Devotee:
Greetings, Dulal Da. This episode is specifically for the devotees and disciples of Gurudev in Siliguri. There have been many questions regarding Gurudev's visit to Siliguri. Many are calling to ask when he will arrive. This episode aims to provide answers to all those queries. Both Dulal Da and Gurudev are here with us. Gurudev will explain when he might go and whether it is possible given the current COVID-19 situation. Gurudev, please tell us about this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, the third wave is approaching, and we have been cautioned. About a hundred people visit us here every day. We have been advised not to travel with such a large crowd. Under these circumstances, going to Siliguri does not seem advisable right now. To go to Siliguri, I would have to travel by train, and I suffer from breathing difficulties. This is a significant issue, especially in the mornings. It usually gets better by the afternoon or evening, but the mornings are very difficult.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
People are constantly asking me to go, and I feel the need to go as well. They call repeatedly asking, "When will you come?" If I go, traveling by road is the only viable option. I cannot travel by train because of my breathing issues—navigating stations and boarding trains is currently impossible for me. A direct car journey might work; I could get in here and go straight there. However, that would take 12 to 14 hours—an entire day. I am considering the arrangements.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Trains are not running at full capacity yet, and I am worried about getting stuck somewhere if a lockdown is imposed. The third wave has already begun to show its effects. Therefore, I don't think it's the right time. I have taken one dose of the Covishield vaccine, but the second dose will take another month or two. It is better to wait until then, especially since I hear the crowds in Siliguri are quite large.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The road conditions are also very poor right now due to the monsoon season. There are massive potholes. I am thinking about whether a car journey is possible, but the train is definitely out of the question for me right now.
Devotee:
Devotees have been very anxious to see you. I hope they now have their answers. Now, I would like to request Dulal Da to say a few words to the followers and devotees in Siliguri.
Dulal Da:
First, I offer my respectful greetings to the brothers and sisters in Siliguri. We can feel your deep devotion from afar, but I have one request: please do not place garlands on Gurudev's photographs or apply sandalwood paste to them. You should simply look at his image and remember him. Do not do anything excessive that could be harmful. It is not appropriate to place garlands or sandalwood on the photograph of a living person.
Dulal Da:
You all want Gurudev to visit, and he wants to go too. He mentioned going by road, and some of you offered to send a car or accompany him. However, given the health of both Gurudev and Guruma—and specifically the fact that Guruma cannot travel—along with the terrible road conditions, we cannot take that risk right now. The roads are full of large potholes; even after just a few kilometers, the jerking would become unbearable. Let the situation normalize first. I personally do not wish for him to go until the situation is safer. Please do not do anything out of over-excitement that could cause him distress.
Devotee:
Gurudev took his vaccine yesterday. For Covishield, the second dose is usually taken after a gap of about 84 days. So, for the next two and a half to three months, travel is not possible, especially with the threat of the third wave.
Dulal Da:
I don't want to get into the technicalities of the vaccine, but the main issue is his physical condition. Once his health improves and the situation stabilizes, he will surely go.
Devotee:
So, viewers, you have heard it from Gurudev himself regarding his health and his travel plans.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Doctors have repeatedly forbidden me from leaving right now. Furthermore, the people here don't want me to leave either. If I say I want to go to Kolkata, they tell me to stay put and that they will come to me instead.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am also getting constant calls from Bangladesh—from Dhaka, Comilla, and Narayanganj—asking when I will visit. The same is happening with Tripura. I have become elderly now, and this constant pressure is difficult. I am physically quite distressed due to my breathing issues.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Once my breathing improves, I plan to take a car and go. I will go by road, not by train. I might even leave without telling anyone here, because if I do, they might not let me go. I've decided to go with about five or six close people, like Dulal, who takes care of my medical arrangements and medicines. He understands my condition well. If the devotees there can arrange a car to pick me up and drop me back, that would solve the problem of my breathing issues being aggravated by public transport. As I said, the mornings are the hardest for me. I ask everyone to be patient. I have said I will go, and I will.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Followers like Rakesh and Jeebon call Dulal constantly and drive him crazy with these requests. I am telling you all: do not call so frequently. Keep in touch, that's fine, but I will make the move once I feel a bit better.
Devotee:
Thank you, Gurudev. Thank you, Dulal Da. I hope all your questions have been answered. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you all.