Disciple:
Gurudev, Pranam. Today, we have a very special guest with us here with Gurudev—Guddu Maharaj Ji. Guddu Maharaj Ji is the chief priest of the Saptarishi Aarti, which takes place at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Gurudev:
Mahant. Not just a priest—call him Mahant.
Disciple:
Yes, Mahant. Mahant Ji, please tell us a little bit about why you have come here today.
Guddu Maharaj Ji:
I am a servant of Kashi Vishwanath. I have been visiting here for many years. There is a special festival for Mahashivratri at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Every month, we have the Masik Shivratri. This time, Mahashivratri falls in March, during the month of Phalguna. Every year, devotees participate in the Saptarishi Aarti at the temple. Everyone contributes and takes part to seek the blessings of Lord Vishwanath. Today, after many years, I have finally met Gurudev—Maharaj Ji. My soul is completely overwhelmed with joy. I have no words to describe it. Maharaj Ji is Maharaj Ji—what can I even say about him?
Lord Vishwanath's temple was taken over by the government in 1983. Since then, it has been managed by a trust. There are five main pujas performed at the temple. Among them, the Saptarishi Aarti is very dear to Lord Vishwanath. Of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the Saptarishi Puja at Kashi Vishwanath is unique. This puja has existed since time immemorial, originating from Mount Kailash. The Saptarishis are ultimate devotees of Lord Vishwanath, and this prayer is performed to please Him.
My devotion to Maharaj Ji is purely out of faith. I don't want to pressure anyone or say you must do this or that. It is all about the heart. If someone offers something out of devotion at the feet of Lord Vishwanath or the Mother, that is what truly matters. Forcing a donation from someone is a sin. That is my belief. I feel like I have attained everything just by being here.
Disciple:
Mahant Ji, we noticed that as soon as you entered the temple and met Gurudev, your eyes filled with tears. Even now, you are crying. Why is that? What are you experiencing right now?
Guddu Maharaj Ji:
It is an expression of immense love and happiness. I feel unworthy of this much respect.
Disciple:
(Addressing Gurudev) Gurudev, he is crying because of the respect you have shown him. He is from the Kashi Vishwanath family. What are your feelings about this?
Gurudev:
Lord Vishwanath has sent him here. He has come from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, from the feet of the Lord Himself. I have nothing more to say. He keeps mentioning the Saptarishi Aarti. That is the greatest thing—that Lord Vishwanath is pleased with the Saptarishi.
I was at Manikarnika Ghat for a long time. One day, Maa Annapurna appeared in the guise of an old woman and told me, "Your work is done. Go home now. I will come to your house." Since that year, for the last 30 to 32 years, we have performed the Annapurna Puja at my home. I am a devotee of Maa Tara, but Maa Annapurna has to come. She comes for everyone—for Ramprasad, for Bamakhepa. Wherever Maa Tara is worshipped, Maa Annapurna must be present.
When I heard that the main priest from Kashi Vishwanath was coming, my heart was filled with joy. I said, "Let him come." Even though my health is not great, I had to meet a person like him. He kept his word and arrived exactly at 11:30.
Disciple:
Actually, he arrived even earlier than that. Gurudev, we are performing a Homa (fire ritual) today specifically for him.
Gurudev:
Yes, this Homa is for him. It is by the grace of the Father and Mother. He told me back in Benaras that a task of mine would be completed, and it happened exactly as he said. He looks after me. He told me then that he would visit me once. Since then, he has been so busy with his disciples, but he made time to come before his puja on Monday and his departure on Tuesday. I told him, "You are coming to visit an old, sick man," but he insisted on the time and came.
Disciple:
This is a spiritual connection.
Gurudev:
He is a practitioner of Tara, and so am I. But Maa Annapurna must come. In Kashi Vishwanath, five pujas are held, but the Saptarishi Aarti is something to behold. When he enters for the puja, he loses all external consciousness. If anything happens here at my place, even if he doesn't know it, he senses it.
Disciple:
Gurudev, why do you think he suddenly felt the urge to meet you? There is clearly a deep connection.
Gurudev:
I once mentioned on YouTube that I am one of the Saptarishis. Perhaps Lord Vishwanath heard that and sent him here to perform the puja of this Saptarishi. He keeps talking about the Saptarishi; that is very significant. He came here because of that pull.
Disciple:
So, you are saying the Aarti he performs there and the connection he feels brought him here to you.
Gurudev:
I said it once, and he realized it.
Disciple:
Gurudev, Mahant Ji is very emotional and overwhelmed with joy. Perhaps we should conclude the video here.
Gurudev:
Yes, there is no need to extend it further. Pranam. We are very fortunate that a person of his stature came here and that we could meet him. His feet are the feet of Kashi Vishwanath. You all are lucky to have witnessed this. I said once that I am a Saptarishi; people mocked it then, but there is a link.
Disciple:
Yes, Gurudev. The tears in his eyes prove that link. Even the lady who accompanied him said she has never seen him this emotional before.
Gurudev:
Pranam, Mahant Ji. Pranam, Gurudev. We will end the video here.