Narrator:
Vijaya wishes in story words || By Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khyapa YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNEe4Sp-LPo
Narrator:
Here is a clean, punctuated, well-formatted, and accurate English translation of the raw Bengali transcript. I have assigned speaker labels (Host and Gurudev) to make the conversation easy to follow.
Narrator:
[Music]
Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, Pranam.
Devotee:
Gurudev, today is Bijoya Dashami.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
May everyone spend Bijoya Dashami well.
Devotee:
If you could share a message for everyone?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As for a message, look, I always wish the best for everyone. My message is just that-I want everyone to be well. Today is Bijoya Dashami, but the sky has been gloomy since morning. It has been raining for quite a while. People came from far away; they arrived and stayed for a little bit. Some came all the way from Raniganj, but they couldn't stay. They waited for the rain to stop so they could leave. They were restless, wanting to see me, and anyway, they managed to get darshan (a glimpse/blessing) even after coming from Raniganj, so it's fine.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I will pray to God. The Goddess arrived on an elephant and is departing on a palanquin (dola). There is a lot to fear; many things can happen. But just because it can happen doesn't mean it absolutely will. I know the traditional astrological calculations-it brings neither a son nor a daughter, just destruction. That's what I know. That is why I say, let the cycle of life and death continue as it does. Let the Mother be immersed in the water.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Meanwhile, winter is slowly approaching. The cold will gradually set in. People have become exhausted and overwhelmed. Yet, amidst all this, everyone just wants to survive. Isn't that right? Everyone wants to live. My prayer to the Mother is: "Mother, look after everyone. Please make sure their livelihood and daily bread are not stopped. Provide them with work, Mother." What else can I say?
Devotee:
No, that is wonderful. I hope all of you watching are doing well. After a long time, Gurudev has appeared today on the "Gupto Sadhok Shyamakhapa 2.0" channel. For the viewers of this channel, I want to inform you that Gurudev was very unwell for quite some time. He had to be admitted to the nursing home multiple times. I won't say he is completely healthy yet; he is at home and still undergoing treatment. We wanted to let you know this because Gurudev is appearing on this channel after a long gap.
Devotee:
Since you are here after so long, Gurudev, I have a request. We had started the "Dashavatar" (Ten Avatars) series on this channel, and we still have a few Avatars left to discuss, which Gurudev will definitely talk about later. But today, I want to pivot to something else. Since I've got Gurudev here today on Bijoya Dashami after such a long time, I want to ask him to tell us a story. Let's listen to a story, and let the audience hear one too.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Oh, you want to hear a story? A little story? Have you ever been to Banaras (Varanasi)?
Devotee:
I have been to Banaras, but not exactly in that spiritual sense. Just casually.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There was a man there named Kinaram Babu.
Devotee:
Okay.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Today, there is a place named the Kinaram Estate, and people go there to visit.
Devotee:
I see.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Kinaram Babu was a remarkably powerful man, but no one really knew it. He always carried a small stick tucked under his arm. He would just wander around. One day, a woman came to the famous saint Tulsidas. She came to show him her palm because she wasn't having children for a long time. She asked him, "When will I have a child?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas looked at her palm and said, "You will not have a child for three lifetimes."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The woman burst into tears. Three lifetimes! Meaning this life, the next life, and the life after that. She wouldn't have a child for three whole lifetimes. She wept bitterly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But Tulsidas said, "There is nothing to be done. I cannot do anything. Even though I am the guru of your family lineage, I cannot change this. You will have to spend these three lifetimes without a child."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The woman was crying uncontrollably. Her friend had accompanied her, and realizing there was no point in sitting there anymore since the Guru had given his verdict, they started walking back.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As they were slowly walking through the forest area, they suddenly crossed paths with Kinaram Babu. From a distance, he saw a woman coming towards him, crying. He didn't know her, so he asked, "Mother, why are you crying?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
She explained, "I went to my Gurudev, and he told me I won't have a child for three lifetimes."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Kinaram Babu asked, "Who is your Gurudev?" She replied, "Tulsidas." He said, "Oh my, he has declared a huge thing-no child for three lifetimes!" Then he said, "Mother, turn your back toward me."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He took out the small stick from under his arm and struck her back three times. With those three strikes, he said, "Go, you will have a child this very year. You will have a child in this lifetime. I have just crossed out your three lifetimes. He said you wouldn't have a child for three lifetimes? I just passed those three lifetimes for you. You will have a child in this very life."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
She was utterly amazed. Who would she believe? Her Gurudev, or this stranger, Kinaram Babu? Anyway, she went back home.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shortly after, she actually had a child! When the baby was born, she remembered Kinaram Babu's words. But Kinaram Babu was practically impossible to find; even if someone searched frantically, they wouldn't find him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, she took her baby in her arms and went straight to Tulsidas. She said, "Gurudev, you said I wouldn't have a child for three lifetimes. How did I have a child in this very life?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then she told him the story: "I was walking back, and a gentleman carrying a stick under his arm saw me crying. He asked what happened. When I told him, he said, 'No, no, you will have a child in this life. I am striking away your three lifetimes with my cane.' So, I had this child. Please bless him; that is why I came to you."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas lowered his head. He didn't know the man by face or name, but he had heard about Kinaram Babu and his estate there. It clicked in his head-it could be none other than Kinaram Babu. The place Kinaram Estate still exists today; if you go there, you can see it.
