DISCIPLE:
Pranam, Gurudev.
GURUDEV:
Pranam, baba. Pranam.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, we have discussed many gods and various people over a long period. But there is one place that a person can reach in their physical bodyâand that is Shibalok (the realm of Shiva). We consider Mount Kailash to be the abode of Shiva. Could you tell us something about Kailash today?
GURUDEV:
Certainly. You see, the word "Shiva" means "auspicious" (mangalmay). He who brings about well-being is Shiva. Plain and simpleâHe is the only one bringing auspiciousness to this world. No other deity serves the worldâs well-being in quite this way.
GURUDEV:
Now, as you may know, there are fourteen realms (Bhubans). There is Bhulok, Dyulok, Shibalok, Vaikuntha-lok, Brahmaloka, and so on. What we understand as Shibalok is located beyond Mansarovarâthe snow-covered peaks of Kailash. We consider that the original abode of Mahadev. And He never leaves that place. Mahadev remains there in deep meditation (dhyanastha). If you manage to see Him there, you will find Him in a meditative state, looking nowhere else, constantly chanting. Who is He chanting for? That is a profound mystery.
GURUDEV:
We know of three main deities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar (Shiva). Brahmaâs presiding goddess is Saraswati; Narayanâs is Lakshmi; and Shivaâs presiding goddess is Maa Durga. Shiva and Durga reside together in Kailash.
GURUDEV:
Kailash is covered entirely in ice. People do attempt to climb it, but many cannot go very far. They fall, they dieâthe snowstorms are fierce. It is extremely difficult terrain and at a very high altitude. At those heights, humans can hardly speak, let alone breathe properly. Yet, people still go. Hundreds have died there.
GURUDEV:
There is a concern now that Kailash is becoming "polluted" because so many bodies have remained there over the years, buried under the ice. There is no way to clear them. Recently, someone was recovered from the ice after 70 yearsâbodies remain perfectly preserved in that cold.
GURUDEV:
Lately, many people have been traveling there, sitting in meditation and chanting. A constant "Omkar" sound can be heard in the wind. Whether it is the wind passing through the mountains or something else, the sound of "Ooooom" resonates through the peaks. Many pilgrims have heard this.
GURUDEV:
There are places to sit and meditate, even small dwellings. But the core essence is that Shiva is "Kaal" (Time), and He is also beyond Time. If He blesses someone, no one else has the power to interfere.
GURUDEV:
Consider the story of Kuber. When Ravana gained blessings from Brahma and became powerful, he began seizing property. Kuber, who was Ravanaâs half-brotherâRavana was a Rakshasa and Kuber a Yakshaâwent to their father, Vishrava Muni. He said, "Father, I am in trouble. Ravana has gained Brahma's blessing and might take my wealth." His father advised him, "Go to the Himalayas and pray to Mahadev. When He appears, tell Him your troubles."
GURUDEV:
Today, we see many Lamas in that region. There are Lamas who are 400 years old, and some say there are those who are 5,000 years oldâsages who claim to have witnessed the Kurukshetra war. This is the creation of Mahadev; Time cannot enter there. It is said to be a different dimension where "Time" as we know it doesn't function.
DISCIPLE:
It is said that in Kailash, the dimension of time doesn't work.
GURUDEV:
Exactly. Because of that, people's hair and nails grow much faster than normal. No one can accurately tell their age once they enter that space. Sages of 300, 400, or 500 years live in the crevices of those mountains.
GURUDEV:
Look at the Naga Sadhus who appear at the Kumbh Mela. Where do they come from and where do they go? No one really knows. They come from the regions around Kailash. There are various Akhadas (orders), like the Niranjani Akhada and the Juna Akhada. In the Kumbh, the Niranjani Akhada bathes first, followed by the Juna Akhada, and so on through the thirteen orders. Among them, you find sadhus who are hundreds of years old. Some even claim to be 5,000 years old. How is this possible? Itâs because death does not work there. There is a saying: "Come one, come all, to the place where there is neither death nor old age." By Mahadev's grace, those things do not exist thereâthough people still die from the extreme cold, sometimes -70 degrees.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, there is also a belief that there are secret gates in Kailash that can transport a person to another place instantly.
