Last Day Meeting Gurudev: A Visit to Tarapith During COVID

Source: YouTube video | Bengali to English Translation

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Devotee: Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru: Salutations, my son.
Commentator: Upon arriving at Tarapith today, your devotee and disciple, Sourav—what is your full name?
Sourav: Sourav Banerjee.
Commentator: Sourav Banerjee is here to meet you. Sourav is closely associated with this temple. So, Sourav, how do you feel seeing Gurudev here?
Sourav: It is great. I've met him three or four times already.
Guru: He loves me very much. He has a lot of love and I have a great deal of respect for him. He is a very good boy. At least to me—I don't know about others. I have no self-interest here. Whenever I come, he comes to see me. His uncle, Pratap—Pratap Panda—is also here. When he is around, I face no difficulties.
Sourav: Given the COVID situation, masks are mandatory in the temple now. There is a sanitizer tunnel installed, and everyone must pass through it. My advice to those visiting is to definitely use masks and sanitizers. Your safety is in your own hands. You might think it's over, but it's not.
Guru: No, that would be a mistake. It would be a big mistake. We must maintain precautions as much as possible. Wear masks, sanitize your hands, and maintain distance. This struggle we are facing—I don't know how long it will last. It will likely continue through 2021 as well.
Guru: Exactly. I also wanted to come for a long time and eventually hired a car to get here. I felt a strong pull from the Mother. I had stayed away because of COVID-19, but I finally came today. I'll see what happens tomorrow regarding the darshan. You all stay here and perform the rituals.
Sourav: We do what we can, but there is no one above the Mother.
Guru: That's true. As I told you before, I have given you many of the Mother's mantras. That is good. I've also seen your Aarti (prayer ritual); it was very nice. But that is your personal matter. I am only here for a day or two and will leave soon.
Sourav: I heard you were here and came immediately. I actually watched your episode the night before last. I don't always get time during the day because of work, but I watch your channel almost every day when I can. If there are no customers at the shop, I sit and watch. I tell others to watch what "Dadu" (Grandfather/Elder) is saying about rituals and what should be done.
Guru: It's important for everyone to know these things. I am a different kind of person; I don't want to force my way into the Mother's chamber. Whatever the laws and rules are, I will follow them. I'll wear a mask and watch from a distance. Just seeing the Mother is enough to clear all troubles. My mind has been restless for her for a long time. Tomorrow, I wish to perform a Homa (fire ritual).
Sourav: At the temple?
Guru: No, I won't do it there. I will do it under the Mundamali (banyan) tree. It will be late at night. "Pagla Baba" has also arrived; he will be with me. We will perform the ritual together. Stay if you can. Bapi is also there; he performs the rituals at the cremation ground. He said, "Gurudev, I will be there too." So, we will have the Homa there. That is why I specifically came—to do the puja and then leave.
Sourav: Will you go back tomorrow?
Guru: I will leave on Sunday. I have the car with me until Sunday. I'll stay all of tomorrow and then leave around 9 or 10 AM on Sunday. That is the plan.
Guru: It was good to see you, son. Stay well.

Spiritual Insight

In this heartfelt meeting at Tarapith during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gurudev Shyama Khyapa demonstrates his deep respect for safety protocols while maintaining his unwavering devotion to Mother Tara. His disciple Sourav Banerjee, who has met him three or four times before, affectionately refers to him as "Dadu" (Grandfather) and shares his videos with others at his shop. Despite having access to the inner sanctum in the past, Gurudev insists on following all rules—wearing masks, using sanitizer tunnels, and watching the Mother's darshan from a distance if necessary. His main purpose for the visit is to perform a Homa ritual under the Mundamali tree late at night, accompanied by Pagla Baba and Bapi from the cremation ground. This brief encounter reveals the mutual love between guru and disciple, the challenges of spiritual practice during a pandemic, and Gurudev's characteristic humility before the Divine Mother.