Devotee:
Gurudev, my respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings to you. Yes, go ahead.
Devotee:
A gentleman has traveled from quite a distance to meet you. He currently resides in Australia. He heard about you through his nephew and decided to visit this place. Gurudev, we see people coming from far and wide after hearing about you. This is a matter of great pride for us at Shantikunj and for all your students. Sir, how did you find out about Gurudev?
Piyas Chakraborty:
Actually, when I was on YouTube, I would occasionally see his videos in my recommendations. To be honest, about 80% of the content on YouTube is fake or incorrect. But then I started listening to what he had to say. The first thing that struck me was that he doesn't have greed. Whether a person practices tantra or anything else, if they lack greed, they are a good human being. Being around such a person makes one feel at peace. I've been following him since then and I really liked his messages.
Piyas Chakraborty:
I was telling my nephew yesterday that you won't find writings like these in any other temple. In most temples, there is one kind of ritual for the wealthy and another for the poor, which I don't like. My belief is that either everyone should receive the same treatment, or no one should. After seeing the posters and messages here, I felt I had to visit.
Piyas Chakraborty:
This is my uncle, Ratan Mukherjee, and my nephew, Abhi Chakraborty. We all came together. I feel extremely fortunate—not just to see this place, but because I received Mother's blessings and the opportunity to sit for the Yajna (holy fire ritual) on my very first day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is no problem; everyone is welcome.
Piyas Chakraborty:
Even so, I might not have had the chance. It's a matter of destiny.
Devotee:
You live in Australia now, but where are you originally from?
Piyas Chakraborty:
I was born in Dhaka. My ancestral home is in the Thakur Bari of Chandina, Comilla. We have a 160-year tradition of Kali Puja and Durga Puja at our home.
Devotee:
Gurudev, how do you feel about gaining this new follower?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I don't see him as a new follower. He has been following me for a long time. Since he lives abroad, there were various logistical difficulties. He happened to be in Kolkata and felt he should visit. He has a nature of visiting various temples, especially Kali temples. He came here today, and luckily, the Yajna was also being performed, so he could participate.
Devotee:
He was mentioning that in Australia, there are massive, grand temples, but he doesn't feel the same peace there as he does here in this humble, old temple.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have another devotee, Niladri, who lives in Australia. He calls me almost every day.
Piyas Chakraborty:
To be honest, the point you made is correct. I have visited many temples in Australia, but there is a difference. Most are South Indian style rituals. Being Bengali by birth, our rituals are very familiar to us. Even if I don't perform them myself, seeing the priests perform them here resonates with me. I feel drawn back to these roots. No matter where I go, I end up coming back to these traditions.
Devotee:
How do you feel about this old, broken-down temple?
Piyas Chakraborty:
Physical structures don't matter. I believe that most avatars in this world were born in humble, poor places. God doesn't want our money; God just wants to see how much of your heart you give. If you offer a single hibiscus flower with a pure heart, it is accepted. But if we offer things with ego, it means nothing.
Devotee:
Gurudev, what do you have to say?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What can I say? People come here from America, Britain, Germany, and Canada. My only wish is that they find satisfaction when they come here. There is an atmosphere of fearlessness here that I want them to experience.
Piyas Chakraborty:
I feel very lucky. I am leaving for Bangladesh on the 10th, and I'm glad I could come here before that. I was especially moved by the chanting today. I haven't heard such Vedic chanting for a long time. It purified my mind. I even tried to repeat the mantras in my head. I felt a positive vibration and power. I want to thank my uncle and nephew for bringing me here.
Devotee:
We must acknowledge the medium through which you found Gurudev.
Piyas Chakraborty:
Absolutely.
Devotee:
You were moved by the chanting. Do you know who performed it? He is actually a meteorologist and a school headmaster. He often shares weather updates on television.
Piyas Chakraborty:
That's incredible. Regardless of profession—whether one is a scientist, a beggar, or a president—if the devotion comes from the heart, it is powerful. Otherwise, one cannot chant like that. I felt a real vibration.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He is like a student to me. He comes and performs the Yajna frequently. Others here do the same. We all use the same mantras.
Piyas Chakraborty:
Gurudev, I have a question. If someone feels there is dark or negative energy in their home, would performing a Yajna like this help?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it will clear it out. It won't stay.
Piyas Chakraborty:
I've told people at home that we should do this. But we need someone qualified to perform it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Of course, it must be done according to the Vedic standards by someone who knows the rituals.
Piyas Chakraborty:
I also have a request. Whenever you are in a good mood, Gurudev, please record and publish some chanting for us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I actually have a CD for that. It's for those who want to learn. I tell them to listen to the CD, prepare themselves, and then they can perform the Yajna.
Devotee:
This has been a wonderful discussion this evening with someone who has come from so far. We have all gained some knowledge today. Thank you to our viewers. My respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings to you all.