Interviewer:
Gurudev, my respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings. Yes, tell me.
Interviewer:
There is a mysterious name: Gyan Ganj. Today, people are searching for it everywhere but cannot find any trace of its location. Many spiritual seekers have described it in various ways. Tibetans call it Shangri, the Chinese call it Shangri-La, and Indians call it Gyan Ganj. It is an impenetrable mystery—a bottomless ocean where nothing can be found. Gurudev, my question to you is: where is Gyan Ganj, and what exists there?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, we aren't the only ones searching. Even Emperor Akbar sent people to find where Gyan Ganj is. He heard that those who live there survive for 2,000 or 3,000 years. He wanted news of them and perhaps even medicine to prolong life, but his men found no trace.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is a secret. Gyan Ganj, or Gyanpeeth, certainly exists, but Lord Mahadev (Shiva) himself guards it. It is Mahadev's domain. Those who reside there are great souls—highly enlightened individuals. When I say enlightened, I mean they possess knowledge of the highest order. These individuals have been meditating there for many years on various subjects. The world moves according to the movements of their fingers. They receive news of everything happening on Earth and provide instructions accordingly. They played a role in the First World War and the Second World War. Now, the Third World War has begun, so their influence will be there as well.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Gyan Ganj is an elusive place. No matter how much we discuss it, its mystery will never be fully revealed. It is a hidden place where humans can never go; it is not possible. No one knows the way in. I have to reference the Puranas (ancient scriptures) here. Everything is connected to the Puranas. All the great spiritual seats (Peeths) have a significance rooted in the Puranas, and Gyan Ganj is one of them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You may know that Ravana once went to conquer Mount Kailash. He thought he would lift the entire mountain and bring it to Lanka, but he failed. Even Ravana couldn't do it. There is a history to this. When Ravana performed intense penance and received a boon from Lord Brahma... Narada saw him meditating and went to Brahma. Ravana stood on one leg on a mountain, chanting: Brahma-dev prasannah, praseed praseed Brahma-dev (Lord Brahma, be pleased with me).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Brahma initially ignored him. However, Ravana, through the power of his penance, realized Brahma wouldn't come easily. So, he began cutting off his heads one by one. News reached Lord Narayana, and then Brahma, that Ravana was cutting his heads and they were growing back through his power. Narayana was surprised and told Brahma, You must go. Otherwise, Ravana will fill the world with his severed heads. Go and give him what he wants.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Brahma appeared and asked, What do you want? Ravana replied, I want immortality. Brahma said, That is not possible. According to the laws of this Earth, no one can be immortal. You won't get it either. Ask for anything else—kingdoms, wealth—but I cannot give immortality.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ravana told him to leave, saying he would keep cutting his heads until the world was covered. Brahma was in a fix. He asked, Tell me, from whom do you want protection so that you may remain immortal? Ravana listed ghosts, spirits, demons, serpents, and gods. Brahma saw a loophole but granted the boon that he would be immortal against all those entities.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When Ravana returned to his father, Vishrava Muni, he said, Father, I have achieved immortality. His father asked, Who gave this to you? No one is immortal by the laws of nature. Ravana explained the boon from Brahma. His father asked, Did you mention humans? Ravana replied, Humans are my food; I am a Rakshasa (demon) by birth. Why would I ask for protection from them? Vishrava Muni understood then. Later, Narayana had to manifest as Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna—four avatars—and it was Rama, in human form, who killed him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, Ravana had a brother named Kubera, the Lord of Yakshas. He had immense wealth—everything was made of gold. He had a golden chariot and endless riches. Kubera went to his father and said, Father, I heard Ravana has become immortal. He will surely take all my wealth. His father replied, You are right. I am worried too. But there is one person who can solve this: Lord Mahadev. Go to him, perform penance, and do as he says.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Kubera went to Kailash and meditated. Lord Mahadev appeared and asked what he wanted. Kubera explained his fear of Ravana taking his Yaksha wealth. Mahadev told him, Establish your kingdom to the north of Kailash. No one will ever be able to enter that kingdom; you have my blessing. I will guard it myself. Create 'Yaksha Puri' where you can keep all your gold and riches.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, Kubera began building his empire. Yakshas and Yakshinis worked together to build a massive tunnel. As far as I know, it is a 17-kilometer-long tunnel located north of Kailash. But no one can find the path. Even today, it remains hidden by Mahadev's command.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple; they broke many doors out of greed for wealth, but there is one door they still cannot open. It is sealed with such powerful mantras that even dynamite cannot break it. If that door opens, the world will face a great catastrophe. Similarly, if anyone finds the way to Gyan Ganj, it would be disastrous. Following Mahadev's instructions, that place—Gyan Ganj or Yaksha Puri—remains a secret.