Devotee:
Asansol. Gurudev, Pranam (salutation).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, son.
Devotee:
A few days ago, a question was asked which you answered. It was about one of your female disciples. Someone asked an insensitive question. Today, I see that all the people who took diksha (initiation) from you are women.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, all are women today. Initiation for women took place today.
Devotee:
And as far as I have talked to them, almost all of them are closely connected with states outside West Bengal, either due to work or studies.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This girl has come from Hyderabad. Tell me your name.
Rohita Das:
My name is Rohita Das. I have come from Hyderabad. I came here in April, but due to the lockdown, I was working from home. But I came back here in September just to receive Gurudev's proximity and initiation. Today, I am really successful that I could take initiation from him. It's a dream of many days, a rare attainment. After waiting for many days, what I received today from Maa Tara...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
How did you know about me?
Rohita Das:
I learned through one of my brothers, through Andrew James. I came alone, found the way myself. Later, I saw Gurudev on YouTube, and after seeing him, I came here.
Devotee:
On this side, I see... where have you come from? Tell me your name.
Arpita Mukherjee:
Namaskar. My name is Arpita Mukherjee. I live in Asansol. I have come from Asansol. I have come to take initiation from Dadu (grandfather/affectionate term for Gurudev).
Devotee:
You have studied in Bangalore?
Arpita Mukherjee:
Yes, I did my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Genetics from Bangalore University. And now I am applying for the State IAS, the WBCS Executive. My main goal is to rank in the executive and get a chance. With Tara Maa's blessings, I will surely get it. Dadu has become my Gurudev, and I have no more worries. I talk a bit much, I know, but I have a good heart. Dadu has recognized me well. Dadu gave me permission to come and receive initiation, which is a big deal. I even called Dadu yesterday. I have been dreaming of Dadu for two days. Yesterday, I dreamt that Dadu came to my house. Dadu and I brought something like a stone slab of Tara Maa or Kali Maa, and both of us were offering water during puja. I had another dream the day before that, which I don't remember clearly. I have been talking about initiation at home for a week, that I will take initiation only from Dadu. No one can be a better guru than Dadu. Dadu is so honest. I cannot explain it myself; I am a very small person. A person like Dadu gave me initiation; I don't know what to say.
Devotee:
Behind Arpita sits another person. Please tell me your name.
Hoimanti Bhattacharya:
My name is Hoimanti Bhattacharya. I also came through my sister, Rohita. I also had a long-time desire. Seeing this, I feel it's my ultimate that I could come here. Taking initiation was a big dream for me, which was fulfilled today. After coming, I was actually very surprised... I mean, I was afraid of what would happen. I came with fear and tears. But I gradually came to know how much compassion he has. I could take initiation from a guru like him; this is a big dream of mine that was fulfilled today.
Devotee:
How do you feel now after taking initiation?
Hoimanti Bhattacharya:
Great joy in the mind, mentally strong. I see myself changed. My health, everything... it feels different. How can I explain?
Devotee:
No, these cannot be explained. A feeling does occur, but that feeling cannot be expressed through words or mind. It's within oneself.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
And yesterday when I told them that they should come and I would give initiation, they were overwhelmed with joy. They couldn't even imagine they would get initiated. I called them yesterday and said, "Come, I will initiate you." They have to go back to Bangalore and Hyderabad. That's why I said, "Come, I will initiate you." I saw their immense joy over the phone when they heard they would get initiated. Anyway, I felt very good initiating them.
Devotee:
Actually, you all should know one thing. Gurudev has spoken about initiation in detail before. I asked Gurudev if he verifies those who come for initiation, and Gurudev said yes, he does. And today when you received an invitation from Gurudev, it is truly a great achievement for you. You can be sure that Gurudev has seen whatever he needed to see in you. And the mantra Gurudev has given you will be your companion for the rest of your life. Whenever you face any problem, Gurudev will stand before you to show you the way.
Devotee:
Gurudev, I must say one thing in this context. As I have mentioned before, look at these three. Their age group is significant. In today's societal scenario, young boys and girls of this age group, and especially today, three women... in the era of our Vedas and Upanishads, we had many such learned women. All of them are highly educated. No one is less than the other. So, this is a very good sign. And not only that, many people are waiting for initiation. I sent one person back today; he is also young. I told him to come on Saturday for initiation. I cannot initiate four or five people at once. Some work needs to be done, some things need to be said. Initiation isn't just about a touch. I touch with devotion, then I give initiation. Some parts need to be awakened. I awaken them with my hand, and then they will do the rest. I did my part; now they will do theirs. And the mantra we give is a 'Siddha' (proven) mantra. There is no doubt about it. If someone truly chants this, they will receive immense compassion from God.
