Devotee:
Gurudev, I am starting today's episode by paying my respects to Mother Bama Tara at Shanti Kunj and by paying my respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, yes.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we see various comments on different episodes. Among them, there was one comment that we found very interesting. A girl named Jyoti Halder asked a question. She wanted to know: "I don't particularly enjoy formal worship or rituals (Thakur Pujo). What will be my spiritual fate?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, it isn't mandatory for everyone to enjoy formal worship. Many people love books, some love cinema, and others love music. One should do what one is drawn to. Formal worship isn't the only way. God never said, "If you don't worship me, I won't grant you progress."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Movement is life; the absence of movement is death. And God is the one who provides that movement. It isn't written in any scripture that if you don't perform rituals for a lifetime, you won't progress. You may choose to call upon God or not. Calling upon God provides one thing: peace. If you already have that peace within you, you don't need formal worship. You can find joy through music, poetry, or whatever else fulfills you. People find joy in different ways, and God is the provider of that joy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, if you don't like rituals, don't do them. There is no need. But you must hold onto something that resonates with your soulāa connection between your soul and the Supreme Soul. It could be music, poetry, cinema, or even painting.
Devotee:
There are many paths in life, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, those are all forms of spiritual practice (Sadhana). If you are singing, that is a form of Sadhana. I don't believe there is a mandatory need to call upon God in a specific ritualistic way. Some might say that without it, you won't progress, but that is incorrect. God grants progress to everyone.
Devotee:
However, Gurudev, one must live correctly and keep their conscience awakened.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Certainly. As I always say, ours is a spiritual land; it is called the land of God. We should not engage in injustice, misconduct, or lies. The pain, suffering, and pandemics we see in the world are often the results of our own karma. It doesn't matter if you don't "call" upon God. Whatever you love is your God. For me, God is what I love, so I call upon Him. For you, music might be your God. Everyone clings to something that gives them the sustenance to live. Some find it through God, some by feeding animals, and some by tending to trees. Everyone creates their own sustenance for living. You might call it "God," but I say it is whatever you love and whatever you need to survive. Those who are dedicated to these things are ultimately living through that essence. So, I won't tell you that you must perform rituals.
Devotee:
Gurudev, in the episode you released for the audience today, we learned something interesting. Someone commented on your statement that "Jagannath is defeated by Nature (Prakriti)." Many are asking how that is possible.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is possible. They say that because they don't know. There is a profound relationship between God and Nature. God governs Nature. Think of it this way: who governs the wife in a house? Her husband. Similarly, the "Purusha" (Divine Being) governs "Prakriti" (Nature).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lord Jagannath is a deity where all other deities reside in a subtle form. In Puri, the falling or breaking of the temple flag is considered an ill omen. It isn't a good sign. But He is showing that "Whatever you do, I will do my work." If the wind hadn't blown, the flag wouldn't have broken. I didn't believe the news at first when a boy from Odisha told me. I asked for proof. When he showed me the footage of the broken flag at the Puri temple, only then did I record the episode. Nature's furyāthe storms and rainsācaused it.
Devotee:
Yes, Gurudev, we had storms here in West Bengal, as well as in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. We even heard that in Devprayag, the river levels rose significantly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The same thing happened in Devprayag. No lives were lost, but many houses were destroyed by the surging water. I repeatedly tell people: when you hear thunder or see clouds, go inside. Don't stand under trees or out in the open. There will be many deaths due to lightning strikes this time. This has been predicted. Those working in the fields are at risk because storms come suddenly. I urge the general public to stay indoors when there is lightning. I heard three or four people died yesterday.
Devotee:
Six people died, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Six? That is very sad. Many such calamities will occur now. As I said, the Divine Being maintains Nature, and if His flag falls, it symbolizes a shift in power. When kings fight, if one king's flag falls, he is defeated and must negotiate or surrender. Jagannath is the King of the World. When His flag fallsānot by human hands, but by Nature's wind and raināit is a sign of Nature's wrath.
Devotee:
So you're saying Natureāwhich we know as the Supreme Nature or a feminine essenceāis somehow displeased with the Divine?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It could be. After all, humans didn't break that flag; the storm did. It is unthinkable that such a flag would break, but He has been giving indications for a long time. Since the fires started and the flag fell, even vultures and crows have been nesting thereāthings that never happened before. These are all signals.
