Narrator:
The audio opens with intense ritualistic chanting, recitation of mantras, and sounds of a ceremonial fire ritual.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, my respects (Pranam).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My respects, son. My respects.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, a Hom (sacrificial fire ritual) is being performed at Shanti Kunj today. Is there a special day or a specific reason why this Hom is being held today?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The New Moon (Amavasya) has just passed, and it ended this morning. Its influence still remains. This Hom is being performed for both the New Moon and the First Day (Pratipada) of the lunar cycle. We are performing this Hom in a specific way. There is a gentleman here—you can see him—he is a high-ranking officer. I won't mention his name, but he also joins and performs the Hom occasionally. He is a very good person. This Hom is for world peace and the welfare of humanity—so that people can live well.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Given the current state of the world, it would be very beneficial if this Hom could be performed every morning. Performing it only once in a while isn't enough. If it were done regularly, it would be excellent for global peace and human welfare. That is my belief. However, it's not always possible to do it every day. So, we do it every two to four days, mostly on Sundays. Some others also come to participate.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We feel that the world has become unbalanced. It is no longer as suitable for living. Therefore, by calling upon God—I don't know if God exists or not—but remembering Him in the morning brings a great sense of peace. You see us sitting here; while the Hom is happening, there is profound peace. Even people from outside feel this peace when they visit. There is no turmoil in the mind here.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, I feel compelled to ask a question. Many devotees who come here say that while there may not be grand opulence in this temple, there is immense peace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is exactly why we named it "Shanti Kunj" (Abode of Peace). After much thought, we chose this name. It is true—there is no showy grandeur here, but a constant peace prevails. Everyone who visits says they find great peace here. I hear this from everyone.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no falsehood in what I am saying. That's why we call it Shanti Kunj.
Speaker 1:
You are doing everything possible for world peace. However, science tells us that the water level is decreasing (or changing) by about a foot every year.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You might not know, but many civilizations—like those from the time of the Ramayana—have been submerged under the sea. There are still signs of them today. Krishna's Dwarka is also under the sea. So, many things have gone underwater. Gradually, everything will be submerged as the sea level rises. This is how the cycle of destruction happens; things go under the sea, and then new life begins. This is what history teaches us.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, since you mentioned it would be good to perform the Hom daily, are you considering doing something again for world peace?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I keep thinking about the state of the world; it doesn't feel good. I don't see anything good happening. That's why I feel that if we could have the Hom every day—in the morning, afternoon, and evening—it would be great. I am trying to see if we can do something for world peace again. It would benefit humanity and the deities, and we would benefit as well.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But it is very expensive. Think about the price of Ghee (clarified butter) these days. Two and a half kilos of Ghee might only last for three or four sessions (Ahuti). It's very costly. Then there's the wood and other difficulties. Despite this, we are trying our best to maintain world peace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Sudip Babu, come and sit here for a moment. Sudip Babu just finished his Hom. We want this to happen every day like it used to. It brings peace to our souls.
Speaker 1:
It adds a sense of gravity to the place.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it increases the gravity. You see, the Mother (Goddess) prefers the Hom more than other rituals. This was the way of the ancient Sages (Rishis). Ours is a combination of Vedic and Tantric traditions.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Believe it or not, our Nigamananda Maharaj told his disciple, Durgaprasanna Paramhansa, to perform a Hom that combines both Tantric and Vedic elements. It holds great significance. Remembering his Guru's words, Durgaprasanna performed a Hom in Bangladesh during a severe cholera epidemic.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But he had to pay a penalty (Danda) for it. Just as we had to pay a heavy penalty. When we performed the Mahamrityunjaya Hom, we faced a huge toll.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, if I may interrupt, you also had to pay a price. You were bedridden for almost a year.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it took a lot away from me. It took away so much. I became detached. After the Hom, everyone scattered. Those who used to love coming here and performing the Hom—I don't even know where they are now. Some are alive, some have passed away, and some are bedridden or paralyzed. This is the reality.
Speaker 1:
That brings me to a question. You do so much for society and world peace, yet why must those who stand by you suffer such hardships?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is what Durgaprasanna Paramhansa had to face too. His Guru, Nigamananda, told him that if you perform a Hom that is both Tantric and Vedic, you will face a severe penalty. And he did. If you read history, you will understand. We also faced it. We lost money, strength, and friends.
Speaker 1:
We witnessed many events ourselves—people who weren't supposed to leave us yet, suddenly departed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they left. Some are bedridden and cannot get up. Because I knew that this Hom we performed for world peace and humanity—the Mahamrityunjaya Yagna—is not an ordinary thing. It is said that you shouldn't perform the Mahamrityunjaya Yagna because if you do, you will be penalized. And we were. We lost 10.5 lakh (1.05 million) rupees, several young men left, and one young boy even died. Many of those who used to join us for the Hom are no longer seen.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, my respects once again today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My respects, son. My respects.