Narrator:
Salutations to Sri Sri Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa. Greetings. Paying our respects to Gurudev Gupta Sadhak Sri Sri Shyama Khapa, we are starting our program from Shantipunja. Let us all listen to the invaluable words of Gurudev.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we have read about Gopal Tantra in the Brihat Tantrasara. Could you tell us something about that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, you've read about Gopal Tantra? What does "Gopal" mean? Go-Pal: a herd of cows. What did we learn as children? "Gopal takes the herd of cows to the field, while the children pay attention to their lessons." That is, the one who protects the herd of cows is called Gopal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, Gopal is found in Tantra, and there is a specific Tantra called Gopal Tantra. You might not know of it because not everyone studies Tantra. For example, there is Ullu-Tantra (Owl Tantra). You won't find it in the Brihat Tantrasara, but you will find it in places like Tibet where Tantra is practiced. So, there are many such Tantras. The word "Go" also refers to the Jiva (living being) or the tongue. It is the tongue that tells us if something is sour, spicy, or sweet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We have practiced Gopal Tantra. To understand it, you must know the history of Gopal's birth. You've heard of Kansa and Kansa's prison, haven't you? Kansa was an extremely wicked person—a cruel king. He learned through an astrological calculation that the eighth child of his sister, Devaki, would kill him. Upon learning this, he imprisoned Devaki and her husband, Vasudev. Every time a child was born, he would check it. This went on while he oppressed them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then came the day the eighth child was born. Kansa's guards had surrounded the prison to ensure no one could escape. But by God's infinite grace, Krishna was born in that very prison to kill the tyrant. At that same moment, Adyashakti Mahamaya was born in Mathura to Nanda. Overnight, the babies were swapped; Mahamaya was brought to Kansa's prison, and Krishna was taken to Nanda's home in Mathura. Because it happened at night and the guards had fallen into a deep sleep, no one knew.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the morning, Kansa snatched the baby from Devaki's arms to kill it. When he tried to dash the baby against a stone, she slipped from his hands and ascended to the Vindhya Mountains. There is a temple for Adyashakti Mahamaya there now. She prophesied to Kansa: "The one who will kill you is growing up in Gokul."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Thus, Gopal began to grow up in Nanda's house, away from his biological parents. Krishna is said to be Narayan Himself. Even as a child, he performed many miracles. Kansa sent powerful demons like Putana, Bakasur, and Kaliya to kill him, but Krishna defeated them all with ease. Mother Yashoda raised him as her own, which is why he is known as Yashoda-Nandan or Nanda-Lala. He famously lifted Mount Govardhan with a single finger to protect the people from a great flood.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Vaishnava community, especially since the time of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, has held Krishna very close. Chaitanya's followers are the Gaudiya community, and they are the ones who truly preserved his legacy.
Devotee:
Gurudev, where did Gopal Tantra originate?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It originates from his birth, as I am telling you. Chaitanya Dev always envisioned Krishna and would wander crying, "Ha Krishna! Ha Krishna!" You should read the Chaitanya Charitamrita to learn more about Gopal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Krishna is considered Swayam Bhagavan (God Himself), not just an avatar. Avatars are like Ramakrishna Dev or Tailanga Swami—they are "Yugavatars" (avatars of an era). But Krishna is the complete manifestation of Narayan, perfect in all sixteen Kalas (attributes).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In his youth, he was very naughty, stealing butter with his friends like Sudama. Those who keep an idol of Gopal at home must treat him like a living child. You must wake him, feed him, and care for him before doing anything else. He is very restless. If you go on a trip or a pilgrimage, you must take Gopal with you, otherwise, he might cause trouble. Recently, a Gopal idol I had installed in a home was stolen. He is quite the trickster.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later in life, he met Radha, who was his greatest devotee. In the Kurukshetra war, he used many strategies and illusions. He hid the sun to bring about Jayadratha's end, he ensured Karna's chariot wheel got stuck, and he tricked Duryodhana. Duryodhana's mother, Gandhari, intended to make his body invulnerable by looking at him while he was naked. But Krishna tricked him into wearing a small loincloth, leaving his thighs vulnerable. Later, Krishna signaled Bhima to strike him there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He even disguised himself as a Brahmin to ask Karna for his invincible sun-armor (Kavacha Kundala) while he was bathing. Krishna used many such tactics, which eventually led Gandhari to curse him, saying his clan would also be destroyed. Krishna lived for about 120 to 125 years. Eventually, he died from a hunter's arrow that struck his foot while he was resting on a tree. That is his history in brief.
Devotee:
Friends, we just heard about Gopal Tantra from Gurudev. Please subscribe to the Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa YouTube channel, leave a comment, and like the video. If you have any topics you want to know about, write them in the comments and we will ask Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Very well.
Devotee:
My respects, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings, son.
Narrator:
You were just listening to the words of Gurudev Gupta Sadhak Sri Sri Shyama Khapa. Tell us how you liked it. To regularly hear Gurudev's invaluable words, subscribe to the Shyama Khapa channel, like, share, and comment. To contact Gurudev, please WhatsApp your name, location, and phone number between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Gurudev will call you back as soon as possible. The WhatsApp number is 8080539595. Offering our respects to Gurudev and wishing everyone well, we conclude today's program. Stay well. Greetings.