Host:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings, my son. Greetings.
Host:
Today, in view of a very special situation, we are quickly preparing this episode for our \"Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa\" YouTube channel. Gurudev himself will explain the situation, which has become quite difficult. As you all know, after a long period of illness, Gurudev is returning to Shantikunja. He had announced that he would initially see only ten people at a time and gradually increase that number.
Host:
However, what we are seeing is that since last night, a large number ofâI won't just say enthusiastic, but over-enthusiasticâpeople have been gathering here. They are aware that we do not have any accommodation facilities here. Furthermore, this is a cremation ground area. Gurudev particularly dislikes the idea of women staying in a cremation ground at night.
Host:
Despite this, people are coming here and insisting on staying overnight. When the temple authorities refuse, they go to the local residents, crying and pleading for a place to stay. This is leading to misunderstandings with the locals and creating a disturbance. Given this situation, Gurudev will now explain why we must make certain decisions. Gurudev, please speak.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am forced to do this because last time, I saw about 100 to 150 people and became very ill. Seeing so many people made me sick. People were there from morning until late at night. This time, I didn't want that. Talu-da and other committee members suggested that I come and see only ten people at a time, rather than a large crowd. We made arrangements for that.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For the first two or three days, we allowed ten people. But then the problem startedâpeople began staying overnight just to get a token in the morning so they could see me. I told them, \"If you have money, go to a hotel. There is no point in creating a mess here.\" But they won't listen. They stay here, create issues, and put us in a difficult position.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are also a few people in the neighborhood who get very emotional when they see people crying. They try to exercise their influence as \"local big brothers\" and demand that we stop these restrictions. But I have only been sitting here for two days and I only see ten people. I cannot see more than that right now. The doctors have forbidden it. They told me to see only a few people, ten at a time, so that those ten can at least benefit. I agreed to that.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, every day, nearly a hundred people arrive. If I see ten, the other ninety have to leave disappointed. This feels bad to me too. People come from very far awayâKharagpur, Naihati, Cooch Behar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, and even Malda. What can I do? I don't have the strength to see more than ten people right now.
Host:
Moreover, Gurudev, even some people from nearby areas like Dum Dum and Behala came and stayed overnight. It's quite strange why they would come at night when they live so close.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. Because there are only ten tickets, they stay overnight just to grab one first thing in the morning. I saw this yesterday, and today there was a group of women. I said I wouldn't see any women today.
Host:
The issue is that Gurudev hasn't been here for a long time due to his health. Once people heard he was back and seeing devotees, it became like a competition to see who could get those ten tickets first. Thatâs why twenty people are trying to stay overnight instead of ten. But we have no overnight facilities here. Furthermore, this is a cremation ground.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Itâs not a place to stay!
Host:
People are being stubborn about staying. We canât seem to make them understand that this isnât a suitable environment for staying overnight. Last night, the cremation ground office also raised concerns. They asked if our staff would be staying overnight to keep watch, because even if the temple is closed, someone needs to be there if so many people are outside. They suggested we ask the people to leave because the office is receiving complaints.
Host:
At night, the atmosphere at a cremation ground is different. People come to cremate bodies, and some might be in an altered state or consuming substances. It can become a very complicated and unsafe situation at any moment. So, Gurudev, if you permit, we have decided that for the time being, the \"viewing\" sessions at Shantikunja will be suspended. People are welcome to come for the darshan (visiting) of the Mother (the Goddess), but the sessions to see Gurudev are currently closed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, letâs close it for now. If people donât care about the well-being of others, we cannot help them.
Devotee 2:
Itâs reached a level of over-enthusiasm. Some people say they are willing to stay for two days just to see him. I spoke to someone from Behala who said they couldn't find a vehicle to get here early in the morning, so they chose to stay overnight in a cremation ground. Everyone wants to see him, but there is no arrangement for women to stay here. When Talu-da refuses, they complain to the locals, who then ask why we aren't letting them stay, saying that in a temple, men and women should be treated equally. But they don't understand the difficulty of hosting women overnight in a cremation ground.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I am not in favor of it at all.
Host:
Itâs also a form of pressure on Gurudev. To see a person, he has to talk and interact. If ten people becomes twenty, the physical pressure on him is immense. He hasn't even been back for a month yet and is still not fully recovered. He could fall ill again at any time. We want to stop this for now.
Devotee 2:
And the phone calls! The phone rings constantly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I get about 200 calls a day! Who can handle all that? Itâs better to keep it closed. There's no point in trying to do good if it doesn't result in good. Everything weâve tried has gone to waste. No more for now.
Host:
Youâve heard Gurudevâs decision. Although he returned to the temple to see his followers and help them with their problems, the situation has become unmanageable and risky for his health and the temple's administration. Therefore, the sessions are officially suspended. We will reconsider in the future if things improve. Gurudev needs his rest.
Devotee 2:
His health is the priority.
Host:
We will end todayâs discussion here. Pronam (Respects), Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pronam.