Sujata Rai:
Salutations to Gurudev. Salutations to the revered Shyama Khapa. Sending greetings and well wishes from Gurudev's Shantikunj Ashram to everyone. I am Sujata Rai, beginning today's program.
Sujata Rai:
After a long period of secret spiritual practice (Gupta Sadhana), Gurudev, at our request, is sharing his message across Bengal, India, and the entire world. Through his YouTube channel, "Shyama Khapa," Gurudev is teaching about spiritual life and working for world peace by resolving the miseries and problems of common people. Today, Gurudev is engaging in a special discussion. I hope you all find it beneficial.
Interviewer:
Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, child. Speak.
Interviewer:
Today, we want to learn about something specialâthe bond and the connection between a Guru and a Disciple, whether it is an educational Guru or a spiritual guide.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What you are mentioningâeducational or spiritual guidesâeveryone finds them. They are like a Guru, or rather, in the position of a Guru. Since they provide education, it is equivalent to initiation; they should be respected. However, from the moment we are born, we are born with a Guru. Jagadguru Shankaracharya is our universal Guru. We are born with him. Later, when we gain consciousness and knowledge, and start to understand things, we think about seeking a Guru. We feel it would be good to have one, as it is said that one cannot reach God without a Guru.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The word "Guru" has two parts: Gu and Ru. The word Gu refers to the most hidden of the hiddenâthat which cannot be identified or known, that which resides in darkness. The word Ru means light. One who brings you from darkness into the light is a Guru.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Vivekananda used to say that to receive the Guru's grace, one must stay at the Guru's door like a dog. Only then, if he shows mercy, can one receive his blessings. That is what has been said about the Guru. To be led from darkness to light (Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya)âthat is the Guru's primary work.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are many stories and myths regarding Gurus. The Guru's work is to initiate the disciple; it is a gift across lifetimes. The Guru you had in a previous life will be your Guru in this life; perhaps only the body or the name changes. Therefore, finding a Guru is a matter of luck; one has to search extensively. Just as one must look through many pebbles to find a Narayan (sacred stone), a Guru is similar.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Don't disturb me, for I live in my own world. A Guru has his own world. Since he is infinite (Akhanda), it is said: Akhanda-mandalakaram vyaptam yena characharam. This means he is whole, not fragmented; he is complete. His reach extends to the Char (earth) and Achar (sky). He is always busy with this vastness, with his own world. Therefore, disturbing him is not right. A Guru also doesn't want a disciple to disturb him. A Guru says, "I have whispered the mantra into your ear; now go and chant it. Do it at home if you like, or under a treeâwherever you wish. I have given you the initiation; do not disturb me further."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When initiation is given, a fire is lit as a witness, or Narayan is present as a witness. On that day, a Guru cannot accept anything from the disciple. A true or noble Guru will say, "I provide service; I do not take service." This is the saying of great saints. The spiritual service a Guru provides to a disciple is something the disciple can never truly repay or even fully comprehend.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Guru resides within the "hidden." Knowing him is an impossible task. If he is a noble Guru, he moves within his own realm. He doesn't seek news of the disciple's household, nor should he. He shouldn't be concerned with the disciple's income. The relationship between Guru and disciple should maintain a respectful distance. It is a difficult path; sometimes the Guru and disciple do not even meet. The Guru gives the initiation and tells the disciple to go and not disturb him anymore.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In practice, however, people say they want to see the Guru because his sight (Darshan) washes away sins, brings merit, and cures illnesses. But people don't realize that while the Guru feeds you spiritually, what can you possibly feed the Guru? Yet, many desire to offer him food. I tell them, "Fine, bring it and offer it to the Mother (Goddess). I will not accept anything. Offer it to Her; if She eats, I have eaten. I am within the Mother, and She is within me."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, I tell everyone: do not try to "serve" the Guru or God. He is the one serving you. He gives you wealth and He can take it away. When He gives, you might not understand, but there is a saying: "He who gives wealth can take it back in a moment after testing your heart." That's God's way. He gives wealth and watches your heart; if it is used poorly, He takes it back.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, another question. I've often heard that the Guru-Disciple relationship is like that of a father and son.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no such literal thing. A Guru can be considered equivalent to a father, but he is not the biological father. Scientifically, he has his own father. There are many bad things associated with "Guru-ism" today that people should avoid. You have one biological fatherâhow many fathers can you have? The father-son sentiment exists in the sense that the Guru keeps a sharp eye on the disciple. I have a sharp eye on everyone I have initiated. Even those I haven't initiated but who love and respect meâI am their Gurudev too.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Initiation is nothing more than whispering a mantra into the ear in front of the Mother and telling them to chant it. But there are many greedy Gurus today who do it for money. If you come to me every day and give me money, you are making me addicted. Why would you do that? The day the Guru truly serves you, you won't even know it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Let me tell you a short story since we don't have much time. There was a boy who loved his Gurudev dearly. He would sit at the Guru's door waiting to be called. Being poor, even though he was initiated, the Guru ignored him. The Guru would call the wealthy people into his room but ignore the boy, thinking he was a waste of time since he had no money to give.