Rohita Das:
To be honest, just as we get scolded by our parents and then they pull us to their chest, I call him 'Jethu-Baba' (father's elder brother). We have been scolded, but with such sincerity, Jethu-Baba has pulled us to his chest. In that sense, I have no more sorrow or pain today. It feels like my body has become pure.
Arpita Mukherjee:
Taking initiation from Dadu, he has become my Gurudev. I will definitely become his worthy disciple. I will do good to everyone. In Dadu's name, I will do good to everyone. That's why I am trying to get such a job so that I can do more good from that position of power. I don't have any power now. I only have the power Tara Maa has given me. But I will become Dadu's worthy disciple. I will never let Dadu's name be tarnished. Since Dadu has trusted me so much and I have received his grace despite being a small person, I will surely uphold Dadu's name. Dadu is my Gurudev. I never thought I would get a guru like him. After so many failures in my life, Tara Maa has made me so successful in a second. This is the greatest success, that I can call Tara Maa with Dadu's blessings. What if I failed before? Maa hasn't kept anything lacking for me. I can do good for everyone, that's enough. I will get a job sooner or later. Why worry about a job? I will get a big one, just to do good for everyone. With Dadu's blessings, I will surely make Dadu's name shine. I'm saying this again, I will become a worthy disciple, Dadu.
Devotee:
Today at our Shantikunj, we saw three women taking initiation from the hidden seeker, Shyama-Khapa. And Gurudev told you that it seems like a surge has begun. This initiation, as we see, is mostly among the young generation, whom we often criticize. More and more of them are coming forward. Gurudev just said that this is truly a very good sign.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Let it be. Let people call on God. Whatever work they do, let them do it; I have no objection. They will also become homemakers one day. Everything is fine, but there's no harm in calling on God. And now is the time, the time to call on God. If one can call on God a bit during this time, some good work will be done. This is a 100% guarantee that if someone calls on God a bit, they will be saved from danger. A great danger is going on now, a partial apocalypse is happening. You are seeing it. Not just COVID-19, along with it, you saw everything from Amphan happening. And I don't know what will happen in the remaining two months. I don't know what 2020 will leave behind as it goes. But I am always in fear of the loss of lives. That's what brings me great sorrow and pain, the loss of lives. I am constantly praying to God that I don't have to see any more loss of lives.
Devotee:
Gurudev mentioned that many are coming. But as you can understand, Gurudev is aging. It's not like someone comes and he initiates them immediately.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I make them wait for a day or two.
Devotee:
Naturally, there are some matters of preparation. And the most important thing is time. Perhaps that person's time hasn't come yet, or they haven't completed their preparation. That's why Gurudev tells them, "Not today, next week, or some other time." And when that time arrives, he initiates them following his method.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I don't really have any specific method. What do I have? They come, I take a terminalia chebula (haritaki) fruit and initiate them.
Devotee:
No, those things you mentioned about doing various tasks or awakening different parts, those take time. You have to give some time. One initiation takes at least 15-20 minutes.
Devotee:
Naturally, it's not possible for Gurudev to initiate numerous people every day. That's why many might misunderstand, thinking Gurudev didn't give them importance. Actually, that's not the case. The case is that perhaps your time hasn't arrived yet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
And I also have to ask Maa (the Divine Mother) whether to initiate someone or not. If Maa suddenly asks whom I initiated, I have to wait for Maa's permission too. Once I get Maa's permission, I call them and initiate them. This is how it is. And nothing much is needed here. As you know, initiation happens with just a terminalia chebula fruit. Everything is fine. And I also want those who are studying, the highly educated ones, to call on God. Everything will happen through them. There's no use in initiating uneducated or foolish people. Some education is needed. In that sense, initiating them is good for me. One girl said she would make me as great as possible. That's fine. Everything will be fine with Maa's grace. I hope there won't be any problem.
Devotee:
So friends, all of you pray. Let us all pray to God. Just as Gurudev is constantly praying to Maa for everyone's well-being, let him remain healthy and continue this prayer for all people for a long time. Gurudev, my salutations to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, son. Pranam. Pranam to all. I offer my pranam to everyone. Be well, be healthy. Do good to everyone, son. Be well.