Sant Kabir Das Maharaj
Pranams at the lotus feet
of Kabir Das Maharaj!
Chapter – 4
Once Ramanandji had to visit King of Kashi,
Kabir Das got to know this information, he had a desire to get a glimpse of
Swamiji and waited so long outside the Mutt, but he could not able to meet
Swami Ramanandji. King of Kashi received
Swamiji with a great honor surprised to see the sudden visit of Swamiji to the
fortress, he enquired why Swamiji took the trouble to visit him, if he had ordered,
he would have met him in his hermitage.
Swamiji said “I am unhappy about the current situations in the Kingdom,
people have become so selfish and unruly, Mughals are imposing taxes on Saints
and holy men who have no money to meet taxes, and people have no freedom to die
or live in this Kingdom. Therefore take
some immediate action to reduce tax on pilgrimage” King reverentially spoke to
Swamiji “I will speak to the Mughal emperor on this matter and take immediate
action on the tax upon pilgrim places.”
Swamiji left the kingdom of Kashi. Later, the request to Mughal emperor
to reduce the taxes were rejected on top of that ordered to impose a higher amount of tax on the Hindu
holy men who conduct a visit to sacred lands.
Swamiji Ramanand arrived in
his hermitage at night, there was a system that prevailed while Swamiji conducts
visits to places he will be walking behind the screen, Kabir was waiting for Swamiji’s
return from the Kingdom of Kashi, soon he found the disciples and Swamiji arriving
in Mutt. He rushed to the disciples with
a request to meet Swamiji, but they refused and told him to move away because
it is the custom of Swamiji to walk behind the screen. Kabir said, “The greatest of the screen is
mother’s womb, once we are out of that screen, is there any requirement for a screen to keep
away from the worldly existence?” Swamiji asked, “Who is that?” Kabir replied, “I
am your disciple Kabir Das.” Swamiji said, “I have not heard of your name.” Kabir said, “You have met me in Panchaganga
Ghat.” Swamiji immediately remembered
the incident in the morning. Kabir said
“All the preceptors give Dheeksha with the touch of their hand on the head of
the disciple, you have given me Dheeksha with the touch of your feet on my
head. You have advised the worship of Rama provides Mukthi, you have advised
Ram Nama Japa is enough to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence,” Swamiji Ramanand ordered his disciples to remove
the screen. Kabir Das was extremely
happy to witness Swamiji before him, he prostrated before Swamiji saying that
“It is all the pastime of Rama”.
Ramanandji blessed Kabir Das and said, “ You can visit my hermitage
whenever you feel.” Kabir was thrilled.
