Interviewer:
Greetings. Today, we have someone with Gurudev who has traveled from very far away. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation, he has come from another state to be here. Brother, could you please tell our viewers your name and where you are from?
Pradip Das:
Namaskar. First, I offer my respects to Gurudev and Mother Tara. My name is Pradip Das, and I have come from Agartala, Tripura, specifically to receive initiation (diksha) from Gurudev.
Interviewer:
I see. Before we continue, let me ask you a few questions. How did you learn about Gurudev while living all the way in Tripura? Many people find out in different ways, but how did you discover him?
Pradip Das:
I discovered Gurudev through YouTube. I follow all of his videos very closely. By watching them, a deep interest grew in my heart, and that is why I came here today for initiation.
Interviewer:
How long have you been watching Gurudev's videos?
Pradip Das:
For about a year and a half, since the start of the first COVID lockdown. Actually, there is something I should mention. For a long time, I had a recurring dream. I would see a river, and on the bank, there was a cremation ground (shmashan) where someone was meditating. I couldn't understand why I kept seeing this dream. I never told anyone about it, but I wondered who that person was. When I found Gurudev on YouTube, I realized that the person I saw in my dreams was him. He is our Guru.
Interviewer:
That's incredible. In your dream, were you able to see the face of the holy man?
Pradip Das:
The face was somewhat blurry, but the physical stature and figure were exactly like Gurudev. I can say that with total certainty.
Interviewer:
Even people living nearby sometimes struggle to find this place. How did you manage to find this specific cremation ground and Gurudev all the way from Tripura?
Pradip Das:
It was through YouTube and Google Maps. Everything combined to lead me here. It is Gurudev's grace that I reached here; without his wish, I wouldn't have been able to come.
Interviewer:
It's true. Shantikunj is now clearly marked on Google Maps under Gurudev's name, making it very easy for people to find. It even gives directions from the airport.
Gurudev:
(Laughs) Google is showing the way directly to Shantikunj Shyama Gappa. It's very clear.
Interviewer:
This is the fame Shantikunj has achieved globally. Just by searching Gurudev's name, Google brings you right here. Now, Gurudev, we heard his experience. You have witnessed many such strange events and dreams. What do you have to say about this?
Gurudev:
When it is time for someone's initiation, these things happen. Dreams are a major sign—seeing someone meditating by the Ganges or a river. He told me he saw this repeatedly. There are other symptoms too; some people start hearing the sound of conch shells or temple bells from a distance, as if a prayer is happening. When these things occur, it means the time for initiation has arrived. People find their way to the right person at the right time.
Gurudev:
He came from Tripura, but many have come from there. People have even come from Bangladesh. Although the COVID situation is difficult there, they call and say they want to come because they consider me their Guru. As I've said before, the Guru is often predetermined. Whether you are in another part of the world or another state, you will eventually have to come. Perhaps I was his Guru in a previous life, and that connection has brought him here from Tripura. He spent a lot of money on plane tickets just for this initiation. That is the core of it.
Gurudev:
I've had people come from Canada and Switzerland. One person from Switzerland was so restless to get here; he booked his tickets, came, got his initiation, and is returning soon. I am often surprised by how restless people are for this. I don't fully understand the root of it myself. There is a girl from Pune who calls me constantly, begging me not to send her back without initiation if she comes.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, how do you decide when a disciple is ready? We see some people get initiation the day they arrive, while others wait a week, months, or even a year.
Gurudev:
It's a matter of timing. Just today, a train driver from Howrah came with his wife. I told them I couldn't do it now; it would have to be later. The upcoming month of Bhadra is generally not a time when we perform these rites. We will start again in the month of Ashwin. If you do these things at the wrong time, it causes problems.
Gurudev:
A Guru sees the proper time, just as a disciple feels the signs—the dreams, the sounds. I remember a mother and son who came from Tripura recently. They stayed for three days, received initiation, and when they left, they were crying because they didn't want to go. I can't always explain the math of why this happens. There are so many spiritual places, yet they choose to come here to this cremation ground.
Gurudev:
A few days ago, someone came from Mumbai. A priest there had told him about me. That priest performs rituals at his house and told him, "Go to the Rajpur cremation ground and find the Shyama Baba; your problems will be solved." He came all the way from Mumbai. People are finding me through word of mouth and YouTube. I don't want to sound arrogant, but this is what is happening. People are coming from everywhere.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, you have been making videos for nearly four years now, with almost 2,000 videos on the channel. People wait every day for a new video. We feel lucky to be here, but many watch from far away.
Gurudev:
Just yesterday, a gentleman came from Cooch Behar. I asked him why he traveled so far just to see me and offer his respects. He was around 70 years old. People come from Siliguri, Assam, and further. They tell me they watch every single video and feel a connection. Some might call this "promotion" or "ego," but I see it as people's hearts being drawn here.
Gurudev:
I asked the Divine Mother once to let the whole world know about this cremation ground, and she has made it happen. Through YouTube or whatever medium, she has spread the word.
Interviewer:
Pradip, how often do you watch the videos?
Pradip Das:
Every evening. If I don't watch Gurudev's video in the evening, my mind feels restless. It's become a part of my daily life.
Gurudev:
It's the same in Bangladesh. If I don't post a video, I get flooded with calls asking, "Gurudev, where is the video? We need to see you." They want to see my face in the videos. It's all Mother's grace. I've reached a point where I've helped people move away from old, stagnant superstitions. I tell them to clear the "garbage" from their minds.
Interviewer:
It's amazing to see someone travel from Tripura on a whim, following Google Maps from the airport, just to get here.
Gurudev:
Yes, Google is helping us! I should thank Google for showing people the way to this specific spot.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Pradip, and thank you, Gurudev. We will continue to bring more such episodes and stories to our viewers.
Gurudev:
Pranam.