In Search of the Perfect Man: A Monk's Encounter with Gurudev

NARRATOR: Dear viewers, on this beautiful evening at Shantikaunj, I offer my respects to Mother Tara and begin today's episode. A warm welcome to those new to the "Gupto Sadhak Shyama Khyapa" YouTube channel, and I express my gratitude to our long-time friends for their continued support. We often see many seekers and great monks visiting Gurudev. We don't exactly know how they find their way here, but they interact with Gurudev as if they've known him for ages. Today, we are joined by such a person. Greetings, Maharaj. Greetings, Gurudev. Maharaj, you were asking Gurudev some questions earlier; we'd like our viewers to hear them.

GURUDEV: First, let me introduce him. He's from Benares, specifically near Harishchandra Ghat. He's here visiting his maternal uncle and came to see me—I’m not sure why, but it was a pleasure meeting and talking with him. Now, he’ll share a few words.

MONK: I don't have much to say of my own; I came here to listen to him. But first, let me offer my respects to everyone and pray to the Mother for everyone’s health and well-being. Building on what Maharaj said about monks visiting and feeling an old connection—that’s where I’d like to start my first question. Sometimes, we talk to someone and feel like we've known them forever. Or, standing at a bus stop, you see someone and instinctively feel they are a good person, even if you’ve never met them before and may never see them again. Conversely, you might see someone else and feel an immediate sense of unease. Why does this happen? My understanding is that we have relationships spanning lifetimes. In some past life, that person—regardless of their current appearance—might have been very dear to you. Your conscious mind doesn’t recognize them, but your inner self does, leading to that feeling of affection. Similarly, a feeling of dislike might stem from a conflict between your souls in a previous birth. Those impressions remain within the soul, and it recognizes them instantly.

GURUDEV: Exactly. You don’t know when you were born or when you will die, but the soul remains. The soul is indestructible. I might see you in one form in this life and another form or name in the next, but I will see you. My soul feels like an old friend has come to visit. Many people come to me seeking things, but then there are some—monks and saints—who feel like they’ve been part of my life for many lifetimes. People have come from the Himalayas, and from as far as America, London, and Japan. They feel so familiar, like my own people. This happens because of the impressions from past lives. We may not be able to explain it, but we will surely meet again in the future, perhaps elsewhere. There’s no doubt about it.

MONK: I am so happy that a spiritually realized person like you acknowledges this connection from past lives. That itself is a great achievement for me.

GURUDEV: If there were no such connection, why would you even come here? Thousands of people pass by, but why did you come to me? That’s the point.

MONK: I haven't studied the scriptures deeply. That’s why I asked you yesterday about what it takes to experience God—whether rituals and mantras are necessary. When you gestured "no," I knew I was on the right path. I read Sri Ramakrishna’s "Kathamrita" occasionally, as it brings me peace. He used to say that just as drug addicts find each other in a new place, those who seek the joy of God also find their own kind. I’ve started a new life as a sanyasi, with a new name and a new beginning. I’ve passed this way many times before, but never felt the urge to come in until now. In this age of Kali, people have drifted away from their dharma—not just religion, but their basic duties. If we could just return to those small acts of kindness... For instance, if I see a banana peel on the road and pick it up so an elderly or blind person doesn't fall and get hurt—that small act of goodness matters. Or picking up a nail from the road. Most people don't do these things. Can’t we, as monks and seekers, promote the idea of doing small, good deeds? My small effort, combined with yours and others’, could lead to a significant positive change.

GURUDEV: You asked me yesterday why I wear white instead of saffron or red. I’ve renounced everything and chosen white. White is a symbol of truth and peace. I’ve named this place Shanti Kunja (The Grove of Peace). If I wore saffron or red, it wouldn’t align with the name and its purpose. White is the color of peace. Think about why we release white pigeons for peace. I wear white so that I can remain unrecognized and blend in, yet people still recognize me and seek my blessings.

MONK: How can you not be recognized? If you’re a 10,000-watt lamp, people are bound to see you. Even if you walk in the dark, the fragrance of your spiritual practice will draw people, just like bees are drawn to a flower. Your years of meditation and penance have created an aura, a "Jyotirbalay," that those who are observant can see.

GURUDEV: Yes, there is an aura. People see it and come to me, asking to touch my feet or for my blessings. They come from all over just to see me. Some people have the intuition to recognize it immediately.

MONK: As the saying goes, once a flower blooms, you can’t hide its fragrance.

GURUDEV: We are immersed in that divine joy.

MONK: Indeed. We don’t have to worry about anything—food, clothing, or anything else. I went to Benares for the first time and had an experience. People say God doesn’t appear in person, but the divine experience is something you feel every moment. Let me share something that happened about five or six days ago.

MONK: I was sitting at the ghat, and I felt like I was in a deep state of meditation. It was wonderful. Then, I had a strange vision. I felt like I was sitting on the edge of a mountain cliff. I felt myself slipping and was about to fall when I suddenly felt something catch me by my shoulder. I looked around and saw nothing, but I felt this incredible sense of being protected. I realized it was the Mother’s hand. This taught me that God is always around us, protecting us at every moment. Even though I’m a monk and don’t earn money or beg, I trust that the Divine will provide. As the saying goes, "Better to live simply and independently than to live in luxury as a slave." Why should we depend on others for food? We should trust the Almighty.

MONK: Let me tell you what happened next. It was Ganga Dashahara, a very crowded day. I went for a dip in the Ganges at 3:00 AM. While climbing back up, my leg got caught in a broken part of the iron-plated stairs. I was in deep water and couldn't pull my leg out. I didn't want to call for help and cause a scene. I prayed for an hour, and finally, my leg came free. It was slightly cut, and I applied some lime to stop the bleeding. But then it started to swell. I went to the Kabir Chaura Hospital, where they put a plaster on it. Two days later, I was in excruciating pain and the bandage was soaked. A vein had burst inside, and gangrene had started to set in. I had no one to help me, and the hospital rules required a companion for admission. I was limping along the road when I heard some people speaking Bengali. They turned out to be members of the local Bengali Association, and one was the President. He arranged for someone to help me get admitted to the hospital. Everything was taken care of. Who else but God could have arranged that?

NARRATOR: Maharaj, you had a question for Gurudev about Lord Shiva. We are short on time, so please ask.

MONK: My question is about Shiva. Is he the Supreme Father, the formless, the attribute-less source of all power?

GURUDEV: We worship Shiva as the auspicious one (Mangalmay). We perform Linga Puja, but for us, the Linga is not just a symbol; it represents the divine, radiant, and immortal being who pervades the universe. He is the one we praise.

MONK: Is it because our souls are connected to that Supreme Soul?

GURUDEV: Exactly. "Yat Jiva, Tat Shiva"—every living being is a part of Shiva. We are all his creations, but we have forgotten our true nature. Those who can remember him do so. People like us are always focused on him. We don't worry about the external symbols. Shiva is the auspicious one, and he is working through us. He has given the command to start the transformation, the "Sanghar." He has signaled to Krishna/Narayan that the time for destruction and renewal has come. We must not delay, or things will get worse. A challenging time is ahead; everyone should be careful.

NARRATOR: Friends, you were listening to the conversation between these two seekers. We've learned so much from their words. I hope you found it enlightening as well. Respects to you, Maharaj. Respects, Gurudev.

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