Young Man:
Gurudev, my respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings, son. Tell me.
Young Man:
Gurudev, I wanted to ask you about a specific matter today. I see many people coming to you saying they have been victims of \"black magic.\" What exactly is this black magic?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is actually based in Kamakhya. This black magic is practiced there. There is a place called Mayong near the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Even now, there are people there who practice these arts. They harass and distress people. Even when I go to Narmada, people say, \"You are from Kolkata, so you must know black magic.\" It is quite embarrassing. Wherever a Bengali goes now, this is the reputation we have.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It wasn't always like this. Now, some people are learning these arts out of sheer enthusiasm. There is no social discipline involved.
Young Man:
Can this knowledge be acquired very quickly?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, very quickly. You just need to find a \"guru.\" The guru gives a mantra, and that’s it. That mantra is then used on people. They might cut a lock of someone's hair or a piece of their clothing to perform it. Just a moment ago, a girl was here who had been a victim of this. Another girl is coming tomorrow; they have even taken her to Vellore for treatment. The doctors there eventually threw up their hands and said they couldn't do anything.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
She told me, \"I have come to seek your help after hearing about you on YouTube.\" I told her that I am old now and cannot do these things anymore. These black magic practices are very sinister and they don't leave easily. It's all based in Kamakhya. I know the whole matter, but the thing is, we have never practiced such things. God will eventually punish those who do.
Young Man:
Is there no way to take action against them?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look at the state of West Bengal now. If something happens to a neighbor's daughter, others think, \"It's happening to her, let her suffer, what do I care?\" Unity among Bengalis has vanished. If everyone joined together and protested, this wouldn't spread so fast.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But now it has spread. For example, the girl I mentioned—during Durga Puja, a lady called her and said, \"Oh, you look so beautiful, your hair is so nice,\" and then she pulled out a strand of her hair. Since then, the girl has been sick. She hears voices in her ears and she responds to them.
Young Man:
So, those who perform this black magic call the person over, take something from their body, and then voices are heard in their ears?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they hear things and they answer back. They are no longer in this world. Even if their parents call them, they have no awareness; they are preoccupied with those voices. This is happening a lot now. If people don't become conscious of this, they will suffer even more.
Young Man:
But is there no way to be saved from this?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What can be done? They just come and disturb people like us. We might know some mantras and apply them, and sometimes it works—many have been cured. But parents are suffering. It's happening to boys too. I have seen two or three boys who came to me saying they hear voices. It has increased beyond imagination. If people don't unite, it will enter every home tomorrow.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It has become a \"fun\" thing for them. A girl at a school told another girl, \"I have performed black magic on you, now watch what happens.\" This is happening among children. Even 16-year-old girls are doing this. They go to Mayong and pay money to learn these mantras from some old practitioners there. It is not good at all.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I keep saying that we Bengalis must unite. If we find out someone is practicing this, we must confront them directly and cast them out of society. Tell them that these practices won't be tolerated here.
Young Man:
So, Gurudev, you are saying the only way for the public is to build resistance and stay united against this?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. If we can do that, only then can we find a way out. People are suffering terribly. Parents of only children are in a state of despair. People across India are now afraid of people from Kolkata because of this reputation for black magic. My students told me that in other places, people are openly saying, \"You people practice black magic.\"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It's shocking. And there is no protest from Bengalis. Even educated people are doing this now for excitement or money. They go to Mayong to learn. I am warning everyone to be careful.
Young Man:
Gurudev, thank you. You have made it clear that the only way to deal with this is through social resistance and unity.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that is the only way. Otherwise, the suffering will continue. Pranams. Blessings.