Speaker 1:
On this evening, I offer my respects to Mother Tara and you, Gurudev. With your blessing, I start today's episode. Gurudev, in several previous episodes, you have repeatedly mentioned that marrying outside one's religion leads to the loss of one's lineage (Kultayg). You have often advised people against inter-religious marriages. However, we have a controversial question from the viewers: why did you stand by and give a Hindu girl in marriage to a Christian family?
Gurudev:
If you were in that situation, you would have said the same thing. No one from the Punjabi or Bengali community was willing to take her in. But I saw a boy who came forward spontaneously and said he wanted to marry her. I was very happy. At that moment, I didn't focus on religion. I didn't care about those things then. I thought, "Alright." The boy is Christian, and the girl is Punjabi. I saw that the boy was very noble—truly exceptional. He told me, "Gurudev, I will never let your daughter suffer as long as I live." So far, everything is going well. It's been many years since they married, and there have been no problems.
Speaker 1:
You used to call that lady your "elder daughter." Did you do this to fulfill your responsibility toward her?
Gurudev:
Yes, absolutely. I had no other choice. As a father, it was my duty to ensure her rescue and well-being. She was in a very helpless state. I didn't have the financial means to support her indefinitely or keep her with me. So, I asked her if she was willing, and she immediately agreed. Since the boy's family is Christian, they believe in Jesus Christ. They agreed to have a Bengali-style wedding in Kolkata, but they also wanted a church wedding. I agreed to that too. We had the Bengali wedding here, then went to the church. I spoke with the priest there, completed the marriage ceremony, and handed my daughter over to him before returning home. It was quite a significant event.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, we want to know one thing: you've said that inter-religious marriage leads to the loss of lineage. In this case, what you did seems to be a profound example of humanity.
Gurudev:
Exactly. It was about humanity and nothing else. Who would have fed her? Who would have looked after her? Even though I called her my daughter, she is biologically Punjabi. I did what I had to during her time of crisis. No one else came forward then, and likely no one ever would have. This boy came, I liked him, and I gave them my blessing.
Speaker 1:
Did the girl not have any parents or relatives?
Gurudev:
She had everyone, yet she had no one. None of her relatives or parents looked after her. Since she had no one, I stepped in as her father.
Speaker 1:
So, you prioritized her well-being over social or religious norms?
Gurudev:
Yes. She isn't part of our specific lineage; she's Punjabi. If she were from our specific community, it might have been different, but she was alone. This boy was the only one who stepped up.
Speaker 1:
What is their situation now?
Gurudev:
They are doing well. They live in Raniganj. The boy has a good job. He actually came to see me recently and spoke highly of the situation. Thousands of people have seen that episode; it was titled "The Sad Story of a Punjabi Girl."
Speaker 1:
Yes, that episode received a lot of views. But later, someone commented asking why you allowed a girl to "abandon her lineage" when you usually speak against it. Do you have anything to say to that person?
Gurudev:
I don't know what that person would have done in my shoes. I did what God gave me the strength to do. I don't care what others say. I wanted her to have peace. She was suffering, she had no money, no support. I asked her, and she agreed. They are very liberal-minded. The girl already had a daughter from a previous situation—her husband had abandoned her and taken their son to Delhi. I told the new husband, "Promise me you won't have your own children. You must raise this girl as your own." He agreed. Now, that daughter is studying to be a doctor. Because they are Christian, they have certain facilities and support, and she is a very bright student.
Speaker 1:
So, you're saying both of them are very kind-hearted?
Gurudev:
Yes. He has raised that girl wonderfully. He told me he would focus entirely on her education. I was very happy to hear that. Helping others is the true religion. We should help and forgive each other. Instead of doing that, people get caught up in questions about why a Punjabi girl did this or that. But because she met someone like me, her life was saved. There are many such girls I have helped, pulling them out of the darkness and into the light. I don't want to brag about it, but many have benefited.
Gurudev:
I remember a girl from 21 years ago. I helped her out of a very dark place, and now she is a sannyasini (nun). You might have seen her in an episode. This is what human religion should be. Look at this lady sitting here—her 21-year-old son died in an accident, and her husband had a stroke. I told her, "Your son is gone, but I am here. I am your son." She comes to see me often. Her husband is better now by the grace of the Mother. People come here for peace, and they find it.
Speaker 1:
It's clear she has found strength through you. Even though she is grieving, you have given her hope.
Gurudev:
I told her to come to me whenever she needs. This is what matters more than social status—helping someone find the right path. I've even had women perform Yagyas (sacred rituals) here. They asked me, "Can we perform rituals as women?" I said, "Why not? I will give you the mantras." Many women have done so. If the world had this kind of perspective, it would be a different place. But people lack this vision and the power to forgive. That is what saddens me sometimes.
Speaker 1:
Your words today clarify that humanity stands above all social constraints. You gave that girl a life and a home.
Gurudev:
(Coughing) I also helped a blind girl recently. She lost her sight due to health issues. It was heartbreaking. I prayed for her, and things improved. There are hundreds of such cases. If I brought them all forward, people would say I'm just promoting myself. But they come because they are truly helpless.
Speaker 1:
It's not about promotion, Gurudev. It's about the people you've helped. Now, I have an announcement for the viewers. Gurudev is currently quite unwell. He is struggling to speak. If any of you come to visit, please do not disturb him or insist on touching his feet (pranam). If you disturb him, his health may decline further. You are welcome to come, but please show restraint.
Gurudev:
It's true. When I hear someone's problems, a process (Kriya) starts within me. I start working on their situation mentally, and it exhausts me. I can't always control it, and it makes me ill. I am getting older, and I don't have the same physical strength. I don't know how much longer I will be able to see people.
Speaker 1:
We understand, Gurudev. We will end today's episode here. Respects to you.
Gurudev:
Blessings to you.