Interviewer:
Gurudev, today is the day before Mahalaya. This day is celebrated with great pomp and in a unique way at Shantikunja. Today has distinct characteristics and reasons. Shantikunja is adorned in a new look, and Ma is also dressed in a new form. Everything is being done anew.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, the thing is, we are getting the Amavasya (New Moon) tonight. We won't have it tomorrow. Without the Amavasya, our puja cannot take place. That's why we decided to perform Ma's puja tonight. Usually, Mahalaya falls on the day of Mahalaya itself, but this time there's a complication—the Amavasya starts tonight and won't last until tomorrow night. So, we have to perform the puja today.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, Shantikunja is beautifully decorated today. Along with Shantikunja, Ma has also arrived in a new form. She arrived at night and will depart by morning.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, the puja will take place. Show the image of Ma.
Interviewer:
Look at Ma, who has just arrived. She came all decked up, without leaving any bit of her finery. She is seated now and will depart before the first light of dawn. She is always in a hurry. She arrives and departs within a specific timeframe. You might have seen her recently—she comes and sits here, right next to Baba. Baba keeps her close, almost like she's in his lap. This part of Shantikunja has been newly decorated. Ma has also come in a new form. It seems to us that Ma looks younger. Please share your thoughts on whether you think her age has decreased. The Homa (fire ritual) is also taking place.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, how long has this been practiced?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We do it whenever the Amavasya falls at night. Whether it falls a day before or after Mahalaya doesn't matter to us; we follow the scriptures. According to the scriptures, the night that gets the Amavasya is the night of the ritual. So, we are doing it tonight. And we believe in the harmony of all religions. Look at these pictures...
Interviewer:
You were talking about the harmony of all religions.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, we always maintain that. We believe in everyone—we respect Jesus Christ, we respect the Kaaba Mosque, we respect Mahadev. We also respect all the gods and goddesses of the Hindu Sanatan Dharma. We don't exclude anyone. We show equal devotion to everyone. It's not that we are only focused on Hindu Sanatan Dharma; I don't want to do that. I respect every religion. Not just that, I perform rituals and offer prayers for the Kaaba Mosque and Jesus Christ as well. There's a deeper meaning to this that common people might not understand even if they try, but we have our reasons for doing this. We don't stick to just one religion; we perform prayers for all.
Interviewer:
Viewers, we will make several more short videos like this and bring them all to you. For now, this is a small clip of the Homa taking place this evening. We will continue this later. You are all invited to Shantikunja.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Homa will continue all night. After the puja, Ma will be immersed at 4 AM. According to our rules and scriptures, the thread will be cut, and Ma will be immersed in the water. She cannot be seen for even a minute after that. As soon as the thread is cut, we will carry Ma on our heads and leave. It will still be dark then; the light won't have broken yet. The breaking of light means the sun has risen. We follow this very strictly.
Interviewer:
We are ending this evening's short video here and will return with another one soon.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev. Gurudev, after a long time, Ma is sitting here with you at Shantikunja. We usually see Ma at your home. She doesn't usually come to Shantikunja because of her back pain. She couldn't even come on Guru Purnima. Ma speaks very little, and because of her leg and back pain, she can't travel by car at all. So, having her at Shantikunja today, I want to ask her a few questions. Ma, you couldn't come on Guru Purnima. Tell us, after so long, what did you see and find new at Shantikunja today?
Guruma:
I saw the beautiful Homa taking place, and then the puja of the deity. Seeing the deity being decorated makes me very happy. So many people have come; that also makes me happy.
Interviewer:
Ma, you have seen this festival many times, with all the pandals and decorations. What difference did you see between other times and this time?
Guruma:
Everything looks good, just as before. Ma (the deity) also looks the same, but she looks very small and young.
Interviewer:
Yes, her age seems to have decreased! That's what we were saying too, and now Ma has confirmed it. Ma, how do you feel being at Shantikunja after so long? You usually can't come because of your waist pain.
Guruma:
It feels very good. I came especially because Baba (Gurudev) hasn't been feeling well since yesterday.
Interviewer:
Yes, Baba has been a bit unwell since yesterday with some gastric issues and other discomforts.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ma is here with me in the form of a daughter. Her age is decreasing... everyone else is growing older, but Ma's age is decreasing as the days go by. That is my pride.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, Ma usually doesn't come here. Since she is here today, would you like to say something?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
She doesn't usually come, and I don't ask her to either. No one from my house comes here—not my daughter-in-law, not my grandson, not my son. No one. On very rare occasions, she might say she wants to come and see, and I say, "Okay, come." I never ask anyone.
Interviewer:
We have seen your son very rarely, maybe once for a photo.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He rarely comes. My grandson comes occasionally to make some videos, but Ma almost never comes.
Interviewer:
Viewers, it is a matter of great joy for us that Ma is here today. We really wanted her to come on Guru Purnima, but she couldn't. Today, Guruma herself said that Ma's (the deity's) age has decreased. We felt the same, and now that Guruma has said it, it's confirmed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ma resides with me as a daughter.
Interviewer:
And here you can see Ma has arrived... It is a wonderful moment that we've captured on camera; it's a great joy for us. I am seeing this for the first time in a year, so it's very special for me. Those who have been here longer might have seen it before.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Not many times, maybe once or twice. Not often.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev. Pranam, Ma.