Host:
Everyone is welcome to subscribe to our channel, guptasadhakshyamakhapa.com. We have Tapas Ranjan Roy with us today; he has come from Patna. He will speak about the Mother Goddess. Please, go ahead.
Host:
You have come all the way from Patna. How did you know about me?
Tapas:
I have watched every video on your YouTube channel. I was very happy listening to them. Since childhood, a seed of devotion has been in my mind, and I have shared various reasons for that with you privately. Because of that, a strong desire to meet you grew in my heart, and that's why I've come to see you.
Host:
You are highly educated. Were you a science student?
Tapas:
No, no, I am a management student.
Host:
Anyway, how does God come into management?
Tapas:
God is the greatest manager of all. If I talk about the relationship between management and God, first of all, everything we see—the creation of this world, its operation, and where it's headed—it's all a plan. And in management, planning is the most important thing. We may not have the capacity to understand this planning, but we often say when something goes wrong, "My luck is bad," or we ask God, "Oh God, why did you do this to me?" But all this is part of management.
Host:
So, your management is God's management. He is controlling it.
Tapas:
He is controlling it. The definition of management says: it is the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of resources. So, first comes planning. What we call blueprints. God has a fixed blueprint for every human being; that's God's planning for us. Then comes organizing—what family we will be born into, how we will spend our lives, and what we will do. These are all part of the organizing. Then directing—God makes each of us do specific tasks through His direction. I believe every one of us is born into this world with a purpose.
Host:
So, Brahma-priya God has sent everyone. Some open up, some don't.
Tapas:
Right. In this context, Shakespeare also said, "All the world's a stage." This means the whole world is a stage. Here, directing happens. Just like in movies, in this world too, God directs us on what we should and shouldn't do. Based on our conscience, we take that direction and work on it. Then comes controlling. As you said, it is about controlling resources. What are the resources for God? In the world's context, there are financial resources, human resources, etc. But for God, this entire universe is the resource. He is controlling this resource through various laws and events, which balance these resources. Like global warming—these are also a kind of controlling. Because without control, the plan won't be successful. God has a plan for the world, and to make it successful, He controls us and the resources in various ways.
Host:
People are going crazy searching for these resources.
Tapas:
We all want to find God through devotion. We want to find the Manager. We are not looking for resources; we want God directly.
Host:
Pulling from the root.
Tapas:
Pulling from the root. This is the relationship between management and God. Now, referring back to Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage," this whole universe is a stage—a play-field where everyone comes with their own activities and roles. They play their roles and leave when they're finished. There is laughter, tears, sorrow, happiness, gain, and loss in these roles. That's why I don't think management and devotion to God are separate. They are deeply connected. The management theories we read in books today have been practiced by nature since the beginning of time. Even before creation, management existed, and it will remain when everything is gone. So the eternal thing is the Manager—the only God, the source.
Tapas:
I want to share another personal experience from the path of devotion. I heard a song by Ramprasad: "Kaal gelo, Kali holo na sadhon, Ramprasad bole britha ei jibon" (Time passed, but the pursuit of Kali wasn't achieved; Ramprasad says this life is in vain). Similarly, those who keep searching for God will never find Him.
Host:
Exactly.
Tapas:
Because God is within them. It is like the musk deer (Kasturi Mrig). The musk is actually in the navel of the deer, but it goes crazy searching for the scent everywhere. It can't find it, yet the source is within its own navel. Similarly, God is within us. If we can recognize that, we can advance on the path of devotion.
Host:
Vivekananda also said: "Bahurupe sammukhe tomar chhari kotha khunjo Ishwar? Jibe prem kore jei jon shei jon shebi che Ishwar" (In many forms He is before you, where else are you seeking God? One who loves all living beings, serves God). This message of fearlessness... but we don't want to accept it because we go from temple to temple. One day to the sea, next day to Mahakal. But actually, He is within you. You are not looking for Him; you are searching outside. That's why Ramprasad said: "Bahire duto akhi mele chai, gyan akhi mele chaini" (Looked with the two physical eyes, but didn't open the eye of wisdom). Wisdom is the key to peace. The wise have peace; the ignorant have none. The ignorant run around everywhere, like some so-called saints who go where there's a fair to get some money and food while wearing a robe. But everything is within you. You are not thinking about that; you are searching outside.
Tapas:
Everyone has desires in their hearts. People can't stick to one thing. Today it's Durga Puja, so they show immense faith. Then if someone says, "Do Kali Puja, it will be better," they immediately switch. They don't understand that Durga, Kali, Shiva—all Gods are found within good deeds. If you do good deeds, God will surely give good results. There might be some struggle for a while, which could be a test or a plan, but there is good behind it. People suffer for various reasons. But that doesn't mean they should always blame God.
