Follower:
Today is our Gurudev's 74th birthday. We are celebrating the occasion in a very simple and unpretentious manner today. So, Gurudev, it would be wonderful if you could start the birthday celebration by cutting the cake.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This isn't really my kind of thing, but you are making me do it. I don't usually like these things. Anyway, since you are doing it, fine, I have no objection. Here.
Follower:
Cut a bit more, yes. That's it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Is that enough?
Follower:
Now, please eat some. Please feed him.
Follower:
Feed him a bit of this one too.
Crowd:
Everyone, put a little in his mouth.
Follower:
All the girls have fed Baba; now a man should feed him too. Mastermashai (Teacher)! Mastermashai is here, and Jethu (Uncle) is here. Mastermashai, please feed him. Didi, please sit down.
Follower:
Uncle, feed him a little. Dr. Babu has arrived... please give him a bit. Dr. Babu, come over here.
Follower:
Boudi (Sister-in-law), please lift this up.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our Dr. Babu has arrived. Look at him. Tell us a bit about yourself; let him speak.
Doctor (Dr. Shanti Ger):
I am Dr. Shanti Ger. I am a pediatricianâa child specialist. I have been practicing in Uluberia for the last 22 years. My better half, Koyel Ger, is a disciple of Gurudev. I feel very blessed to be able to come here on Gurudev's birthday.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
All right, very good.
Follower:
So, Gurudev, today we are celebrating your birthday in this very simple environment. If it weren't for COVID, we would have organized something on a grand scale, but that wasn't possible. Gurudev, you have disciples far and wide, all over the world, who hold great devotion for you. Please say a few words for them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessing is that everyone, near and far, throughout the world, should live in peace. It's not just about my disciples. The whole world is my disciple. From Bangladesh to Canada, France, Germany, America, and Londonâeveryone who has come to me, I am blessing every single one of them before the Mother. I hope and believe they will remain healthy and well. It is no big deal; they will be fine.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is my blessing. The Homa Jagya (fire ritual) being performed here is for Mahamritunjaya, for world peace. May everyone be well. This is my heart's sincere desire. I have only one prayer to the Mother: may everyone be well. May no one be unhappy or afflicted by disease. This is all I want.
Follower:
We can see Gurudev's disciples trying to feed him, but he is repeatedly refusing, saying it isn't necessary. He usually doesn't take anything, but everyone is insisting today.
Follower:
Someone has donated a Gita; they gave him a pocket Gita.
Follower:
Gurudev, I have one more thing to ask. People are panicking so much about COVID. Could you say something about it? Any words of caution?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I said this yesterday tooâit isn't a disease. Dr. Babu is here; let him explain. Let's hear it from him.
Doctor:
Corona is a virus. Just like we have the common fever, cold, or cough, Corona is a viral infection that causes similar symptoms. Like other viral diseases, people get infected and gradually recover through their own immune strength. Those with low immunity are the most affected. Actually, people are dying in much larger numbers from diseases like Tuberculosis (TB). Not nearly as many are dying from Corona, but its worldwide infectivity and the suddenness of the outbreak have created massive fear. While fewer people are dying compared to other diseases, many are getting infected, and this fear has caused people to become panicked and distressed.
Doctor:
Because of this, Gurudev suggests having self-belief, maintaining your immunity, and eating normal food. There is no need to hunt for specific vitamins. The food we eat dailyâlike tea with cloves, ginger, and honeyâis enough to boost our immunity. There is no need for extra supplements or panic. If we maintain our mental strength and follow the guidance of Gurudev or our own beliefs, we can resist Corona and stay healthy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am telling you, Corona is not a disease. It's like a type of influenza. It is being exaggerated so much now that people are becoming terrified. As I said yesterday, it is wrong to scare people like this. Yes, COVID exists, I admit that, but people are also recovering. It used to take 14 days; now people are recovering in 6 or 7 days. Doctors are providing treatment and protection. But I don't see anything to panic about.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Furthermore, with the current weatherâthe fluctuations between heat and coldâit is natural to have a cold, cough, or fever. It's the weather. Confusing people is not right. The government seems indifferent, and TV channels have found a huge opportunity. All day long, it's the same tune: "COVID, COVID, COVID." Nothing else. They just show how many people are dying. This is becoming harmful to our psyche.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It feels like we are living in a barbaric age. I'll say it again: this is barbarism. You shouldn't frighten people; you should encourage them. Jo dar gaya, woh mar gaya (He who is afraid is dead). They have no right to scare people, yet they do it continuously. People aren't foolish; they've become smart and have made their own arrangements to stay safe.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Government hospitals have become like nightmares. People are no longer solely dependent on government institutions or doctors. Here is a doctor who has traveled from far away for my birthday; you heard what he said. There is no reason to be so confused. It happens, but it also passes. The death rate has dropped to 1â1.5%. Soon, it will be at zero. Just be a bit careful. This doesn't mean you should wander the streets without a mask or sanitizerâthat would be ignorance.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look at the state of the markets; it's as if people think they won't have anything to eat tomorrow. They are buying everything and stuffing it in their fridges. This is not right. We are trying to spread this message. We meet many doctors, and they say this isn't a major issue at all. It is largely about publicity and business.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Be cautious, keep your distance, wash your hands, and wash your clothes after coming from outside. That is all that's needed. And as the doctor said, tea with lemon, cloves, cardamom, or cinnamon is excellent for immunity. People aren't doing these simple things, which is why it spreads.
Follower:
Gurudev, a fire ritual is being performed for your birthday. Let's head over to the Homa. I will come back to you shortly.
Doctor:
I am challenging thisâit is nothing more than a common cold. We have bacteria in our bodies. Millions of bacteria live in us and they actually do us good. There is no doubt about that.
Follower:
Gurudev, I have a final request. Please pray for the world once again.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Like I said, we have millions of bacteria in our bodies. We couldn't survive without them; they run our systems. We even breathe with the help of bacteria. There is no point in trying to "kill" everything. This panic is a fad. If people are just a bit careful, it cannot stay. People are only talking about community transmission because they aren't being careful.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I said this before: "Corona, don't mingle too much with people." That is the real medicine. No vaccine or specific medicine has been perfected yet; they are just using high-dose antibiotics to deactivate the germ. I have discussed this with many doctors. They say it isn't a medical issue as much as it is a business.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is the biggest business the world has ever seenâthe "Corona Business." Nothing on this scale has ever happened before. It is a massive, profitable trade. Anyway, I won't stretch this any further.
Follower:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, blessings.