Interviewer:
Gurudev, Pranam.
Gurudev:
Pranam, son.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, today a gentleman is sitting before you at the very place from where "Pagla Baba" started his foot journey. Along with him was Sujit Haldar, who accompanied him for a portion of the trip. The place where they first took shelter and received immense sympathy, respect, and honor is represented by the person sitting next to you, Barun Chakraborty. With your permission, Gurudev, I would like to ask him a few questions.
Gurudev:
Of course, go ahead. If he is willing to answer, why not?
Interviewer:
Namaskar, Barun Da. I am curious to know—and this is for our YouTube viewers—about the background of this. Those watching behind the camera, please try to understand this story; we will be encouraged by your interest. Barun Da, our Pagla Baba and his companion Haldar Da started their journey from here. You welcomed them so warmly and provided shelter. Why did you do that?
Barun Chakraborty:
Firstly, providing shelter and showing respect was their due. Secondly, they had walked a long distance, and it is a human duty to provide rest and hospitality to travelers. Humans should stand by one another.
Interviewer:
I have heard that your temple is very prestigious and old.
Barun Chakraborty:
Yes, this is the Anandamayee Barasat Napara Puratan Kalibari, one of the 108 Kali temples established following the divine vision of Maharaja Krishna Chandra. They first came there to spend the night. Since they were traveling all the way to Kamakhya, I invited them to rest there. After performing a ritual (Havan) the next morning, they continued their journey.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you heard the account from the person who provided shelter to Pagla Baba. What are your feelings on this?
Gurudev:
I must thank them. It is part of human duty. A young man is walking to Kamakhya, and he naturally needs rest. If a person has a conscience and a sense of humanity, they will provide shelter. That is the rule. One cannot walk through the night indefinitely. Finding a place to rest is vital. These are noble people with a strong conscience, which is why they gave Pagla Baba a place to stay and allowed him to perform his rituals. This proves that good people still exist in this world—people who help others because humanity is for everyone. I am forever grateful to them for helping my disciple.
Interviewer:
Now to Sujit Haldar. Sujit Da, what would you like to say?
Sujit Haldar:
Honestly, we were in an unfamiliar place. We had stayed at a known place before, so we weren't worried then. But this was the first time we approached strangers during a pandemic—a time when people are naturally hesitant. We were unsure how we would be received. But we were overwhelmed. Without any questions, Barun Babu, his sister Rekha Di, and others welcomed us. They asked what we would eat. Even though we had our own provisions, they brought us bananas and puffed rice from the temple.
Sujit Haldar:
The next day, when I went to buy clarified butter (ghee) for the ritual, Barun Babu asked why I was buying it. He provided everything—wood, materials, everything. We didn't have to do anything. They even arranged for our morning bath and breakfast before we set off. This hospitality reminds me of the ancient tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava (the guest is God). Also, the temple itself felt very spiritually charged and miraculous.
Gurudev:
Wherever the Mother (Goddess Kali) resides, miracles happen. Not everyone can see them—only those with a pure soul and a clean heart. Barun Babu, being a priest there for so long, has likely witnessed many such things. If your heart is pure, you can perceive the divine.
Barun Chakraborty:
Our family has served there for generations. My grandfather, Bamandas Bhattacharya, used to perform the prayers. After my father passed away, I was initiated at the age of seven. My grandfather taught me everything. We have maintained the rituals ever since.
Barun Chakraborty:
Regarding miracles—before the temple was reconstructed in 2000, it had a tin roof. I personally saw a figure dressed in a white sari with a red border and a veil walking around the temple premises at night. That is the most miraculous thing I've witnessed.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, there is a reason I am doing this episode. Some people ask why there is so much fuss about Pagla Baba. But seeing the humanity shown by the person sitting next to you, it's clear how much people care.
Gurudev:
People with large hearts understand this. Those commenting negatively should realize that a kind heart makes such things possible. Mother (the Goddess) accepts only what is pure—from flowers to offerings. Similarly, if a person is pure, they can witness the divine.
Gurudev:
Unfortunately, true humanity is rare. At one point in their journey, they went to another Kali temple where they weren't allowed to stay. The people there even suspected them of being thieves. I condemn that. They didn't even bother to learn who they were before turning them away. In contrast, other poor people treated them like royalty.
Sujit Haldar:
Yes, after leaving the Napara temple, we encountered a very large temple. The head priest asked for local police papers. We went to the local station, but the officer was being transferred and couldn't help immediately. Then, a very poor, ordinary man named Sujal Biswas called us into his humble home. He is a daily laborer. He and his family treated us as if we were their own children. He said, "You are passing through my area; does my area have no honor? Can I not host two people for a night?" It was deeply moving.
Gurudev:
I call such people "Gods of the Road." We should respect those who respected us. Barun Babu gave shelter without knowing us during a pandemic. That is the mark of a true human.
Gurudev:
I've heard that the Bharat Sevashram Sangha and the RSS have promised to escort Pagla Baba all the way to Guwahati. They are coordinating his stay at different points. When I called, the RSS head assured me they would see him safely to his destination. It's like a relay. Tomorrow he enters Raiganj. I told him to visit the "Balla Ma" temple there.
Sujit Haldar:
We don't take money for this journey. Many people on the road tried to give us money, even stopping their vehicles to offer it, but we refused. We are not doing this for money; we are doing it for spiritual fulfillment.
Gurudev:
Exactly. He is going for the sake of his spiritual practice, not for wealth. Some people might leave bad comments, but they don't understand the greatness of this task. He chose to walk despite the difficulties. I told him he could go by train, but he insisted on walking.
Interviewer:
Friends, you heard from Gurudev. You saw how humanity shines through in times of trouble. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam.