Narrator:
Greetings, friends. Today is the full moon of the month of Magh—Maghi Purnima. On this auspicious occasion, a Homa (sacrificial fire ritual) is being performed in our temple for world peace and the welfare of humanity. As you can see, a "Mother" of this temple, who frequently performs these rituals, is conducting the Homa today. Her sole purpose is to pray for global harmony and the well-being of all people.
Narrator:
This Homa is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and Lord Narayana. Invoking God is synonymous with seeking peace and welfare for mankind. To remember God is to seek the removal of distress from people's lives—that is the essence of it. Every Homa we perform is for the benefit of humanity, but we begin by offering our prayers to the Divine.
Narrator:
We believe that calling upon the Almighty helps alleviate the suffering of the world. Currently, the ritual is focused on Lord Jagannath. Friends, we are now standing before Gurudev. Gurudev, today is Maghi Purnima; please share your thoughts on this occasion.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, the Purnima (full moon) began after 2:00 or 3:00 PM today. Our Homa and Yagna (sacrificial ritual) started then and will continue as long as the full moon lasts. You can see a young woman performing the ritual right now. I am not orthodox in my views. Many women come here to perform Homa and then depart. They are properly trained. I do not believe in holding women back; I have kept the path open so they can participate in Puja and Yagna. If a woman expresses a desire to perform Homa, I allow it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Women have been suppressed for too long. I have even dedicated an episode to this subject. We shouldn't just talk about equality; we must put it into practice. Today, you see many women coming forward to perform these rituals. It is impossible to film every session, as so many people come and go. We have the necessary kits ready here; if someone wishes to perform the ritual, it is arranged immediately.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tomorrow, a large-scale Homa will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Currently, smaller sessions are being held, and more people will arrive tonight. It is not possible to show everything, and it might become repetitive for viewers, but I stand by my actions. Women are not "untouchable" here. I provide them with the necessary training and even share the Vedic mantras over the phone. We follow the Vedic tradition; there is no Tantric Homa performed here.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Since the Mahamrityunjaya Yagna was performed on this ground, we do not allow any "impure" elements. The rituals here are dedicated to Vasudeva, Jagannath, and Sankarshana. We do not mix Tantra with these proceedings. When I need to perform Tantric rituals, I go to Tarapith or Kamakhya. Here, we follow the Sattvic (pure) path. There is a distinction: Tantric rituals often involve "Pashu-achara" (ritualistic practices involving bones or skulls), whereas here we practice "Divya-achara" (divine practice).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everything here is strictly Sattvic. Given the current state of the world—a terrible conflict seems to be approaching—these prayers are essential. We often focus on the "I," but in reality, everything is governed by Nature, the Mother, and Mahadeva. Our goal is to keep the Divine satisfied. Because this is a sacred space where the Mahamrityunjaya Yagna was held for 1,000 days, we maintain a strictly vegetarian and pure environment. We also performed the Nikumbhila Yagna here for a year.
Narrator:
Gurudev, you are a reformist monk. You have granted equal rights to everyone, which we all deeply appreciate. This woman—whom we call "Mother"—is performing the Homa under your guidance. We see her here often.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it is important not to leave women behind. Some, like this lady, have chosen a spiritual path over marriage; she considers Lord Shiva her husband. Others come from far away to participate.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our rituals will continue through the night and resume in the morning. The purpose is to call upon God and offer oblations, as the Vedas say: "Kasmai Devaya Havisha Vidhema"—to which God shall we offer our oblations? We offer them to the Luminous, Auspicious, and Immortal One who pervades the cosmos. We follow the Vedic and Vedantic traditions of Sanatana Dharma. Here, men and women sit together. I do not consider anyone inferior; everyone carries a spark of the Divine within them. Today a woman is performing the ritual, later it will be the men. That is our way.
Narrator:
Thank you, Gurudev. Pranam.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Shyama Khyapa demonstrates progressive spiritual leadership by affirming women's equal right to perform Vedic rituals at Shantikunj. Rejecting orthodox restrictions, he trains women in Homa and Yagna ceremonies, emphasizing that spiritual practice must transcend gender discrimination. The teaching distinguishes between Sattvic (pure) Vedic practices performed at Shantikunj and Tantric rituals reserved for places like Tarapith. His stance embodies the principle that "everyone carries a spark of the Divine within them"—a call for genuine equality in spiritual life.