Interviewer:
Pranam, Baba. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Baba. Pranam.
Interviewer:
People often say they want prestige (Maan), respect (Somman), wealth (Ortho), and fame (Josh). How significant are these in a person's life?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, simply wanting them isn't enough. None of these are attained just by wishing for them. Prestige, respect, wealth, and fame—these are the four things everyone wants. But they cannot be gained without the right actions (Karma). If your actions aren't right, you will lose your prestige, respect, and fame.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
First of all, it's about a person's character. A wise man once said: "When money is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost." Character refers to one's human attributes. Every person lives through their character. The characteristics and deeds one carries from a previous life will manifest in this life as well; they won't do anything else.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, regarding prestige (Maan), we often see "certificates of honor" (Maanpatra) being given. But what is prestige today? It has almost disappeared from society. The government no longer values prestigious people or gives them their due honor. Society doesn't recognize them. The word "Maan" is derived from the value placed on a person, but people don't acknowledge that anymore. They dismiss it, saying, "So what if they got a certificate of honor?" and so on.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Next comes respect (Somman). People can't just give you respect; you have to earn it. You must command it from others. Take my example—I practice my sadhana and sit here in this cremation ground (Shhmashana). I am not looking for people; people are looking for me. The day people start seeking you out, you will know you have truly succeeded in your practice, whether in education or any other field. If someone does something with pure intent, people will find them. No matter how deep a hole they are in, people will seek them out. That is true respect. Respect must be earned; it is not just given. If you have something of substance within you, people will be drawn to you. Even during this lockdown, people are coming from far away. I asked them why they came now, suggesting they wait until the lockdown is over. People are coming from Dankuni, from Digha... they are the ones seeking me out; I am not seeking them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there is wealth (Ortho). One must earn wealth through honest and "Sattvic" means. One's livelihood must be pure. There should be no "dark shadow" over how you earn. You see many people in high positions who do nothing themselves, but the money reaches them through sycophants and middlemen. They don't care if a road is actually built; they just want their percentage from the tender. They sit in high places, appearing like the most "Sattvic" people on earth, but they are fueled by this "shadow" money.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For a person who has prestige and respect, wealth follows naturally. Honorable people do not lack wealth. Those who live with dignity don't even crave it; they don't feel the need for it. Wealth chases them; they don't chase wealth.
Interviewer:
Baba, are these four—prestige, respect, wealth, and fame—linked to one another?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they are all linked. I've spoken about prestige, respect, and wealth. Now, regarding fame (Josh), consider the Mahabharata. Gandhari never blessed her son Duryodhana with "Josh" (fame) or "Vijayi" (victory). She knew his character and therefore did not bless him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Fame means that the whole world, or at least the whole country, knows who you are. People should be able to find you wherever you are. This has nothing to do with money. However, for someone who is famous, wealth will follow. That is why wealth is included in this group. For a truly prestigious person, money is not a priority, but it finds its way to them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Respect cannot be forced; it must be commanded. Money won't command respect for you, but if you have respect, money will follow you. This is an absolute truth. Just do your work. Don't worry about who knows you, who doesn't, who is kind to you, or who speaks ill of you. Keep working consistently. Even if "Mahalakshmi" (the goddess of wealth) isn't kind to you, it shouldn't matter. Fame and being known by everyone can sometimes lead to ego (Ahankar). Within prestige, respect, wealth, and fame, a dangerous ego can hide. A prestigious person might think, "Everyone is looking at me, I don't have to struggle for money," and so on.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The same applies to respect. There are people who are so respected that others bow to them as soon as they wake up. Think of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Bamdev Baba, Tailang Swami, or Vivekananda. They commanded immense respect; people worshiped them like gods. But they were also humans. They came from houses just like yours and mine. They didn't fall from the sky. They had two eyes, two ears, and two hands just like us. But they earned that respect through their extraordinary deeds.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, there is a risk of ego for those who haven't mastered themselves. If someone suddenly gains prestige or wealth, ego can consume them. God says, "I stay miles away from those intoxicated by ego." One who enjoys prestige, respect, wealth, and fame should remain as humble as the earth. Look at the grass (Durba) in the fields. So many people walk over it, but the grass doesn't die. A few minutes after being stepped on, it stands tall again. You must be like that grass. Let people walk over you, regardless of your status or wealth. You shouldn't say a word.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are two types of people with these four attributes: those with ego and those who are egoless. The egoless ones realize they are like that grass—even if stepped on, they will rise again. God and ordinary people alike seek out such individuals. That is the specialty of these four virtues. But if ego enters, it's all over. For instance, if a prestigious person is approached by someone and they drive them away with contempt, they lose their essence.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have been told by some that they came to me but didn't like my behavior. But we have our own world too. We cannot always live in the same state of mind. We are "Kriya-yogis"; we perform various spiritual actions. If someone interrupts during those times, they won't get a "good" reaction from me because I am in the middle of my Kriya. This can happen anytime. People might think I am arrogant, but that's not it. I might be in a certain state, and if someone comes then, I might be dismissive or tell them to come the next day. This isn't out of malice; it's because I am occupied with my practice. Often, that same person comes back the next day and sees a different side of me. One must try to remain egoless, though it's not always possible for humans, especially for seekers who have different motives. Look at Bamdev Baba—he would kick people at times, but he would also draw them close.
Interviewer:
Guru, there is a saying that you can lose wealth but you must keep your honor. However, in today's environment, people say that without wealth, there is no honor. People are even sacrificing their honor for money. Why is this happening?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is the play of the "Six Enemies" (Shada-ripu—lust, anger, greed, etc.). People feel like losers if they don't have money, even if they are respected. But I say, if people truly respect you, you don't need to worry about money. People will come to you and ask if you need anything. They ask me, "Guru, is something wrong? Your mood seems off." They don't realize I am in a state of yoga, so they worry about my finances or health.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Wealth, prestige, respect, and fame are all necessary, but wealth is the least important because it comes on its own if the others are present. Respect must be commanded. Prestige comes from your qualities. If you have those, wealth will bow its head to you and you will become famous.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding people "selling their honor" for money—today we see things like people selling their wombs (surrogacy) or breast milk for money. There are women who have become millionaires this way, while others do it just to survive. I don't see this as a sin. If I have nothing to eat, I will do what I must. Selling what is yours to run your household isn't the same as stealing or dacoity. It's a matter of survival.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In certain circumstances, people lose their prestige. If someone borrows money from a "Kabuliwala" (moneylender) out of desperation and can't pay it back, the lender will create a scene, and the person's respect in the neighborhood is lost. So, wealth is deeply intertwined with these things. They are all limb-to-limb connected.
Interviewer:
Guru, we also see people chasing respect, running from one place to another, yet they don't receive it. Why is that?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is the result of their Karma. If you don't do good deeds, why would people respect you? You have to earn it. If you can't, you'll keep running like a cow from one field to another looking for grass.
Interviewer:
Friends, we heard from Guru regarding the most important things in life: prestige, respect, wealth, and fame, and how they complement each other. Guru explained this in detail. Please subscribe to the "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khyapa" YouTube channel, like the videos, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Pranam, Guru.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[Nods]
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa offers profound wisdom on the four pillars of worldly success: prestige (Maan), respect (Somman), wealth (Ortho), and fame (Josh). He emphasizes that these must be earned through right actions and character, not merely wished for. The most striking teaching is the warning against ego that accompanies these attainments—using the analogy of grass that stands tall again after being stepped on, he illustrates the quality of resilience and humility. True respect, he explains, is commanded, not demanded; and wealth naturally follows those who live with dignity and purpose.