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After waiting for many days, the boy felt a sense of dejection. He thought, "I have land; I can farm and eat. Why should I wait at the Guru's door? I gained nothing. He initiated me but never looked at me." He started farming and soon became very wealthy. Word reached the Guru that the boy who used to wait at his door was now a rich man. The Guru decided to visit him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When the Guru arrived in a bullock cart, he was amazed by the man's wealthâelephants in the stable, horses in the stalls. The man's wife, who had never seen the Guru, asked about him. The man said, "Forget the Guru, let's just farm; that's where the money is."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Guru entered and noticed the wife was wearing a Banarasi sari. He said, "Mother, this sari is so beautiful; I could never afford one for my wife." She replied, "That's no problem, Gurudev, I have several; I will give you one for her." Then he saw her gold jewelry and said, "I could never give my wife such gold." She said, "I will give a set for her." Then they went to the granary. Seeing the piles of grain, the Guru said, "It is because you found a Guru like me that you have all this wealth." The man was nearby, listening and getting angrier by the moment.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Guru was about to leave, and the man was sharpening a sickle. His wife was upset that he wasn't showing respect to the Guru. The man said, "Wait, the Guru is leaving, what's the problem?" He kept sharpening the sickle. The wife scolded him for insulting the Guru. The man said, "I'm not insulting him. It is because of him I have everything. But I have one wish. People say we must depend on the Guru's feet (Guru-pada-bharosa). So, I have sharpened this sickle to cut off his two feet so I can keep them as my support."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Guru heard this, saw the sharpened sickle, and ran for his life, leaving everything behind! This is the story of a greedy Guru.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, your disciples often say, "Guru's grace alone is everything" (Guru Kripa Hi Kevalam).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is no other way. Guru Puja should be done first. If there is a big puja at home, like Durga Puja, and the Guru suddenly arrivesâthough Gurus usually don't just show upâif he does, the puja must stop. Guru Puja must happen first, and only then can Durga Puja or Kali Puja continue. If a Guru is present, everyone must first seek his permission. This is the rule.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In many homes, they set aside a sari or some money for the Guru after a major puja. They tell me, "Gurudev, we had this puja, and our priest said we must give the Guru his share." This happens often.
Interviewer:
Many people are initiated by different Gurus. Is it mandatory to meditate on the Guru before chanting the root mantra?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Absolutely. You must have a concept of the Guru. You have seen him with your eyes, so you have an image. Even if you can't see him, there is a specific mantra for meditating on the Guru (Guru Dhyana).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
(Recites Sanskrit Shloka): Dhyayecchirasi shuklabje dwinetram dwibhujam gurum...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This describes meditating on the Guru seated on a white lotus on the head, with two eyes and two arms, dressed in red, wearing a red garland, peaceful and compassionate. One must perform this meditation and offer worship to the Guru before any other deity's worship, otherwise, the deities will not accept it. This is the path of the Guru.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, this has been distorted today. Disciples give heaps of money and gifts, which a Guru should not accept. If a Guru accepts such greedy gifts, he goes to hell. And the disciple who gives with such a mindset also goes to hell. Both are equal. That's why I say: if you come to a person like me, come empty-handed. Do not bring bribes to a Guru; it will lead to disaster.
Interviewer:
Your Gurudev's name is Bamdev Baba. Could you tell us a bit about your relationship?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That cannot be shared. These things shouldn't be spoken of. He doesn't want me to speak of them. Previously, I used to worship in the dark, with no lights, only a small lamp. Now, by the grace of the government, there are fans and lightsâit's a big change. I used to worship in solitude, without people. Even my neighbors didn't know I was practicing. That is why I am called a "Secret Practitioner" (Gupta Sadhak). I never sought publicity.
Interviewer:
Finally, these days we don't see the same sweetness in the Guru-Disciple bond. People make casual comments about Gurus. What should the relationship ideally be like?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The relationship should be the same as your relationship with God. When I sit before the Mother, no one else exists. I talk to Her alone. A Guru should be viewed the same way you view God. Guru-slander is a great sin, and listening to it is even worse. Whatever the Guru whispers in your ear is your personal wealthâit's not to be told to others. It is a connection of the soulâthe meeting of the individual soul with the supreme soul.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our teacher, Lahiri Mahasaya, taught us Kriya Yoga. Only through Kriya Yoga can a true bond be formed between Guru and disciple.
Interviewer:
Friends, we heard about the ideal Guru-Disciple relationship. Gurudev said that just as speaking ill of a Guru is a sin, hearing it is an even greater sin. Let us maintain the sanctity of this bond. Please subscribe to the "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa" YouTube channel, like the videos, and leave your comments. Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Salutations, child.
Sujata Rai:
You were listening to a special discussion by Gurudev Gupta Sadhak Sri Sri Shyama Khapa. To learn about more such topics, subscribe, like, and share Gurudev's channel. To contact Gurudev for advice or to visit the Shantikunj Ashram, you must take a prior appointment via WhatsApp only. Between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, send your name, phone number, and location to 8080539595. I repeat: 8080539595. Gurudev will call you back as soon as possible. Please do not call repeatedly. Thank you.