Narrator:
Rajpur Mahashoshan, the place of worship for the hidden mystic, Shri Shyama Khepa. His temple is Shantikunja. From morning until evening, countless devotees gather around the hidden mystic Shyama Khepa. In the midst of this, many seekers and mystics arrive from different corners. In today's episode, we will present a conversation between one such spiritual seeker and Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You are seeing here a seeker of the Mother, a devotee of Ma Bagala. Where do you live?
Sadhika:
I live in Kalyani.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
She lives in Kalyani. She has wanted to meet me for a long time. So, she came to visit. I arrived a bit late, but she had been waiting for a while. We finally met. Now, say something. What do you want to say?
Sadhika:
I suddenly came across Gurudev's episodes one day on YouTube. I started listening to them. I began to like them very much. And all the questions in my mind—I found their answers by listening to Gurudev's episodes. I felt a great sense of peace. Now, when people ask me questions, I answer them by recalling Gurudev's words. Many people have benefited from this. I tell everyone that Gurudev provides beautiful insights on YouTube. His name is Shyama Khepa; he stays here in Rajpur.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Your guru was very powerful. Tell us his name.
Sadhika:
Sadhak Basudev Paramhansa. He was my guru. My guru once had a connection with his [Shyama Khepa's] lineage. Hearing this brought me boundless joy. Because of this, I sent one of my disciples to meet him. When he came and told Gurudev, Gurudev was very happy and bowed to me repeatedly. I felt so small, like an ignorant fool. I don't know anything. By the grace of Ma and Guru, I found Ma Bagala. I see her just like my own little child. She is so sweet and always whispers in my ear.
Sadhika:
She has many whims. Sometimes, when I sit down to worship with books and rituals, Ma says, "Forget all that. It's time for me to eat. Give me something to eat first." That's how I worship. I don't know anything else. My guru's mantra is everything to me. I follow that and read books by great mystics. I handle all the household chores, from the most mundane to the most sacred. But in my heart, I am always talking to the Mother.
Sadhika:
When I find time, even while in the bathroom or anywhere, I chant. I have no other time. If I don't do all the household work, I'll be scolded. My work wouldn't be finished. My duty is my household, and my Gurudev has placed me in this household life. I guide the people who come to me in that way. We don't know much about elaborate rituals. Whatever Ma teaches me, I do that. Then I see that I am doing the right thing.
Sadhika:
The Guru is the Ishta (Deity), the Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Maheshwar. Hold on to the Guru. Even if the Guru is not a perfect person, he is still the Guru who gave me the mantra to cross this world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We say: "Even if the Guru goes to a brothel, he remains the purifier of the fallen." This is what is said about the Guru.
Sadhika:
I have shown my disciples the path of simple worship. There is no need for complex rituals involving skulls. If I can find the Mother through simple means, what will I do with a skull? But if She needs it and wants me to do it, She will bring it before me. She will teach me everything. I know nothing. I start by purifying the seat, remembering the Guru, and worshiping the five deities. That's all I know. Then I leave everything in Her hands.
Sadhika:
I sit down, and my Guru told me to perform Homa (fire ritual). I asked, "How do I do it, Gurudev?" He said, "Do it with whatever wood you find." I asked, "Which wood?" He said, "Any wood, even wood from a packing case. Light the fire wherever you can, even on the road." The wood doesn't matter; the fire does.
Sadhika:
I am not bound by many rules. I always tell people, don't worry too much about rituals. A child can do anything in the mother's lap. The heart should be pure. Speak well, and learn to forgive people's mistakes. Who are you to punish them? I cannot punish anyone. I tell the Mother, "O Mother, destroy his ill-will."
Sadhika:
Ma Bagala is doing exactly that—pulling the tongue and striking with the mace. She is destroying the demonic nature within me. If someone's tongue is held, they cannot do anything. Everything is controlled. Ma has everything under control and She is the one who punishes. This is what I say. I never wanted to show off as a guru. Now, if the Mother wants me to be one, what can I do?
Sadhika:
I say, if someone benefits from the Mother's mantra, if I give the mantra, I want nothing in return. May they be well and happy. That's all I want. I don't sit around dressed up like a guru. I am just like Shyama Khepa Baba. This is what I love. I felt that God is not far; He is very close. Love Him and cry for Him. No one cries for Him. Everyone cries for "my son," "my daughter." But when did you become His? You didn't bring anything with you, and you won't take anything with you—not even the clothes on your back.
Sadhika:
My karma is everything. Based on my karma, I will be reborn or not. This is what I tell everyone. I don't act like a guru. I know nothing. I am an ignorant fool. But I have suffered a lot because of property disputes. I was devastated. Ma Bagala—Ma Sarada herself—came in my dream and said, "Look, your Guru will come after three months." That's how Ma Bagala gave me Gurudev. Ma is there. I told her I don't know many rules. "You stay like my daughter. I'll scold you, I'll love you, I'll dress you up." That's all.
Sadhika:
What can we householders do? You (God) are eating from my hand. Whatever money my husband gives me, I manage with that. I don't count the money. I wondered if I could manage this month. But Ma feeds me. Ma loves fish and rice; she wants it every day. Sometimes I say, "Gurudev, don't eat now." I tell Ma, "There is no fish today, eat eggs." Then, while I'm serving the food, I see someone has brought a large fish for Ma. Then I realize Ma herself brought it.
Sadhika:
I don't care about caste. Sometimes someone brings food from a hotel. I tell Ma to eat it, and then I eat it. I don't see who cooked it or from which caste. This is what I teach my disciples. Whatever you eat, even a piece of candy, give it to Ma first and then eat. I am a simple person. I know nothing. I am a complete householder. This is what I tell everyone. Don't cry and complain. Tell Ma; she can do everything. Your bad times might just pass with a small scratch. You will survive.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Alright.
Sadhika:
My respects to you, Gurudev. I am blessed. I have received everything. I have found heaven. Today, my journey is complete.