Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, my son, Pranam. Pranam.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Dadabhai.
Dadabhai:
Pranam, Namaskar.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, first of all, I wish everyone a happy Durga Puja. I have come to Gurudev today with a few questions. I have collected some questions from our viewers and devotees that I would like to ask you. Gurudev, let's start with Lord Jagannath. If you could share a mantra or a Pranam mantra for Lord Jagannath that would benefit the devotees...
Gurudev:
We usually say: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Jagannathaya Saparivaraya Namah." This is what we use as a chant. There is another one: "Kling Vasudevaya Jagannathaya Saparivaraya Namah." The word "Kling" is used for Krishna, and Jagannath is Krishna Himself. You see, even today, Bibhishan has to come from Lanka to visit Him. Every night, he still comes to seek the darshan of Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is actually Lord Ramachandra himself. That is why Bibhishan comes to visit him.
Interviewer:
So, for the viewers, the mantra is: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Jagannathaya Saparivaraya Namah" or "Kling Vasudevaya Jagannathaya Saparivaraya Namah."
Interviewer:
What does "Saparivar" (with family) mean here?
Gurudev:
It means everyone who is there with Him. Jagannath is not alone. There is Balaram, there is Subhadra... Balaram is His Guru, he is Lord Shiva himself. Then there is Subhadra, she is the Adyashakti. In every corner of that temple, various gods and goddesses reside in their subtle bodies. Lord Jagannath is a very powerful Tantric deity. On one hand, He is Ram, and on the other, He is Krishna. He is a formidable Tantric. Without His "certificate" or permission, no one can truly practice Tantra. Whether you go to Tarapith, Kamakhya, or Benaras—in the end, Lord Jagannath will call you, and He is the one who grants the ultimate realization.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, what is the significance or definition of Tantra and Mantra?
Gurudev:
It's nothing else but Tanu (the body). Tantra comes from Tanu. Awakening the subtle nerves and channels within our body is called Tantra. There are many things within the human body that people are unaware of. Most only know about the six chakras: Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, and Ajna. But besides these, there are many more nerves and channels that are very effective. Doctors know about them in terms of anatomy, but the spiritual body is a complete anatomy in itself. Your body is a miniature universe. Whatever exists in the world exists within you. We usually operate from our "first brain," but it is the "second brain" that is most important. The Sushumna Nadi rises from the Muladhara, passes through the chakras, and reaches the forehead—the Ajna Chakra. This is a very profound and complex matter. Without Lord Jagannath, there is no way forward.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, another question. Swami Vivekananda said that serving living beings is serving God (Jiva Seva is Shiva Seva). If we look at it scientifically, different gods have different animal mounts (Vahanas). What are the benefits of serving different animals?
Gurudev:
I live here at the crematorium grounds, and I see people making arrangements to feed the dogs. Food is cooked for them. There are four or five dogs and cats that are fed daily. I even see a gentleman who brings biscuits and leaves them on the walls for the birds. Everyone has their own inclination—some feed dogs, some feed cats, others feed birds. These are good things. There is a lady here who has five dogs; they live on the street, but the moment she comes out, they surround her. She has to feed them before she feels at peace. These are wonderful things to witness.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, in astrology, could you shed some light on Visha Yoga or Chhadnashala Yoga?
Gurudev:
Visha Yoga or Vishkumbha Yoga involves the play of Saturn, Mars, and Ketu. One must examine the positions carefully. But the biggest issue I see today is that babies are being taken out of the womb at nine months through C-sections. Actually, a human birth should happen after ten months and ten days. If a child is forced out at nine months, how can the horoscope be accurate? You will find that the horoscopes don't match. This "artificial" timing of birth through C-sections changes everything. It's very difficult to judge. I prefer to calculate from the time of conception and then account for the full ten months and ten days to judge the soul or the child's future.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, the Puja is approaching. Amidst this COVID pandemic and the economic crisis, many have lost their jobs. Do you have any suggestions for the devotees?
Gurudev:
I have already posted about this on YouTube. Many people have appreciated it. I will say this: people will enjoy themselves for a moment, but then we might face a situation like Kerala. I don't want people to celebrate for a few days only to have the entire society suffer afterward—including doctors and hospitals. Durga Puja is our greatest festival, but we cannot ignore the disease. We must have patience. If this spreads, even the government won't be able to handle it.