Devotee:
Gurudev, another girl named Sahili Das asked a question. She knows that Brahman (the Supreme Reality) is detached (Nirlipta). If so, how was mankind or the rest of creation created?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For that, we have to look at the stories of creation, like Adam and Eve. God created a woman and a manāNature and Being. Initially, they were naked and had no worldly knowledge. Later, they ate the fruit of knowledge and gained awareness. To hide their shame, they began using leaves and branches. This is the creation of Lord Brahma.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When Brahma created humans, he also created the "Six Ripus" (the six passions/vices: lust, anger, greed, etc.). The Rippus became active, but they had nowhere to go. They couldn't manifest their power on trees or animals. They became frustrated and went to Brahma. They said, "Lord, you created us, but where is our work? Itās better to kill us. Why did you create us?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Brahma replied, "You are right. I am creating a species where you can reside and perform your actions." That species was mankind. Once humans were created, the six passions entered them and began their work. This is the story as I know it. Brahma created both the passions and the humans.
Devotee:
But Gurudev, why is Brahman called "detached" (Nirlipta)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Brahman has no specific "work" in the human sense; Brahman is unmanifest (Avyakta) and detached.
Devotee:
But Brahma performed these actions of creation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Brahma must act; he is the creator. Brahman is the source from which you originated, but you cannot "know" Brahman in a worldly sense. It is said that if one truly encounters the absolute Brahman, the individual self ceases to exist. Brahman works through detachment. Brahman is unmanifest and all-pervading.
Devotee:
So, "detached" means we cannot see or experience Brahman?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Certainly. Brahman is the self-existent source. When the realization of Brahman arises in a person, they might not even realize they have attained it. They may seem "mad" to the world, speaking in riddles, seeing God in everythingāin an ant, in a cat. This happened with Sri Ramakrishna. At that stage, they are called "Paramhansa." It is a title given by society to those who reach the "Turiya" (fourth) stage of consciousness. Not many achieve this. Ramakrishna achieved it, the founder of the Sri Guru Ashram achieved it, and Nigamananda achieved it. There are others we may not know of. It is the ultimate stage where everything is perceived as Brahman.
Devotee:
Gurudev, I hope those who sent in questions have received their answers. We also learned a lot today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Itās good to learn. There is so much people don't know. As they say, "There is no end to learning, and the attempt to know it all is futile." But through effort, we earn merit and come closer to the Divine. Without knowing why someone like Ramakrishna or Durgaprasanna is called a "Paramhansa," just saying the name has no value.
Devotee:
Gurudev, I know you sometimes have trouble wearing a mask because you are physically unwell.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When I wear a mask, I feel suffocated. I feel like I might die. That is why I haven't worn one often. But now, due to the pressure and the rising cases, I have to. It is very difficult for me, as an elderly person with breathing issues. However, the COVID cases are rising, and everyone should wear a mask. We use sanitizer hereāwhen we arrive, when we leave, and in between. I have three masks and sanitizing equipment right here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
(Gurudev shows the masks and sanitizer)
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I keep everything needed for COVID safety. People ask me, "You don't wear a mask, so why do you tell us to?" But not everyone has the same physical tolerance. I am old and have respiratory trouble. However, in public, I follow the rules. This is my home; I don't wear a mask here in front of the Mother. But when people come to talk to me, I put it on. People don't see that, so they comment.
Devotee:
Friends, I want to inform you that everyone at Shanti Kunj follows COVID protocols.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have told the municipal chairman and the police that we will follow all the rules. I tell everyone to maintain distance. My "medicine" for COVID is "don't mingle" (Mela-mesha koro na). Keep your distance, wear your mask, and use sanitizer. The second wave is here, and the third might come by September or October. It will be even more dangerous, especially for people like me. But I have the Mother's protection, so I am not overly worried. Whether I wear a mask or not, she is over me. But for the sake of rituals and prayers, I have to keep my face clear. We are here with the Mother, not out at a tea shop or wandering the streets. When people come, we maintain distance and follow the rules. Some "over-educated" youngsters might make comments without knowing the reality, but I urge everyone to stay safe and follow the government's guidelines.
Devotee:
Thank you, Gurudev. You have answered many questions and provided an important message for public awareness. We end today's session by paying respects to Mother Bama Tara and to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, blessings to you.