Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Om Hreem Shreem Chinnamastaayai Swaha... Om Hreem Hreem Vajra Vairochaniye Hum Phat Swaha... (The mantras continue in a repetitive, meditative cycle.)
Follower:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.
Follower:
Gurudev, the year 2020 was a terrible year for our lives. The whole world was devastated, and it continues to be so. However, tomorrow is the first day of the year 2021. We would like to hear from you how this coming year will go. Please bless us and share your thoughts.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, that is true. But you see, we are Bengalis. We don't give much importance to this English year. It is a foreign matter, a Western concept. We consider Pohela Boishakh (the first day of the Bengali calendar) as the start of our new year. So, if you think this year is already over, that isn't quite right. Until the month of Boishakh arrives, for us Bengalis, the year continues.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Because we follow Western customs, we are marking the end of 2020. But in reality, it isn't so. I believe this situation will continue until June. The transit of Jupiter and Saturn... it hasn't been very good. The year isn't over yet; we still have January, February, March, and April before our new year begins. The West may declare a new year at midnight tonight, but regardless of that, I want to say one thing to everyone: we are doing everything we can for the welfare of the people.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Someone has gone to Kamakhya from here. Today, you saw a girl performing the Dondi ritual (a grueling ritual of prostration) so that the coronavirus leaves this world, for world peace, and for the welfare of humanity. Similarly, we are sending people to Uttarakhand, where Mother Narmada is. We are trying to reach all the major spiritual centers. If people perform penance and pray to the Mother in those places, I believe it will be beneficial.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As you can see, we are performing a homa (fire ritual) today, on the last day of the English year. Tomorrow, too, we will have a large-scale yagna. We are trying in every possible way to ensure world peace, prosperity, and that people remain healthy and free from disease.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If you look at the state of the hospitals, it would make you cry. Even the senior doctors are distressed by what they see. So, I have one prayer to the Mother today: May the people of West Bengal, the people of India, and our brothers and sisters living abroad all remain healthy, disease-free, and happy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People have lost their joy. Disasters are coming one after another. Now we hear of another even more dangerous virus strain. Hearing these things saddens the heart. I am asking the Mother—we are leaving no stone unturned for peace. For world peace and human welfare, we are sending people to different holy sites. You saw the girl performing Dondi for the Mother; it's all for the same cause.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our next program is to go to the Narmada River and pray at the feet of the Mother. We will go to Kashi Vishwanath and pray to the Father (Lord Shiva) and Mother Annapurna in Benaras. We will appeal to all the deities so that the world finds peace, becomes disease-free, and people can smile with an open heart once again. This is my prayer to the Mother. May 2021 be good for everyone.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those in West Bengal, across India, and our many brothers and sisters abroad—I wish for the welfare of all. I pray to Mother Tara that everyone stays free from illness and that unrest leaves this world. Many great writers have said, "In your powerful hand, is there no thunderbolt? Put an end to violence. Save the helpless of this world."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These thoughts have come to us, and we are sending people from our peace missions to various places to pray. We are performing these rituals here as well. Our mission now is to go to every deity and plead with them to stop these diseases from entering the world. We are prepared for this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I firmly believe that if we all approach the divine together, something positive will happen. This is our dualistic approach (Dwaitabad)—to go to them and appeal. If all the people of India and the world call upon God together, I believe things will improve.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, since 2020 is ending in the English calendar, we must remember the Bengali year is still ongoing. We should remain cautious until June because new diseases are appearing that even doctors don't fully understand. Everyone feels helpless. Only God can save us. That is why I pray today, on this last day of the [English] year, that the new year brings well-being to all and that the world is freed from this disease.
Follower:
Friends, you heard the blessings and words of hope from Gurudev. Surely, his blessings will be showered upon you. Our respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you all.