Disciple:
Gurudev, pranam (greetings). Today, after offering my respects to Shantikunj Baba Tara and to you, I would like to begin today’s episode.
Gurudev:
Yes, proceed.
Disciple:
I have a few small questions today. Many people want to know which type of Yoga is best for common people to practice?
Gurudev:
When you say "common people"—not everyone can practice every kind of Yoga. There are difficulties. The best Yoga for everyone is Sankhya Yoga, which you will find in the Bhagavad Gita. If you read that, you will understand. It is a profound Yoga. People can study it, but just reading is not enough; one must understand its inner meaning—what Sankhya Yoga truly is. Many people recite the Gita and read Sankhya Yoga, but if they can understand the commentary and explanations—there are many hidden meanings available now—then it becomes clear.
Gurudev:
Common people cannot perform complex Yoga because there are 18 types mentioned. Most don't know them. Yoga is performed through meditation. After studying Sankhya Yoga and understanding the meanings, if one meditates, they can begin to comprehend.
Gurudev:
But Yoga is a very advanced stage. Do you know what Yoga means? Your body stays here, but your soul goes out and works. That is the rule of Yoga. But how many can do that? It is nearly impossible. One can perform Yoga by letting the soul depart while the body remains still. If you go to Jnanganj (a mystical spiritual realm), you will see many bodies lying there while their souls have traveled across the world for spiritual work. When the soul returns, the body gains life again. These are very deep matters.
Gurudev:
Yoga is not a "cheap" or easy thing. Furthermore, one should not practice Yoga while being attached to worldly possessions. If you have material attachments, Yoga cannot happen.
Disciple:
So, you are saying it is not possible to do Yoga while living a worldly/family life?
Gurudev:
It happened in the case of Ramprasad. When Ramprasad started receiving money and property from King Krishnachandra, he wrote: "Now your worldly possessions are destroying my yogic awakening." Worldly affairs interfere with Yoga. Therefore, Yoga can only be truly performed by someone who is free from the Shada-Ripu (the six internal enemies: lust, anger, greed, etc.). Only such a person is fit for Yoga.
Disciple:
My next question is: How should we view the Guru? As God Himself, or as a messenger of God?
Gurudev:
Ishto (the cherished deity). Your Guru is your Ishto. Ishto means God. He is not a messenger; the Guru should be meditated upon as God Himself. The powers of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar reside within Him. You see, when we offer salutations to the Guru, what do we say? "Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara." He holds the power of the Trinity. This means the Guru is even greater than God.
Gurudev:
According to the scriptures, if God is displeased, the Guru can save you. But if the Guru is displeased, even God does not have the power to save you. This is why we call the Guru "Ishto." The mantra that the Guru whispers into your ear—if you practice that—it yields great results. Without Sadhan (spiritual practice), everything is lost. Many receive the mantra but do not practice it. It's like a seed; if you don't tend to it, it is destroyed.
Gurudev:
As I said, if God is angry, the Guru saves; if the Guru is angry, God cannot. This is a proverb in our tradition and mentioned in our scriptures. Guru is everything—He is the Deity, He is God. He is not just a messenger; He is the Manifestation of God.
Gurudev:
Bhaba Pagla (a saint) used to say, *"Worship the Guru morning and evening with your heart and soul."* This worship should be done by everyone. But people today are caught in various traps and don't have time. However, practicing the mantra given by the Guru brings great results. If you don't practice, it’s all in vain.
Gurudev:
For instance, if you eat without first offering food to your Guru/God, the scriptures say that food is equivalent to filth. Whatever you consume—rice, bread—you must remember the Ishto. If you exclude the Ishto, it is considered impure. The Guru is not someone to be taken lightly.
Gurudev:
People find a Guru according to their own nature and karma. You won't always find a Sadguru (true Guru) easily. And there is a difficulty for Gurus too; we have given initiation to so many people, and it becomes a burden. The mind is only one—how many people can you think about? Everyone calls out to the Guru; whom should I go to? Sometimes people say they saw me in a dream. Just this morning, a boy told me he saw me in a dream telling him to perform Durga Puja. I told him, "Today is Ashtami, a very auspicious day; go ahead and perform the Puja." Those who call out sincerely, I have to go to them.
Disciple:
Gurudev, I have another question. Regarding Vaidhavya (widowhood)—is there any remedy or way to be free from the hardships of widowhood?
Gurudev:
Widowhood is usually predestined and noted in one's horoscope. When it happens, the person cannot remarry (according to traditional orthodox views), and their desires often remain unfulfilled. In Hindu society, there is a tradition: on the day after the funeral rites, if the woman's brothers-in-law or family offer her fish (non-vegetarian food), it is said the "consumption of widowhood" is broken. She can then eat fish or other foods.
Gurudev:
Traditionally, widows were forbidden from eating fish, meat, or "strong" foods like masoor dal (red lentils). The only reason for this was to suppress Kama (lust/desire). When the husband is gone, where will that desire go? Desires remain until death. If they aren't controlled, the person might seek others. This is happening a lot nowadays. In the past, remarrying a widow was very difficult. You might know that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar married off his own son to a widow to set an example.
Disciple:
That is when the tradition of widow remarriage began in Sanatan Dharma.
Gurudev:
Yes. Before that, if a husband died, the wife would often have to die on his funeral pyre. It was called Sahamaran (Sati). People were eventually freed from that by reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Vidyasagar. Now, you won't find many widows who don't eat fish. I won't lie; many widows now consume everything.
Disciple:
Is this right or wrong in your opinion?
Gurudev:
Scientifically, eating meat/fish increases desire. Where will she satisfy that desire? She may turn to other men. That is the natural law of desire. This causes harm. Nowadays, many widows just remarry.
Disciple:
Do you support widow remarriage?
Gurudev:
Look, there is the issue of desire. Personally, I don't support it. Why should I? A woman has been widowed; she was "possessed" by someone else. To me, it feels like Entho (something already used or "leftover"). One person enjoyed her, and now another will? It doesn't sit well with my personal standards or taste.
Gurudev:
But then, what will they do? It's a dilemma. Society is moving in a certain way, and we have to accept it. You can't say much, or people will criticize you. So, let what is happening continue.
Disciple:
Even if it goes against the scriptures?
Gurudev:
It is Entho (polluted/leftover). You are consuming something used by another. That is not a good sign.
Disciple:
What about the children born from such remarriages? Are there concerns?
Gurudev:
The reformers must have seen some benefit in it. It was a very difficult task back then. They must have consulted the Vedas and Vedantas before deciding that widow remarriage is permissible. They didn't do it without reason.
Disciple:
Gurudev, those were my three questions. You explained them beautifully. It felt very good. Offering my respects to Shantikunj Baba Tara and to you, I end this episode.
Gurudev:
Yes, pranam. Blessings to you.
Spiritual Insight
Guru Baba Shyama Khyapa explains why Sankhya Yoga is best for common people, the supreme importance of the Guru, and discusses traditional views on widowhood and remarriage.