Disciple:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru:
Greetings, my son.
Disciple:
Gurudev, today I would like to hear from you about Gyan Yog (the Yoga of Knowledge) and Nishkam Karm Yog (the Yoga of Selfless Action). Could you explain what these are for us?
Guru:
Certainly. Listen, generally speaking, these terms are often used within the RSS organization. They refer to a Karm Yogi as someone who performs selfless service. Such individuals go wherever work is needed, and in return for their labor, they take nothing. They work without any personal desire. That is what "Nishkam" means—action without attachment to the results. In this context, "Kam" refers to work or activity.
Guru:
On the other hand, there is the Gyan Yogi. This is someone who possesses vast knowledge and brings that knowledge to others. The nature of knowledge is such that the more you distribute it, the more it grows within you. If you have knowledge but keep it locked away inside yourself, that is not good. Gyan Yog involves imparting knowledge to those who are ignorant—bringing them from darkness into the light.
Guru:
This is very necessary because not everyone is wise. There are many who lack proper values (sanskar). I always say, first, one must be free from prejudice. Some people claim I am with the BJP, others say I am with the Trinamool Congress. These are all baseless claims. We must speak the truth. Even the great saints of the past spoke out when they saw oppression in society.
Guru:
For instance, Bama Khyapa (Bamdev) used to secretly send money to help others. He once sent money to a school through a woman via Tara Khyapa. All great figures, including Swami Vivekananda—who was also associated with such selfless work—practiced Nishkam Karm. Vivekananda said that your work should be so exemplary that people can't help but stop and stare.
Guru:
People will say many things. You may not receive money, and people might praise you or criticize you, but that shouldn't matter. You must remain steadfast in your path. This is part of Gyan Yog. Wise people do not fret over what others say. A scholar or a wise person simply continues to impart knowledge to the ignorant.
Guru:
However, knowledge must be scientific. It shouldn't be something irrational. It must be presented in a way that is acceptable to people. If it isn't acceptable, people will discard it.
Guru:
Some people call me a "Yoga Guru" like many others out there. I don't want to be called that. I don't seek any titles. I am receiving calls from Gurgaon, from Assam, from people saying, "Gurudev, please don't stop. We are listening and we are benefiting. Our way of life has changed after hearing your words."
Guru:
Now, everyone is different. Some like what I say, others don't. Those who don't like it don't need to listen to my episodes. But making derogatory comments is not right. I am not a fraud. I don't wear garlands or red robes just to look the part. To those who call me a fraud, I ask: Did I defraud your father? Did I call your mother here to deceive her?
Guru:
It hurts to hear such things. I could say much harsher things in return, but I refrain. I don't wear saffron; I don't put on an act. These critics have no substance of their own, no योग्यता (yogyata - qualification). They just write something and think they've achieved something great, not realizing that people are actually looking down on them.
Disciple:
As they say, Gurudev, "A thief won't listen to the scriptures." These people are like that.
Guru:
Exactly. Let me tell you a story. Once, a thief went to take a bath in the river at night after a heist. At the same time, a saint also went to the river to bathe. The thief looked at the saint and thought, "Wow, what a great thief he must be! He must have finished a big job and is now washing up before going home." Meanwhile, the saint looked at the thief and thought, "What a devoted soul! He is bathing early so he can go and perform his prayers."
Guru:
You see, everyone sees the world through the lens of their own mindset. A fraud will see fraudulence everywhere. I pray that such negative mindsets are removed from this world soon. They only bring harm. They call good people frauds and frauds wise.
Disciple:
Gurudev, what you are saying makes perfect sense to us. We find great peace in your knowledge, even if a few others don't.
Guru:
They don't have to listen. I haven't forced anyone. But those who are listening are requesting me to continue. For example, the lady I mentioned, Amrita Mondal—she asked a very good question about Gyan Yog and Karm Yog.
Guru:
Gyan Yog is about sharing knowledge without deceiving anyone or leading them into trouble. It must be based on truth and science. People will accept it if it has substance. Out of a thousand people who watch, maybe eight or ten will dislike it. That's fine.
Guru:
And Nishkam Karm Yog is performing your duty without expecting anything in return. I am doing this via YouTube. I don't care if I get paid or not. I told YouTube that people all over the world are watching this. There are costs involved—high-definition equipment and so on—but the goal is to bring people from darkness to light. Work in such a way that you have no personal craving for the result.
Disciple:
Gurudev, is this also part of spirituality (Adhyatma)?
Guru:
Everything is spiritual. The great poet-saint Ram Prasad once said, "The entire universe is the form of the Mother. Even knowing this, you still don't understand. You build idols of clay to worship Her." He was talking about the ultimate knowledge—that God resides in all three worlds: Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. Why do we need a clay idol when the Mother's face is reflected in everything? This is Brahma-gyan (Divine Knowledge). We, as ignorant beings, often fail to see this.
Disciple:
So, whether it is distributing knowledge through Gyan Yog or performing Nishkam Karm, they are essentially the same path?
Guru:
Yes, they are the same. I am using YouTube as a medium for Gyan Yog. I am sharing these truths with the world. Money doesn't matter; what matters is the light of knowledge.
Disciple:
Gurudev, we have learned so much from you today about Gyan Yog and Nishkam Karm Yog. On this evening, we offer our salutations to Ma Tara and to you.
Guru:
Bless you, my son.