Er. H. R Phonsa
Prior to the Bhagti Movement the God realisation was based on external methods and decorations, allowing only few High Caste persons to have right of Bhagati, worship for God realisation or salvation from the unending birth and death prison of Karmic circle called ” Action and reaction”. These methods were not only biased and costlier but time consuming too, so beyond the reach of poor strata of Hindus and Muslims, untouchables or untouchable converts. Dalits were debarred by high caste scriptures from worshiping God. Bhagati Movement saints preached the Nirguna Bhagti or un-attributable God realisation worship. It had no place for external rituals or dogmas. Kabir ( Sakhi Sangrah-127) ” Bambi Kutey Bamrey, Sanp Na Mara Jaye; Murakh Bambi Na Dasey sarap Sabhan Ko Kaye”. Meaning: O foolish why beat snake barrow and not snake. It is 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. Similarly a person engaged in worldly ills behaves as if a great worshiper of God but does not lose ego and continues to be hardhearted.
Kabir decried external worship means by saying—— Ajamedh, Gomedh Yag,Ashawmedh,Narmedh
Kahey Kabir Adharam Ko Dharam Bataven Ved
(Meaning:-Slaughtering animals like goats, cows, horses and men as oblation in religious sacrifices along with religious books including Vedas preach against true religious norms , so said Kabir). ( Kabir Shabdawali page 353)
Kabir disapproved the Brahminical methods of living on alms. “I shall prefer to die than living on begging”.
Kabir Sahib decried the external false methods of worshiping Lord, human division on the basis of castes, religions and sex.
Caste System:-
All Bhagati movement saints have decried caste system.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) Ji said “Eh Pitta Eks Ke Hum Balik”.
.-“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. So give no importance to castes.
“Alla Ek Masit Basat Hai,Avar Mulak Kis Kera, Hindu Murat Ram Nivasi,Duh Mahi Tat Na Hera”.( AG Panna 1349)
Muslim say their Alla Khuda (God) resides in Mosque and Hindu Says his God resides in an idol, then Kabir questions, who reside elsewhere.
Murti Puja (idol Worship):-
Kabir has shown that the worship of dead stone idols was a futile exercise for salvation .
He 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 ji saith ” 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.
False Sadhus (Hermits) :-
All those who wear different colored and styled clothes but void 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 further explains that a real Sadhu is found of love and not of money. A Sadhu found of money or worldly pleasures is not a real Sadhu but a Thug (Cheat).
Pitirpuja (Deification of ancestors):- The innocent peoples were made to shed offering to Brahmins 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 foolishness”.
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 Brahmins live on alms in one way or the other proclaiming that the Jajmans (gift giver to Brahmin for performing religious ceremonies) shall be granted heaver after death if they gave offering to Brahmins in cash and kind.
Kabir said “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.
Kabir again explains the qualities of a Sadhu or actual realised soul as
” Sadu Bhuka Bhav Ka, Dhann Ka Bhukha Nahi, Dhan Ka Bhukha Jo Phirey,So to Sadhu Nahi”. Meaning a sadh or God realised soul has passion for love and not money( worldly temporary gains)
Tirath Asnan (Bathing in manmade holi waters) :-
Saints decried Tirathasnan as well. It was not only wastage of time and money, but it enhances ego. KabirJi 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. If a bitter guard is made to wash 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 in (Sant Sad Guru Kabir-324)
” 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”.
Bookish knowledge:- Even ritualistic reading is of no use declares Kabir
“Qazi Kathey Kateb Qurana, Pandit Ved Purana,Veh Akhshir Jo Laka Na Jayi,Matra Lage Na Kanna”.
Meaning:- Muslim Law Officer reads from holy book Quran and Hindu Pandit reads from Hindu holy books Vedas and Puranas. But the divine word is beyond writing or reading as it cannot be written in any worldly language.
He again sayth “Vidya Kot Sabhey Gunn Kahey, Parbrahm Ko Par Na Lahey” (KGV-152)
Consecration and desecration of a place :- It was said that any body dying at Kanshi gets heaven against getting hell to those who die at Maghar. To prove this notion as false falseness in his last days ,Kabir Ji shifted from Kanshi(auspicious ) to Maghar (inauspicious) . Kabir Ji said
” Manhon Kathor Marey Banaras Narak Na Vanshiya Jayi,Har Ka Sant Marey Haranbey Tian Sagli Sain Tarayi”.
Meaning:- A hardhearted 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.
Kabir Sahib’s ways were revolutionary and democratic, teaching of love, arguments scientific, courage of an iron man and he carried will of a perfect Sidh Purash. He was Darvesh. He pulled religion out of cage of superstitions, dogmas, rituals, religious hate and preached for universal brotherhood by devotion or Bhagati, 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.
(Concluded)