Follower:
Gurudev, pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Baba.
Follower:
Gurudev, given the current situation we are seeing in India, the COVID cases are increasing repeatedly. From this temple, we would like to hear some instructions from you. Should people come or not? What should they do?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To be honest, people shouldn't come now. I am going to lock this place down gradually and close it so that people don't come. I will make arrangements for that. The way this disease is spreading—look at West Bengal right now, there are elections going on, so you won't even realize there is COVID here. But internally, it has already reached 3,000 to 4,000 cases and is increasing continuously. The previous COVID variant has completely changed; now, it is an even more dangerous form. I had said in 2021 that COVID would take a more dangerous form, and it has.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The point is, people come here from many places, from all over India. We don't know who is bringing what. If we lock this down, I think it will be better. We will be safe, and the resident disciples who live here and look after the temple—I want their safety first. We don't know who is coming from where. Nowadays, one person with COVID can infect ten others. You all know this; it's not a big deal to understand.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, I want to lock this down and close it. Completely close it. Our internal work, the worship of the Mother, puja, hom-yagya—everything will happen inside. But it wouldn't be right to let outsiders come in. What do you think?
Follower:
Yes, Gurudev, definitely. Given the rate at which COVID is increasing, it is very necessary for people to be cautious. I agree with you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
And then, many people come without masks. Usually, masks are not used here. This is such a place that masks aren't used. We ask people to remove their masks here. So, because of all these things, I am thinking of a lockdown for a few days. For the safety of those who are here, I have made this decision. I will stop people from coming.
Follower:
From when will you start this?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I have decided. Amavasya is over. From Pratipada onwards, I will close it. From Monday or Tuesday, I will close it completely. It is not right to let people in now.
Follower:
Until you give further instructions, people should not come.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If the government says something now—well, because of the elections, the government might be indifferent. But once the elections are over, you will see the lockdown starting. Lockdowns have already started in some places. So, let's take precautions in advance. We have time now. The way COVID is increasing in Mumbai, Delhi... we are getting news from various places that it is increasing rapidly. It's better not to take this risk.
Follower:
Gurudev, not just Mumbai, Maharashtra, or Karnataka; cases are also increasing significantly in West Bengal. The media isn't reporting it because of the elections.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, exactly. So, let's be aware ourselves. Almost 50 to 100 people come here daily. So, I am thinking of a temporary lockdown. If the situation improves or the disease goes away, we will open it again. I don't want to keep it open during this time. It's very risky. People come from all over India. So, I have decided to keep it closed for a few days.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The government is doing what it can; vaccines are being given. But I don't want to keep it open much longer. I needed your opinion too, as you come here every day.
Follower:
Gurudev, your opinion is the final word. Your command is the final command.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, it's not about command. This is a disease. And as we know, one person can infect ten. So, we need to be cautious. We can't close the temple rituals—the Mother's food, worship, hom-yagya—those will continue. But we are telling people coming from afar not to come now. No matter how urgent their work is, consult local people or doctors. Don't come to us suddenly. And if we send someone back, there shouldn't be any complaints that we didn't see them. The consequences of this COVID are dangerous. People are very reckless, especially in West Bengal. They think, "It's increasing, so what?" This is the attitude. So, I request everyone, please don't come to me during this lockdown period. I might not see you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Firstly, my health is not great, and I am old. People come and touch my feet or body. Although we tell them to do it from a distance, I am thinking of closing it completely in a day or two.
Follower:
So, friends, you heard Gurudev's command and the message he gave through his YouTube channel. I hope you follow it. It is a humble request not to come to Shanti Kunj for now.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It would be the wise thing to do.
Follower:
We often share various news via this YouTube channel, but some don't listen and just show up. Please don't do that. If you are sent back, it will be your problem. Gurudev has said no one will be allowed in.
