Devotee:
Gurudev, pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, baba. Pranam. Tell me.
Devotee:
I want to discuss a specific matter with you today. We often see many so-called 'siddha' tantriks or just regular tantriks in various places. People have become quite desperate, seeking solutions for their various problems. It's often seen that the people they visit—whether they are supposedly accomplished or not—cannot provide results. Many end up wandering from place to place before finally coming to you. Could you shed some light on this situation?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, tantric practice is not a cheap or easy path. At least twenty-five to thirty young men come to me wanting to learn. They ask if I can make some arrangements for them. I have taken three or four of them and am teaching them. It's impossible to teach a thousand people at once. I teach a small group, then another group comes, and I cycle through them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, there's a great need for it currently—take this Kali Yuga, for instance. In our age, tantric practice is the only path that remains open. But do you know where the problem lies? Firstly, people aren't finding good gurus. Nowadays, gurus are such that someone might take initiation and go home, where the guru stays, completely unfamiliar with the cremation grounds. They take initiation from such gurus who don't want to take any real responsibility. Tantric practice typically takes place in three specific locations: the cremation ground, open fields, or particularly in secluded, empty houses. These are the expansive spaces meant for such practice. But now, no place is truly empty anymore, baba; everywhere is overflowing with people. So, tell me, where would tantric practice even take place?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Firstly, there's a lack of suitable locations. Secondly, many people claim to be practicing tantra, following any guru they can find. But in reality, they lose their way almost immediately because the temptations here are so immense. Ramprasad once said, "That is why I am captivated by temptation." This is God's play; he leads one toward destruction by offering such allurements.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To truly become a tantrik, one shouldn't even look at another human's face for at least fifteen to twenty years. We have practiced and learned tantricism; whatever I know, Baba taught me. Baba Bama-Deb taught me personally and practically. Many might not believe it; they might call me a fraud or a swindler. I'm not denying their right to say that. But Baba taught me everything practically. I spent twenty to twenty-two years confined in a locked room. No one knew me then—not even the local people. Now, by the grace of YouTube, everyone knows me as a tantrik, but I never sought publicity. I never put myself forward. It was my misfortune that someone came and suggested that speaking on YouTube would be beneficial. They said there's a demand for it and a lack of genuine people, and since I have much knowledge, it would be good to share it. That's how it began—that's how people came to know me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I'm here at the cremation ground, and thanks to YouTube, many recognize me. But I never chose to be public. Even when I worked in various cremation grounds, I did so extensively. I worked at the Rajpur, Tarapith, and Kamakhya cremation grounds. Wherever I went, I performed my work in great secrecy. I always found someone in those grounds who would assist me. Help is vital; without the assistance of at least one other person, tantric practice cannot be performed in a cremation ground. If you look at the old temple across from here—the temple of Ma Kali—I practiced sadhana there for twenty-two years in a tiny six-by-six-foot room, completely devoid of light or ventilation. At that time, perhaps some friends and acquaintances knew a little bit about what I was doing. To practice tantra today, one must find a truly experienced and wise guru. Many today just don dhotis and consider themselves great scholars. Despite our many years of practice, we still don't feel we can say we've truly mastered tantra. I've almost forgotten what I've done, to be honest. It's only when memories surface that I think, "Oh, I did that work."
Devotee:
Gurudev, I have a question.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, go ahead.
Devotee:
You keep saying that Baba Bama-Deb taught you personally.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, tell me.
Devotee:
Do you mean he found a place in your heart and taught you from within?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, it's not about him occupying a place in my heart; it's about the act of calling upon him.
