My mother was initiated by the guru Anukulchandra. Inspired by her, in my youth I read various works—discussions about the guru, his teachings, his reflections on countless subjects, books like Anushruthi, Deeprakshi, and Satyanusaran (which Sri Sri Thakur wrote in a single night when he was merely twenty-two)—and through them I received nourishment for my thoughts on philosophy and psychology. That is where it began. My beloved writer, my birthday-mate Shirdhendu Mukhopadhyay, through his 'The Guru Nearby' and certain interviews, helped me understand how a man had been rescued from spiritual death by the touch of his guru's feet. This has happened in my own life as well. I have written about this in my four-part essay 'Conversations with My Idol' and 'Sitting at the Guru's Feet'—those interested will find these pieces on my website. A true guru can indeed breathe life into a lifeless body. The art of becoming human is the science that flows from the guru's mouth. There are various opinions—and counter-opinions—about whether one becomes progressively more golden in the guru's presence. But such talk seems to me the work of idle people. You are no one to decide what I shall live by and grow through. When I see such hollow displays of mastery and arrogance, I cannot help but laugh. Yet some people refuse to grasp even this simple truth. Why Shirdhendu Mukhopadhyay spoke throughout his life of his guru Anukulchandra's grace as the very source of all his literary genius—I have witnessed learned people of considerable stature engage in unpleasant disputation over this very matter. And each time, seeing such spiritual poverty in them, I have felt revulsion rise to my throat, mingled with pity. Because I harbor a violent contempt for judgmental people, I have made it a point to avoid them consciously. Not everyone can do; only one or two can, the rest merely talk. But when a guru truly labors for you, you can offer your very life to him without hesitation. I am not saying that I have loved everything Anukulchandra wrote, or that I agree with all he said. (I am aware that many of his followers are of an intrusive nature, intellectually limited, and of base minds.) But I know how to glean jewels with care. So what I need, I hold close to my heart. I am a gatherer of jewels, and I have no time to speak of dust as do those learned critics. That is their work; I never even tread in their shadow. I store what I need, delete the rest. Who has the time for idle research? The ocean of jewels is vast indeed. I went to the Satsang Ashram in Hemayetpur in search of certain books. I found quite a few, and the ashram dwellers gave me some as gifts as well. The residents there are deeply sincere. While staying at the ashram, one experiences a kind of supreme peace. You may try it yourself—there is truly peace there. If time is scarce, read the small book 'Satyanusaran' written by the guru; it will please you. And if you have more time, slowly read through whatever the guru Anukulchandra has created on philosophy and psychology—understanding will surely dawn.
# On Master Anukul Chandra আমাদের দেশের যে সব প্রাণবন্ত পুরুষদের কথা আজও মানুষ ভালোবেসে স্মরণ করে, ঠাকুর অনুকূলচন্দ্র তাদের একজন। তার জীবনের একটা বিশেষত্ব আছে যা আমাদের সমাজের অন্য অনেক উচ্চ মনের মানুষের জীবনে দেখা যায় না। তিনি কখনো লেখেননি, কিন্তু যা কিছু তিনি বলেছেন তা অমর হয়ে আছে। তিনি কোনো প্রতিষ্ঠান গড়েননি, অথচ যাঁরা তার শিষ্য ছিলেন তারা সারাজীবন তার কথা অনুসরণ করে গেছেন। তিনি বেশি কথা বলেননি, কিন্তু যখন তিনি কথা বলেছেন, তখন লোকের মন ছুঁয়ে গেছে এবং তারা অনুপ্রাণিত হয়েছে। Among the luminous souls of our land whose memory is cherished even today, Master Anukul Chandra holds a singular place. There is something distinctive about his life that sets him apart from many other great-hearted men in our society. He never wrote, yet everything he spoke remains immortal. He founded no institution, and yet his disciples followed his teachings throughout their lives. He was not a man of many words, but when he spoke, his voice touched people's hearts and kindled their spirits. তার জীবনের প্রতিটি মুহূর্ত একটি শিক্ষা ছিল। তিনি যা করেছেন তার চেয়ে তিনি যা ছিলেন সেটাই বেশি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। তার সাধারণ জীবনের মধ্যে এক অসাধারণ আধ্যাত্মিক সত্যের প্রতিফলন ছিল। তিনি নিজেই একটি প্রশ্নের উত্তর ছিলেন — মানুষ কিভাবে জীবনযাপন করবে, কিভাবে অন্যদের সেবা করবে, কিভাবে নিজেকে ভুলে গিয়ে বৃহত্তর সত্যের সাথে সংযুক্ত হবে। Every moment of his life was a teaching. Who he was mattered far more than what he did. Within the simplicity of his existence shone an extraordinary spiritual truth. He himself was an answer to a question — how should one live, how should one serve others, how should one transcend the self to connect with something greater and truer. তার ধর্মদর্শন ছিল জীবনঘনিষ্ঠ, দুরন্ত তত্ত্বের আড়ম্বরহীন। তিনি বিশ্বাস করতেন যে প্রকৃত ধর্ম হল জীবনের প্রতিটি ক্ষেত্রে সততা এবং ভালোবাসার অনুশীলন। মন্দিরের পূজার চেয়ে মানুষের মন জয় করা, শাস্ত্রের তর্কের চেয়ে প্রতিদিনের সততা, এই ছিল তার বার্তা। তিনি দেখিয়েছিলেন যে আধ্যাত্মিকতা কোনো পালানোর পথ নয়, বরং জীবনের সাথে গভীরভাবে সংযুক্ত হওয়ার শিল্প। His philosophy of faith was rooted in life itself, unburdened by elaborate doctrine. He believed that true religion was the practice of honesty and love in every sphere of living. Winning human hearts mattered more than temple worship; everyday integrity surpassed scriptural debate — this was his message. He revealed that spirituality is not an escape from life but an art of touching life more deeply. আমাদের সময়ে যখন ধর্মের নানা রূপ আমাদের সমাজকে বিভক্ত করছে, যখন বিশ্বাস এবং অবিশ্বাসের মধ্যে তীব্র দ্বন্দ্ব দেখা যাচ্ছে, তখন ঠাকুর অনুকূলচন্দ্রের জীবন এবং বার্তা আমাদের জন্য একটি আলোর মতো। তিনি প্রমাণ করেছেন যে সাধারণ মানুষও অসাধারণ কিছু হতে পারে, শুধু সততা এবং ভালোবাসার মাধ্যমে। In our times, when religion in its various forms divides our society, when sharp conflicts rage between belief and disbelief, the life and message of Master Anukul Chandra stands as a beacon for us. He proved that an ordinary person can become extraordinary, simply through honesty and love. তার অমরত্ব তার কীর্তিতে নয়, বরং তার উপস্থিতির শক্তিতে নিহিত। যারা তাকে দেখেছে, তারা জানত যে সত্যিকারের মানুষ কেমন হয়। এবং সেই স্মৃতি, সেই স্পর্শ, আজও মানুষের মনে জীবন্ত। His immortality does not lie in his achievements, but in the power of his presence. Those who beheld him knew what a true human being looks like. And that memory, that touch, still lives in people's hearts today.
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