Reunion After 21 Years: Guru Shyama Khyapa and Sadhika Sangeeta

Interviewer: Gurudev, my salutations.

Guru Shyama Khyapa: My blessings to you, son.

Interviewer: Friends, today I will introduce you to someone special. You can see a lady sitting on the screen; she is a Sadhika (a female spiritual practitioner). Gurudev considers her a student of knowledge. Gurudev, salutations. Before I speak with her, I seek your permission.

Guru Shyama Khyapa: Go ahead, speak.

Interviewer: Greetings, Mother. If possible, please provide a brief introduction.

Sangeeta: I am Sangeeta.

Interviewer: No other identity? Just a Sadhika?

Sangeeta: I paint, I do some handicraft work to sustain myself. I observe people in life. I have made this path my life; I am on a journey. Life, for me, is an experiment. I feel good among people and I understand how necessary it is for people to be in a state of joy. In search of this joy, I have reached many people. Time has brought me to many places. Among them, one is this man (the Guru).

I reached him 21 years ago. I came with another friend. After that, many people's visits decreased, but at that time, I used to visit him frequently. Back then, my mind was in a very restless state. At that point, he guided me.

I wasn't particularly religious in that sense, although at home, we were very ritualistic. From Chandi Puja to all the monthly and yearly pujas for the Goddess, everything was done. But I was a logical person.

I used to come to him with many internal questions. I used to ask him one by one. Looking back today, I realize that I saw the devotion and love for God of a highly educated man from up close.

Faith comes much later. Without devotion (bhakti), there is no strength (shakti). The strength we need is the strength to struggle against circumstances at every moment. To gain that strength, devotion is necessary.

For some people—actually most people whose eyes are clouded by bookish knowledge and formal education—it takes a long time for devotion to reach them. Looking at this man, I understood then that this is certainly a path of joy in life. Otherwise, this man would not have stayed away from so many temptations and high social ambitions.

He stayed away from the public eye. He used to offer a bowl of honey to the small idol of Mother Kali. If he didn't understand something, he would put a talisman around the deity's neck. I would ask, "Father, why is there a talisman on Mother's neck?" He would say, "She is very restless, even more restless than you."

I asked many questions back then. I tried to see all the paths people take to live in joy. Among them, if someone has shown the true path of joy with patience, answering hundreds of illogical questions, and guiding me on what to do and what to experience—if he hadn't guided me that way, much would have remained unknown.

I don't know much about Sadhana (spiritual practice) or Bhajan (devotional songs), but I understand this: to live, the joy that comes from a state free of vices requires Satsang (holy company) and the right person. A person who can give a sense of God through logic to blind people like us. This is all I can say.

He is someone very close to my soul. I have managed to reach him after so many years. I used to come from far away; now I live nearby, yet it took time to reach him. I travel all over Bengal, in villages, Baul fairs, and various places in India and Bangladesh. But when his words echo in my ears, the journey becomes more beautiful.

Guru Shyama Khyapa: This is a very old story; I had almost forgotten it. She came and asked, "Do you recognize me?" I thought, "How can I recognize her? So many girls, mothers, and sisters come here." I couldn't recognize her at all. But after she sat for a while, I noticed the ring on her nose. I remembered it.

I went to her house about 22 or 23 years ago. At that time, she was in a very bad environment. From there, after much counseling—she used to ask me so many questions—I used to get annoyed and run away to the cremation ground (Shamshan). I would make her sit for an hour and then escape. Back then, I used to live in a very hidden, reclusive way. You and your friend Krishna used to come and disturb me a lot! She was extremely restless. This was 20 years ago. I couldn't recall her face at first, but slowly, it's all coming back. There's no mistake now.

I had to think for half an hour—where have I seen her? How? Then, seeing the ring she wears in her nose, I realized I knew her. Slowly, she has composed herself. My acquaintance with her was 20 years ago, and after that, there was nothing. She was a child then—well, not a child in age, but restless and full of questions.

It is a turning point in my life. Perhaps God exists, which is why I met her again. I had called out to God today, and this is the result after 22 years.

Interviewer: Gurudev, you often tell us, "This is a very difficult place; the Guru and disciple do not often meet." In that sense, this might be it.

Guru Shyama Khyapa: She has traveled to many places, including Varanasi and other spiritual sites. If she hadn't done that, she wouldn't have met me today. Meeting her today is a matter of fate or God's will. Back then, I gave her a lot of advice and tried hard to calm her restlessness. Today, seeing her, it feels good. She has matured. She understands which path to take now. I hope there won't be more trouble. She does some spiritual practice now. It doesn't matter if people come to her; it's good. If she can heal or bring peace to a few people, it makes me proud. Seeing her, I can see she has reached a certain level.

A "demon" changes into a "divine" being. That's what happened. Back then, she was like a "demon" (restless/troubled), and now she is like a "goddess." Humans become divine through effort. She has faced many storms and dangers. Now I remember her house, the bed I sat on—it's all returning to my memory.

Interviewer: Mother, let me ask you—after 21 years, why did you suddenly remember him?

Sangeeta: I didn't "suddenly" remember him. I think of him often. His words give me a lot of energy. When people ask me questions nowadays, I try to explain things using his logic. I have heard about him from many people who come to me. People come to him from all corners of the world; I get all the news. But I couldn't make it here until now. All my close friends know him through my stories. When people disturb me now, I tell them, "I once disturbed a man like this too." He is always in my heart.

I reached here today on a full moon day—a very beautiful day. I remember asking him once, "What happens if one performs Japa (chanting)?" He told me, "Look, just as the taste of food cannot be explained to someone else, there are many experiences that cannot be described in words. You have to experience it yourself. If you feel like doing it, do it. If you like it, continue; if not, don't." Then I started, and I found it to be very good.

Interviewer: You mentioned you travel alone and many people come to you. Why is that?

Sangeeta: I can't say why they come. I can say they come out of love. I don't know anything; I am not highly educated. I just travel and observe people. I have a small "Gopal" (infant Krishna idol) who has been my companion for two years. He is a member of my household; he eats chocolates and biscuits. And many people come to me, that is also true. I live in a small, dilapidated house in Baghajatin. People find me there or wherever I am. I love people, and they surely love me too.

Interviewer: Gurudev, how do you feel seeing your "student of knowledge" after so long?

Guru Shyama Khyapa: I don't feel anything specific, but I was there during her time of danger. As I said, I had almost forgotten the name Sangeeta. So many people come; whose name can I remember? But when she mentioned her name, and I saw the nose ring she has worn from the beginning, the history came back to me.

Everything that happened in the past should be forgotten. Remembering the past is a burden. Think of the new. It felt good to see the girl.

Interviewer: Please bless her, Gurudev.

Guru Shyama Khyapa: My blessings are always there. She wasn't in my active memory, but she brought herself back into it.

Interviewer: Friends, you heard it. A meeting with Gurudev after a long time. She came here as a young girl and has now matured. She doesn't say what she does, but her presence says she is with God and serving people.

Guru Shyama Khyapa: Let her do it. It's good. If people find peace through her, I am proud that I once gave advice to that little girl.

Interviewer: We were able to show you a piece of old history today. Salutations, Mother. Salutations, Gurudev.

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