NARRATOR:
[Sound of a conch shell blowing and ritual bells ringing]
DEVOTEE:
Gurudev, Pranam (Salutations).
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Pranam, Baba. Speak.
DEVOTEE:
Today, wherever we look, we see a world filled with unrest. People are troubled, and even nature seems to be in a state of turmoil. Why is this happening? I want to hear your thoughts on this.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Look, this is the age of science. Everything is within our reach. Itās not like we have to struggle immensely to obtain things; we just need money. With money, everything is available. But I notice one thingāthere is no such thing as peace in this world. "Shantim Adhigacchati"āas we say, peace has departed from this world.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
If we analyze this, about a hundred people come here every day. Each one of them says the same thing: "We just want to stay for a while." I sometimes get annoyed and tell them they shouldn't crowd because of COVID-19; it hasnāt ended yet. But they hold my feet and say, "Weāve come for some peace. We find a bit of peace sitting here. Please donāt drive us away."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Itās surprising to see the variety of unrest people are facing. On one hand, there are diseases. There are many doctors, but nothing seems to work. Most people come and say, "Iāve seen many doctors, but nothing changed." Some even bring prescriptions as proof, thinking I won't believe them. They say, "Iāve seen so many doctors, but I haven't improved. I was what I was." They come to me for some help or a blessing.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
In this great age of science, with so many doctors, they are still failing to help people. I wonāt belittle them, because we consider doctors to be like Godāthe first point of contact for a headache or fever. We don't go to tantriks first. But even there, doctors are failing. Look at COVID; for eight months weāve heard about vaccines and medicines, but nothing substantial has come out yet. This makes me wonder: is the age of science coming to an end? Has it reached its limit?
DEVOTEE:
There is also so much trouble within households.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Exactly. I tell people, "Resolve your domestic troubles at home. Don't bring the unrest of the outside world into the cremation ground (shmashan)." The shmashan is a place of peace; don't spread unrest here. But they ask, "Where else should we go? What should we do? Weāve traveled everywhere, spent so much money, but found no relief. Give us something so that there is peace in our home."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
It seems no one in a family can tolerate anyone else. No one listens to anyone. Everyone wants to live by their own whims. This is a strange phenomenon. In the past, we had joint families, and we didn't see this much trouble. Now, a family is falling apart because no one can stand the other. They come to me saying, "My brotherās wife has cast a spell on me," or "Someoneās wife did this to me." I have to hear about "ban mara" (black magic) and sorcery constantly. It has become so prevalent.
DEVOTEE:
There is a lot of envy and hatred among people.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Envy and hatred have taken a terrifying form. You wouldn't believe itā20, 30, 50 families are breaking up here every day.
DEVOTEE:
Troubles between brothers, between sisters...
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Itās not just that. Every day, young men and women come here because their spouse has left them. This never used to happen. Couples with two or three childrenāthe husband just leaves. Just yesterday, someone came from Durgapur or Asansol. His only concern was that his wife had disappeared with all their money and jewelry. He suspects someone used black magic to take her away. I see these things with my own eyes.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Then there are the relationship issues. Someone has been in a relationship for six years, and now they aren't speaking. They ask me to do something so that they start talking again. Are these relationships even real? Every moment, young people aged 25 to 30 come to me. They spent years together, and then suddenly, it's over. They want me to bring the other person back. They are in such agonizing pain. Sometimes I think about quitting this and not sitting here anymore; it makes me feel so bad.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Then there are the thieves and criminals. They come too! They say, "Someone is in jail; do something so he gets released." I tell them, "He stole and is being punished for it. What can I do?"
