Narrator:
(Sound of ritual horns blowing and bells ringing)
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
(Chanting the Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit): "Om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yo nah prachodayat..."
Interviewer:
Every morning and evening, we offer tea to Bamdeb Baba and Ma. In the evening, Gurudev, Bamdeb Baba, and Ma all have tea together. In the morning, it is just Bamdeb Baba and Ma. This is our tradition.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Baba. Pranam.
Interviewer:
Today is Dol Purnima (Holi Full Moon).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Purnima has already begun. Our Homa (fire ritual) has started.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Although this is Dol Purnima, to us—I don't know about others—it isn't a "good" one. It is a "Noshto Chand" (Corrupted Moon) because there is an eclipse today. We might not see it from here, it will be visible elsewhere, but a shadow will fall on the moon. That's why we call it Noshto Chand. Usually, no work is done under such a moon. However, today we will see a "Lal Chand" (Red Moon). It's also called a "Blood Moon."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If we see this, one thing comes to mind: there will be a bloody conflict. There will be massive bloodshed, many will die. That's why we see this Red Moon today. Scientists have already said the moon will appear as a Blood Moon. In our language, a Blood Moon signifies a bloody clash. It has already begun and will take a massive form. I feel that by 2025, half the earth will be empty. Maybe the earth has only a couple of years left. Then we have to leave; a new generation will come. That is why Dol feels a bit dull and pale to us this year. This Purnima is quite harmful to us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We will see the moon in a clear, pure sky, but it won't be white; it will be red. And as I said, it signifies bloodshed. You can see what's happening in Pakistan. Now it will start in Bangladesh, and here too. It will start everywhere.
Interviewer:
You've mentioned that before. But tell us a bit about the traditional Dol Purnima.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the old days, when we played Dol, the excitement was unimaginable. Today is the day of "Nera Pora" (burning the effigy/bonfire). We used to say, "Today is our Nera Pora, tomorrow is our Dol. The moon is up in the sky, chant Hari Bol!" We used to take wood charcoal, mix it with oil, and use a carved potato to stamp "Gadha" (Donkey) on people's backs. It was all for fun. People didn't mind much.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But now, Dol Purnima has become a festival of alcohol. If you see the crowds at liquor shops, you'll lose your mind. You can't even walk on the streets; the police have to intervene. People want alcohol; they feel there's no Dol without it. This didn't exist before. Only a few people drank, but there wasn't this craze. It feels bad now—that without alcohol, there is no festival.
Interviewer:
That's one aspect. Another is "Dol Jatra." We used to see Radha-Krishna idols being carried on vans, and people throwing Abir (colored powder).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that is gone now. It doesn't happen anymore.
Interviewer:
People used to sing Harinam with Khol and Kartal (drums and cymbals).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
And there were "Moths" (sweets) and "Batasha" distributed. People would go to every house, put Abir on the feet of elders, and get some sweets. Children used to look forward to it. All that is gone. People don't even think about it anymore.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To be honest, we are fed up. We don't bother with these things anymore. We stopped playing with colors a long time ago. In the old days, it took three or four days to wash the colors off. They were "monkey colors"—very stubborn. Sometimes the skin would even peel off, but the color remained. But there was no sorrow in it; everyone just enjoyed it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, we maintain our tradition by performing a Homa on the day of Dol. Since it is a "Noshto Chand" today, we have to do it. We do this Homa for Ma and for Gurudev, Bamdeb Baba. We've always done this, and we still do.
Interviewer:
Moving to another topic—you mentioned the lunar eclipse tonight. There is also a solar eclipse at the end of this month. Two eclipses in one month—what is the significance?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Usually, when there are two eclipses in a single month, we call it a "Molo Mash" (an inauspicious/unclean month). Any auspicious work is postponed.
Interviewer:
But technically, one is in the month of Falgun and the other in Chaitra. I'm speaking according to the English calendar month.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We don't follow the English calendar. We are Bengalis; our day starts with the sunrise. According to the English rule, the day changes at midnight. We don't accept that. For us, from one sunrise to the next is one day. That is how we calculate and how our scriptures are written. We never think about the midnight 12:00 AM transition.
Interviewer:
So, they aren't in the same Bengali month, but they are very close. What is the effect?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is definitely an effect. We are living in fear. Seeing a Red Moon tonight makes us anxious. We hope there isn't massive bloodshed, but it seems inevitable. It isn't a good sign, Baba. It's better not to see this red, blood-like moon.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Historically, the moon was pure and white, but now we see a Red Moon. I don't know why, but it doesn't feel good. Honestly, I feel it's better to leave this earth now. There is nothing left to take from the earth, and nothing left to give it. It's best to go. The earth won't give me anything, and I can't give anything back. That's why many are saying that in two years, humans will have to leave the earth. A new generation will come—maybe humans, maybe aliens, I don't know.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Scientists are saying the same thing: humans must make way for a new generation. They are predicting 2027 as the limit. If a Third World War breaks out, there will be nuclear and atomic charges. The carbon monoxide released will cover the entire earth. Sunlight won't reach the ground for maybe seven days. The earth will be in total darkness.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We've read this in "Bhabishya Malika" (ancient prophecies). Scientists are also saying the sun will rise in the west because the earth has tilted. The magnetic force is failing. Which one is true, we don't know, but the experts are discussing these things. They say the sun will rise in the west and set in the east. At that time, many people will suffer. This is what we are hearing.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Anyway, playing with colors is good, but the colors used to be better. Now, the colors are bad and full of chemicals. They can damage your eyes and skin. Doctors even advise not to play with these colors.
Interviewer:
For those who do play, please be very careful.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, one must be very cautious. Protect yourself. The chemicals in colors today are dangerous.
Interviewer:
Very few people still use natural colors made from flowers. Anyway, everyone stay safe. We will end it here. Stay healthy and well. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Stay well, everyone.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa offers a somber reflection on Dol Purnima (Holi) coinciding with a Blood Moon eclipse—a phenomenon he calls "Noshto Chand" (Corrupted Moon). While reminiscing about the joyful traditions of the past, he expresses deep concern about the festival's modern degradation through alcohol and chemical colors. The Blood Moon, he warns, portends massive bloodshed and conflict. Drawing from the Bhavishya Malika and scientific predictions, he discusses the possibility of humanity's departure from Earth by 2027, nuclear warfare, and the reversal of natural laws. This conversation serves as both a nostalgic look at lost traditions and a grave warning about humanity's precarious future.