bamdev. Now, we will hear some words from Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, we are here at Bamdev Baba's temple. This very place you see used to be Bamdev Baba's ancestral home. He lived right here. Over in that corner, there was a silk cotton tree. That was the spot where Mother Goddess appeared to him. Baba used to stay here; it was a small hut with a thatched roof. This was actually his original dwelling place.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Before Baba passed away, he had told Logen Kaka (Uncle Logen) about this spot. He specifically pointed out this area and said that he should be given Samadhi (buried) right here. When he passed, the local collector came, and there was quite a bit of trouble and disagreement about whether he should be buried or cremated. Eventually, he was buried here in a seated position.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It was in this very spot that Baba had a vision of the Mother Goddess. He told Logen Kaka that he wanted to be placed here. He had lived here for many years. When he was around 50 years old, the Queen of Bardhaman officially gave him this land. He had built the hut with his own hands.
Speaker 1:
Could you tell us a bit about his Dehotyag (the act of leaving the body/passing)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Baba had a vision of the Mother here. He saw her in the moon. She was calling out to him, saying, "Bama, come to me! Bama, come!" It was evening, and the Arati (ritual of lights) was being performed in the temple. Suddenly, during the ritual, the Arati plate fell from the Mother's hand. Everyone realized something was wrong.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It was then discovered that Bamdev Baba had left his body. His skull had split at the crown (Brahmarandhra) while he was in a seated meditation posture. He was buried in that same seated position. There was a lot of confusion, but the Collector arrived to mediate. He saw Baba's footprints and then asked Logen Kaka where Baba had requested to be placed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Logen Kaka showed them this spot. They dug the ground and placed Baba there in his seated posture. His trident, his clothes, and all his belongings were buried with him. Now, a beautiful temple has been built over it. This is Baba's final resting place, and this area where we are sitting was once his home.