Interviewer:
Gurudev, my respects.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, child.
Interviewer:
Today at Shanti Kunj, Shivratri is being celebrated. We can see a large gathering of devotees here. You celebrate Shivratri like this every year. Please tell us something about today's occasion.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There isn't much to say; it happens every year. Many women come from outside to offer water. I usually forbid it, as this is a cremation ground (shamshan), and I don't think women should come here. But who listens? They come, offer water to Shiva, and leave. There will be Homa (sacrificial fire) rituals and prayers throughout the night, starting from 10:00 PM.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, I have a question. Lord Shiva is installed in the temple, but since this is a cremation ground, is it appropriate for women to offer water here?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they can. There is no bar. Bama Deb Baba is here. Today is also Bama Deb Baba's birthday. Offering water to Shiva today is akin to offering water to Bama Deb. The main thing is that we are celebrating Bama Deb Baba's birthday alongside Shivratri.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, we know that Bama Deb is one of the many names of Lord Shiva. Is the Bama Deb of Tarapeeth the same?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is not exactly like that. There are four types of worship: Ishana, Aghora, Bama, and Sadyojata. In that sense, they are related. He was born at Tarapeeth as Bama Deb, a form of the sage Vashistha, to protect the sacred stone (shila) that Vashistha had brought. That is why when Bama Deb is worshipped, the name of Vashistha is invoked. He is essentially a form of Vashistha himself.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, the Homa is ongoing; there was one in the morning and another this afternoon.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, many Homa rituals will take place today. The boys will perform a very large one tonight. For us here at Shanti Kunj, our greatest treasure is the Homa. We focus on the sacrificial fire and the prayers.
Interviewer:
Even though it is a small temple without much pomp and show...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, I do not believe in pompous worship. It breeds ego. Pompous rituals bring pride to the mind. We do things our own way—simple and authentic. This is a cremation ground, a place of dissolution (laya), and we always keep that in mind. No worldly splendor works here. The simpler it is, the better. We installed Shiva, Narayana, and the Mother here for this reason. People used to be afraid, but now they come in crowds. It is their wish, and we don't demand anything from them. This place is still pure because money hasn't corrupted it yet. I have kept it that way; I don't know what will happen when I am gone.
Interviewer:
Friends, you see the garland around Gurudev's neck, placed there by a devotee. Many see him as a form of Shiva or Mother Tara. That is a matter of personal belief. Gurudev has been here since morning.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Every cremation ground has a Shamshan Bhairav (protector deity). People here call me that because I stay here. People from far away come here because they love and respect this place.
Interviewer:
Many have traveled from far today. We will show you the devotees and the Homa rituals, and then return to Gurudev.
Interviewer:
In our temple, women are never considered untouchable; that is Gurudev's instruction. Today, you can see a woman performing the Homa ritual.
Interviewer:
On the occasion of Shivratri, Baba's Prasad (blessed food) is being prepared. You can see two women preparing the offerings.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you mentioned a lack of pomp, but we see a large food offering (Bhog) being prepared.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tonight, there are four stages of worship. We cannot offer the same food every time. Sometimes it is fried bread and potato curry (Luchi-Alur Dom), sometimes fruits, and sometimes sweets. After each stage of prayer, the food is distributed, and fresh offerings are made for the next stage.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The worship follows the four forms: Ishana, Aghora, Bama, and Sadyojata. Sadyojata has a special story. When the Mother Goddess took a fierce form and everything she stepped on caught fire, Lord Shiva took the form of a newborn (Sadyojata) and lay on her path. When the Mother saw the crying infant, her anger vanished, and she picked him up to breastfeed him, becoming as serene as Mahalakshmi.
Interviewer:
One more question, Gurudev. Another name for Mahadeva is 'Vyomkesh,' meaning his hair is vast like the sky. Is that true?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those are mythological descriptions.
Interviewer:
If his hair is that vast, his body must be large enough to encompass the world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Indeed, his body is immense. In the legends of Kedarnath, when Bhim tried to catch Shiva, his body was found across five different locations (Panch Kedar). If his body is that large, his hair would be as well.
Interviewer:
It was wonderful to hear these stories and learn about the rituals today. My respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.