Host: Gurudev, let’s begin. Today's topic is "Fate." We all know that even doctors, before an operation, often say, "Have faith in God; we will do our part." People often talk about "the writing of fate" or "the irony of fate." How much does fate actually influence a person's life? Is everything predestined?
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Well, there is actually a "Department of Fate" under the Almighty. According to our scriptures, a ritual called Shetra Puja is performed on the sixth day after a child is born. On that day, the mother sits with the child, and a pen and ink are kept nearby. It is believed that the "Giver of Fate" (Bhagya Vidhata) arrives to write the child's destiny. Whatever is written that day is final. Now, people often wonder: how can one being go to so many places at once since so many children are born at the same time?
Host: Yes, that is a curious thought.
Guru Shyama Khyapa: He is omnipresent. He can be anywhere at any time. He also has assistants who are also known as Bhagya Vidhatas. The main point is the old proverb: "The writing of fate cannot be erased." We believe in this deeply. People often say, "It wasn't in my fate, so what can I do?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa: There is a beautiful story about this. A Sadhu (holy man) was meditating under a tree at dawn. He saw a tall, imposing man running past. Thinking he might be a thief or someone in trouble, the Sadhu stopped him. The man said, "I cannot answer you; I am in a hurry, let me go." But the Sadhu insisted. Finally, the man said, "Since you are a man of God, I will tell you. I am the Bhagya Vidhata (Giver of Fate). Two children have just been born—a girl in a landlord's house and a boy in a cowherd's house. I am going to write their destinies."
Guru Shyama Khyapa: The Sadhu asked what he would write. The Vidhata replied, "The cowherd's son will become very wealthy and charitable. The landlord's daughter, however, will face such poverty that she will eventually enter a brothel to survive. But I will write one thing: she will never go hungry. Every night, one customer will come, and she will earn enough to eat."
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Years later, the Sadhu went to verify this. He found the cowherd's son was indeed a wealthy philanthropist. Then he went to the landlord's house, which was now in ruins. He asked a servant about the daughter, and the servant confirmed she was living in a brothel.
Guru Shyama Khyapa: The Sadhu decided to test fate. He visited the woman in disguise and said, "Daughter, I have seen your palm. A great calamity awaits you tonight. Do not let any customer into your room, or you may die."
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Terrified, the woman turned away every customer that evening. The Sadhu hid in a nearby tree to watch. Throughout the night, she refused everyone. But just as dawn was breaking, the Sadhu saw a tall man approach. The door opened on its own, the man entered, stayed for a moment, and then left.
Guru Shyama Khyapa: The Sadhu caught the man and realized it was the Bhagya Vidhata again. He asked, "What were you doing there?" The Vidhata replied, "You tried to change her fate. I wrote that she would never go hungry and would always have one customer. Since you stopped everyone else, I had to come myself as a customer to give her the money so she could eat. As I said—fate's writing cannot be erased."
Host: That is a profound story. But Gurudev, what about palmistry or reading one's forehead? How much truth is in that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Honestly, if you look at a hundred people, palmistry might "work" for one or two. When it matches for those two, they tell everyone, and it builds a reputation. Reading lines on a hand isn't a purely scientific method. Some say hand lines change. Of course, they do—we work with our hands, and lines can shift or fade. It isn't entirely authentic or scientific. However, Thikuji (horoscope charts) are more reliable if analyzed by someone truly skilled. That is more aligned with astronomy and astrology.
Host: Gurudev, we often consider doctors to be second only to God because they save lives. But even they have temples in hospitals and tell families to pray. Why is that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa: No matter how great a scientist or a surgeon one is, they must believe in a higher power. Before a surgeon picks up the scalpel, they remember God. They pray, "Lord, I am just a doctor, but you are the healer. Let this medicine and this surgery be successful." They even write "RX" on prescriptions, which is part of an ancient invocation for healing. I have spoken to many doctors about this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Recently, a famous cancer specialist, Dr. Koronjai, came to see me. He bowed to me, and I said, "Why are you bowing? You are the first God for the sick. People come to me only after science fails." Science and spirituality often go hand-in-hand. India is a land of spirituality. Even those who claim not to believe usually have a small corner for a deity in their homes.
Host: So, God is like an invisible power?
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Exactly. He is a "Super Power." I have said before, God is like 33,000 volts—a human would be incinerated by direct contact. We describe God as being "as bright as a million suns."
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Sometimes people come to me with "Mars" (Mangal) problems in their horoscopes. One girl told me her marriage failed even though a priest "removed" her Mangal Dosha. I told her it's not that simple. Only someone truly spiritually enlightened can handle such things.
Host: So, if I understand correctly, fate is a bit like computer programming—an "if-else" condition. You choose a path, and fate follows that logic.
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Exactly. You are the one who acts, but fate has its own flow. When people face extreme danger or hardship, they often turn to the wrong people or spend money fruitlessly, but that too is part of their struggle.
Host: Thank you, Gurudev. Listeners, it seems fate is a complex set of conditions, and while there is a pre-written path, our choices and the "conditions" of our lives dictate the results. If you have any comments or want us to improve these discussions, please let us know in the comments. Pronam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa: Pronam.