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those who enter Gyan Ganj lose their sense of day and night. They remain in the same state they were in when they entered. They are given various types of training regarding the secrets of creation. You might see someone sitting on a golden throne, appearing as if they are dead, but they are in deep meditation. There are no rituals like Puja there; only the adoration of Lord Mahadev, as it is his domain which he gave to Kubera. Mahadev also decreed that all the great sages of India would reside there. All of Kubera's wealth and his golden chariot were brought to this Yaksha Puri. Each seeker there is guarded by a Yaksha or Yakshini. Because it is Yaksha Puri, it is very difficult to enter. Humans talk about it, but without Mahadev's permission, no one can enter.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, I want to know, how many sections does Gyan Ganj have?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Generally, there are three sections. Out of millions, perhaps one or two people manage to go there. There are extreme security checks and tests. One must leave behind all worldly attachments and illusions. It is solely for the welfare of the world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have heard—though I am not certain—that recruitment for Gyan Ganj sometimes happens through the Benaras Hindu University. There is a deep connection between that university and Gyan Ganj. The current manager is Jishu Lama, who is 400 years old. He still travels to and from Gyan Ganj in a subtle body. Those who pass the tests are placed under him. There are many caves where one must spend days and nights during the testing phase. There is also a Kali temple where a female ascetic resides; she is currently 1,200 years old. Seekers are brought to her for final instructions.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, there is the ground floor (the first stage), then the middle, and then the top. The first stage involves physical and mental testing. If someone is found worthy, they move to the second, and then the third.
Interviewer:
By the first stage, do you mean the Sthula (gross/physical)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes. Then comes Sukshma (subtle), and then Karan Bindu (causal). They are taught Ashta-Yoga and Ashta-Siddhi (the eight spiritual powers). Through these, they can become as tall as they want or as small as an ant. Powers like Anima, Laghima, and Garima are practiced there. After attaining these siddhis, they progress through the levels. At the highest level, there are powerful beings who are 3,000 to 4,000 years old. They can travel anywhere in their subtle bodies.
Interviewer:
Those who have become Bindu (a point of consciousness)?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. They can go anywhere through the power of Yoga. They are the ones controlling the entire world. While I am not entirely certain, I believe they control everything. Many things happen at the flick of their fingers. They have the power to protect the world or even dissolve it.
Interviewer:
I have heard that all major world events are decided there. Is that true?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that is true. As I said, the First and Second World Wars happened according to their direction. The Third World War, which we see starting and stopping, is also under their influence. If it happens fully, it will be by their command.
Interviewer:
I have also heard that Gyan Ganj has many branches.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, there are many hidden caves. Some are under rivers like the Alakananda. I don't know the exact locations, but based on what I've read in the Puranas and compared with Gyan Ganj, it seems correct. Many have tried to find it—even the Chinese military lost many soldiers trying. Akbar sent many men because he wanted to live forever. But whether Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, or Jain, no one will find the way without Mahadev's blessing. He surrounds Gyan Ganj.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If someone tries to leave without permission, the Lamas who guard the place can be very strict. Names like Totapuri Baba or Gandha Baba are associated with Gyan Ganj. They themselves said they came from there. But once you are out, you can't find the way back in.
Interviewer:
So, you're saying this mystery can never be unraveled?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Never. If someone thinks it's possible, they are living in a fool's paradise. It will never be exposed. These beings have existed for thousands of years. People might not believe it, but their age is beyond comprehension. The environment in the Gyan Ganj tunnels is perfectly suited for Yoga. There is no disturbance. Once you enter, you lose track of age, day, and night.
Interviewer:
I also heard they study Surya Vigyan (Solar Science) and Chandra Vigyan (Lunar Science) there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, they practice Solar Science. We have only just begun to scratch the surface of these things, but they have been practicing for ages. Solar Science involves reaching the sun through meditation and Yoga to understand its true nature. They are working on these things because there is a need for it. The whole world revolves around the sun, and they want to understand its elements and mysteries.
Interviewer:
Will this ever be revealed to the world?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It will be, eventually. There is nothing they cannot do. Just as they can go under the ocean or deep into the earth, they can reach the limits of the sky and control the planets and stars. They are currently managing the balance of nature. The world is currently filled with sin, and they are observing. When the time comes to cleanse that sin, they will take the necessary steps to bring peace back to the world. Until nature is calmed, they will not stop.
Interviewer:
I have learned so much about Gyan Ganj from you today.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have only told you a small part. No one truly knows Gyan Ganj. If I claimed to know everything, I would be a fool. What I have told you is based on what I have learned and what aligns with the stories in the Puranas. We call it Yaksha Puri. It is where the Yakshas live. Just as Rakshasas live on Earth, the Yakshas have their own domain. The Tibetan Lamas are essentially the Yakshas and Yakshinis who guard it. Its doors will never be found by the unworthy.
Interviewer:
My respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.