Devotee:
I ask because when you say you learned by his side, he was no longer on this earth. That's why I assumed he must have given you a place in your heart and responded to you from within.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, there are one or two people here who have witnessed that during my major rituals, Baba Bama-Deb reportedly appears at night. When they told me this, I scolded them and told them never to speak of such things. But yes, he certainly comes; he always attends my major rituals when called upon. He taught me everything himself, through hands-on practice. One thing I never had was greed or a desire for temptation. My only goal was to help people, just as Baba Bama-Deb did with just a pinch of dust. People would run after him, desperately seeking the dust from his feet, believing it would heal them. And it's true—if one picks up a handful of earth in the Mother's name, it becomes extremely powerful and effective.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
However, one must understand that attaining 'Siddhi' is a major undertaking. As far as I know, it takes at least twelve to fourteen years. I performed pure, unadulterated penance for twelve years just to connect with Baba. My intention was never to gain something, swindle people, or exploit the Mother's name for personal gain. My only goal was to be like Baba, who was truly pure and 'Sattvic'—the grandest form of purity. I always asked Baba for the ability to help others just as he did. And that is exactly what happened to me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You see how many people come here every day—fifty to a hundred people is common throughout the day. I used to tell Baba that while he helped so many, I hadn't achieved much and could never be his equal. I just asked for some knowledge to help people. Honestly, I don't give people expensive stones; I just give them pieces of brick, wood, or earth. I pick them up in the names of the Mother and Baba, and it works. I don't give much—maybe a small cowrie shell or a root—but it's enough to heal even serious illnesses in good people. Everything is fine, and once people visit, they want to return repeatedly. It's not for money; although everyone wants to offer money, I don't wish to take it. The main reason is that I worry about upsetting Baba. If the Guru is dissatisfied, no deity can protect you. Even the Mother won't be able to save you. If the Guru or the deities are displeased, or if the Mother is angry with me, my Gurudev is there to support and save me. That is why I call upon him as I do. Since I began my spiritual journey as a child, my only request to Baba was for the wisdom to help others as he did.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Baba listened to me from Tarapith. I practiced sadhana both here and in Tarapith, and Baba still visits here at night, though he can't be seen by ordinary eyes. He comes to watch the rituals and fire sacrifices. Most importantly, I follow in Baba's footsteps in everything I do, whether it's a ritual or a fire sacrifice. People are seeing these things now through television and YouTube, but we used to perform them in total secrecy. In a way, this publicity has been harmful to me. While people all over the world might know me now, I only once asked Baba for one thing: that the Rajpur cremation ground be known worldwide. I told him that if my sadhana here was successful, let this place be famous globally. And Baba granted that; now the whole world knows of the Rajpur cremation ground, from America to Russia. Everyone recognizes it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In time, it may become even more crowded as more people learn that significant tantric practice has occurred here. But the most important truth about tantric practice is how it ends. "All's well that ends well." But the end is often not easy, baba. There are many obstacles in tantric practice. I share all these struggles with the Mother or with Baba. I ask her why things happen as they do. The Mother also corrects us; if we perform rituals for the wrong reasons or for the wrong people, she becomes deeply displeased. She asks why we did it without considering the consequences. One must endure these things. People still come, and since I don't know who is sinful and who is virtuous, I continue my work.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
But I've seen that the end is often not good for many. I've seen many people go mad during their practice, and others die in accidents. Some have died in accidents due to very small mistakes. My Mother Tara does not tolerate misconduct or debauchery. That's why we have never engaged in such behavior before her, and I've never falsely promised anyone that I could heal them in her name. The Mother herself performs the healing; Baba is present and manages everything. I have performed healing for diseases that were seemingly incurable, but Baba has kept me safe. Sometimes I suffer for a few days afterward and have to lie down. Because so many people visit with various ailments, the energy can sometimes be overwhelming, but Baba and the Mother are there to restore my health within a few days.
Devotee:
Gurudev, you mentioned earlier that you've trained many tantriks in the past and are currently teaching two or three more here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, I am still teaching; the young men are still learning.
Devotee:
My concern is, what happens if they fall into misconduct or lose their path? Could that harm you in any way?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No. If anyone does bad work in my name, it simply won't be effective; it only works for good deeds. Many people I've initiated are practicing tantra in places like Tarapith, Kamakhya, and Benares. I hear that many are continuing their practice, but temptation is a powerful thing and very difficult to resist. The six internal enemies are always waiting. If someone becomes an accomplished tantrik but then falls into misconduct, they will certainly face the consequences. Their spiritual progress will be completely destroyed. It's rare to find a truly well-balanced and righteous tantrik.
Devotee:
That's exactly what I'm asking you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, you'll rarely find one who is truly well. My closest friend was Bankim Bhattacharya in Tarapith. He died at a young age while practicing Chinnamasta puja. He loved me very much, and as he was dying, he told his disciples to visit me at the Rajpur cremation ground and pay their respects. They all followed his instructions. Bankim was a very serious and imposing person; no one was allowed to enter his room. Yet, even he had to leave. As he was being taken to the hospital in an ambulance, he told everyone that he wouldn't be returning and to visit the Rajpur cremation ground. His disciples know this is true; I am not exaggerating. The point is, even for many good people, the end isn't always easy. They might die from a snake bite, a dog bite, or an accident.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Misconduct and debauchery have no place in tantric practice, baba. We have always called upon Baba with a single mind. I used to read books and watch him, and I worried that I could never be like him. I wondered if I could ever help people the way he did with just a pinch of dust or earth. I vowed to follow in his footsteps and never engage in misconduct or lust. Baba heard me and showed me mercy. Thousands of people, both men and women, come here—even just now, a young woman was here for healing. Sometimes patients may even need to remove their clothing for certain treatments. But I have never engaged in misconduct. Many women come here for healing. Even if someone has to remove their clothes for treatment, they do so out of immense devotion and respect for me. I've had to touch many people in the course of their treatment.