Devotee:
Gurudev, is this possible?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I don't know if it's considered possible or impossible, but it is a true story. I can tell you this much-it is a true event. So, she had the child, and her friends and family started celebrating joyously. And Tulsidas lowered his head in humility. He had been defeated by Kinaram Babu. He didn't question Kinaram Babu or call for him, but he realized, "There is someone far greater than me out there. Someone who can cross out three lifetimes with three strikes of a stick-what kind of man is this? He is no ordinary person." And that was the end of the matter.
Devotee:
Gurudev, who was Kinaram Babu? Was he a Yogi or a Siddha (perfected being)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That cannot be said. You cannot understand who a person truly is just by looking at them from the outside. Just like our Lahiri Babu [Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya]. No one in his lifetime could fully comprehend him. He was a Yogiraj-the King of Yogis. Even his wife couldn't understand him at first. Once, when she was sleeping next to him at night, she woke up and saw that his head was touching the ceiling, and his body was glowing. His wife was shocked. This is a kriya (yogic manifestation). They were born as Siddha Purushas (perfected souls). You cannot casually explain them. But this event truly happened.
Devotee:
Gurudev, please forgive me, but since you grant us fearlessness, I want to say something. You just mentioned how Shyamacharan Lahiri's wife saw him in that state. I have never seen you like that, as I came to you much later, but I have heard that a similar incident happened with you as well. Someone accidentally saw you in a similar state, got terrified, and-
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, that did happen. I won't deny it. Next to my prayer room, there was a clothing shop (Jama-kapor). A boy used to work there. I would usually do my spiritual practices with the door closed. One day, for some reason, the boy opened the door without knocking. He didn't see me on the ground. He looked up and saw me suspended in the air. He was terrified. Absolutely horrified. He left the door wide open, ran away, and told his boss. They scolded him, saying, "Why did you open the door? What was the need? Don't ever touch that door." So, yes, this incident happened to me.
Devotee:
I actually saw that gentleman once when he came to the temple to visit you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, he is still alive. Tell me, what else should I talk about?
Devotee:
Please tell us another story.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Another story? Do you know the other story about Tulsidas?
