Why Should We Bear the Sins of Others?

Interviewer: Gurudev, Pranam (Greetings).

Gurudev: Pranam, son. Speak.

Interviewer: Gurudev, we are receiving many comments. These comments arose from a previous episode. There is a lot of resentment in people's minds, and they want to know something. A gentleman named Shriram Naskar asks: "Why should we bear the burden of the sins of dishonest people?"

Gurudev: [Laughs] Look, if there is one rotten potato in a sack, it spoils all the potatoes. Even though we are living honestly, we see dishonest people roaming freely, making money, and acting arrogantly. God doesn't punish them immediately; He first allows them to grow. He lets them fly like a kite, releasing the string. But the reel is in His hand. So, when one rotten potato is in the sack, it spoils the good ones. We have reached that state. We who want to live honestly are not being allowed to live in peace. Whether you blame God or whatever—I would blame God—those of us who are living simply and saintly are unable to live well, while the person next door is acting arrogant and driving around in big cars. Many people have asked me this. I tell them that God lets them grow, and then He strikes. That is why Ramprasad [a famous saint] once said: "For a few days, everyone considers themselves the master (Korta). But the Master of Time will eventually cast that 'master' aside." Do you understand what he meant? Ramprasad meant this because he too suffered and was mentally and financially tortured at one time. He wrote: "For a few days, everyone considers themselves the master. But the Master of Time will eventually cast that 'master' aside." God lets them grow, and then He strikes—and that strike is terrifying.

Interviewer: Could you explain the meaning of that poem you just mentioned?

Gurudev: "Bhabo" means the world. You have come to this world for a few days. Everyone considers you the master; you give to some, you withhold from others, you do this and that. People think you are the master. What is the job of the master of a house? To decide what happens—give to him, don't give to her. So, he has come to this world and is acting like the master. But the same master will be cast aside when the Master of Time arrives. In other words, God lets them grow, but His justice is precise. There is no error in His judgment. Bhabapaagla once said something similar.

Interviewer: If you remember his poem, please tell us.

Gurudev: I don't recall it exactly, but he said the same thing—God lets humans grow, and then slowly, He is the one who strikes. No bribe works there; God doesn't accept any favors. He judges with equity. We think we will get away with it, but one Eye is always watching us. Like a computer, He is monitoring our deeds, our words, everything. He will demand an account later.

Interviewer: You said one rotten potato spoils the whole sack. That applies to potatoes, but in the case of humans...

Gurudev: It is exactly the same for humans.

Interviewer: But Gurudev, if one person does wrong, why should the four good people living next to him suffer for his sins?

Gurudev: They suffer because of his influence. That is why it is said that if you mix with bad people, you become bad; if you mix with good people, you become good. There is a distinction between good and bad.

Interviewer: Gurudev, regarding the episode you gave our viewers today, we see many comments saying you shouldn't get involved in politics. But how can one avoid politics when it is part of the current situation?

Gurudev: Look, many people say, "You are a religious guru; you cannot do these things." So, should I say nothing? If something happens in the house next to mine, can I not speak up? Because I am a religious guru, am I finished? Can I not protest? To tolerate injustice is as much a crime as to commit it. Should we say nothing? That is not right. You must protest. Whether you are a seeker, a saint, or a monk, everyone has protested. When the indigo planters were torturing people in Birbhum, Bamdeb Baba [Bamakhepa] stood up against them. What was the need for him to do that? When Bagha Jatin was fighting the battle of Buribalam, Tara Khepa sent him money. Why did a saint need to send money? Always remember, whether you are a spiritual seeker or anyone else, if you see injustice before your eyes, you must protest. If you don't, the perpetrator will feel emboldened. It is best to protest collectively. These people think they have come to the world to play the master, but they forget the Master of Time.

Interviewer: Gurudev, you mentioned that Bamakhepa sent money to Bagha Jatin. Can we then assume he was involved in politics?

Gurudev: It’s not right to call it "politics." He was with the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]—not the modern one, but the groups of that time were very secretive. They didn't show off. Pritilata Waddedar, for example, used to provide weapons to the boys.

Interviewer: Pritilata Waddedar, during the Chittagong Armoury Raid?

Gurudev: Yes. Can we forget them? They put weapons and food in the hands of the boys. They hid them in their homes and fed them. She even used weapons herself and later committed suicide with cyanide to avoid being caught by the British. Their torture was horrific. If you look at the case of Master Da Surya Sen, it will bring tears to your eyes. Back then, there were fewer people to protest; if anyone did, they were jailed or killed.