Devotee:
Gurudev, this is only possible for you because you are a true sage in our eyes.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It happens, baba. Where else would they go? Sometimes we bow to these women and offer our respects. I ask for their forgiveness if I've had to touch them during treatment. To me, even that can feel like a form of misconduct before the Mother and Baba.
Devotee:
No, Gurudev, that's not misconduct; you're helping them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In my own eyes, it is. One should never touch a woman unnecessarily. But it must be done; they come to me in such distress and cry so much that it's beyond imagination. A young woman was here just today for healing. All of these things—alcohol, women, gold, and gambling—are immense temptations and obstacles to tantric practice. If we touch even one of those things, our tantric practice is finished. If I were to drink, engage in lustful behavior, gamble, or wear gold, everything I've achieved would be lost. We must remain completely free of ego.
Devotee:
But that's not what's happening these days.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That's exactly why things are as they are; many can't help a single person. People come to me after spending thousands of rupees elsewhere with no results. One woman said she even offered seventy bottles of alcohol, yet nothing changed. Why would it work if there are ulterior motives? If I had any such motives when women were undergoing treatment, everything would be finished. I would be spiritually ruined. But the people who come here are truly getting better. I haven't heard of anything bad happening. You must be very disciplined in this area. If you can maintain that discipline, you will succeed in your tantric practice.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The one who oversees tantric practice is Basudeb Jagannath. He is the greatest tantrik; if there's any true tantrik in the world, it is Basudeb Jagannath. You aren't truly a tantrik until he grants you his recognition. We wait for his call. I've been there thirty-five or thirty-six times, and I will go again. We go there and receive his grace. The pandas in Puri all respect and have devotion for me. Everything is fine, but without his recognition, nothing truly matters, baba. No matter what someone says, or how much fire they light, or how much they worship at the cremation ground, it means nothing. A person only truly becomes a tantrik when Basudeb Jagannath recognizes them. Tantric practice is not a simple or easy path.
Devotee:
Wonderful. So once someone is recognized by Jagannath Dev, what happens if they then fall into misconduct?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They will be finished. You must never engage in misconduct. You must be in the world, yet not of it. That is what you must remember. Women may come to someone like me for treatment, but I must remain unaffected. I bow to them and ask for the Mother's forgiveness. If anyone exploits such a situation, they are guilty of misconduct. I will never do that. Thousands of people have come to me for help, and I have never fallen into that trap. No one can say that I've been led astray by anyone. I follow in Baba's footsteps, and he taught me tantric practice personally. I've found my place here at the cremation ground. Baba lived in the grounds, and I try to do the same. Everything is as it should be.
Devotee:
Gurudev, I must say that after all the time you've spent on this path, you are a truly accomplished practitioner. It's because you've never succumbed to misconduct or temptation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, no, no. Many people have come to me, offering land and other things, but I've always refused. I tell them to leave if they even suggest such a thing.
Devotee:
That's why we respect you so much, and you have so many disciples.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My Mother is here. I worship the Mother Raj-Rajeshwari; she lacks nothing. If she gives me even a little, it's more than I could ever use. You must hold onto that belief. The Mother is the mother of the world; what could she possibly lack? Her grace is more than enough for me.
Devotee:
Gurudev, the things you've said today are true lessons for us. We should learn from them so we can become better people.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
By the Mother's grace, she has taken up my burden. I eat and live by her hand; she carries all my weight. Everyone should have this faith. When Akshay Brahmananda was at the end of his life, the Mother appeared and asked what he wanted. He asked that his skull might always remain on her head. The Mother accepted his request, and even today, Mother Tara is said to carry his skull. This shows that if the Mother takes someone's burden, they never need to look back. But if you lose your way, what can she do?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If I were to boast of my power as a tantrik, I would be finished. I take only what the Mother gives. One must remain firm and disciplined. If the Mother were to give me millions, I would take it.
Devotee:
But you would never take it directly from a person.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, I wouldn't take it from anyone. Because a person can be like a cobra; ordinary people think I'm making a lot of money because so many visit me. But to me, a person coming can be like a snake that will eventually bite me in some way. That's why one must be extremely cautious. Tantra is not a simple matter. Look at Janbari in Howrah, once a great center for tantra. Today, not a single person goes there because it's completely spiritually ruined. I once met a divine person from Janbari who gave me the initiation that allowed me to see Baba. I don't know his name, but he was very old. One stormy night, he told me not to get up because he was leaving. He lit a piece of wood and told me it would never go out. I didn't understand tantra well then, but I saw its power—that wood burned through the rain. He told me not to drive away the two dogs in my lap, and then he left. I haven't seen him in twenty-five years.
Devotee:
Gurudev, I heard your speech, and I liked it very much. I repeatedly offer pranam at your holy feet, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, okay. Pranam.