Narrator:
Guru Dev, pranaam. Sir, pranaam. We are waiting for both of you to talk. Please begin.
Devotee:
Guru Dev, three qualities are present in humans. At times, the quality of 'Sattva' (goodness/purity) resides, at other times 'Tamas' (darkness/ignorance), and 'Rajas' (passion/activity).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This applies to the Gods too.
Devotee:
Most people are driven by either 'Tamas' or 'Rajas'. Could you please explain these three qualities to us?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
'Rajas' and 'Tamas'. 'Rajas' is the quality of passion. 'Tamas' is darkness, it’s shrouded in ignorance. We believe that Mahadev possesses the quality of 'Sattva'. Narayana has the quality of 'Tamas', and Brahma has the quality of 'Rajas'.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Brahma possesses the quality of 'Rajas'. Narayana is associated with 'Tamas', and Devadidev Mahadev is associated with 'Sattva'. These are the three qualities humans possess, though they are not as distinct as they are in the gods.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In humans, these qualities are mixed. However, most people are driven by 'Rajas' and 'Tamas'. 'Rajas' is the quality of passion, whereas 'Tamas' is associated with a downward-looking mind and all kinds of bad deeds.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
'Rajas' can also be seen in religious activities, like playing the drums and feeding people. 'Sattva' is a state of being where one is free from everything. It is a clear state of being where there is no corruption. Everything in this state is in the realm of truth. This is what I know.
Devotee:
We have seen people like Gautam Buddha, who were born into royal families and led luxurious lives. This means they were full of 'Rajas' and 'Tamas'. But then, they transitioned into the state of 'Sattva'. How did they achieve this transformation?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It’s not just a transformation, it was pre-planned. It was the fruit of their past lives. Regardless of whether they were born into a royal family or not, they would have achieved it. They were destined to achieve what they did, no matter where they were born.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Take the case of Prahlad. He was born into a royal family but had to endure a lot of hardship. In the end, he was saved by Narasimha Avatar. Similarly, Buddha was born into a royal family but he gradually gave himself to the people.
Devotee:
Some people want to be famous and want their names to be known. But there's no connection between fame and spiritual realization (Siddhi). We call some people famous, while we say others have attained spiritual realization. Could you please explain what it means to attain Siddhi?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Siddhi is a state of being that you attain through the grace of God. Ashtasiddhi is one of the highest forms of Siddhi. It resides in the feet of great souls. Great souls can tell if someone has attained Ashtasiddhi just by looking at their feet. Siddhi means that whatever you say will come to pass.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Take the case of Shirdi Sai Baba. He attained Siddhi at the young age of 16. People like drunks and drug addicts would come to him. One day, they ran out of kerosene and the lamp went out. When they asked him what to do, he gave them some water and told them to put it in the lamp. The lamp started burning with the water and stayed lit all night. This is Siddhi. Whatever you want will happen.
Devotee:
You often say that Siddhi cannot be given to anyone, but it spreads among people and one attains it eventually.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It’s about doing good for people. Doing good for people is doing good for God. As you continue to do good, you will develop a power which is a part of Siddhi. You may not even realize it, but you will attain Siddhi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Some people use their spiritual powers for bad purposes. They are driven by the quality of 'Tamas'. On the other hand, some people use their powers for the good of others. We use the same mouth to speak ill of others and to chant the name of God.
Devotee:
Can a common person's life change gradually as they decide to follow the path of spiritual practice? They may not become 'Sattva' overnight, but through long practice and endurance, can they achieve it?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It’s not easy. One has to endure a lot of hardship. People will harass you. The same people you are trying to help will harass you. But through their harassment, you will attain Siddhi. The same people who harassed you will eventually come to you and say that you have attained Siddhi. This is what happened with Shirdi Sai Baba.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When he was 15 or 16, he was surrounded by drunks and drug addicts who would harass him. But gradually he attained Siddhi. I have also had similar experiences in my life. I have faced a lot of harassment, which was unimaginable. People would come to kill me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They threatened to kill me, but I didn't pay any attention to them. I was focused on God and he protected me time and again. People would come at night and harass me in various ways. But I never reacted. I would tell them that if they wanted to kill me, they could.
