DEVOTEE:
(Sound of conch shell blowing and rhythmic drumming) Heartfelt love and greetings to every viewer and listener of the "Guptasadhak Shamakhapa" YouTube channel. After a long period of illness, Gurudev is still unwell. Along with him, our Guruma is also very sick. She has been to two different nursing homes and has not yet fully recovered. Today, as our annual festival on October 1st approaches, I would like Gurudev to say a few words. Pranam, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Pranam. Yes, tell me.
DEVOTEE:
October 1st is our annual festival...
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, this hasn't just started today; it has been going on for many years. The festival is continuing; it hasn't stopped. During this festival cycle, I fell ill four times. Each time, the Mother (Goddess) recovered me. Everything is fine now, though a lot of money was spent. This time wasn't cheap either. I was in the hospital for 22 days. My wife was the same. She came home yesterday and is doing okay now. The doctor said the danger period has passed. I also suffered for 22 days.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Regardless of illness, the work must be done. The Motherâs Puja must be performed. We are mostly ready. You know that Dulal is no longer with us. Kalu and Dulalâthe ones I used to rely onâare gone. But even if they aren't here, the festival won't stop. It will happen. There will be food, lighting arrangements, and the distribution of clothes. All the social work and the Kali Puja and Tara Puja will take place in one night, including the Havan (fire ritual).
DEVOTEE:
There will also be cultural programs.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, I want to have a cultural program. Every year we do it. Some people suggested making it smaller this time, but my heart won't allow it. We havenât been doing this for just a day; weâve been performing this Puja for 32 to 34 years out of love for the Smashan (cremation ground). So, we will invite some local dignitaries as well.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
We will do everything, though we have lost a couple of people. Kalu is gone, Dulal has passed away. They used to handle various departments and help out. That has stopped, but it wonât hold us back. We are prepared.
DEVOTEE:
October 1st, the 14th of Ashwin.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, October 1st, 14th of Ashwin. The Puja will be at night. And the next morning is Mahalaya. We usually perform the Puja on the night we get the Amavasya (New Moon). Sometimes the Amavasya falls on the day of Mahalaya, which makes things difficult if it lasts all night.
DEVOTEE:
On the 14th of Ashwin, the Amavasya starts around 10:00 PM, so we will have it the whole night.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
That is why that day is best. We will perform the Puja and rituals. For us, Amavasya is just about worshiping the Mother. Above that, there are the Mora Puja and Chita Puja rituals that we must do. Everything will happen as before.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
But as I said before, I was told I wouldnât be allowed to work and would be kept ill. And thatâs exactly what happened. I was bedridden for a month. It matched exactly what I had predicted in a previous episode.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Many people came from far away and had to return. What could I do? I finished one task, and immediately after, something happened that I couldn't have imagined. A boy came whose skin was literally falling off his bodyâit was full of sores and raw. I felt pity and gave him a Tabiz (amulet). The very day he wore it, I fell ill and suffered for 22 days in the hospital. My wife also suffered for many days and just came home yesterday.
DEVOTEE:
Guruma was there for nearly 25 days.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, almost. We were both admitted on the same day. I was released five or six days earlier, and she was released yesterday.
DEVOTEE:
Gurudev, there are many ominous signs appearing for the upcoming time.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
This Durga Puja, there are definitely ominous signs. Itâs doubtful if everyone can even celebrate properly. No one will be able to give the Ashtami Anjali (offerings) because Ashtami ends at 5:00 AM. They will have to give it on Navami instead. The priests have been told they won't have time for the full rituals, so they should perform 'Pancha Upachar' (five-item) worship.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
The transition between Ashtami and Navami (Sandhi Puja) will happen at 5:00 AM. Itâs a very messy situation. The Mother is coming in a "dancing" stateâwhat more can I say? The situation is very bad. Whatever happens before or after the Puja will be difficult to handle. I said it before, and Iâm saying it again: something terrible is going to happen in October, November, and December.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Disregard the floods and landslides that are happening now; those are common. Something much more terrifying is coming. I can't say exactly what, but I can give it to you in writing that something is coming.
DEVOTEE:
Whatever happens, our prayer to great souls like you...
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
No, you call us great souls, but they (divine forces) will make us lie down too. They won't let us work. We do good work and help people, but they stopped me for a month. So many people were affected. I told many to look elsewhere, but they asked, "Where will we go? Everywhere else, they just take money and cheat us."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I tell them, look, I won't be here forever. I'm getting old. You should find someone else to handle these things. But people say there isn't a single good practitioner left in India; they are all frauds.
DEVOTEE:
Still, Gurudev, we look to you.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Well, we are here with our world. But we can't stop or withstand what is coming in 2024. It will be hard to handle. Watch what happens in these three monthsâOctober, November, and December. Something catastrophic.
DEVOTEE:
Gurudev, I won't lengthen the episode as you are unwell and itâs hard for you to speak. I just want to ask one more thing on behalf of the devotees. You have many disciples who sing beautifully.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes.
DEVOTEE:
If those disciples could come to our annual festival and sing for the Mother...
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
That would be great! We will provide the travel fare and some money for food. If they can perform, we will take 10 people. They can sing two songs each.
DEVOTEE:
They should contact us within one week.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, there isn't much time. Dulal used to handle this, but heâs gone. I don't trust anyone else. If some kind-hearted people come and sing for the Mother, I will be very happy.
DEVOTEE:
Devotees and disciples, you heard Gurudev's proposal. If you are interested, please come to the temple and sing for the Mother. And please everyone, come on the day of the Puja. Your presence is what we desire. We will end it here for today. Pranam, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I pray to the Mother that everyone stays well and healthy. I pray for this every moment. The Mother doesn't want to listen as much as she used to. Previously, she would listen to requests, but the times are so bad that even she knows it. So, thereâs no point in giving empty assurances. Stay well.