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
The overall social structure... I don't know if it will even exist in a few days. We used to hear about "society," but now I don't see it. Itās as if the concept is vanishing from our country.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Then there are the property disputes. A boy came to me today; he has about 3 to 10 bighas of land. His relatives have treated him so badly that he even went to the High Court in Vellore, but couldn't resolve anything. He came to me crying. I gave him some things, and after a few days, he came back smiling, saying his problems were resolved and the pain he was suffering was gone.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I see about a hundred people every morning. I don't sit in the evening. You cannot imagine the agony people carry. Where is this society headed? We have a Chief Minister, ministers, and officials, but I don't know what they are doing. I shouldn't speak against the government, but the reality is that society is crumbling. In a few days, there won't even be political parties. People go to parties for help, they go to the police, but they get no help. Finally, they turn to the courts. But even there, I heard from someone who works in the courts that there are 16,000 to 20,000 files just lying there. Dates keep getting pushed back.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
At every level, the bonds of society have snapped. People talk about "human chains" (manab bandhan) in politicsāwhat's the use? If it's all "whitewash" on the outside and "mud and clay" on the inside, how long can it last?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
A boy from Bangladesh sent me a poem. I was quite impressed by how he described me. His name is Imon 360. I don't know his age, but he gave his number, and I might call him later. His intellect seems very high-level. He seems to have understood things. He wrote about me living in a "human forest" and about my thousands of years of spiritual practice and Gita/Vedanta knowledge. Another boy, Raja Chakrabarty, also wrote a poem about "Mother." It's heartening to see that such young people still exist with such deep thoughts. They have great faith in God.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I see on YouTube that mostly people aged 25 to 35 are watching my videos and commenting. They say, "Please don't stop these episodes. We watch them while eating or before sleeping. We like how simply you explain God's words without any complexity."
DEVOTEE:
Gurudev, a question: these few young people with such high thinkingācan they save society?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
No, they can save themselves, but saving an entire society... that's not possible for them. They have understood themselves and they have understood meāas a messenger of God or whatever they wrote. I appreciate their sentiment. But as for society, look at the politicians. They are only interested in their "seats." They think, "I'll be here for 5 or 10 years, let me gather what I can. Who cares if society goes to ruin?" That seems to be the mentality.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
The Chief Minister might be trying, but those around her... it's shocking. They just want to hold onto power and make money because they might not get another chance. When CPM was there, it was one way; now itās TMC; next, it might be BJP. They just change colors. They don't care about the country or society.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Why else would young people be wandering like this? Iāve never seen "online exams" and such things in my life. We have computers for government work, but online education for children? I can't accept it. It will ruin their eyes and their brains. If a child stares at a screen for an hour, what will happen to them? Their nerves will dry up. Those in high positions should think about this. Everyone should come together with a single goal.
DEVOTEE:
But everyone has different opinions...
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I see those TV channels in the evening. People put on makeup and sit there arguing. Nothing productive comes out of it. They earn their money, and the viewers are left with nothing. Another point: I saw two scientists here yesterday. They were sitting by the sacrificial fire (Homa Kunda) performing rituals.
DEVOTEE:
How do you view this?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
People have realizedāeven the scientistsāthat there is no other way but God. "There is no other way." Quite a few prominent people, including doctors, are coming to perform Homa. They find peace in it. As time goes on, things will get worse. There's one class of people who work the land; they don't have these worries. But the middle class, the educated ones who can't find workāthey are frustrated. Many come to me and ask, "Gurudev, can you just kill me? There's no point in living in this society. Itās all dark. I heard you have great powers, so please just end it for me." It hurts to hear a young man say that. I have a son too; he is also unemployed. When I see these young men, I feel they are breaking down. They need mental support.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I'm not saying everyone will get a job. Jobs often depend on political leanings. If you don't do "party-logy," you don't get a job. This is the situation. It makes me worry about what the future holds. People have no money; what will they do? Those of us in my position can only criticize or advise, but that doesn't necessarily develop society.
DEVOTEE:
Itās up to the people whether they listen.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Exactly. There is no unity. Among us Hindus, there is no unity. What can they even do until there is unity? Muslims have unity, Christians have unity, Buddhists have unity. We don't. If one person says something, another says the opposite. So, I don't see society improving anytime soon.
DEVOTEE:
Still, Gurudev, please bless society so it can rise again. That is our prayer.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I am doing what I can, but there seems to be no visible benefit. Itās just an expenditure of energy and mental effort. I don't see it happening.
DEVOTEE:
Pranam to you, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Pranam, Baba. Pranam.