Follower:
Anyway, Gurudev, moving on to the next topic. Today is Amavasya. We know you often say that no woman or girl should step into the shashan (crematorium) on Amavasya. Why is Amavasya so significant?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Householders, both men and women, come here. I forbid everyone who is a householder from entering the shashan during Amavasya. The atmosphere in the shashan becomes "heavy" during this time. We forbid everyone—men, women, and children. From the start of Amavasya until it ends, we say, "Don't come to the shashan." The shashan is heavy during Amavasya, Purnima (full moon), and Ekadashi. Not everyone has a strong heart. Someone might get scared or something might happen. Then we would be held responsible.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If something happens on Amavasya—say a child or a woman comes and gets affected by the "air" (negative energy)—this is a shashan after all. So, we say don't come on Amavasya. There is an old saying by Khana: "Amavasya poro, ghor theke na nabo" (If it's Amavasya, do not leave your house). She said this repeatedly. Amavasya is a very dark time.
Follower:
So you mean, not just the shashan, one shouldn't even leave the house?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That was Khana's saying, not mine. She must have had a reason. Amavasya is such a time. During the day, it might be okay, but the night is very dangerous. During Amavasya, the solar energy (Saurya Shakti) decreases. When solar energy decreases, human energy also decreases. That's why many people don't eat or they follow certain rituals on Amavasya. The sun loses some of its power on this day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If you look at the sky at night, no planet or star gives off any light. It is pitch black. Nowadays, there are city lights, so you can see things even at night. But Amavasya means "nikosh" (pitch black). Not a single celestial body will give light. After 10:00 PM, it becomes even more dangerous. Solar energy is completely weak, and "Maikara Shakti" (the power of Mother Kali) awakens.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tantriks wait for this night to do all sorts of negative rituals. No good work happens on Amavasya. All kinds of tuk-tak (small spells), baan mara (shooting spells), and such things happen. You won't see yagyas happening elsewhere, but the moment Amavasya starts, you'll see them in houses or at Tarapith. These are all for negative purposes. None of them are for good.
Follower:
If we do a hom-yagya on Amavasya, is it not a good thing?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It's not good at all. Only those who do "wicked" work perform them. No good work happens on Amavasya because no planet or star gives light. The sun's light decreases even during the day if it's Amavasya. Humans lose energy. If the sun is affected, humans and even gods are affected.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The things these people do are "Gurmukhi Vidya" (knowledge passed from a teacher), not God's knowledge. They do what their teachers taught them. So, we say, don't leave the house on Amavasya, and definitely don't come to the shashan.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When do people think of the shashan? Usually, when someone dies. I had decided to build the temple behind the shashan so people wouldn't come. But it's my bad luck that there's such a crowd here now. From morning, people come in streams. You can't stop them. Today, I had to turn away 8 to 10 people, maybe more. I don't do any work on Amavasya. As long as Amavasya lasts, I don't do anything. No good work happens. You'll see people doing rituals to kill, control, or harm others on this day. Tantriks wait for this night. It suits them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
And there are people who want to harm their brothers or neighbors, asking for spells like maran, uchhatan, vashikaran, stambhan. These things work well on this day because solar energy and human energy are weak, and even gods are somewhat subdued. So, we say, don't do anything on Amavasya, and don't come here. Do your work on any day other than Amavasya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That's my statement, but people don't listen. No matter how much I say, people still come. That's why the situation in West Bengal is so dire. We don't know what will happen next. I have already said a lot about 2021. People are suffering because of their own misdeeds. They are running after Tantriks and astrologers. Why? Because they've committed sins, and now they are seeking remedies. But nothing is happening. Money is being wasted, time is being wasted, but no results. Many people come to me saying they spent a lot of money elsewhere but got no results. So, I tell everyone: don't leave your house on Amavasya, and there's no need to come to the shashan.
Follower:
So friends, in today's episode, Gurudev emphasized two points. First, don't come to the temple during this COVID situation; he won't see anyone for everyone's safety. Second, don't come to the temple on Amavasya.
Follower:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, Baba.