Host:
Friends, Namaste! On this beautiful evening, I start today's episode by paying my respects to the Mother and Father at Shantiganj. Welcome to all new viewers of the Gupta Sadhak Shyamakapa YouTube channel, and thank you to our long-time friends for staying with us. Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings, my son.
Host:
Gurudev, we see many devotees in this world whose hearts are filled with genuine devotion. On the other hand, we also see people who put on a show of devotion just to impress others. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Genuine devotion is internal, my son. What you said is correct. Some people do it just for show—to show everyone how big a devotee they are. But a real devotee doesn't show off. Their actions and character reveal their devotion to the Mother or the Almighty. You are right.
Host:
Yes, Gurudev. Since you are known for your wonderful storytelling, I was hoping you could tell us a story about the different types of devotees—those who show off versus those with true internal devotion.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Alright, let me tell you a story. Once, there was a learned Brahmin who set out on a pilgrimage. During his journey, he first encountered a cobbler. This cobbler made shoes and sold them at a very low price, taking only as much as he needed to buy food for survival. The cobbler treated the Brahmin with great respect, feeding him and taking care of him. When the Brahmin was about to leave for his pilgrimage, the cobbler said, "I have an offering for Mother Ganges. Could you please offer this on my behalf?" The Brahmin agreed, took the offering, and continued on his way.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Brahmin reached the Ganges, completed his rituals, and bathed. He had almost forgotten about the cobbler's request, but as he was leaving, he remembered. He thought, "Oh, the cobbler gave me an offering for Mother Ganges." He took the offering and threw it into the water. Immediately, two hands rose from the water and accepted the offering. The Brahmin was stunned. He thought, "Did Mother Ganges herself accept this? I made the offering in her name, and she truly received it." He was left with a lingering confusion in his mind.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
On his way back, he met the cobbler again. The cobbler asked, "Gurudev, you have returned from your pilgrimage. Did you give my offering to Mother Ganges?" The Brahmin replied, "Yes, yes, I gave it. Don't worry." The cobbler then fed the Brahmin again. He felt he should give the Brahmin a donation for the meal. The cobbler had a tub of water that he used to soak leather while chanting the name of Mother Ganges. He dipped his hand into that same tub of water and pulled out a beautiful golden bangle. He gave it to the Brahmin and said, "Please take this as a humble donation for your meal."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Brahmin took it and headed home. By evening, he reached a kingdom and stayed at the palace. That very day, the Queen's golden bangle had gone missing. The guards were searching everyone, as it was unlikely anyone else would have such a precious item. When they searched the Brahmin, they found the golden bangle the cobbler had given him. They brought the Brahmin before the King. When the Queen saw the bangle, she said, "I have never seen a bangle so beautiful in my life. This isn't mine; it belongs to someone else." She told the King she wanted another one just like it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The King questioned the Brahmin about where he got the bangle. To avoid being jailed, the Brahmin told him about the cobbler. The King decided to go and see for himself. They went to the cobbler, and the King asked about the bangle. The cobbler said, "Yes, I gave it to him. Let me see if I can find another one." The cobbler called upon Mother Ganges and dipped his hand into his water tub again. Another identical golden bangle emerged. He gave it to the King and said, "Mother Ganges has blessed me with this. Give it to the Queen."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The King was amazed. He realized that this humble cobbler was a man of immense devotion—someone who could pull treasures out of a simple tub of water. He apologized to the cobbler and released the Brahmin. Now, look at the difference between the Brahmin's devotion and the cobbler's. The Brahmin was a scholar, but he almost forgot the simple task he was asked to do. The cobbler, however, was constantly connected to the Divine.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is the point, my son. Many people claim to be devotees, but a true devotee never says so. They don't announce to the world that they are close to God. It's the same with true saints; they never boast about their saintliness. It is something they keep deep within their hearts.
Host:
So, a common person can't easily find a true devotee?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is very difficult. Finding a truly devoted person or a real saint is rare. If you are lucky, you might find one, just like the Brahmin found the cobbler. The Brahmin eventually realized the cobbler was spiritually superior to him and even asked to be his disciple. He recognized that the cobbler's internal devotion was immeasurable.
Host:
From this story, we learn that true devotion must be in the heart, kept away from the public eye.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. The cobbler was working, making shoes, but his mind was constantly on the Divine. God was always with him because his soul was perpetually established in the Divine. When you remember God constantly, He resides with you. You don't need to make a grand show of it.
Host:
We see people making huge donations to temples and showing off their wealth in the name of God.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
God doesn't look at those things. I don't give much importance to such people. True prayer should be constant. It shouldn't be a case of praying for a few minutes and then forgetting. It should be a constant friendship with the Divine. That is true devotion.
Host:
Thank you, Gurudev. This story has taught us that God is found within, and He helps those who remember Him with every breath.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. How else could he pull golden bangles out of a tub of water? It sounds impossible, but for one who is constantly with God, nothing is impossible. God never disappoints a true devotee.
Host:
Respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you, my son.