Bhakthirathnakara-2.2Sant kabir- Life history

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Kabir

was brought up as a muslim and hence he was supposed to have circumcision performed to him at certain age. But Kabir

objected to it saying that if circumcision makes one a muslim what about women?

 

 

Kabir

had to work at the loom in his youth when his foster father expired. He worked

hard to weave the cloth everyday to make

living while he was a boy and he used to go to the market to sell it. But half

the money he earned he would distribute to the poor and give the other half to

his mother.As he was a mystic since childhood he would go into meditation at

times and would sit idle for hours. This affected the financial situation of

the family and made his mother complain to him with no effect.

 

Once

a poor sadhu came to Kabir and asked for acloth. Kabir offered him half of the

cloth he brought to sell but the sadhu wanted the whole. So Kabir gave him the

whole cloth but he was anxious lest his mother would scold him. Then someone

came and purchased the cloth form the sadhu and gave Kabir half the money.

 

Kabir

was married and led a householder's life. His wife was named Loi and he had a son named Kamal and a daughter

named Kamali. Loi was a dedicated wife but had a difficult time looking after

the family with her unworldly husband. Many sadhus would come to their house

and they would have discussions on spiritual matters and the loom would be idle

for hours.

 

Loi

was very beautiful. Once many sadhus came to their house and Loi went to the

local grocer to borrow some provisions on credit. But the grocer who had an eye

for Loi told her that he would give the provisions free provided that the could

have the company of Loi for one day. She returned home without the groceries

and on being asked told Kabir the reason.

Then Kabir to whom the hospitalityof the sadhus was more important than

anything else. Told her to accept the condition.

 

After

feeding the sadhus and after they all

left it became dark and rain was pouring. Then Kabir to keep their word to the

grocer, took Loi on his shoulders and went to see the grocer. He opened the

door and was shocked to seethat Kabir himself brought his wife to him and also

was urprised to see that there was no sign of rain drops on them. Then he

realized the greatness of Kabir and fell at their feet and asked

forgiveness.

 

On

another occasion some of the brahmins who wanted to disgrace Kabir due to their

anger over his chanting of Ramanama sent word that all sadhus are going to be

fed by Kabir. Numerous sadhus arrived at the the house of Kabir. But he was not

perturbed and told Loi to prepare food with the scanty provisions they had.

Miraculously the small amount of food she prepared was enough for all.

 

Kabir

was righteous and would not compromise on his principles. He was kindhearted by

nature and stopped killing of animals for food in his house. He even tiraded against the muslim religious

heads justifying their killing in the name of Allah.

 

He

would not take money for his cloth more than what is needed for his everyday

living. Once he took a cloth to the market and the price he charged was only

five takas. But people were not prepared to pay even that much and offered only

three takas. The day had almost come to the

end and he could not sell his cloth. Seeing him a man took pity on him

and called out to people that an excellent cloth is offered cheap, only for

twelve takas. Impressed by his business tactics the people came to him and soon

the cloth was sold. The man gave Kabir ten takas , taking two as his

commission. But Kabir would not accept saying that he wanted only five.

 

Thus

Kabir exhibited his greatness from young age justifying his name which meant

`most high,' and used to denote only God. His poetry contained words from all

languages though he never had any formal education, being the son of a poor

muslim weaver. He seemed to have

traveled a lot which perhaps explains his proficiency on all languages. But the

fact that he was a born saint could not be denied.