SADGURU KABIR JI (Respectfully Remembering the Great Saint on His 627th Prakash Divas falling on 11th June, 2025) Er. H.R. Phonsa (Cont. +91-9419134060) Revered Sadguru Kabir Sahib, a Dalit - Revolutionary saint was one of the founding fathers of Bhagati Movement (1375-1700) movement in Northern India. Even the Protestant Reformation of 16th-century religious movement as led to the establishment of Protestantism, a new branch of Christianity distinct from Roman Catholicism. The Bhagti (भक्ति) Movement Saints Confronted with the priestly classes and advised their followers to do away with needless old-time worshiping techniques which included outer body decorations, observing celibacy, dogmas, caste system of pure and polluted human’s, reading religious books, rituals, bathing in designated rivers besides observing superstitious ways to worship designated animal, birds, plants as well as following other illogical methods devised and projected as means of salvation by priestly classes. Shimpi, Shinbaa (weaver, calico printer) caste Saint Guru Namdev (1270-1350) is said to be the first saint in the Bhagati Movement alias Sant mat or devotional transformation of medieval Hinduism in the North India. Nirguna Bhagti as preached by Bhagti Movement saints is Bhagti or worship approach to achieve the ultimate God realization i.e. merging with Braham, as the sole objective of human life. It is based on the non-qualified (Nirguna-निर्गुण) formless Supreme Brham (Universal Creator), who is non personnel, all-pervading ineffable, unutterable or indescribable Reality. The supreme name cannot be spoken with human tongue, or written in any worldly language alphabets. Sant Mat is based on the reality of merging the re-absorbable Jiva or Atma (जीवा , आत्मा) of the finite soul into the infinite ineffable sacred Reality. This Supreme Reality can only be realized within human body, under guidance of a God realized soul termed Guru, Master or Guide. Kabir Ji said “Guru Manas Kar Jantey, Tey Nar Kahiye Andh. Maha Dukhi Sansar Main, Age Jam Ke Bandh (Kabir Granthawali- Page 3) Meaning: if anybody underestimates the authority of a realized Guru, they are blind or ignorant. Such persons suffer heavily in this world and after death and face curse of Yamraj (Death god or Kal). Kabir was a supreme Mystic master so his authority is indescribable and unchallengeable. He is every household lore of every Indian,besides many foreign lands. The true Bhagati is sharing with God, yoked to God and devotion to God. The Bhagti movement is devotional religious movement. Majority of Bhagti Movement saints or religious guides and Bhagats came from all walks of life and religions. But majority of them were from Dalit castes from Hindu low caste persons including Shudras and Ati Shudras. These God realised souls rejected the theory of polarity of gods as well as the Vaishnava doctrine of Avatars of supreme Lord. Kabir said “Sahib Ka Ghar Santan Mihin, Sahib Sant Kush Anter Nahi”. (Kabir Shabdavali Part -2/37) meaning “Supreme Lord” is present in Saint’s body frames. There is no difference between God and Saints i.e. they are one and the same. Saints say as both water and water current are water, similarly Creator ,guru and soul are having no difference only difference of name (पृष्ठ: संत काव्य.pdf/१६२). Even Socrates, an Athenian moral philosopher, cautioned “man know thyself”. As per legend Kabir is said to have born in 1398 and passed away in 1518. He became disciple of Ramanand (1366-1467) in 1455. As during old those days Shudras were denied the right to educate, so they could not write Dalit Saints life stories and their teaching, so till date controversies are raised about their birth/death related dates are raised by different writers. I give here generally most agreed dates. As per legend Kabir is said to have born in 1398 and passed away in 1518. His foster parents were Neema and Neeru, who were Muslim Weavers. Kabir was born in Banaras alias Varanasi and e became disciple of Ramanand (1366-1467) in 1455, whose one verse is in Adi Granth Panna 1195. Kabir himself has quoted to have confessed as“Oshi Mat Meri Jat Julaha, Har Ka Nam Liyo Main Laha” (AG524) My caste is lowest Jolaha (Weaver). But I have got benefitted by worshiping Hari (God