Devotee:
Hello friends, we are on our way to Mahapith Tarapith. With us is our revered Gurudev. With his consent and desire, we are heading towards Tarapith. We are strictly following all COVID-19 guidelines. The vehicle has been fully sanitized, and everyone is wearing masks as we travel toward Mahapith Tarapith.
Please stay with us. Pranam (salutations), Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.
Devotee:
Gurudev, please say something to our viewers.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What can I say? I have never traveled to Tarapith with a group of 20 people before in my life. Usually, I go alone or perhaps with one other person. But now, we are going with 20 people in two cars. I donāt know what will happen; itās all in Motherās (Goddess Tara) hands. What else is there to say?
Devotee:
Friends, even during this COVID period, we are traveling while following all the protocols. We are following behind Gurudev's vehicle. Please pray to the Mother for Gurudev. He is already praying for us, but you should pray for him too.
It is our great fortune to be traveling with Gurudev today. Stay with us as we continue. Gurudev, do you have anything else to add?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What is there to say? I am going after a long timeāalmost a year. Because of COVID, I couldn't go. Usually, I visit two or three times a year. This time, because of the unfortunate COVID-19 situation, I will be following the rules and asking others to do the same. This is a disease for which there is no proper cure, tablet, or vaccine yet. They say itās coming, but nothing effective has arrived.
I feel that COVID is perhaps an act of God. I don't believe it was created by humans. I hope a vaccine or medicine is developed soon. Regardless, we are all going to the Mother to pray for the well-being of everyone.
Devotee:
Friends, we are now crossing the Dakshineshwar Temple. Look, there is the Motherās temple.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Jai Maa (Hail the Mother)! Jai Maa Bhabatarini!
Devotee:
You could see a glimpse of the Mother's temple. Unfortunately, we canāt show it directly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tara, Tara, Tara. Jai Ramakrishna, Jai Gurudev.
Devotee:
Gurudev, please pray for everyone when you reach Tarapith. Please convey our prayers to the Mother.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, I am constantly praying, and I will continue to do so.
Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev. We will have many more videos coming up. Stay tuned. Jai Maa.
Devotee:
Gurudev, Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.
Devotee:
You have returned to the Mother after a long time.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it has been a while. I came shortly before the lockdown, and then the COVID situation started. The temple was closed anyway, so there was no point in coming. We arrived a little while ago and found a very nice place to stay.
Iāve informed Bapi Maharaj and Pratapāthe priests who live here. They are coming. Tomorrow morning, we will go for the Motherās Darshan (holy viewing). Since they are prominent priests here, we need their help, as they aren't letting everyone into the inner sanctum easily.
We have come with about 20 people. That is the challenge. But everyone has found a room, so there is no problem. I have known this place for a long time. I was actually here in Tarapith during the massive, terrifying flood years ago. I was stuck here for about 15 days. The roads were in such bad condition that I couldn't leave.
Back then, during the flood, this area was completely devastated. Now, I see buildings and shops have been rebuilt. It was all washed away back then; I saw it with my own eyes. The road was completely gone. I am staying here at the Maa Usha Lodge, which is opposite the Bharat Sevashram, slightly inside. Itās a very peaceful place. Tomorrow morning we will go for Darshan.
Devotee:
Gurudev, you have come during this COVID situation. You have been performing Hom-Yagya (fire rituals) at your Ashram, Shantikunj, for the deliverance of people from this pandemic. Will you be performing a ritual here as well?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, tomorrow night we will perform a Yagya here near the Motherās temple. People have come for that. Our āPagla Babaā has arrived; he will perform the ritual. We intend to perform a Shanti Yagya (peace ritual) for the well-being of the world right here at the Motherās feet. I hope the Mother shows Her mercy. If She shows Her mercy, everything will be well.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we are witnesses to this rare moment as your companions on this journey. We offer our Pranam to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.