Follower:
Guru Deva, I prostrate before you. Today, we would like to hear from you about the Ashta Siddhi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ashta Siddhai (Ashta Siddhi), yes. This is a profound subject. But before that, let me tell you a story. You see, not everyone can attain the Ashta Siddhi. It is a formidable matter. Most people cannot master these eight powers. Among those who did, the first name that comes to mind is Bajrangbali Hanuman-ji. He was the master of the eight powers. Since he was the mind-born son of Brahma and was born before the birth of Rama, Hanuman-ji possessed the power of the Ashta Siddhi. Out of maybe fifty or a hundred million people, one person might attain these powers. I am not speaking of the great saints, for they are born with these powers naturally.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Let me tell you a story from the Puranas regarding this. You must have heard the name of Pavan-Putra Hanuman. One evening, he was sitting and saw the sun. The sun looked very large. As a young child, he thought it was a piece of bread—something to eat.
Follower:
Or perhaps he thought it was a fruit?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, he thought it was something to eat. He was very young then. He took a leap toward it. At that time, Surya-Dev (the Sun God) was out on his chariot drawn by seven horses. Moments later, Rahu was supposed to touch (eclipse) the sun. Seeing this, Hanuman-ji thought it was a fruit or bread. Being a child, he just jumped. Pavan-Dev (the Wind God) followed him to see what he might do.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the meantime, the Sun was on his journey. Hanuman stopped the chariot. He prostrated before Surya-Dev and said, "Guru Deva, I prostrate before you; please give me some lessons." Surya-Dev replied, "Yes, you are worthy; I can certainly teach you. But there is a problem. Rahu is about to touch me, and my existence will be obscured for a while." Hanuman asked, "Who is this Rahu? Who has the power to touch you?" Surya-Dev told him to leave and come back later.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But Hanuman was stubborn; he stayed to see who this Rahu was. When Rahu arrived to touch the sun—since Rahu has a head but no body, whatever he eats passes through his throat—Hanuman grabbed him by his hair and shook him twice. Rahu was terrified.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Indra-Dev saw this cosmic disturbance and struck Hanuman with his thunderbolt (Vajra). Hanuman fell. Pavan-Dev caught him in his arms. Since Hanuman was a mind-born son of Brahma, Lord Brahma had to intervene. He sprinkled water from his Kamandalu (water pot), revived him, and told him, "Never do this again. This is a cosmic event that must happen. Do not interfere." He scolded him slightly. This is a story from the Puranas.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, Hanuman attained the Ashta Siddhi. Do you know what they are?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Anima: This allows you to make your body as tiny as you wish. When Mahiravana took Rama and Lakshmana to the underworld (Patala) to sacrifice them, Hanuman took the form of a fly. He went with them in that tiny form. That is Anima.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Laghima: This makes the body extremely light. One can rise up or float through the air at any time. It makes the body weightless so one can travel through the air.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Garima: This allows one to make the body incredibly heavy or assume a giant form. Ramakrishna Paramahansa was seen in this state many times at Dakshineswar; people saw him as a towering, giant figure.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Mahima: This is the power to expand the body to an even greater scale, as large as possible.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Prapti: This is the ability to go anywhere at will. One can exist everywhere. In Yoga, this is a specific mastery where one can reach any place instantly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Prakamya: This is the power of irresistible will—to be able to do whatever one desires. If I decide to do something now, it happens.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Isitva: Mastery over all duties and the power to perform any task perfectly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Vasitva: This means having the entire world—everything you see—under your control.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These eight powers are not found in common people. Perhaps one in a hundred million has them. True saints are born with these; they are born "Siddha." An expert can recognize such a person just by looking at their feet. The Ashta Siddhi manifests in the feet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When Hanuman entered Lanka, the gate was guarded by Ma Chamunda (the Primordial Power). She saw him and realized an Ashta Siddha had arrived. She knew she had no power to stop him because Hanuman is the Supreme Brahman. She respected him deeply. She also knew he was Brahma's son. So, she stepped aside and let him enter, leading to the events of the Ramayana in Lanka.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many people have attained these powers, but they never show them off. They work in their own way, not for public display.
Follower:
Guru Deva, the way you explained the Ashta Siddhi through the story of Hanuman-ji was wonderful. I knew nothing of this before. It was a pleasure to hear it from your lips.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Let me repeat the eight powers once more: Anima, Laghima, Garima, Mahima, Prapti, Prakamya, Isitva, and Vasitva. Those who possess these can conquer the world and go anywhere.
Follower:
Do we see these powers in the common "saints" we see today?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, no, no. That is out of the question. This is a matter of a much higher spiritual plane. Only high-level saints like Ramakrishna, Bama Khepa, or Tailanga Swami possess these. If you read history, you will see they were born with these powers. They could do anything at any time. People respected them so much because they showed these truths to humanity. Whatever they did was for the welfare of people.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Evil is out of the question here. One should not do harm. But those who are playing with "ghosts" or "Jinns"—I have seen the consequences for people who try to control such entities. Those things are low-level. They have nothing to do with God. They are just stuck in the realm of spirits. God is against such things.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People do these things for money or fame. But those who work with spirits are on a downward path. Ramprasad once said, "To some, you give the throne of Brahma; others, you lead to their downfall."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have heard some comments from people—someone named Haridas Pal and a few others—making remarks. I invite them: Come, sit with us. Let the people see your face. You can't do that. You just criticize from a distance. One guy says, "The Mother (Goddess) is not with you." Well, if she is or isn't, what is it to you? I see a hundred people every day who say the Mother is with me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people speak nonsense on social media. They are either crazy or just malicious. And as for the astrologers making comments—you can buy an "Acharya" title with money. I've seen it with my own eyes.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The reason I am a thorn in their side is that I serve people for free. I don't take a single penny. I have 700 or 800 videos on YouTube, and I haven't taken a cent from it. I don't need to. I have my books in the market; if even one book sells a day, it sustains my household. I don't need your money. I want people to learn and understand the truth. You can make money by cheating people, but I believe in being wise.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To those critics: Think before you speak. I see dozens of boys like you every day.
Follower:
Guru Deva, we have learned so much about the Ashta Siddhi from you. Millions of prostrations to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.