Host:
Dear viewers, I begin today's episode by paying my respects to Mother Bhabatarini of Shantikunj. I welcome the new viewers to the Guptasadhak Shyama-Kapa YouTube channel and express my gratitude to our long-time friends for staying with us. Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, my son.
Host:
Gurudev, almost every Sanatani [follower of the Eternal Way] frequently chants, "Har Har Mahadev, Bom Shankar." I've always wanted to ask you—what is the meaning of "Har Har Mahadev"?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Har Har Mahadev. He who takes away [removes] everything is "Har." Wherever Mahadev is worshipped, this chant arises. He who takes away my sorrows, my sufferings, and everything in my life—joys and pains alike—is Mahadev Himself. He is the one who "harans" [takes away]. That is why we call out to Him repeatedly, saying, "Har Har Mahadev: Please take away whatever pain and suffering I have." It is a request to Him to remove our burdens.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, regarding the word "Bom" in "Bom Shankar"—you won't find this word in the Vedas or the Vedantas. However, it is found in the Tantras. Do you know what "Bom" means? Our body is composed of five elements: Kshiti [Earth], Ap [Water], Tej [Fire/Energy], Morut [Air], and Bom [Space/Ether/Gas]. These are the Panchabhuta [Five Elements]. As the poet Ramprosad said, "I have no resources at the end; whatever I earned through hard work is consumed by the five elements."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
"Bom" is a gaseous or ethereal substance. Kshiti means Earth. Ap means Water. Morut means Air. And Bom is that gaseous element which is limitless. When a child is conceived in the womb, these elements must be present.
Host:
So, Gurudev, are you saying the mother's womb is like the Earth [Kshiti]?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Certainly. Everything is born within it. That is the Earth; that is where the soil is. Our body is made of "Med" [flesh/fat], which is Earth. Then there is Ap, which is water. When a child is in the womb, there is plenty of water; if that water dries up or leaks, the child cannot survive. Tej is the heat—the child absorbs the mother's body heat. Morut is the air the child receives. And Bom is the gaseous substance within the bladder or womb where the child is formed. We call this a form of Adyashakti Mahamaya [The Primordial Energy]. Without these elements, a human being cannot be born. We often forget what components go into creating a life.
Host:
Gurudev, this brings up another point. We have heard you say that Mahadev is Ardhanarishwara [Half-man, half-woman].
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is correct. He is often called Ardhanarishwara. For instance, at the Annapurna temple, Mahadev is worshipped in this form. The Shiva Linga is placed upon the Gauri Patta [the base representing the Divine Mother]. Symbolically, this represents a union or intercourse. Our Hindu scriptures are highly advanced and scientific, even if many people today cannot justify or explain them. There are deep symbolic meanings. If you discuss this with a realized soul, you will understand why the Linga and the Gauri Patta are inseparable. Where there is Shiva, there is Durga.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They are one. Half female, half male. It is difficult to say whether Mahadev is male or female—He possesses such power that He can be either.
Host:
So, His upper half is male and the lower is female?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Precisely. He stands upon the Gauri Patta. This is the philosophy of creation. Mahadev is at the very root of creation. This is a profound and scientific concept. Creation doesn't happen without the union of these energies. In our philosophy, the first "Ripu" [vice or impulse] is Kama [Desire/Lust], followed by anger, greed, attachment, pride, and envy.
Host:
So, when we say "Har Har Mahadev," are we asking Him to take away these six vices?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. We are asking Him to remove those vices from us. And "Bom Shankar" refers to that primordial, powerful energy of Mahadev and Mahamaya. Without that intense energy, a life cannot be produced. If we analyze this from a Tantric perspective, it is even more profound. For example, Birjo [vital seed/energy] is said to have a transparency like a thousand moons. It holds immense power.
Host:
Gurudev, I asked two small questions about the meanings of "Har" and "Bom," and you explained how "Har" refers to the removal of our six vices and how "Bom" relates to the elemental creation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I've explained both. Everything is hidden within these words, but we often don't judge or discuss them deeply.
Host:
Everyone chants "Har Har Mahadev" as they walk down the street, especially during the month of Shravan, but most don't know what they are asking to be removed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, people say it because it's common to say it. But if you analyze what is within our bodies, so much more is revealed that is beyond the grasp of the common man.
Host:
Thank you, Gurudev. I came with these small questions, and as always, your explanations opened up so many surrounding truths.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You can't just give a one-sentence answer to these things. If you don't explain the context, the answer remains incomplete. This is why people watch these episodes—because of these explanations. I get many calls from people who say they listen to these talks every night before bed because they find them so enlightening.
Host:
Indeed. Today you've explained the deeper meaning behind the chants we use so casually. I hope people now understand the significance of what they are saying.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Precisely.