Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, Pranam. Tell me, son.
Devotee:
Gurudev, today a Sadhu Baba (saint) from Haridwar has come to our Shanti Kunj. You have been speaking with him for a long time. Could you tell us a bit about this meeting?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, he has come from Haridwar. He has been trying to visit for a long time. Since he is in Kolkata, he came to meet me. He had a deep desire to talk for a while. So, today we had that opportunity. We sat together and shared many stories and thoughts. You will be able to see all of this on YouTube. Is there anything else?
Devotee:
No, Gurudev. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam.
Narrator:
(The Saint begins chanting in Sanskrit and Bengali) "One form, yet the essence of the four Vedas... Oh, Goddess Durga, Kalika, the Ancient One! One becomes three, the Goddess of tens of millions of forms... Every limb is a different name, yet all are called Kali. Shambhu (Shiva) with his five faces praises her... I ask for forgiveness for any restlessness in my prayers, oh Giver of Boons!"
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
What can I say that is new? There is nothing new to say in this world. One must simply follow the great teachings and walk the right path. If the walking is wrong, brother, the cost of that mistake will be heavy. If you don't walk carefully, you will stumble.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
I call to the Mother so much, yet I still stumble. I love the Mother so much, yet I face such obstacles. But that doesn't matter. The path of the spiritual seeker is rough and difficult, traveled by seekers across ages. The Eternal Charioteer is there, His chariot wheels echoing day and night.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
We have all come from that great source, and we will all return to it. All of us have the same goal. But our actions, our thoughts, and our intellect differ, and so our journeys and our environments differ. They say, "A good stockist must be a good distributor." The work of a great soul is to highlight the greatness in others. I am not worthy of this high seat. Many children of the Mother call to Her. What happens when one finds the Mother? One becomes filled with the Mother.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
As it says in the Gita: "He who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost to him, nor is he ever lost to Me." I see everyone within my Mother, and I see my Mother within everyone. This "mad child" knows nothing else. I brought him here and told him he must sit here.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
Look at this, I've sat down to listen to the words of my elders. Don't think that I am greater than him. It's not a matter of a teacher and a student; it's a matter of love. If you go there, you have to say the same thing — that you are sitting in the Mother's lap.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
(Offering sweets/snacks) Here, take this. This is for the children. Take some water too. Slowly, slowly.
Devotee:
Baba, I brought something for you.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
You don't need to bring anything. I don't accept anything. But since the children are here, they will eat. I don't take anything for myself.
Devotee:
Baba, please have some tea, it's getting cold.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
This is Prasad (blessed food) from the Mother's temple, from Bholenath's shop. Everyone take a little bit. Everyone should put a little in their mouth.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
So, as I was saying about the seating... Those who were on the mats were joking with those on the chairs. They said, "Look Maharaj, they are on the high seats and we are on the floor!" Then the "madman" took a pen and paper and wrote this: "If you sit on the 'Madur' (straw mat), the Mother will not be 'Dur' (far away). But if you sit on a high throne, She may not come near. If you sit on a cushioned seat like a 'Babu' (gentleman), then you won't find that love." The Mother is the essence of life and mind.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
(Accepting tea) Ah, this tea is beautiful! The Mother loves tea. I give Mother tea and biscuits every morning. I even give Her honey. Honey represents the "Madhumay" (sweet/nectar-filled) world. The Mother is called "Madhu-Mardini." "Salutations to the fierce form, salutations to the slayer of Madhu. Salutations to the slayer of Mahishasura. Salutations to the slayer of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Oh Goddess, wake within us and grant us perfection."
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
I eat slowly, let me finish. I like it cold. Eat, eat, everyone eat the Mother's Prasad. He who can bring out the greatness in others is truly great. I remember a story of a naughty little boy. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he ran off. He saw a picture of the Mother lying in the dust. He picked it up and kissed it. He raised his hands and cried out to the Mother. The Mother appeared and said, "My son, I was testing you by lying in the dust to see if you would call out to me as 'Mother'."
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
Blessed is such a child. He is a perfected soul. Who else can I tell my heart's secrets to, if not my own people? I have spoken so much in this short time. You all have moved me. As Tagore wrote: "Give and take, meet and mingle, you shall not return empty-handed from this great sea of humanity that is India."
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
The ancient sound of "Om" resonated in the hearts of the sages. Everyone, come and fill the Mother's pot. By the touch of the holy water, this land is sanctified. See what happens when you call the Mother! You gain memory (Smriti), patience (Dhriti), and the power of retention. I learned these as a child. I give my "Sumedha" (good intellect) to Her. In Her great universe, nothing is ever truly lost.
Narrator:
This is a very true thing. This "child" here is simply a son of the Mother. His name, his family, his lineage — it's all "Son of the Mother." He has been wanting to come here for a long time. His background is very prestigious. He is from the family of the Guru of Thakur Durga Prasanna Paramhansa Deva. His grandfather was a Tantra-Siddha (perfected in Tantra).
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
My father was a soldier in the Indian Army during World War II. He could sit here and tell you things about people from far away. If he were still in his physical body, he could tell you exactly where you came from and who you spent your time with today. I lost him in 2006. My father told me not to take him out of the house toward the end. People used to come from abroad to see him. He was a man of great spiritual power. The military called him "God, Mr. Chakraborty." He was 85 when he passed. We still celebrate his birthday in Bardhaman with feasts for the saints.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
Once you find the Mother, where else is there to go? I cannot go anywhere without Her.
Narrator:
The Mother is there in the Tapeshwari Kali Temple in Bardhaman. It's a beautiful temple of Dakshina Kali. It's only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kolkata. If you could come for even a little while, the children there would be so happy.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
This young man, after being born into that lineage, is now the Joint Secretary of the Bholagiri Ashram in Haridwar. There is a Kumbh Mela coming up in Haridwar. If any devotees go there, they should visit the Bholagiri Ashram and meet Swami Tejoshananda Giri.
Narrator:
Ah, so your name is Tejoshananda Giri. Wonderful.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
I was in Haridwar for a long time. I was with Maa Anandamayi as well.
Narrator:
Well, it has been a pleasure.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
Today, I am leaving for Malda.
Narrator:
Safe travels. Come again.
Swami Tejoshananda Giri:
Pranam.