Narrator:
(Sound of ritual conch shell and drums in the background)
Devotee:
Gurudev, my salutations. Maharaj, my salutations to you. Maharaj, if you could please introduce yourself to us.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
My identity… earlier in Kalighat, my name was Bhupesh Bhattacharya. Later, Satyananda Giri Maharaj became my Gurudev. He left his physical body in 1991. He used to perform the Mahavidya prayers there. He wasn't just a master of the ten Mahavidyas (Dashmahavidya); he was an adept of eighteen Mahavidyas (Ashtadosh Mahavidya).
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
They include Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagala, Matangi, Kamala, Lalita, Nitya, Mahishamardini, Mahasaraswati, Annapurna, Tripura, Jagaddhatri, and Jaya Durga. Anyway, I have been associated with him since I was seventeen years old.
Devotee:
That was exactly my question—how did you find out about Gurudev?
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
I saw you all through your YouTube channel and heard his name. I had something special to discuss with him, so I came. You see, a Guru is a Guru. I don't know if there is any alternative to a Guru. I only know this:
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
"The root of meditation is the form of the Guru; the root of worship is the feet of the Guru; the root of the mantra is the word of the Guru; the root of liberation is the grace of the Guru."
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
(Recites the Guru Stotram in Sanskrit) "Salutations to that Guru, who is the embodiment of Brahmananda (supreme bliss), the giver of ultimate happiness, the personification of pure knowledge, who is beyond dualities and as expansive as the sky..."
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
Today, we are living in the midst of a disaster. We are very far from our own self-consciousness. This "body"—let me say something about what's inside—"At-Ma" (The Soul), which means "I am Mother." What is her true form?
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
(Recites Sanskrit verse) "Neither a consumer, nor a yogi, nor a seeker of liberation; neither brave, nor steady, neither a Shakta nor a Vaishnava. I am Shivo-hum, Shivo-hum (I am Shiva), the embodiment of consciousness and bliss..."
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
My Guru Maharaj used to say, "Look, if you want to eat a meal, you need rice, dal, and vegetables. Unless they are combined, your meal isn't ready." Similarly, all these Mahavidyas are a combination. We all exist within the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. Today, we live within our "ego," and that is our downfall.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
Think about how many parents today are in old-age homes. Why? The son might be an engineer or a doctor, yet the parents are in an old-age home. Parents are the supreme gurus. If we neglect them and then go to a temple to chant "Mother, Mother," what is the point? It achieves nothing.
Devotee:
Maharaj, may I ask a question here? Regarding what you said about old-age homes—we usually see that the percentage is higher among those we consider "educated" and "cultured." On the other hand, farmers and the poor often live very happily with their parents; they take care of them.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
Look, son... anyway, let me finish with a floral offering of words to the Mother.
Devotee:
Maharaj, please, you and Gurudev should discuss more. We hear about "demands" all the time, but in your discussion, there are no demands. We want to listen.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
There isn't much to say. I have been at my Guru Maharaj's feet since I was seventeen. A Guru's physical body may perish, but he merges into the Supreme Brahman. I will also go one day and merge into that Supreme.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
These people here are from Asansol. Devi Bagalamukhi was established in their home. I used to visit them when I was young. Today, one is an LIC manager, others are high-ranking officers. At one time, I visited often, but now time has become limited. But I have seen with my Gurudev that if devotion is in the right place, one will surely reach the goal.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
As the prayer says: "O Mother, the protector of those who take refuge in You, the distressed and the poor, the remover of all suffering, salutations to You, O Narayani." What mantra is greater than this, son? I don't know of any.
Devotee:
Please, say a few more words. You have come all this way to speak.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
I saw his name and felt he is doing well. I had a devotee who passed away here; his last rites were performed here, but I couldn't attend as I was away. I have been here for nearly 32 years. Harinam Sankirtan happens here every day. It is a very good thing. Now, I will offer my prayers to the Mother.
Narrator:
(Maharaj performs a lengthy, melodic Sanskrit recitation of various hymns dedicated to the Divine Mother, including the Argala Stotram and verses from the Devi Mahatmyam, invoking protection, health, and victory.)
Devotee:
That was extraordinary. But Maharaj, our time is very short, and YouTube won't allow a longer video. You mentioned your name earlier?
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
My former name was Dhananjoy Chakraborty. After I took Sannyasa (monastic vows), my name became Brahmananda Giri, under the refuge of Satyananda Giri Maharaj. I am currently based in Agarpada.
Devotee:
Maharaj, we had so much more to ask you, but we are out of time. But tell me, where is the "good person"?
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
Where is the good person, son? That was my question too. I have seen IPS officers and doctors come here, but when a true seeker (Sadhu) arrives, there is a distinct change within. It's because a soul meets a soul. An IPS officer cannot match that feeling. I have seen seekers come all the way from the Himalayas. Soul meets soul. I am on the path of a seeker, and he is too.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
I am always afraid of making some mistake in my path. A seeker should have this level of inner expansion. Please send this video to my mobile.
Devotee:
We will, Maharaj. My salutations to you and Gurudev. We invite you to visit our Ashram again whenever you have time. When seekers like you come, we see our Gurudev in a completely different, joyful mood.
Brahmananda Giri Maharaj:
I like coming here too. It's in Dankuni, Jangalpara. We will end here for today.
Devotee:
Yes, we will conclude here.