Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam. Tell me.
Devotee:
Gurudev, one of your devotees, Raja Chakraborty, has a question for you. Which is more important to you: Ma Tara and Bama Deb Baba, or the political laws of the state? Or do you feel obligated to follow the laws due to political pressure?
Gurudev:
Look, these are two completely different things. One is God, and the other is dirty politics. There is no doubt that my Gurudev, Bama Deb Baba, and Ma Tara are far superior.
Gurudev:
I liked this question, so I am answering it. You see, the politics of the past was quite civilized and decent. We donāt refrain from speaking about politics just because we practice spiritual discipline; I donāt care about such obligations. I donāt care what people say or comment.
Gurudev:
You might have seen that when Bidhan Chandra Roy was the Chief Minister, he bowed at the feet of the saint Omkarnath. That kind of politics existed back then. Even Bama Deb Baba and Swami Vivekananda were associated with certain organizations like the RSS. Everyone was involved in some way. From Durgaprasad to many others, they all became involved later on.
Gurudev:
However, today's politics is the absolute worstāit is "dustbin" politics. But I have the strength to speak up. Youāve seen my episode about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, where I said what needed to be said without any fear. When I spoke about Netaji, I thought I might even be arrested, but it didn't happen. There are several issues I have protested against without worry.
Gurudev:
When they used to bathe the idol of the Mother at Tarapith, I sat here and criticized it heavily. Today, that practice has stopped. I also spoke out strongly regarding the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Yet, no one said a word to me. We have a certain influence because people know us, recognize us, and understand that we are speaking the truth. We arenāt saying anything wrong.
Gurudev:
But there is no point in involving Ma Tara or Bama Deb Baba in this. They belong to their own realm; they cannot be dragged into the streets or into politics. There was a time when politicians would seek advice from people like us. It was invaluable to them. You might have seen that Indira Gandhi used to spend time with Anandamayi Ma. She sought proper advice because saints are believed to have a "third eye" or a deeper vision.
Devotee:
Gurudev, another question. In the politics of that time, there was a sense of devotion toward God and great saints. While that political stream continues, that devotion and respect seem to be missing now.
Gurudev:
That is natural. Back then, people entered politics for the sake of the country. Today, they do it for money. Where there is money, what is the point of calling upon God? People usually call upon God when they are in danger or in a bad situation. Now, there is no "bad" situation for them. Once they get their name into a political party, within two years, they have a motorcycle and a two-story house. Where is this money coming from? These questions remain.
Gurudev:
Even our current Chief Minister doesn't seem to care about these things. As long as her position is secure, nothing else seems to matter. My point is, I don't care about politics. I donāt practice it, nor do I need to.
Gurudev:
In a previous episode, I mentioned that the head of the RSS Eastern Zone, Keshav Ji Maharaj, comes to see me. He takes me with him, we sit and talk, and we do many things together. But I won't get involved in the RSS or any political party. He might come to me for advice, just as many other people doāincluding high-ranking IPS officers and officials from the IB (Intelligence Bureau). I am a guru to many of them; they have taken initiation from me. I donāt want to disclose their names, but many powerful people in the IB work with me and stay in touch. I told them I would never show their faces on camera because it would cause them professional problems.
Gurudev:
If I wanted to, I could make many such episodes. Indira Gandhi used to stay with Anandamayi Ma. Back then, politics had a sense of civility, respect, and love. All of that is gone now. Today, itās only about making money. They just want to get people out on the streets to shout slogans. I donāt like this, I will never do it, and I advise my disciples against it.
Gurudev:
Of course, you can love a certain party or vote for themāI have no comment on that because it is a personal matter. Many high-level politicians come to me and ask not to be featured on YouTube. I agree to that. They come late at night, after 7:00 or 8:00 PM. They know that social media spreads news everywhere.
Gurudev:
Regardless of how much we try to separate Bama Deb Baba and Ma Tara from the world, spirituality is one part of my life, but society is another. We have to maintain a balance. No matter how much someone claims to be a great saint, they still have to interact with society. People come to us when they are in trouble. The more involved they are with political parties, the more danger they face. And I am like a "dustbin"āthey dump their worries on me and leave.
Gurudev:
To Raja Chakraborty: that was a very good question. However, one must understand history. You cannot just look at today; you must look at the past and the future. This is how things have always been. Even now, many leaders and ministers come to me, though fewer than before. I don't judge myself by who visits. Everyone is welcome at the Motherās door. We must accept everyone, but that doesn't mean we have to make everyone our own.
Devotee:
This profound speech by Gurudev is something everyone should hear. The current political situation is entirely different from the spiritual world. I thank Raja Chakraborty for this question. With this, I conclude Gurudevās speech. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa distinguishes between the eternal realm of God and the transient, often corrupt, world of "dustbin" politics. He emphasizes that while a saint must interact with society and provide guidance (acting as a "third eye" for leaders), their true allegiance remains with the Divine. The shift from service-oriented politics to money-oriented power marks a decline in social civility, yet the Guru remains a fearless voice of truth, unburdened by political pressure and independent of worldly affiliations.