Tapas:
I teach as an ad-hoc lecturer at the College of Commerce in Patna. Students come to me with psychological problems. In management, we teach Organizational Behavior, which is a branch of psychology. Students ask, "Why did this happen to me?" Whether it's relationship issues, lack of focus on studies, family problems, financial problems, or being unable to pay college fees—they are all crying. But God has given everyone the capacity. Like the resources I mentioned, God has given everyone the resources to organize and lead their lives and overcome their situations. But people don't want to look for them. Those who move forward find them. Those who don't, wander aimlessly like the musk deer and never find them.
Host:
When the musk in the deer's navel matures, it gives off a wonderful scent. The deer goes crazy searching for it, not knowing it's inside. It's the same with humans. And most importantly, the path of devotion. Only one path is open: Bhakti Marg (path of devotion). Just respect, devotion, and faith. Some people think just doing puja is devotion. Devotion isn't just rituals; it's loving God. When you love someone, you don't just do things that make them feel good; you do what they love. What does God love? He loves it when you stand by someone, do something for the poor, or help humanity and living beings. But if you think ringing bells and doing arati is everything, it's not. God might even be sad that "I sent you with everything, yet you couldn't recognize or love Me."
Tapas:
I'm quite junior, but I'm doing research on sustainable development models at Magadh University, Bodh Gaya. I tell my students: resources are there; first, you must identify them, then utilize them. Until you identify the resources, you can't utilize them. Many people say their businesses failed. There are many startups that fail. The reason is they couldn't identify their resources. There are technicalities, but identifying resources is key. If they don't, they can't utilize them and then they blame God. Devotion is nothing but knowing oneself. You have to recognize the resources God sent you with.
Host:
Self-realization (Atmadarshan). We say, "Worship your own image." Put a picture of yourself in front of you and realize yourself. If you realize yourself, you'll recognize God. Your soul is God. There is no need to wander from door to door. We do it out of ignorance. God gave all resources; identify them first, then understand and utilize them. Like if you play with a bomb thinking it's a ball, it will explode. You need the knowledge to know if it's a bomb or a ball. If you don't have that knowledge, you'll fail. That's my point.
Tapas:
I'm saying it in management language, you're saying it in spiritual language, but they're the same. God is the ultimate manager. Everyone needs to learn how He manages. The studies we created are one thing, but we haven't yet understood what He created. The day we do, there will be no greater knowledge or devotion.
Host:
Now he will sing a song in Hindi, which he wrote himself.
Tapas:
This song is in Hindi because I've lived in Bihar since the beginning, so my education was in Hindi. I can express my thoughts better in Hindi. And my devotion to the Mother is from a young age. So I've composed a song. I hope you like it. Utho Mata Nayan Kholo Bhikhari Dwar Aaya Hai... (Wake up Mother, open your eyes, a beggar has come to your door. A son calls at Mother's door, give him some affection, the beggar has come to your door. Wake up Mother, open your eyes, a beggar has come to your door. A childless woman calls at Mother's door, give her a child, the beggar has come to your door. Wake up Mother, open your eyes, a beggar has come to your door. A devotee calls at Mother's door, give him perfection/success (siddhi), the beggar has come to your door. Wake up Mother, open your eyes, a beggar has come to your door.)
Tapas:
We all go to God wanting something. We think of giving something to God—garlands, sweets, money. But when we go to ask, we are beggars. He is the giver. It's better to go as a beggar. Don't go with the mindset of giving. Some people bring garlands of 108 flowers, but they don't pick them themselves; they buy them from the market. That's ego. You're showing love to God with money. If you didn't have that money, you couldn't buy the garland. You shouldn't show love to God with money. It's better to go with empty hands as a beggar, surrendering everything. Not money, but He is pleased with your devotion and tears.
Host:
This is how our ancestors taught us. "Buy a flower garland for God, give some sweets." These are our traditions. If someone comes without flowers or sweets, people ask, "What kind of worship is this?" 99% of people think this is worship. But whose things are you giving to whom? You are offering His things back to Him with ego. Flowers, leaves, everything is created by God.
Tapas:
Swami Pranavanandaji also said: "He Bhagwan, ki diye pujibo tomay..." (O God, with what shall I worship you? You are in the temple, you are in the idol, you are in the prayer flowers, you are in the hymns. Offering God's things to God is like an insult to God. O God, with what shall I worship you?)
Host:
It's like worshipping the Ganges with Ganges water. Everything is Him. This is what all great souls have said, but we don't want to accept it due to our arrogance or ignorance of our own resources.
Host:
You've come all the way from Patna, driven by some pull. I don't know if it's the Mother's pull or my call. But you've been trying for a year to come here, and today it's fulfilled.
Tapas:
We talked many times. Gurudev was not well, he was in pain and even scolded me once, "Keep the phone down, I won't talk now." But I said no, I must meet him and the Mother. This meeting is a great asset in my life. I don't know how I came, as Gurudev says, I don't know what pull brought me. But I'm here, and I thank Mother, Shri Bamdeb, and Gurudev for his affection and blessings.
Host:
Today we discussed the Mother through songs. It felt very good. I ask listeners to subscribe to guptasadhakshyamakhapa.com, share, and like.