j~nAna and bhakti - Kabir

[Guest guest]

namaste.

 

During this month of discussion of j~nAna and bhakti, what is

better than recalling some of the writings of the mystic saint

of Banaras - Kabir.

 

I have heard and read about Kabir and his mysticism, but being

from southern part of India, my familiarity with Kabir's writings

is only of second-hand nature. If anyone is familiar with Kabir's

life history, I would like to hear about it. Yesterday, I came

across a scholarly book on Kabir [Kabir: the weaver of God's name

by V.K. Sethi]. In the next few days, I will post a few couplets,

english translations of Kabir's famous sayings.

 

Kabir, the fifteenth-century saint of Banaras was a low-caste

weaver with no formal education. However, his humble origin

did not prevent him from becoming renowned in his own life-time

as a great saint and his compositions were recited even now,

all over India. His writings have spiritual depth, as even the

translations will show. It was written about Kabir in bhaktimAla

as follows:

 

Never did Kabir accept

The distinctions of caste

Or the four stages of life (1),

Nor did he revere

The six philosophies (2).

'Religion devoid of love

Is heresy,' he declared.

'Yoga and penance,

Fasting and alms-giving

Are, without meditation,

Empty,' he affirmed.

Ramaini, sabdi and sakhi (3)

He employed to impart his message -

To Hindus and Turks (4) alike.

Without preference,

Without prejudice,

He said only what was

Benificial to all.

Subduing the world (5),

He uttered not words

To please or flatter others.

Such was Kabir,

Who refused to accept

The bias of the caste system

Or the supremacy

Of the six philosophies.

--------

1. brahmacarya, grihastha, vAnaprastha, sannyAsa

2. six schools of Indian philosophy

3. three of the stanzaic forms used by Kabir in his writings

4. In medieval India, muslims were called Turks

5. Literally, sitting astride the world, or controlling the

world like a rider controls the horse.

 

 

Kabir's prayer

 

This is a devotee's earnest prayer at the Lord's feet. When he

looks at his shortcomings and misdeeds, he feels that God, from

whom nothing can be hidden, will not forgive him. He shrinks at

the idea of paying for his evil actions, knowing that the

retribution must be long and heavy. In all humility, he surrenders

himself at the feet of the Almighty and prays to be forgiven.

 

Lord, Thou art my father,

Pay heed to my humble prayer.

Many misdeeds have I done,

Deeds I kept concealed from others

But which are no secret to Thee.

Lust and desires corrupted my mind,

And many a wrong have I done;

I look at them and my heart shudders

With fear and shame.

Almighty Lord, I implore Thee

Concede my prayer;

First, grant me Thy pardon,

Then ask me to reckon

For my misdeeds.

 

Says Kabir: Mighty Lord!

Thou art my father;

I have now taken the refuge

Of Thy lotus feet.

Pray grant me thy pardon,

Then ask me to reckon

For my sins

 

From Kabir granthAvali

bAp RAm sun binti mori

 

[excerpted from Kabir: the weaver of God's name by V.K. Sethi]

 

 

Regards

Gummuluru Murthy

------