GURUDEV:
Yes, they use Asana Vidya (the science of the meditative seat). They can travel from one cave to another, or one peak to another, by floating on their asana.
DISCIPLE:
Like we see in the stories of Aladdin and the magic carpet?
GURUDEV:
Exactly like that. It is Asana travel. They sit on it, and it takes them where they need to go. There is also a place called "Gyan Ganj" hidden within Kailash.
DISCIPLE:
Gyan Ganj?
GURUDEV:
Yes, there are actually five Gyan Ganjes. The most famous resident is "Khepai Ma," who is said to be between 2,500 to 3,000 years old. There are two women there of that age. I know Khepai Maâshe looks remarkably like Maa Sarada (the consort of Ramakrishna Paramhansa). There is even a Sarada Math there.
GURUDEV:
Accessing these places is difficult. These days, there is a registration process in Delhi, medical checkups, and a journey that takes about a month. For common people, it's a long trek. But if you go via Gapa by train, it's a two-month walk.
GURUDEV:
People like Arun Sharma and Shankar Maharaj have visited Gyan Ganj (or Shangri-La). Arun Sharma was traveling through Arunachal Pradesh; as evening fell, he feared being eaten by wild animals. He looked up and saw a dome. He hurried toward it and found himself in Shangri-La/Gyan Ganj. He stayed there for a long time.
GURUDEV:
There are hundreds of Paramhansas and Dandi Swamis meditating in those mountains. You might have heard of "Gandha Baba" (the Fragrant Baba)âhis body naturally emitted a beautiful scent. Or "Borfani Baba." They live on "Pawan" (air) alone. They don't eat because they want to avoid the need for bodily functions in that sacred, frozen space.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, some say that China attempted to research the magnetic fields of Kailash.
GURUDEV:
China, and even the Mughal emperors, tried to uncover the secrets of Kailash because they were lured by the idea of people living for thousands of years. But they couldn't find anything. Many Mughal expeditions were sent, but they found no trace. China sent planes, but the planes were destroyed. There is a strange magnetic field there. Our clocks and compasses work on magnetism, but in Kailash, that magnetism is so powerful that normal time doesn't apply. You come out in the same state you went in, often losing track of how many years have passed. Time stands still. That is why Shiva is called Kaalatit (Beyond Time).
GURUDEV:
We might talk about many realmsâthe 14 Bhubansâbut the only one we can truly "feel" or reach is Shivaâs. We feel He is close to us. While Narayan is said to be millions of miles away in the Garuda Purana, Shiva is right here in the Himalayas.
GURUDEV:
When a person dies, it is said they must pass through 16 difficult realms, including the river Vaitarani. This is described in the Garuda Purana for those who have lived wickedly. But for the righteous, the path is different.
GURUDEV:
In Kailash, there is a place called "Yam-dwara" (the Gate of Death) near Mansarovar. Pilgrims must perform a ritual there, seeking permission from Yam (the God of Death) before they can proceed to Shibalok or bathe in Mansarovar. The air there is incredibly strongâblowing at 70-80 km/h.
GURUDEV:
In Mansarovar, people often see two swansâa male and a femaleâwho are believed to be Shiva and Durga in form. If you are fortunate, you might see them. There is also the "Brahma Kamal," a magnificent flower that grows in the snow. Kailash is truly a place of wonders.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, thank you for this profound discussion on Kailash.
GURUDEV:
Be careful, be mindful. "Walk carefully, my mind, stay alert. The day fades, and darkness approaches. The Creator will judge you, and there, no trickery will work."
GURUDEV:
Pranam.
GURUDEV:
(Chanting) Shibaya Shantaya... Karunatraya Hetave... Nivedayami Chatmanang... Tang Gati Parameshwara...
GURUDEV:
Jai Debadidev Mahadev! Jai Mahadev!