Interviewer:
Welcome, viewers, to Shanti Kunj. As you know, this is Gurudev's YouTube channel, "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa." We encourage new viewers and those who have been with us for a long time to stay with us. Today, we begin this episode. Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, I have a question for you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, tell me. If I know the answer, I will tell you.
Interviewer:
If we look at the behavior of people todayâwhether my behavior or someone else'sâcould those actions, whether good or bad, be a reflection of a previous life?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, when we prepare a Thikuji Koshthi (astrological chart/horoscope), we mention which Yoni (birth form/species) the soul has come from. It could be Kukkur Yoni (dog), Harin Yoni (deer), Byaghra Yoni (tiger), Sarpa Yoni (snake), Nakul Yoni (mongoose)âpeople come into human form from various such forms. Do you understand?
Interviewer:
Yes.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, when we analyze the chart, we mention the Yoni origin. A person might come from a dog's form, a tiger's form, a lion's form, or a snake's form. It is often observed that a person's behavior matches the nature of that animal. For example, if someone comes from a dog's form, their behavior may have canine traits. If they come from a cat's form, they will exhibit cat-like behavior. Ordinary people might not try to understand this or feel the need to, but it is a significant factor. When we are born, the form we come from is mentioned. It could be any animal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What is observed is that whatever animal form a soul comes from, it tends to carry that nature. You have seen that there are 12 zodiac signsâAries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, and so on. Most of these are represented by animals. Their character often reflects those animals. This clarifies that the influence of a past life carries over into this life. Based on your karma, you are placed into different forms. From there, the lifespan might be 15, 20, or 30 years.
Interviewer:
Yes, the animal's lifespan.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Right. They cycle through these births. Some come from a human form, some from a deer, a tiger, etc. Their behaviors are quite fascinating to observe. Someone from a lion's form will have the nature of a lion. From a tiger's form, they act like a tiger. From a deer's form, they act like a deer. We observe this when people come to us; we look at their nature and can tell which form they originated from. Some are aggressive, while some from a snake's form are very cunning and strike from the shadows. Do you understand?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These things exist. There is also the influence of past merits and demerits. For instance, Bamdeb Baba had a dog named Kalu. Baba used to say, "Don't just call him Kalu; call him Kalu Baba." Kalu was a human in his past life. There was also a Shimal tree near where Baba used to sit; he said that tree was also a human.
Interviewer:
A tree can be a human too?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, a tree can be a human. When Bamdeb Baba set that tree on fire, he said, "There, I have given him liberation." That white Shimal tree was liberated when it burned down. Kalu Baba was always near him. Whenever Baba needed something, Kalu Baba would go and get it. Especially if Baba needed wine, Kalu Baba would go to the specific place and bring it.
Interviewer:
You call him Kalu Baba and say he was human. But in that life, he was an animalâa dog, a Sarmiya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He was born into the form of a dog. That's why Baba said not to call him just Kalu, but Kalu Baba. He would get angry if someone just said "Kalu." He'd say, "Call him Kalu Baba! He was a human in his past life and took the form of a dog in this one."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look at Ramakrishna Dev; he also had a dog. That dog would drink Ganges water and eat fruits and sweetsâwhatever was given to it. As far as I know, Ramakrishna said the same thingâthat the dog was human.
Interviewer:
So, because of the conduct and habits of the past lifeâwhich were goodâthe animal behaved that way when it was born?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. But I have observed that it's not just "bad karma" that leads to an animal birth like a dog or a tiger. It's a cycle. A person can be born as a human and then, due to bad karma, return to an animal form. It's not guaranteed that because I am a seeker today, I won't be born as a dog tomorrow. People say good karma leads to a human birth, but that's not always the case. I could be born as a dog, a tiger, a deer, or a snake.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When we prepare the astrological chart for a newborn, we state which form they have come from. It's a cycle through the 8.4 million species. Even if I do good work now, it doesn't mean I will definitely be born human again. I could be a dog, a snake, a tiger, or a mongoose.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look at the deeds of the saints. Someone once gave Bamdeb Baba a pair of wooden sandals (Kharam) to wear. Baba refused. When asked why, he said, "There is life within this wood. It was once a tree with a soul. How can I wear this?" He believed trees have life and even "blood" (sap). He never wore them. Trees have souls and can communicate like humans; there is no doubt about that.
Interviewer:
So, your view is that through this cycle, a human can transform into a tiger or any other animal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that is my personal observation. It's not something I've taken from others. Even in my own case, I can't say for sure that I won't be born as a dog in the next life.
Interviewer:
But Gurudev, my question was slightly different. There is a true story about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He had a dogâhe didn't exactly "keep" it as a pet, but it stayed near him. He would give it fruits and sweets, and it would drink only Ganges water. He realized that since it drank Ganges water and didn't touch filth, it must have had very good samskaras (impressions) from a past life.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I've already explained that to you.
Interviewer:
And he even gave that dog a nameâKaptan (Captain).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that happens. We also name our household dogs. When you call them by name, they come running because they understand. It's amazingâwhen you call a dog and it realizes, "This is my name," it comes to you regardless of where it is. Ramakrishna Dev likely understood this. He was a Brahma-gyani (one who knows the Supreme). Even when a cat would come to eat rice, he would say, "A human is eating, not a cat. Don't drive it away; let it eat."
Interviewer:
Meaning that cat was a human in a past life?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Possibly. Based on my research, I'm saying that even if I am a human now, I could be a dog or a snake in the next life. People think being born human once guarantees a human rebirth, but I disagree based on my analysis.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, since you are a disciple of Bamdeb Baba, and he called a dog "Kalu Baba" and insisted he was a human... today's human could be something else in the next life. That is your point.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It's not just a point; it's a hard truth I've discovered through my research.
Interviewer:
Could it be that the dog Ramakrishna kept had human-like behaviors because it was a human previously?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As I said, souls come from various forms. It could have been human. Its behavior suggests it was a good humanâwhy else would it drink Ganges water? Dogs usually eat anything and drink from anywhere, but this one only drank from the Ganges. This proves it was a great soul in a past life.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In my study of astrological charts, I've seen that no matter how good your work is, you have to pass through various forms. That is the divine law. You could do good work and still be born as a dog, a cat, or a snake. It is written in the chart where you came from. It shows that a soul must rotate through the 8.4 million species before taking a human birth, and from a human birth, it can go back to another form.
Interviewer:
If that's the case, Gurudev, let me ask you this. About three years ago, you did an episode on your channel, which was then called "Hiranyagarbha." In that episode, you spoke about your own past life. You mentioned you lived on the banks of the Ganges and had a specific nameâI've forgotten it. So, if we are cycling through millions of forms, how were you a human in your previous life too?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I was a Parivrajaka (wandering monk). My name was Swami Satyananda Saraswati. I was a monk. Perhaps because we call upon God so much, we might get a human birth again. God might designate a place for us. I think I will have one more birthâat most one. There is a small gap left; it won't end with this life.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When Ramakrishna was asked if that was his last birth, he didn't give a direct "yes." He said, "I will be born in the South, in some place." He couldn't say for sure it was the end. We also say we will be born again, but where is not certain yet.
Interviewer:
You might tell us one day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Perhaps. I've verified my past life through deep analysis. I was a Parivrajaka, a wandering monk who traveled to various pilgrimage sites. This is a memory I carry. In this life, I have a family; in the next, I might not. That is God's play.
Interviewer:
Well, Gurudev, it was wonderful hearing your thoughts. We will end today's session here at Shanti Kunj by offering our respects to Bamdeb Baba. Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings. Greetings.