HOST:
Pranam, Gurudev.
GURUDEV:
Pranam, Baba, pranam. Pranam.
HOST:
Friends and viewers, after a long time, Gurudev is appearing in a videoâwe are recording this episode with him today. Gurudev is not very well, but neither he nor I could resist the opportunity. Sitting next to Gurudev is his long-time friend and disciple, Mr. Gautam Mukherjee. He is a very old disciple and a dear friend of Gurudev.
GAUTAM MUKHERJEE:
It must be 40 years.
GURUDEV:
Yes, at least 40 years.
HOST:
I would like Gurudev and Gautam Da to talk for a bit. I mainly want to hear from him about things weâve never heard beforeâstories that will remain with us.
GURUDEV:
Well, the thing is, he has been with me for over 40 years. Back then, in '48-'40, three or four of usâGopal Da, myself, and othersâwould sit together, share stories, drink tea, and just spend time. He used to join us. We spent a lot of time together, and it felt wonderful. Those days are gone now. He suddenly showed up today, and I was quite surprised to see him. Anyway, if you have something to say, go ahead.
HOST:
I want to ask you about your experiences. You are such an old friend and disciple of Gurudev; youâve seen him from very close. If you could share some stories, it would be wonderful for us and for Gurudevâs disciples and devotees to know more about his greatness. Most importantly, it will be preserved for the future. Please.
GAUTAM MUKHERJEE:
Yes, certainly. About 40 years ago, when Gurudev, Gopal Da, and I used to sit at the Keoratala Cremation Ground, I started forming various ideas about Gurudev. But one thing I witnessed personally in my own life: at one point, due to a financial crisis, I couldn't enroll my daughter in school. I brought my daughter to Gurudev at the temple. Gurudev asked her, "Ma, why have you come?" My daughter told him, "Dadu (Grandfather), I couldn't get into school because we don't have the money." Within two or three minutesâI donât know exactly what Gurudev didâhe told her, "Go, you will be enrolled in school." And it was a miracle to me. The very next day, she was called by the school she wanted to attend, and she started her studies there without us having to pay any money. Today, that girl has passed her Higher Secondary exams and is pursuing her career. This was a huge miracle for me. I later asked Gurudev out of curiosity, "Gurudev, how did this happen? You said it, and the next day the school called her for free enrollment."
GURUDEV:
Gurudev told me one thing: "After hearing your daughterâs words, I felt something in my heart. I just told Ma (the Goddess). Thatâs all I did in that short time. I was confident your daughter would be enrolled because Ma gave me that assurance." This was a major experience for me regarding Gurudev.
HOST:
And you mentioned that you, Gopal Da, and Gurudev used to sit together, drink tea, and chat. Could you share some of those experiences?
GAUTAM MUKHERJEE:
Well, during that period, we would sit at the cremation ground and talk about various things. Many dead bodies would be brought in. We saw some truly strange things with our own eyes. Gurudev saw them too. For instance, I remember seeing an elderly woman crying inconsolably because her grandson had died. She was sitting inside the cremation ground, wailing. Then, as is the custom, "Khoi-Murki" (puffed rice and sweets) was brought for those attending the funeral. As soon as the snacks were being distributed, the woman stopped crying immediately. she spread out the end of her sari to collect as much as possible and started eating. We laughed so much seeing thatâjust moments ago she was wailing, and now she's happily eating. There are so many experiences like that; if I start telling them, they'll never end. As for Gurudevâs spiritual practices (Sadhana), I won't say much. I know many things, but those are esoteric.
GURUDEV:
[Laughing] Let me tell you a funny story. I used to sleep with a "Bed" (a ritual stick or possibly referring to a Veda) under my head at the cremation ground. He came to me and said, "Gurudev, please give me that pillow." I said, "This isn't a pillow; I'm sleeping on this Bed." He said, "Thatâs exactly what I want. If I sleep on it, all the knowledge of the Bed will enter my head and my stomach!" I said, "Fine, then sleep on it, whatâs the problem?" Those were the days... itâs hard to describe them in words. We were very happy then, like friends. Gurudev, Gopal Da, and I were very close for a long time. Gopal Da is no longer in this world; I just heard that from Gurudev. We spent such good times together, and today we are sitting here reminiscing. Itâs been a long time since I visited Gurudev. My heart was heavy, wondering how he was. So I came today.
HOST:
I feel very good today. After a long time, I saw Gurudev laughing heartily, even if just for a bit. When these two friends were reminiscing as I walked in, I thought I should capture this on camera for the future. Thatâs why I couldn't resist. I haven't seen Gurudev laugh like this in a long time. As you know, Iâve been in touch with the doctors; Gurudev is still on oxygen. Anyway, we shared these memories. Gurudev is happy his friend came.
GURUDEV:
Everyone is gone. No one is left of mine. Everyone has left.
HOST:
Well, this conversation will continue even after I turn off the camera. I won't make Gurudev speak much more, as he's been advised not to talk too much. I'll end the video here. Stay well, stay healthy. Pranam, Gurudev.
GURUDEV:
Pranam.