Devotee:
Please tell us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As I said, Tulsidas lived in Banaras. He used to recite the Ramayana daily. Every day, he would perform a water offering (Jal-shuddhi), and whatever holy water was left over, he would pour it at the base of a nearby banyan tree. By constantly receiving this holy water, the banyan tree grew massive.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Meanwhile, Tulsidas continued his routine of reciting the Ramayana morning and evening. One day, Tulsidas was walking, looking very absent-minded and troubled. He was thinking, "If only Hanumanji would grant me a vision (darshan), it would be so wonderful. I recite his texts so much, but he never reveals himself to me."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As he was walking, lost in thought, the banyan tree (which had gained consciousness) understood his turmoil. The tree asked, "Why are you so worried? What happened, Tulsidas?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas replied, "Nothing much. I was just thinking about Him. It would be nice if He gave me a vision."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The tree said, "You won't be able to find Him on your own. But I can give you the exact address of where to find Him."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas eagerly set his water pot down and sat near the tree. "Tell me! Tell me quickly!"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The tree said, "Look, when you sit down to recite the Ramayana, pay attention to the very first person who comes and sits down. And notice who is the last person to leave, filled with immense joy, after the recitation is over. Just think about that person. I won't say anything more."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas wondered, "Who could this person be that can show me Hanumanji? Let's see." Because he thought this person must be a great seeker. But what does it mean to be a seeker in this context? The person was Hanumanji himself! He came to listen to the Ramayana regularly but never said a word to anyone, not even to Tulsidas. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas kept a close watch for a few days. He realized the tree had spoken the absolute truth. A certain gentleman would arrive first, stay till the end, and then leave with great joy. Tulsidas thought, "I will catch him this time. Following the tree's advice, if I catch him, something might happen."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The next time, as soon as the man arrived, Tulsidas threw himself at his feet and held onto his legs tightly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The man said, "What are you doing? A great man like you is falling at my feet?" He tried to pull his feet away.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But Tulsidas refused to let go. "I will not let go of your feet today! You have to show me Hanumanji!"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The man played dumb. "That's impossible! How could I do that? I don't know anything about that. I can't do it. Let me go!"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But Tulsidas wouldn't let go. Much later, finally yielding, the man revealed himself in the divine form of Hanumanji. He said, "I am that Hanuman. I used to come to listen to your Ramayana recitations, and I was deeply satisfied with your devotion. Keep reciting. But I will not come here anymore."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tulsidas asked, "Why won't you come?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hanumanji replied, "Because I have been caught. I've been caught by you, so I will never come back here. I have given you my darshan." Hanumanji assumed his true form, blessed Tulsidas, and left. And he never returned. This is another true event.
Devotee:
So, if one calls God with pure devotion from the heart, He does grant a vision?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, He doesn't grant a vision just like that, but He provides a way. In this case, because the banyan tree had grown strong on the holy water and always kept an eye out for Tulsidas's well-being, it became the medium. This is the story. Two stories about Tulsidas.
Devotee:
You all just heard these stories. I hope you enjoyed them. I personally love the sweet way Gurudev narrates these tales. Anyway, while talking, I accidentally revealed some hidden secrets about Gurudev. Please forgive me, Gurudev, for saying that in front of the audience.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Oh, that's not a big deal, brother. It doesn't matter. Besides, it was someone else who saw me; I didn't see myself, nor do I really know. But it is true that the boy comes to me with such deep reverence, touching my feet, thinking I am probably God.
Devotee:
But you are God, Gurudev!
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The boy thinks I am God...
Devotee:
I have seen it with my own eyes. People come and say, "You are our God, you are our God."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is a different matter.
Devotee:
You yourself once said that humans become God. Humans become Avatars. I heard that from you. Humans become deities.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, yes, that is true. Humans become deities, they become Avatars. That is a fact. Chaitanya Dev was a human, and he became an Avatar. Anyone you look at-they were all humans first. Through the power of their penance (tapasya), they reached that state and became Avatars. Whether you talk about Ramprasad or Ramakrishna-all of them were ordinary humans in their childhood, and later they became Avatars. Everyone is forced to acknowledge them as Avatars. It's nothing new; it has always happened. Humans become Avatars, and people worship them as God.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Just today, I was looking at Sitanath Omkarnath [Sitaramdas Omkarnath]... seeing him fills the heart with joy. I have nothing left; I couldn't achieve anything.
Devotee:
The person you just mentioned, I had the good fortune of seeing him face-to-face when I was very young. I've told you this before-I saw him being carried on the shoulders of one of his disciples. He was wearing just a kopin (loincloth), bare-chested, and his feet were dangling. When I look at your feet, it reminds me of the first time I saw his feet. That's why I often text you saying, "Thakur's feet... if I could just get to touch Thakur's feet, it would be wonderful."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
(Laughs heartily) But this has just started happening! My feet weren't like this before. As time goes on, they are taking on that shape. They are becoming like Sitaramdas Omkarnath's feet. What is happening and how, what can I say?
Devotee:
Let it be. It feels wonderful. I love it. Even receiving this little bit of blessing from you means everything to me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These are true events. Look, these are all facts. None of this is a lie.
Devotee:
Today, through our conversation, one topic led to another, and many things came to light. I asked questions, Gurudev answered, and you all listened. I hope you liked it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no reason not to like it, because these are true stories. Both are true. Those who know will corroborate it. Many have visited the Kinaram Estate. The place where Tulsidas recited the Ramayana still exists; the place hasn't died. The truth remains the truth. We often think there is nothing left, but everything is still there. My best wishes for Bijoya Dashami to everyone. I send my love. Stay well, stay healthy.
Devotee:
Pranam, definitely, Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Baba, Pranam.