Almighty). Even Guru Amardas, 3rd Sikh Guru said “Nama Shinbaa Kabir Julaha, Pure Gur Te Mat Pai”( AG Panna 830). Kabir is said to be married with Mai Loi and the couple had one son Kamala and a daughter named Kamali. Kabir earned his livelihood from profession of weaving. Kabir ji has confessed his being illiterate as: Mas-Kagaj Shuyo Nahi,Kalam Gahi Nahi Hath. Meaning:- I have not touched ever ink and paper, the medium of writing, still his philosophy, teachings are very large in number as detailed by Karine and W.H. McLeod in their book” The Saints”. This includes 226( Padas) distributed in 16 Ragas. With 237 or 239 Salokas in the Guru Granth Sahib. Saint Peepa Sahib (1408-1448) said in praise of Kabir Sahib. “ Jo Kal Mainj Kabir Manj Na Hote, To Ley Ved aur Kalyug Milkar,Bhagat Rasatal Dete”. ( SGGS Panna 695) Meaning:- If in the Kalyuga there had not been Kabir, both religious scriptures and Kalyug ( Iron age) would have thrown souls in to hell. Dadu Sahib a prominent Kabir disciple said “Dadu naam Kabir ki, jae koi leve ott , unko kabahu laage nahin, Kaal vajr ki chot” . Meaning:- who so ever recited Kabir’s name( Kabir Manter),shall not be punished by Kal( Negative power). Kabir describes his teaching’s partibility and based on his self-experience. He said “Tou Kahta Kagaj Ki Lekhi, Main Kahta Ankhan Dekhi”. Meaning worldly philosophers say what they have read from books but Kabir says out of his practical knowledge. Kabir along with other legends of Bhagti movement e.g. Guru Baba Nanak, Guru Ravidas, Sant Raja Pipa, Sant Meera bai, Sain ji etc. worked together for decades, so had many similarities in their teachings, despite the fact thy belonging to different castes. The uniqueness of essence, theme and methods and means in their teaching smashed dogmatic cage to free human soul shaped parrot. Kabir ji vividly described the true state of our society (Samaj) and strongly opposed its illogical ways, where needed. He guided the masses to follow right ways of God realisation besides common society welfare. He was more vocal, fearless saint unlike many of contemporary saints, who were mild in their ways of teaching. But all were firm to their resolves, as they first self-verified reality of their preachings. Ayodhya saint Paltu Saheb said: Logg Kahin Kagaj Ki lekhi,Sant Kahin Akhan Dekhi, Meaning Saint said as they observe, where as other worldly scholar say, whatever they read from literature. All Bhagti Movement saints sturdily opposed observance of caste system. Kabir said: .-“Jat Nahi Jagdish Ki, Hari-Jan Ki Kaha Hoi. Jat Pat Ke Kich Main Dub Maro Mat Koi”. ( Kabir Granthawali-359) Meaning; If the Creator “Jagdish” has no caste, how a person can have it. Let no one get drown in the caste mud and dirt differences. Kabir opposed reading not following religious book dictates, as also animal “Ajamedh, Gomedh Yag,Ashawmedh,Narmedh, Kahey Kabir Adharam Ko Dharam Bataven Ved ( Kabir Shabdawali page 353) ( Meaning:-Slaughtering animals like goats, cows, horses and men killing and terming them as religious sacrifices along with religious books including Vedas preach against true religious norms). Kabir peaching is for one’s mind control not by observing fruitless actions. “ Bambi Kutey Bamrey, Sanp Na Mara Jaye; Murakh Bambi Na Dasey sarap Sabhan Ko Kaye”. ( Sakhi Sangrah-127) Meaning: “O” foolish why beat snake barrow and not snake .It is the snake not barrow which is poisonous. By saying so Kabir explains that it is your mind power, creator of all sinful ideas, which needs to be brought under control not the body under control of the mind by external means. While opposing different means of worship Kabir Said “Alla Ek Masit Basat Hai,Avar Mulak Kis Kera, Hindu Murat Ram Nivasi, Duh Mahi Tat Na Hera”.