Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, Pranam.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, today a small yet significant event is being held here. Today marks the anniversary of the completion of the Mahamrityunjaya Yagna. That ritual was completed on June 27th, 2018. We are celebrating that completion today.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, sitting beside you today is a man who holds a very high position in the Government of India. We won't disclose his specific designation, but we will share his name. Gurudev, Partha-da is sitting beside you. Partha-da is a long-time disciple of yours and a high-ranking official in the Indian government. Gurudev, please tell us how he became your disciple.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, one day he came to me and asked to be initiated (Diksha). I said, "Sure, no problem. Come over and I will initiate you." He then asked, "How much money will it cost?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I told him, "If you talk about money, I won't even let you enter this place. I'll kick you out." At that time, I didn't know he was such a high-ranking officialâthe kind of person who could summon a hundred police officers with a single phone call. I found that out later. I actually apologized to him afterward, saying, "Son, I didn't know you held such a high position; please forgive me."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But in the end, he insisted, "I will take initiation only from you and no one else." So, he came, and I initiated him. Since then, he visits from time to time. Since he is in such a high position, I don't like to disturb him, but he comes on his own to see his Guru. Sometimes he calls me when he feels like it, or he just shows up.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, we are now turning to Partha-da. He once called you unexpectedly, and we aren't sure why. It was quite a coincidence that we had this event today and you asked him to come. Initially, he said he couldn't make it due to family reasons, but later he called me and said, "I cannot ignore Gurudev's command; I must come."
Interviewer:
Partha-da, Gurudev just explained how you met him, but since becoming his disciple, you have learned many things about him. What can you share with us?
Partha-da:
I cannot truly say enough about Gurudev. We worship various gods and goddesses, but in the current worldâespecially with the recent pandemic and the state of the worldâbeing in the presence of such a great soul is a blessing beyond words.
Partha-da:
The most remarkable event of my life happened like this: Every night, I sit for prayer (Puja) after taking a bath. I always worship Gurudev first before starting my prayers. One night, while I was praying, there was a garden chair kept next to my prayer area. About 15 or 20 minutes into the prayer, I happened to turn my head, and I saw Gurudev sitting right there in that chair.
Partha-da:
I didn't know what to do. Earlier, I had asked him, "Gurudev, I want to take you to my home," and he had said, "When the time is right, I will go." That night was a Tuesday. I looked back and saw Gurudev smiling at me. He was wearing his usual pajama and kurta, sitting there and smiling. I thought, "Okay, my Gurudev is here, it's fine." I couldn't even process the fact that he hadn't physically traveled to my house.
Partha-da:
When the prayer was finally over and I looked again, he was gone. My skin crawls even now just talking about it. This kind of supernatural experience is something I wish every household could have. We call upon many gods, but to surrender oneself to such a great man is the ultimate achievement.
Partha-da:
The second thing happened after I returned home one evening. The atmosphere at home was very badâmy wife, son, grandson, and son-in-law were all caught up in a very difficult and stressful situation. I couldn't find a solution; my mind was blank despite all my years of experience. In that moment, I remembered Gurudev. I mentally explained the whole situation to him and said, "Gurudev, I am your son, please handle this."
Partha-da:
Gurudev told me, "I have heard you. I gave you something; use it starting tomorrow." I am telling you from the bottom of my heart, it was like pouring water on a fire. The "fire" that was raging in my home was extinguished in a split second. Everything became calm, and the laughter and joy returned. It was beyond my imagination.
Interviewer:
So this happened because you remembered Gurudev?
Partha-da:
Yes, because I remembered him. He is with me at every step. Not just meâmy three-and-a-half-year-old grandson also says, "Grandpa, bring Gurudev here. Keep Gurudev's photo near my head." My daughter says the same. Whenever there is any trouble, they keep his photo near them, and like magic, the problemsâwhether illness, mental distress, or family troublesâjust vanish. He is like a living God to me. I am a living example of his grace.
Partha-da:
People get what they seek according to their devotion. But there is one thing: Gurudev tells his disciples, "Do this, don't do that." If you consider him the head of your family and follow his words, his grace will manifest. Some people complain that things aren't working, but they don't truly respect him. They just come to ask for things and leave. You must call him from your heart.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, your disciple just gave a beautiful example. What is your opinion on this? He saw you sitting next to him while he was meditatingâwhat do you have to say about that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There isn't much to say. Whoever has true devotion, faith, and love will find me. I visit many homes. I have visited many houses and "eaten" there. I get many calls from people saying, "Gurudev, you came to my house in a dream last night and ate your fill." Even if it is a dream, the fact is that we go to those who call us with love. If I didn't go, I would be failing in my duty toward God. We go in a "subtle body" (Sukshma Deha), do the work, and come back.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He once asked me to visit his house. Even before he could take me there physically, I appeared there while he was praying. He saw me sitting behind him and smiling. It wasn't a dream; he saw me while he was wide awake.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I'll tell you another story. There was a devotee who remembered me often. He bought a wooden throne for a deity and asked me to come and consecrate it. I told him I would go. That night, at 3:00 AM, I "knocked" on his door. He opened it and saw me. I told him, "I've come to consecrate the deity. You go back to sleep, it's very cold."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After I was done, he asked if I wanted tea. I said, "No, I'll drink tea outside. Don't wake anyone else up, it's too early." He was very happy. Then I told him, "Son, I am in a bit of trouble." He was surprised and asked what it was. I said, "I don't have enough money to perform the Satyanarayan Shini (sweet offering), which I have been doing for 25 years. If you could give me some money, it would be a great help."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He was stunned. He told me, "Go home, I will come and give it to you." And true to his word, he came that very day, gave me the money, and then left for Sagar. This was all perceived through a dream, yet the money he gave was very real. These kinds of supernatural events happen to those who are fortunate and who call upon me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people see me and don't understand who I am. Because of the way I dress, they don't realize I am a spiritual practitioner (Sadhak). They often treat me with neglect or indifference, but I don't mind. I help whoever comes to me.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, we know you have practiced Tantra and other intense spiritual disciplines that people don't know about. We don't publicize it, and we won't. People will come to you, and you will serve them through your Tantric work. We know you are practicing the path of the "Formless Brahma" (Nirakara Brahma), even if you don't say it.
Partha-da:
I have nothing more to say. When God is with me, that is the ultimate achievement. I will end my part here.
Interviewer:
Pranam to you, Gurudev. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Bless you, son. Bless you.