Interviewer:
Good evening, friends. On this beautiful evening, we are joined here beside Gurudev by a high-ranking official of the Government of India. I will introduce him simply for now. We will learn how he came here and found Gurudev’s presence. I often receive comments from people asking why we feature various individuals sitting next to Gurudev. We do this for a specific purpose—we feel there is much to learn from the experiences of such respected individuals. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Interviewer:
Namaskar, sir. Today, I would like to know your name, your background, and the story of your spiritual journey. Please tell us in detail.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
Namaskar. Jai Guru, Jai Guru-bam, Jai Maa Tara. My name is Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya. I was born in Guwahati. I completed my education in Guwahati and Bangalore. Due to my profession, I have worked both abroad and within India. Both my parents were initiated by Sri Sri Vijay Krishna Goswami and Madhusudan Ganguly. Since childhood, I saw my parents engaged in prayer and worship from the early hours of the morning. They were always immersed in the name of God. Because of that, I always felt a strong pull toward the Divine.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
One thing I particularly want to share is that since I was a child, I watched my mother recite the Hanuman Chalisa. I learned it from her. You could say that my spiritual foundation was laid by my parents. I always had a deep curiosity and an inner search for spiritual life. This led me to visit various temples and monasteries, where I met many people. During that journey, I faced several setbacks—physically, mentally, and financially. Through those experiences, I realized that without the grace of the Mother or the Guru, and without preparing oneself, the true Guru will not appear.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
I am 48 years old now. Until I met Gurudev, I hadn't found a path toward initiation. Fortunately, my parents knew about my inner struggle. My father especially observed me closely; he knew how much I cried inwardly for a Guru and for the Mother. I spent several years visiting Tarapith and sitting in the great cremation grounds, but nothing seemed to work. In fact, I faced many difficulties because I was following the wrong things in the wrong way.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
My parents knew this. When I came to Kolkata—this was during the second COVID-19 lockdown, as the \"Work from Home\" culture had started—I was busy with my work and reading spiritual books. My father had been following Gurudev’s channel since 2019, back when the Satyamatra channel had only about 1,500 subscribers. He followed Gurudev's teachings closely. When he heard I was in Kolkata, he told my mother to suggest that I visit Shantikunja in Rajpur.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
I was initially skeptical. I thought, \"Will this be just another disappointment?\" But my mother insisted since my father had requested it. I didn't even know where Rajpur was; I only knew of Raipur. But as I said, if you aren't ready, the Guru won't appear.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
One day, I decided to go for an evening walk and find the address. I met a gentleman near my house with whom I had only ever exchanged brief greetings. I asked him if he could help me find Shantikunja in Rajpur. He looked at me, and I got goosebumps when he asked, \"Are you going to see Samakhepa Baba?\" I was stunned. How did he know? He then gave me the exact directions—how to get there by train, which station to get off at, and how to instruct an auto or Uber driver. That is how I reached Shantikunja. When I arrived, I saw Baba sitting there, and a beautiful kirtan was being performed. Through my father's blessings, I finally found my Guru.
Interviewer:
You have taken initiation from Gurudev. How long has it been?
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
I took initiation on the 11th of Boishakh (April 25th) at 11:30 AM. Before taking initiation, something else happened. Because I always have many questions when I visit spiritual places, I had several discussions and satsangs with Baba. It was through the grace of the Mother and Guru-bam that I found a book here called The Bona Fide Spiritual Master by Mr. Shubhankar Bhowmik. I found it in this very temple and was so moved that I finished it in two days.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
I personally recommend this book to the youth of today and even to people of my age. In our country, there are many misconceptions about Hindu society and Sanatan Dharma. These wrong ideas are often pushed into our heads, and it’s our fault for not seeking the truth. In Shubhankar Bhowmik’s book, the conversations with Baba are recorded so beautifully. It reminds me of how the disciples of Sri Sri Vijay Krishna Goswami, like Sri Sri Kuladananda Brahmachari, wrote the Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
The book explains how a householder can practice spirituality. You don't have to be a bachelor or chant for 24 hours to progress. It features insights from reputable people like Dr. Angshuman, Dr. Subir Kar, Dr. Ghatak, and Mrs. Gargi. Reading this book opened a new door in my life. It was after reading this book that my desire for initiation grew even stronger.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, what can you tell us about your new disciple?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He came to me and sat for two or three days. I didn't know who he was, and I didn't speak much at first. Then one day, I asked him why he was here. He didn't immediately reveal his professional identity. However, through our conversations, I realized he has profound spiritual knowledge. He speaks about things like the Gayatri Mantra with such clarity that even many seasoned practitioners cannot match. I could tell he comes from a family where spiritual practice is a tradition. I liked him very much. He eventually asked me privately for initiation. I told him, \"Come tomorrow on an empty stomach, and I will initiate you.\" I asked him to inform his parents as well, as initiation is a new birth. He has spent a lot of time in Tarapith; he didn't just come to me out of nowhere. The Mother sent him here after he had done his time there.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you often say that you vet a disciple before initiating them, and that a disciple should also vet their Guru. It seems that happened here.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
I want to add one thing about the initiation. I saw many devotees come here and immediately ask for initiation. Baba usually avoids the topic or ignores such requests. But when I asked him fearfully, \"Baba, will you initiate me?\" he gave me what I call a \"blanket approval\" immediately. That was pure grace.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
Regarding Tantra, I used to have a stereotypical image—red clothes, matted hair, and loud chanting. But I realized that Tantra is very subtle; it is the pinnacle of the spiritual world. My Guru is a \"fire-brand\" master. He is like fire emerging from ice. He wears simple white clothes and is very gentle.
Rahul Kaushik Bhattacharya:
To my friends and the younger generation (the millennials): do not underestimate him because of his simple white clothes. He knows everything—from space science and astrology to zoology, anthropology, and geology. And when it comes to mantras, he has everything on the tip of his tongue. This is the stature of my Guru. I often call him \"Thakur\" or \"He-Hoom\" rather than just Gurudev, as it gives me great peace.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, your new disciple seems to have found fulfillment in you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have initiated thousands of people, but not everyone can \"hold\" it. I remember the crowds at Balak Brahmachari’s place; everyone wanted initiation. I want people to achieve full development. He (Rahul) has reached that stage; I don't have to work hard with him.
Interviewer:
Friends, you have heard the conversation between Gurudev and his new disciple. I am personally impressed by this gentleman's knowledge. It is clear why he was chosen to sit here today. Pranam, Gurudev. Pranam to you both.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.