( AG Panna 1349) Meaning: Muslim say their Alla Khuda (God) resides in Mosque and Hindu Says his God resides in an idol, then Kabir questions, who reside elsewhere. While discarding Murti Puja (idol Worship) Kabir said:- “Pakhan Ghar Ke Murti Kini De Ke Shati Paun, Je Eh Murti Sachi Hai To Gharan Harey Khau”. ( AG-Panna 479). Meaning: A sculptor from a stone piece sculptures an idol with cutting and beating while sitting on its chest wearing shoes. If the idol has life and feels pains of hammering it should first kill and eat up the sculptor. So idol is life less stone and to worship it nothing but useless. Kabir opposed all rituals related with death and afterward ,: “ Joo Maritik Ko Chandan Charave,Us Se Kahu Kavan Phal Pave.” Meaning by making offering sandalwood paste to a lifeless body or stone ( idol), what one is going to get, as idol being dead cannot grant any boon. Pitirpuja (Deification of ancestors) : The innocent peoples were made to shed offering to preists on the death of a person, then at monthly and yearly intervals for salvation of the departed soul. This has remained since ages a great source of income of the pundits, that is why Brahmins do not let this system die. Bhagati movement saints one and all decried it with full force. Guru Ghasidas said “I see pitarpuja as act of irrationality”. Kabir Ji saiyth “Jivat Pittar Na Manney Kou, Muye Siradh Karahi,Pittar Bhi Bapurey Kahu Kaya Pavhi,Kouya,Kookar Khahi” Alms or begging:- The majority of priestly class live on alms in one way or the other proclaiming that the Jajmans (gift giver to priests for performing religious ceremonies) shall be granted salvation, if they gave offering to preists in cash and kind. Kabir advised to avoid it for the god of the priestly class by saing “Marr Jayon,Mangoon Nahi, Apne Tan Ke Kaj, Parmarath Ke Karney, Mujey Na Away Lajj” Meaning:- I shall prefer death than resorting to begging for my livelihood. But begging for community cause, I do not feel hesitant. Tirath Asnan (Bathing in manmade holi waters sources) : Bhagti Saints decried Tirathasnan bathing as well. It was not only wastage of time and money, but it enhances ego. Kabir Ji said “ Kayya Manjis Koun Gunna, Jyon Ghat Bhitar Malna. Layoki Athsath Tirath Nayi Kayorapan Tyon na Jayi”(Adi Granth Panna 656). Meaning that bathing has no spiritual use .It is like cleaning an empty earthen pot. Even if, a bitter guard (कड़वा करेला- लौकी ) is washed in sixty eight holi water of designated rivers/ tanks (Tiraths for Hindus),it does not lose its bitterness. The Maan or mind cannot be controlled by external means. Celibacy, naked wondering in forests: -Kabir Sahib refutes such acts as fruitless, leading no where in spiritual progress. He said “Nagan Firt je Payiaye Yog, Van Ka Mirig Mukat Sab Hog. Moond Mudaye Je Sidhi Pai, Mukat Bherr Na Gaya Kai. Bindu Rakh Jo Tariye Bhai, Khusere Kyon Na Param Gat Pai” (Sant Sad Guru Kabir- page 324) Meaning: If by wondering naked in woods, grants salvation then why the stag(बारहसिंगा) is devoid of it . If by face, head shaving is a means to salvation, then why a sheep do not get it, as a sheep is shaved twice annually. Kabir ji lived in Kanshi, whole his life. Although Kanshi death was said to be sure granter of Sawarg, but shed his mortal body frame at Maghar on Magh Shukla Ekadashi in January 1518. It was to prove that all places created by Supreme Lord are equally pure. Kabir Ji said, “ Manhon Kathor Marey Banaras narak Na Vanshiya Jayi, Har Ka Sant Marey Haranbey Tian Sagli Sain Tarayi”. Meaning: A hard hearted person devoid of love for humanity, even if dies at Banaras cannot escape punished in hell, but a saint who worship Hari (Lord) even if he dies at Haramba i.e. Maghar, shall get eternal peace to his chain of relations. False Sadhus (Hermits): All those who wear different dyed and styled clothes but devoid of real worshiping techniques are not saints or Sadhus. Kabir declared “Vey Nar Jogi Kar Janey, Khoje App Sarira. Tinko Mukti Ka Sansa Nahi Kahit Julah Kabira ( KGV Page 246) Meaning: The Jogi (A person absorbed in Surat-Shabad Yoga) is one who searches Lord with in his body. They should not worry for salvation as salvation is assured to such persons proclaims Kabir, the weaver. Kabir Sahib’s ways were revolutionary and democratic, teaching of love, his arguments scientific, courage of an iron man and carried will of a perfect Sidh Purash. He was a Darvesh. He pulled religion out of cage of superstitions, dogmas, rituals, religious hate so he preached for universal brotherhood by devotion or Bhagti, to Lord of all Lords. He preached family life and earning for one’s living by fair means. The best devotion to Kabir will be by faithfully following his preaching. Tributes on 627th Prakash Divas of Sadguru Kabir Ji. Jai Kabir, Dhan Kabir