Narrator:
(Sound of a conch shell blowing and a rhythmic temple bell ringing, signaling the start of a religious ritual.)
Interviewer:
Tell me. We are here with a new disciple of Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Not new, an old one.
Interviewer:
Ah, an old disciple. So, how are you feeling here?
Disciple:
It feels very good. Namaskar. Jai Guru, Jai Bam, Jai Tara.
Interviewer:
You are performing the worship rituals and staying here with Gurudev. How does it feel?
Disciple:
It feels wonderful. It is entirely Mother's blessing. I didn't know if I would be able to be here during the anniversary of her appearance, but Mother was kind enough to allow it. I am trying my best, and the rest is Father's (Guru's) blessing.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, would you like to say something about him?
Gurudev:
He suddenly came to me one day and said, "I want to be initiated by you. I like your ways." He lives quite far away, in Duttapukur. He arrived last night and kept the Mother's cremation ground temple awake all night. Worship was performed, and rituals were observed.
Gurudev:
He spent the whole night performing worship and the sacred fire sacrifice (homa). I was very pleased because he is well-versed in all kinds of spiritual work. My only goal and advice to him is: if you work, do it for the people. Do something good for humanity; you don't need to do anything else.
Gurudev:
I am training him with that in mind. He performs the rituals very well. It was heartening to see him perform the homa all night. His pronunciation of the mantras is excellent. He even mentioned taking over the responsibility of this temple. I told him that if he can manage it, I have no objection, even though he lives far away.
Interviewer:
Gurudev says you are performing the rituals very well. Have you done this kind of work elsewhere before?
Disciple:
I used to perform rituals at my own home. Everything I am doing here is by Gurudev's grace. I hope to always have his blessing and guidance.
Interviewer:
How did you find out about this temple?
Disciple:
Through YouTube. That is how I ended up coming here.
Interviewer:
What have you decided regarding learning these rituals?
Disciple:
I have a strong desire to learn, and Father is teaching me. I can see that Father is struggling to keep up with everything—the traveling, staying up at night—he is becoming physically weak. Seeing the temple's situation, I couldn't stay away. I've surrendered everything to Mother; she will guide me.
Interviewer:
Tell us a bit about yourself and your home.
Disciple:
My home is in Duttapukur, near North Barasat. At the age of three, I felt a connection with Mother Durga. She planted the seed of meditation in me even then. I don't know much else; I just know how to sing her praises, and that is what sustains me.
Gurudev:
When he first came, I actually thought he was a girl! He had long hair, a nose pin, and earrings. I thought some young woman had arrived. He had that kind of appearance. Then I realized he was a boy. I told him to sit, and I would initiate him. I initiated him quite some time ago.
Disciple:
It was my great fortune of many lifetimes that I was initiated on Shivratri, which is also Bampadev's birthday.
Gurudev:
Yes, he was initiated on that auspicious day. He is very devoted. Devotion (bhakti) is the most important thing. Without it, rituals have no meaning.
Disciple:
No matter how complex a ritual is, Father taught me that if there is devotion, it will be successful.
Gurudev:
It will definitely work. Have 100% devotion to God; that will bring you liberation and Mother's grace. You might forget a mantra, but never forget to call her "Mother." Just call out to her. Rituals and mantras are secondary. If you call her "Mother" with a sincere heart, she will pull you close.
Gurudev:
This is the education I am giving you: learn to call her "Mother." Call the Mother who will nurture you and grant you the nectar of immortality. At this stage of my life, I feel I might have spent too much time on elaborate rituals.
Gurudev:
I've performed thousands of rituals and sacrifices, but now my body is failing. One day the body must go, but I feel if I had simply called her "Mother" more often, she might have revealed herself to me by now.
Disciple:
There is a saying—what is the point of this human life if I cannot find a place at Mother's feet? It would have been better to be a flower; at least for one day, I could have rested at her feet.
Gurudev:
Many flowers bloom, but not all reach her feet. Some are wasted. I advise you to just call her "Mother" with all your heart. Call her like you would call your own mother, and everything will become clear.
Gurudev:
Once you win her heart, elaborate mantras aren't necessary. Your chanting is good; I've seen it before and I saw it during yesterday's sacrifice. It was well done.
Disciple:
Lastly, I just want your blessing to remain with me always, even in future lives.
Gurudev:
A Guru understands the cycle of birth and death. In your next life, you will find me again, perhaps in a different form, but you will find me. Just keep calling out to God. My life is nearing its end; I am just waiting for the final call.
Gurudev:
I want young people like you to continue calling her "Mother." I want this temple to stay vibrant and for Mother to remain "awake." If Mother falls asleep, the whole world falls asleep. Keep her spirit alive.
Disciple:
It brought me much joy to hear that while many large temples are closed, Mother's sacrifice was performed here yesterday. As long as I am here for Father, I will ensure that the worship continues.
Narrator:
(Recording transitions to the disciple chanting Sanskrit mantras for the evening Arati rituals, invoking various deities and seeking peace.)
Narrator:
(Sound of bells and a rhythmic beat as the evening Arati song begins. It is a traditional Bengali hymn praising Goddess Durga and other deities.)
Narrator:
(The hymn continues, with lyrics such as:) "Salutations to the Goddess who rides the lion, Goddess Bhagavati... please come, Mother... show mercy, O Durga... I seek refuge in you. I bow to the beginning and the middle... I bow to the wife of Shiva... O Goddess, please come."
Narrator:
(The song enumerates various deities and their traditional carriers, asking them to grace the temple:) "I bow to Brahma's carrier, I bow to Vishnu's carrier... I bow to the carriers of Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswati... I bow to Mother Ganga. O Mother, have mercy on your children... let the world be blessed."
Narrator:
(The audio concludes with final Sanskrit peace chants: "Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti," followed by the sound of ritual activities winding down.)
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa imparts a profound teaching on the essence of true devotion. While rituals and mantras have their place, the Guru emphasizes that simple, heartfelt calling of "Mother" surpasses all elaborate ceremonies. He reflects on his own life's work—thousands of rituals performed—and yet humbly suggests that perhaps simply calling to Her with love would have brought Her closer. The disciple's sincere desire to serve and continue the worship exemplifies the living tradition of devotion that the Guru seeks to pass on to the next generation. When Mother is awake, the world remains awake; when She sleeps, the world slumbers.