Interviewer:
I heard that you blessed someone from Chennai who couldn't have children, and he called today to say he was blessed with a son. You don't usually share these things...
Gurudev:
Many children have been born through the grace of this "Om." Not just one, but many. People come from Kanpur, and even from America, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Dubai... there is no place from which people don't come. Some say I am the top spiritual worker in Asia, but I don't care about praise or criticism. I just have to keep working. Whether people are kind to me or not, it doesn't matter to me.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you seem healthier now.
Gurudev:
I don't usually fall ill, but when I work on serious cases like cancer or TB, it takes a toll on me. I end up confined to bed for two or three days. The "reaction" happens because I am obstructing death. When you interfere with nature's course, there is a penalty. You saw what happened with Bamdev Baba; when he saved a boy from a snake bite, the snake bit him instead. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions if you go against nature. Sometimes I have to interfere, like when I see a great storm coming that might kill many people; I try to divert it or lessen its impact. Then I fall ill.
Interviewer:
What about Beej Mantras (Root Mantras)?
Gurudev:
Every deity has a Beej Mantra. Some are single syllables, some have two, three, or up to sixteen syllables. Shodashi has sixteen. Bagalamukhi has one. Adyashakti Mahamaya has one. Tara has three, Kali has eight, and Mahadev has eight. We collect these from various sources and "awaken" them through constant chanting. Only then do they become effective. I don't just give out a mantra to anyone; I ask them which deity they love, and then I give the appropriate Beej. But if the "ground" (the person's mind and body) isn't prepared, sowing the seed won't yield a harvest.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you have practiced spiritual discipline for so long. In the end, what have you realized? Is God Hindu, Muslim, or Christian?
Gurudev:
At this age, I can tell you that I have realized God has no specific form. All these forms—Kali, Tara, Durga—that I have worshipped, they are not the ultimate form. I have focused on the external forms, but we haven't reached the original source. The Vedanta says: "Yashchayamasmin akashe tejomayo'mritamaya purushah sarvanubhu"—the one who is in the sky, the effulgent, immortal Being. That is Mahadev, the Lord of the Universe. My soul is dedicated to Him. Until we know that immortal, effulgent Being, there is no other way to cross the threshold of death. This is what the Upanishads and Vedas teach us. We are running after the "garb" (the outer form) and forgetting the original truth.
Interviewer:
People are often afraid of the name Ravana, but I have read that he was a great Brahmin, a scholar, and a great devotee of Mahadev.
Gurudev:
Absolutely. Even the Goddess Chandi guarded his door. It's impossible to explain to common people how great Ravana was. Because the Ramayana is an epic, there is a lot of exaggeration. The word "Ravana" means a "roar" or "chaos." His character was distorted in stories. In places like UP, they burn Ravana on Dussehra, but is the person throwing the arrow as great a Brahmin as Ravana was? No. It's just a ritual. They treat Ravana as the "sinful man." It's like the ritual in Mecca where they stone the "Devil" before entering. You are burning the sin within. No one truly understands Ravana's greatness.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, please bless the viewers so they have a good Puja.
Gurudev:
I have already said: let's stay home and watch the Puja on our TV screens. A mother can be seen everywhere, even within yourself. This is an emotional time for Bengalis, and some are even criticizing the Chief Minister, but she has no choice. In Kerala, after the recent festivals, the cases rose to 4,000–5,000 a day. The same will happen here if people don't listen. It will be a moment of joy followed by a long period of suffering.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Why wouldn't I bless everyone? I have dedicated my life to people. I often say I am like a "dustbin"—people come and throw their "trash" (problems and sins) at me, and I take it. It's rare to find someone who takes that on, but I see God in humanity. God sends different people for different tasks. I don't complain to the Mother about why so many people come to me; I do what I can. My Guru, Bamdev Baba, is with me, and Mother Tara is there. I don't bother the Mother anymore; if I can help, I will; if not, I tell them to come back later.
Interviewer:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, stay well.