Devotee:
Another one of your disciples, Bamanando Khepa, has also attained Siddhi. I have seen you get very angry sometimes, but then you become as humble as the earth. He also has similar characteristics. Is this a common trait among those who have attained Siddhi?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it's common. Sometimes, they lose their temper and then they become calm again. It's a part of who they are. I also experience this every day. People say things that make me angry, but I have to do my work. This is a characteristic of a spiritual practitioner.
Devotee:
They can't seem to get away from their spiritual practice. They are always engaged in some form of spiritual practice. Sometimes they are in a child-like state.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it's like children playing a game. They won't let you know that they have attained Siddhi. They interact with people in a very normal way, but only great souls can recognize them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For example, Guddu Maharaj from Benares came to me and said that I possess great qualities and have attained Ashtasiddhi. They know everything. I just agreed with him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many other great saints and monks, even from the Himalayas, have come to me and said that I am a realized soul. It’s not about what you say, but what people say about you. When people say that you are a realized soul and whatever you say comes to pass, then you have attained Siddhi. God won't whisper in your ear that you are a realized soul, people will tell you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
God is reflected in humans. God doesn't say anything, but humans will know when you have power. They will come to you in large numbers and ask for your help. They will call you 'Father', 'Mother', and so on. I have seen this happen in my life. People come to me and touch my feet. They ask me to do something for them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It’s difficult to choose between the words of humans and the words of God. I have always looked for God in humans. When I see something extraordinary, I believe it's God's work.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
God is present in human form. You have created an extraordinary history by turning this crematorium into a great crematorium (Mahashashan). A crematorium is called a Mahashashan when a realized soul emerges from it. Our Municipal Chairman and many others have acknowledged this. It's already known as Mahashashan on the internet.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those who have attained Siddhi here will be followed by others who will also attain Siddhi. Many people have come here, and although some have left, many have stayed. You have been here for 18 years and you know me well. It's impossible for others to know me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many people come to me every day and they must be getting some benefit, otherwise they wouldn't come. People can be fooled once, but not repeatedly. So, you can say that I have attained Siddhi. It's not right for me to say it, but you can.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everyone who comes to me says the same thing. They ask me to do something for them and they believe it will happen. I hope I can continue to serve people in good health. It's up to God. I believe that people are sent by God. People from all over the world are coming here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They see me on YouTube and they come from all over the world. I once told my mother that this remote village, Rajpur, and its crematorium will be known to the whole world. And it has happened. Everyone knows that I live here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It’s a great achievement for me. I told my mother and it happened. If I live for another 5-7 years, it will be even greater. I am a believer in God. I don't know if this is a part of some spiritual practice, but I know people who are 126-130 years old and they are still alive.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Living long is not a big deal. The important thing is to live for the service of others. One has to work hard on the path of spiritual practice. I used to weigh 33 kg, now I am 41 kg, and in the future, I might be 30 kg.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The lighter you are, the better it is for spiritual practice. You have to reduce your weight. With a subtle body, you can go anywhere. Someone told me today that they saw me sitting there in the afternoon.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I told them that I don't come in the morning. But they insisted they saw me. Sometimes people see me in my subtle body. My physical body might be at home, but my soul is here. Many people have seen me in different places.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You saw me in the 64 Jogini temple. Maharaj from Pushkar called me and asked if I had sent someone. I said yes, I sent someone for the puja as the boy had died in an accident.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He said he knows me well and will meet me when he comes to Kolkata. He said I have sent many people and he has helped them all. He said I am a good person. Many people from Belur Math and Ramakrishna Mission also call me.
Narrator:
Guru Dev, pranaam. Sir, thank you very much. We have learned a lot from you today, things that Guru Dev doesn't usually share.