Interviewer: The context here is that they were political, but why do spiritual gurus like you get involved?

Gurudev: We don't "enter" it; it happens automatically. If an injustice occurs here, I must protest. If you can't protest collectively, do it alone.

Interviewer: The common perception is that a spiritual guru should only chant God's name.

Gurudev: No, that is not true. His eyes should be everywhere. If he only chants and doesn't protest injustice, then what is the point? He sees everything and helps everyone. So many people come to him, and he helps them all. Doesn't he have the right to speak?

Interviewer: A religious guru is omnipresent.

Gurudev: Exactly. Look at Vivekananda. A guru has a duty—"Nishkama Karma Yoga" (selfless action). He performs his duties selflessly, gives knowledge to people, and helps them in the name of God.

Interviewer: I have another question. A lady named Chitra Nag wants to know: when will the world end? Especially with the current COVID situation.

Gurudev: Look, Chitra, the world won't end tomorrow. This world is "Brahmadva Parikalpitam"—planned by Brahma. Scientists are searching for another planet like Earth, but they can't find one. There are 14 Manus; we are currently in the 9th Manu, and the 5th Manu is still to come. The world won't just vanish suddenly. But yes, species can become extinct. Just as dinosaurs became extinct when they overreached, it is being said that humanity might be wiped out for some reason. Nostradamus predicted that in 2021, humans might disappear from Earth and various species would be lost. [The sound of evening bells begins]. Since the evening Aarti is starting, I'll be brief. Nostradamus said humans might disappear. Now, look at the biological warfare that has started. No bullets are being spent; a virus is released. First COVID, then the second wave, now the third... then Black Fungus. Doctors aren't even familiar with these; there are no medicines. They say a cure might take 15–20 years, but by then, many will be gone. This is a blueprint to kill people.

Interviewer: People are very anxious, which is why they seek light from you.

Gurudev: I have said before that 2021 is a bad year. The planetary positions of Saturn and Mars are not good. Famine, poverty, and bloodshed are predicted. Famine is a major concern. Due to the alignment of the Sun and Venus, there could be a sudden shortage of food in the markets.

Interviewer: We are also seeing frequent natural disasters.

Gurudev: Natural disasters happen because of what we have done to nature. Nature is taking its revenge. We cut down trees and cleared everything. Look at what happened before; when Indira Gandhi was alive, she wanted to turn the desert green. A scientist warned her not to, saying it would upset the balance of nature. Now, the desert is turning green, but other areas will become deserts. If you plant trees in places where people can't live, it doesn't help the ecosystem correctly.

Interviewer: Along with the pandemic, a cyclone is approaching West Bengal and Odisha. We request you to pray so that people don't suffer too much.

Gurudev: Our prayers are silent; people won't know about them. We shouldn't interfere with nature too much, but we can pray to the powers—Varuna (God of Water), Pavandev (God of Wind), and Indra (God of Rain)—to lessen the impact. It will be a large-scale event, but we are trying in our own way.

Interviewer: Many disciples of yours are spread across India. Please give them some hope.

Gurudev: Disasters are happening everywhere—Gujarat, West Bengal... but remember, we are protected by the Himalayas (Giriraj). Our land is surrounded by the sea. We are people of faith. A poet once wrote: "We didn't die in the famine... we survive with the nectar of the gods." We consider the gods our kin. We have seen the divinity in humans. We see the shadow of the world-spirit in the eyes of our children. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Nimai) and Vivekananda's message has spread across the world. We have survived plagues and cholera. We carry the mark of immortality.

Yes, God will punish you according to your "Karmaphal" (results of actions). You must accept that. But if your actions are right, God cannot punish you. If you are honest in your heart, if you don't cheat others, then you are a saint. God will protect you. Don't worry about it. Keep your actions right and live like a good person. Don't cheat, don't abuse, and treat humans as humans. If you can do that and be a "saint" in your mind, nothing else is needed. But we don't do that; we are surrounded by the six enemies (lust, anger, greed, etc.), and we fall into traps.

Interviewer: Viewers, today we heard a beautiful discussion that has enriched us. Gurudev spoke about the upcoming cyclone and the pandemic with such wisdom. Gurudev, we conclude for today. Pranam.

Gurudev: Pranam.

Spiritual Insight

Guru Baba Shyama Khyapa discusses the burden of sins, divine justice, and the importance of protesting against injustice in society.