Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Pranam.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, today there is someone sitting next to you who might not be your direct disciple, but we can certainly call him a devotee. He wants to share an incident today. He didn't know you personally, but at one point, he took permission from you over the phone. He will tell us what happened during that phone call today. Brother, please tell us your name.
Arpan Chatterjee:
My name is Arpan Chatterjee. My home is in Behala, but I live in Gurgaon for work. Iâve been there for about four and a half to five years now. About seven months ago, I was changing my job. Before giving an interview at a company called American Express, I was very tense because the interviews there are very difficult. Before the interview, I called Baba (Gurudev). I live in a rented apartment, so I went up to the roof and got Baba's number from your YouTube channel. I called him, thinking he is a busy person, a spiritual seekerâwould I even get him on the phone? Getting through to him is a matter of luck. I only got the chance to say, \"Baba, my name is so-and-so, Iâm calling from such-and-such place. I have an interview tomorrow. Please show some grace and let Mother (the Goddess) know.\"
Arpan Chatterjee:
He only said, \"Hmm,\" and hung up. I thought to myself, \"The message has reached the ears of a saint; there's no point in talking more.\" When you stand before the Mother, she understands the feelings of your heart; you don't have to say everything out loud. Thatâs how I spoke to him, and I had faith in Gurumaharaj, in Babaâthey are all like God. With faith in God and the preparation I had done, by the grace of Mother, Baba, Gurumaharaj, and Swami Ji, I got that job.
Arpan Chatterjee:
As soon as I got itâthe interview process was long, about three or four roundsâI came out of my office in Gurgaon to the area where people usually have their snacks and immediately made a phone call. I informed my monastery, Sri Ramakrishna Prem Vihar in Dum Dum, and then I called Baba to tell him that by his grace and the grace of everyone, I got the job.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I know your Gurudev. He has visited here. He is a great person, a very high-level soul.
Arpan Chatterjee:
They are all like God to us.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, we are nothing like that.
Arpan Chatterjee:
Seeing you or being in your companyâthe company of saintsâis a matter of luck. You can't just have it because you want it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You can say that, because true saints have almost disappeared from the market now.
Arpan Chatterjee:
So, I informed him over the phone then. I told him that I would start the job now and might not get time to return to Kolkata immediately, but as soon as I returned, I would visit him. I told him that my first salaryâit's not my money, Mother gave the job, so it's Mother's money...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. It's not my money. It comes today, and if Mother doesn't wish it, it stops tomorrow. Thereâs nothing to be proud of, regardless of what level a person is at.
Arpan Chatterjee:
So, I brought some of that money from my first salary. Today, I finally got the chance to come to Baba. And due to this lockdown, my office has given work-from-home, so I am staying in Kolkata.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, I want to ask you something. How is it possible that you told an unknown person over the phone, \"Go, do the job\"? How did you realize this in your heart?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, he is a great soul. And those who have a Guruâeven if the Guru is no longer in their physical bodyâhe had a very high-level Guru. I received that news. I won't tell you how, but I got it. And when he called, I felt like he was someone very familiar to me. So, I just said one thing: \"Hmm. Go. Your job is done.\" And even after he got the job, he called. I am a busy person; I don't use telephones much. I am always occupied with Mother. Look at the state of the country now; I am always praying to Mother. Even now, Chandi Path and Havans are being performed for the welfare of the world and its people. I am feeling very bad about the news I am hearingâCOVID is increasing again. It had almost vanished, but now they say itâs rising. I am very worried about this, my child. I don't feel good at all.
Interviewer:
Brother, let me ask you a question. You are not his direct disciple. How did you come to know about him, become a devotee, and feel that you should call him for permission for your job? How did that thought come to your mind?
Arpan Chatterjee:
Firstly, I have followed his videos on YouTube. But devotion doesn't come just from watching videos; it comes from within the heart. Itâs something that can't be explained in words. Itâs an internal connection. I didn't want to call him unnecessarily just because I had his number. Thousands of people are in distress and need him. But when I felt I really needed his blessing and grace, thatâs when I called.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You did the right thing.
Interviewer:
This means there was an internal pull between the two of you. You recognized his Guru...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I haven't seen him before; believe me, this is the first time. Thereâs no question of a previous meeting. He didn't even introduce himself fully. I felt it through my inner soul. And I knew he would get that job. I only spoke a few words, not much. I am very happy that he remembered this and came to Pranam Mother.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is gratitude. People usually get their work done and then forget to even ask how the person is. People come, get their work done, and leave. If you don't offer to God what you promised from your heart, how can you face God again?
Interviewer:
Brother, itâs wonderful to hear about this deep, soulful connection between you two. Itâs heartening to see people like you who value and respect a Guru despite not being a direct disciple. Gurudev, please bless him so he succeeds in life.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
All Gurus are the same. His Guru is a very great, high-level saint. Compared to him, we are nothing. But I liked him, and for some reason, he called me. To Mother, everyone is equal. There is a difference in levels, but itâs better not to discuss that. He is undoubtedly a high-level person. I can say that because I am lucky to have found my Guru, and he is lucky to have found his. As the mind is, so is the Guru. You have a clean, pure mind. You are so young, yet at this age, you have found such a great Guru and saint, and youâve come to us as well.
Arpan Chatterjee:
Itâs not possible to come just by wanting to. One cannot meet great souls like you just by wishing for it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There must be a 'Yog' (a spiritual alignment). Without an auspicious Yog, it doesn't happen. Right now, a very good month is ongoingâthe month of Damodar (Kartik). Among all stones, the Damodar Shila is considered the best. This stone is worshipped in many places and has great power. We call this month the month of Damodar. Lord Damodar is Narayana himself. Whatever rituals we are performing, we are doing them by remembering Damodar. By remembering Damodar, the work gets done. All the major obstacles and illnesses are being cleared in the name of Damodar. The stone you see here is also a Damodar Shila. He is here in the cremation ground (Shamshan). Usually, Narayana isn't kept in a cremation ground, but He is here with us.
Interviewer:
Brother, may your future path be beautiful. I pray this to Mother and Baba.
Arpan Chatterjee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, my child, Pranam.