What is the Search for Truth? The Real Truth by Shyama Khyapa

Gurudev: Yes, certainly. Why not? If I know the answer, I will tell you. If not, then I won't. Go ahead.

Interviewer: Gurudev, what is the search for truth?

Gurudev: Truth is just one thing. Lies, however, are many. Look at what happens in court; lawyers keep expanding on lies. But if you speak the truth in one word—saying, "I committed the murder"—then there is nothing left to do. It ends right there. But if you say, "I didn't commit the murder," then thousands of questions arise. So, truth is just one: "Yes." Lies are thousands upon thousands.

Interviewer: Is there a connection here to the physical or the metaphysical?

Gurudev: Well, as of now, there are three aspects at play: the metaphysical (Adhibhautik), the physical (Bhautik), and the divine (Daivik). Humans are experiencing all three. People are dealing with physical issues and metaphysical ones. There are those who can fix the physical. For the metaphysical—like fever, illness, or various ailments—there are doctors. Doctors can cure those.

But no one has the Divine power. That is God's stroke. Here, the sadhaks (spiritual practitioners) might have some influence. Even the gods and nature respect a sadhak. That is why a sadhak remains until the last chapter. The gods are pleased with a sadhak, and nature is content with them. If a sadhak makes a prayer to nature or the gods, it is accepted. These are very secret matters; they shouldn't be spoken of lightly.

Interviewer: Let's move to another question. What is meant by the principle of Brahma (Brahma-Tattva)?

Gurudev: Brahma is self-originating; it arises from itself and concludes in itself. It is hard to understand. Even one who has attained it might not realize they have it. If they did, they might go mad.

Think of the musk deer. It has the musk (Kasturi) inside its navel, but it doesn't realize it. It runs around frantically, driven by that scent. It goes wild for the smell of the musk and eventually dies. Brahma is like that. One who has originated Brahma within themselves doesn't even know it. It's a powerful thing. Only highly realized sadhaks can recognize the origin of Brahma in someone. They can say, "This person is a Brahma-jnani" (knower of Brahma). An ordinary person cannot understand it. Often, people might call such a person "crazy" or "delusional." They might babble like a madman or play like a child. These are signs of the origin of Brahma.

Interviewer: Are you referring to the four states of a sadhak—the child-like state, the inert state, the mad state, and the "ghostly" (Pishach) state?

Gurudev: Exactly. All four.

Interviewer: Then what does the "ghostly" (Pishach) state mean?

Gurudev: That is the fourth state mentioned in the books. It describes someone who picks up and eats anything from anywhere—even from a drain. That is the Pishach state. Have you seen those who are truly mad? They eat whatever they find. They don't feel disgust; they don't get sick or catch diseases. This happens to them.

Interviewer: Does that mean they accept what we have discarded?

Gurudev: Exactly. But for them, there is no "accepting" or "discarding." One who has attained Brahma is beyond these concepts. They are in a state of divine intoxication. They are "Ayaram-Gayaram"—they don't even understand themselves.

Interviewer: There is a phrase we hear everywhere now: "Soham." What do you have to say about that?

Gurudev: "Soham" means "I am He." We say this when we have absolute, profound faith in ourselves—that we are He. "Remember me, come to me, sit with me, and you will find peace. Your troubles will vanish." Not everyone has the courage to say "Soham." I have written it in my prayer room. "I am He. Believe in me, and you will find peace."

You may keep calling out to "God, God," but in reality, God manifests through humans.

Interviewer: As it's said, "Human becomes God, God becomes human." Or as Swami Vivekananda said, "Jatto Jeev Tatto Shiv" (wherever there is life, there is Shiva).

Gurudev: Yes, but that is meant in a different way. Every living being has Shiva within them. There is a Shiva at the base, the Muladhara (root chakra). This is well-proven. That is why he said, "Where there is life, there is Shiva."

Interviewer: This implies that the greatest religion is humanity—standing by others and feeling their pain.

Gurudev: Absolutely. God sent you to serve humanity. If you can bring a smile to just one person's face, that is your work. You will have to give an account of your life. The one who sent you will demand an answer: "I sent you there; what did you do?" This accountability exists in every religion—not just Hinduism, but for Christians and Muslims too. We believe God or Allah or Jesus Christ sent us, and He will take our account. This is a very significant thing, though we often treat it with indifference. I know it carries a deep meaning.

Interviewer: Thank you, Gurudev. We will conclude today's episode with these questions.

Gurudev: Very well.

Interviewer: I request the viewers, if you liked our discussion, please like and subscribe. Stay connected with us. Thank you. Gurudev, my respects to you.

Gurudev: Bless you.