Disciple:
Pranam (Greetings), Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, my child. Pranam. Pranam.
Disciple:
Today, I see Kumarjit Kaku (Uncle) sitting with you. He received his Diksha (spiritual initiation) today. This is a very special day for him. I would request you to say a few words regarding this.
Gurudev:
There isn't much to say. Every human being needs initiation. I never knew Kumarjit before; I didn't know him or see him. He came here suddenly, developed a love for the Divine Mother and her teachings, and after staying here for two to four days, he asked to be initiated.
Gurudev:
I agreed—why wouldn't I? Today is a very auspicious day, Maghi Purnima (the full moon of the month of Magha). This is his second birth. Initiation is, in essence, a rebirth. Now, let Kumarjit say something.
Kumarjit:
My only thought is that although I have always been a religious person, I used to have an atheistic attitude. I used to judge people by their outward appearances. But after coming here, my inner soul felt that this is the final place from which I can find the path to liberation.
Kumarjit:
This is the cremation ground (Shmashan Ghat), where the final rites of humans are performed. It happens here all the time. Amidst all the crying and the reality of death, I felt that the place for liberation is right here. Above all, God resides within humans. I feel like quoting Sri Ramakrishna, who said that one should observe and test a guru before accepting them.
Kumarjit:
I have traveled to many places and I am at an age where I've seen a lot, but I could never accept anyone as a guru. I used to look at gurus and their actions and think, "This is all a facade; this person cannot be my guru." But here, I observed Gurudev for several days. I say this in front of him—I was amazed to see such sincerity in a man. To work so selflessly for people, to dedicate his mind, soul, and body to God and pray for the world—I have never seen anything like it. That is why I feel he is my true Guru. I have accepted him as my Guru, and the way I received initiation today… tears came to my eyes. With those tears, I surrendered myself at his feet. This is my greatest satisfaction and peace of mind.
Gurudev:
That is good. People often do not understand or know, so perhaps God has kept them away. There are many like you who do not want to believe in God or pray. But it is necessary, my child. Now you understand how much it is needed. It brings discipline to one's life.
Gurudev:
No matter how much education you acquire, you are still mired in Avidya (ignorance). You are not yet a master of Vidya (true knowledge). The day you surrender yourself to the Mother and realize that nothing belongs to you—that everything belongs to her—that will be the day of true knowledge.
Gurudev:
People wander around with ignorance; nobody carries true wisdom. That is why I say you have been living in ignorance all this time. You have only just begun the journey toward true knowledge. At this stage of your life, you have started learning. What is the use of just reading books? So many people read so many books, but they cannot attain true wisdom. They remain stuck in ignorance.
Gurudev:
You have realized that there is a need to call upon God. In this current age, this is the ultimate truth. It is good that you took initiation. Now, you walk your path, and I will walk mine. Keep this experience with you for the rest of your life.
Gurudev:
I don't like it when people obsessively chant "Guru, Guru." What I prefer is that I have given you the "rudder" for your life. I often wonder—you were a man of music, living a different life, and I didn't know you at all. But God, in His divine play, brought you to this riverbank and made this happen. This is how it works, my child. It has happened to many others who have come here for initiation.
Disciple:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, pranam.