Narrator:
(The sound of a conch shell being blown in a ritualistic manner)
Student:
Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, son. Salutations.
Student:
Gurudev, a gentleman named Dipankar Roy has sent a request to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What is the request?
Student:
He says he received an instruction from Mother Tara of Tarapith in a dream.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He received an instruction from Mother Tara?
Student:
Yes. He says that the command he received from Mother Tara at Tarapith is terrifying. He believes only Gurudev Sri Sri Sri Shyama Khyapa can protect the situation. He dreamt that Mother no longer wishes to stay in Tarapith because she is being severely mistreated there. Please share your thoughts on this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, what you are saying is correct. The dream you had is absolutely true. Even as I sit here with Bama-Deb (Bama Khepa) and Mother Tara, I am extremely restless. What is happening in Tarapith is intolerable. It cannot be condoned. Look, those who visit Tarapith—ordinary householders—shouldn't really go there. It is not appropriate. It is a ‘Tantra Peeth’ (a place for Tantric practice). It is meant for those who practice the path of Tantra.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But nowadays, ordinary people go there without knowing anything about Mother Tara. They have no idea what she represents. They are playing with fire; they are playing football with a bomb, unaware that if it explodes, they will perish. I have repeatedly appealed to the ‘Pandas’ (priests) of Tarapith, even scolded them, telling them not to do what they are doing. What great virtue do they think they have that they believe they can touch Mother Tara? What holiness do they possess?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You may look from the doorway and offer your prayers, but you are ordinary people; you shouldn't be entering the inner sanctum of Tarapith. It is a powerful Tantric site. I don't think there is another site like it in the world. It is where the Lord of Kailash himself appeared to initiate Bama-Deb. Bama-Deb played many roles with Mother, which we can still witness today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hearing your words, I can see you are deeply pained. Yes, cry—you must cry. We are crying for Mother, so why shouldn't you? Human sins will be washed away by these tears. Mother cannot leave because Bama-Deb is there, in eternal meditation. Where would she go? There is no other temple in the world where she can reside in peace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, she will stay, but she is suffering. We are all crying because of the agony Mother is being put through. These tears will eventually wash away the sins of the people. Cry for Mother; it is only right. You have felt her pain in your dreams, while we see it directly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have warned many priests: stop these sinful acts. Tarapith will be destroyed soon. It is Mother’s divine play. She knows magic and can destroy it in a moment. People go there and bring back loads of sins because of what the priests are making them do. The people there are not true Tantrics or servants of Mother; they only care about money, alcohol, and lust. They don’t care about Mother’s plight. They light a fire and think they are performing a great sacrifice, but they are not. Mother will not tolerate this misconduct for long.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Remember how Kedarnath was destroyed? It was because of such sins. Your dream is right—Mother is unhappy. She will stay in that inner sanctum, but she will settle the score. People go to see Mother but they commit sins. They should stay away from the inner sanctum. It is a great cremation ground (Maha-Shmashan), and now roads and structures have been built over it.
Student:
But Gurudev, how will this stop?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
A ‘Pralay’ (catastrophe/destruction) will happen. Mother will bring about a catastrophe. People are touching her, lying in her lap—this is only possible because the priests allow it for money. They charge 500 or 1,000 rupees to let people touch her. You are not holy enough to touch Mother. Would you let a stranger into your bedroom to mistreat you? This inner sanctum is Mother’s ‘Garbha-Griha’ (womb/sanctum). Great sages like Vashistha and Bama-Deb have worshipped here. Now everyone thinks they are a great devotee, but they are only causing harm.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am warning people again: do not enter the inner sanctum. Pray from the doorway. Otherwise, the consequences will be dire. Mother Tara is not a mere idol; she is a living presence. No one—not even the priests—will be spared. There is still time to turn away from these sins. Otherwise, Mother will destroy Tarapith herself.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I see people drinking alcohol and performing rituals on Amavasya, and they end up losing everything. I see thousands of such people. So, I am warning you again: do not enter the ‘Garbha-Griha.’
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—it is a great calamity. People must maintain distance. Wear masks and gloves. Use hand sanitizer. If you bring things from the market, wash them with warm water. This is necessary. I have my mask here; I only took it off so I could speak clearly, but I will put it back on. Everyone must stay safe.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My final request is: do not mistreat Mother. Let her stay in peace in Tarapith.
Student:
Gurudev, we offer our salutations to Mother and to you. With this, we conclude today’s episode.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations. Stay well.