Devotee:
Greetings, Pronab Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings.
Devotee:
In our previous episode, we were listening to you talk about Diksha (spiritual initiation). Last time, you primarily spoke from the perspective of the Guru—the one giving the initiation. Today, I want to ask you about something very important from the perspective of those seeking initiation. I believe there should be some preparation on their part before they consider taking Diksha. You mentioned in the previous episode that initiation shouldn't be taken while parents are alive—
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, no, it's not that it cannot be taken while they are alive. It's that parents cannot witness their son's initiation. Just as a mother doesn't witness her son's initiation or his wedding. She stays at home. Similarly, in the case of Diksha, a mother cannot watch her son being initiated. That is the rule.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding what you said about preparation—nowadays, people are often driven by emotion. Someone might ask, "Have you been initiated? You can't cook offerings (Bhog) for the Deity otherwise." Then they think, "Oh, I should get initiated so I can cook the offerings." This is a common sentiment. Someone might be serving the Mother and be asked if they are initiated; if not, they are told they can't perform the service. So, people often take initiation on an impulse. In reality, almost no one comes prepared.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You see, all creatures except humans have tails. Man is the only creature whose 'tail' has dropped away, and that is why he has become human—with consciousness and wisdom.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is said that the most difficult thing is the meeting of the Guru and the disciple. We give initiation, and to the women, I say, "Practice your chanting (Japa) as long as I am alive. If you can't do it, just remember me." Householders have many responsibilities; they can't always do much. So I tell them to do what they can while I am here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a tradition: if a disciple chants 100 times, the Guru receives the merit of 10 chants, while the disciple keeps 90. That is the rule. The Guru gives initiation and then tells the disciple, "Go and do your work. If you get stuck anywhere, come to me."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people ask me, "Won't you come to see me? You gave me initiation but took nothing; is my initiation complete?" People ask these questions. But a Guru should never look at a disciple's wealth. We need to see how much spiritual inclination they have. Many people get emotional and cry at my feet, saying, "Only you can be my Guru." I tell them, "If you have identified me as your Guru, then remember me; I will call you when the time is right." I take their numbers and call them for initiation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In today's society, there is no fixed system. People take initiation for various reasons—to perform rituals, to enter temples, and so on. After the initiation, I tell everyone, "Go now, and you don't need to see me again unless you face a problem."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Guru always wants the disciple to rise higher. In the 'Hare Krishna' mantra, 'Hare' represents Mahadev (Shiva) and 'Krishna' represents Narayan. Notice how sometimes Narayan is first and Shiva is second, and then it flips. This represents the relationship between Guru and disciple. Sometimes the Guru leads, and sometimes the disciple leads. I feel very happy if a disciple surpasses the Guru. A true Guru has no envy; only joy. When a disciple reaches the Guru's level or goes beyond, that is when the true meeting happens.
Devotee:
I have a question regarding what you said about emotions. People often come to you at Shantikunj seeking initiation on an impulse. You often tell them their time hasn't come yet, or you try to gauge their readiness. But it's often seen that after taking initiation, people forget the instructions or the path you've shown them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As I said, it's often an emotional decision. They want to be able to say, "I have been initiated by so-and-so." But then life gets in the way. Many men and women tell me later, "Gurudev, I can't find the time because of the pressures of work." Despite promising earlier that they would follow everything, 99% fail to keep up the practice. We understand this because of the current state of the world. People have to work, run a household, and earn a living—it's very difficult to call upon God.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We make one mistake: when we are awake, God sleeps. And when God is awake, we sleep. God is awake at night, but we are asleep then. The cycle is opposite. We should call upon Him when He is awake; that's when He responds. But common people work during the day and sleep at night.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Just as you look for God in temples for health or prosperity, God is also looking for a good, honest person to whom He can grant power. But people don't understand this. This spiritual practice is not possible for most householders. We had to give up everything—even our clothes at times. I had a wife and children, but I had to leave. My children are still upset with me because I wasn't there for them during their upbringing. My son is 40 now, and my daughter is 35; I was absorbed in my Sadhana during their formative years. I couldn't provide them with the guidance they might have wanted from a father.
Devotee:
Gurudev, perhaps your path was predestined. Your constant efforts for world peace and human welfare seem to be a divine mandate.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. It is the Mother's command. I see so many people and I have to take on their sins and sufferings into my own body. My family has had to bear the brunt of this as well. If I decide today that I won't see people or serve them, the Mother will be displeased. You saw with Bamdeb Baba—when too many people started coming to him, he would sometimes get angry or even strike them. He once asked the Mother, "Did you send me for this? To slave away for others' problems?" The Mother gave him a slap that made him see the three worlds! After that, he realized he couldn't leave her service.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People are coming to the Mother's door. It's not me doing anything; it's all Her. I am just sitting here. Sometimes I give someone a stone or a piece of wood in the Mother's name, and it works. Even a bit of soil given in Her name can heal someone because the Mother is alive here. There is no greed for money here; we maintain spiritual purity. That is why the Mother is living here, and no one who comes here goes away empty-handed.
Devotee:
You mentioned that for householders, this spiritual practice is extremely difficult. Yet, people continue to come to you for initiation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they come. People even come from America and Canada saying, "You are my Guru." I am surprised because I don't even know them. They might have seen me on YouTube, but there are many people on YouTube. Why me? They say, "No, we want initiation only from you."
Devotee:
For such people, I ask you to give some direction so they don't feel discouraged. Please provide some guidance on what they must do after initiation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I tell everyone and even write down the Beej Mantra for them. I tell them to chant this mantra while eating, sleeping, sitting, or traveling. There is no fixed limit for this Japa. Whether you are on a bus, train, or plane—instead of looking at others, just keep chanting. A day will come when the chanting becomes Ajapa (automatic). Just as a player becomes a master through play, chanting eventually becomes effortless. When the heart takes it over, it continues even in your sleep.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As Ramprasad said in his song: "What is the need for going to Gaya, Ganga, or Kashi if you can complete the Ajapa chant of Kali's name?" There is no need for pilgrimages; the chant itself is everything. Ramakrishna used to say, "Chant and you shall achieve." Chanting and meditation are the only paths. You may not get everything, but you will surely receive the Mother's or the Guru's grace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Vivekananda used to say, "Stay at the Guru's door like a dog. If he shows mercy, you will be blessed." This tradition of Guru and disciple is eternal.
Devotee:
We bow to you, Gurudev. Friends, you just heard Gurudev's thoughts on Diksha. Please continue to subscribe to our YouTube channel, Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khepa. Like and share our videos. Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings.