Sant Kabir Das Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Kabir Das Maharaj!

 Chapter – 5

The great Sant Kabir Das felt the presence of the supreme spirit in all the religions and beliefs; he worked hard to break the differences between the Hinduism and Islam, and brought communal harmony, he propagates the requirements of humility and righteousness in every religion.  There is no faith superior without righteousness, he emphasized people to follow modesty, love, and kindness.  Kabir Das became much loved by Ramananda and obtained permission to meet Acharyaji in his hermitage any time, though his disciples were not happy with this arrangement, they were not willing to accept a Muslim enter in the Hermitage.

Once Kabir Das arrived in the hermitage while Swamiji was in the worship of Lord Rama, he called out and asked Swamiji is there anything required to complete the worship, Swamiji did not notice that there was Tulsi leaves missing in the veneration of Rama, which was considered as essential for the worship, Kabir said “There are no Tulsi leaves. I have brought some Tulsi leaves for your worship, shall I come inside?”  Ramanandji happily permitted Kabir inside his chamber.  Kabir informed he brought a man of low caste with him, Swamiji advised: “Everyone can enter in this hermitage, the heart should be pure and objective should be superior.”  Kabir asked, “ Guruji, devotion is essential, is that necessary to worship an idol?”  Guruji replied, “Once the devotion attains the highest of state, then there is no need for the idol worship, Nama Smaran is enough.” 

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.

Sant Kabir Das Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Kabir Das Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

Kabir grew up as a young adult, he often meets Ashtanandji and engages in spiritual conversion. Once Kabir asked “ Swamiji, what is the purpose of Manthra Dheeksha. Kindly narrate.” Ashtanandji described “ Manthra Dheeksha is a propitious deed, a preceptor with his divine touch on the head transmits the vibrant energies on his disciple and whispers sacred syllables on his ears.  The person who receives Manthra Dheeksha from the qualified preceptor would be absorbed as a disciple from that day onwards, without a preceptor a soul cannot attain unison with the supreme spirit.”

One day Kabir arrived in the Ashram of Sri Ramananda, where disciples were reciting Rama Nama. They were mocked at Kabir seeing in the Mutt. One of the disciples said that his Swamiji will not give Dharshan to a Muslim.  He met Ashtanandji, he said “ Kabir, why did you come to Mutt.” Kabir said “ Swamiji I could not stop my feet that rushed towards you. I would like to hear the lectures of Ramanandaswamji,” Ashtanandji said, “ Kabir, I am giving lectures of Ramananda to you on every day.” Kabir said “ I want to hear it from  Swami Ramanandji, every devotee has the intense desire to envision the Supreme Lord, and me too,” Ashtanandji said “ I do not think your wish will be fulfilled.” Kabir asked Ashtanandji when Acharyaji comes out of the Ashram; Ashtanandji said that he will be coming out only during the hours of Bhrama Muhurtha to take a dip in Panchaganga Ghat.

On that night Kabir Das settled on the stairs of Panchaganga Ghat waiting for the arrival of Guruji Ramananda.  Swamiji arrived in the early hours of dawn, reciting Rama Nama, suddenly he placed his leg on the head of Kabir Das who was lying on the stairs.  Swamiji startled seeing Kabir Das who reverentially greeted Swamiji.    Kabir Das became too emotional “ I am blessed with the touch of your feet, I have become your disciple Swamiji.”  Kabir Das was accepted as one of the disciples of Swami Ramanandji and had an intense devotion to his preceptor

Sant Kabir Das Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Kabir Das Maharaj!

 Chapter – 2

One of the Vaishnavite scholar Ashtanand was watching this interesting incident and informed to his preceptor Sri Ramananda, he said “ Swamiji, I have seen a child floating like Lord Krishna on the lotus leaf was taken by a Muslim family. I could witness a sparkling light above the head of the child.”  Acharya said “I think a divine soul has taken birth on the Earth.  Today is an auspicious Pournami day. It must be already destined by God that the child should be in the custodian of these Muslim couple.  Who can understand the pastimes of the Supreme Lord?”

Neeru and Neema arrived in the village; people stared at the couple sarcastically and passed comments of dislike.   None of the villagers were pleased with the arrival of a newborn.  Soon people assembled in the house of the couple.  The village Kazi and prophet were invited and conducted the search for an auspicious name for the child from the holy Quran.   They were shocked to witness the name Kabir repeatedly appear before them, they advised the couple 'Kabir' is the name of Allah, it should not adorn by a human, that too for a child who has no biological parents and therefore they should kill this child immediately.  The couple was shocked to hear the verdict of Kazhi and prophet, Neema was not willing to give away the child, she wept bitterly, soon there arrived a holy man and advised them to stop the cruelty to the child, he named the child Kabir.  Before leaving, the holy man said to Neeru “Be a noble Musalman, I will take care of his studies when the child grows up and nothing to worry.”

Years passed, Kabir grown up as a school going child, he learned lessons on Quaran.  Once Ashtanandji arrived in the house of Neeru Gosai, he was received with great reverence; they had an affectionate conversation with each other, Ashtanandji seeing the young and studious child Kabir, said, “ Kabir would become a respectable and great Hakeem like you in the future.” Neeru Gosai with all humility spoke, “ Swamiji, I am not a great Hakeem; I am just following Guruji Gorakhnathji’s instructions.”  Ashtanandji enquired about medicine which could cure his illness, he was handed with the medicine, Kabir prostrated before Ashtanandji and received his blessings.

Sant Kabir Das Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Kabir Das Maharaj!

Chapter – 1

Sant Kabir Das was a famous medieval poet; his compositions were known as Kabir Ke Dohe.   It is believed that Sant Kabir Das was lived for 120 years from 1398 to 1518.  There were no clear details about the biological parents of Sant Kabir Das Maharaj, he was brought up by a pious  Muslim couple who were weavers in a small village in Varanasi.

Neema and Neeru a pious newly married Muslim couple were traveling to their village in a bullock cart, when they reached Lehertara, a small village in Varanasi, Neema requested her husband to stop the cart for a while, so that they can finish the morning ablutions.  They found a pond nearby, Neema went to get freshen, suddenly her eyes fell on an infant floating on the lotus leaf.  She was shrieked in utter shock; she took the child in her hands and informed her husband about the miracle. She asked his permission to take the child with them.  Neeru was not willing as it was their first visit to village after marriage, people may feel skeptical seeing the child in her hand, it would affect their reputation in the village, she tried to influence him in all possible ways “you are a Hakeem, skillful in treating the lives, you have saved many lives, how can you leave a child to die? Ok. I am leaving this child back in this pond, let whatever happen which is destined to him.”  Immediately, Neeru changed his mind after listening to his wife, he could not leave the child to die, he took the infant on his lap and started a journey to their village. They considered all that happens with the mercy of Allah!

Aghoracharya Baba Kinaram Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Kinaram Maharaj!

Chapter – 9

Baba Kinaram inspired people to walk through the path of Mukthi, in order to get rid of the sufferings of worldly bondage.  It is believed that whoever takes a bath in the Kreemkund and worships Baba Kinaram would get their desires fulfilled.  The significance of Kreemkund is beyond description; Kreemkund Sarovar got its name from the sacred syllables of Ma Hingalaj.  Baba Kinaram’s Samadhi is located in this Ashram close to the shrine of Ma Hingalaj and there is a well in the Ashram which has medicinal properties.  It is believed that King Harishchandra’s son got bitten by serpent near the Kreem Kund.  There is an earthen lamp kept glowing for several years in this Ashram, the flame was brought from the Mahashmashan Manikarnika Ghat.  The sacred ashes offered in this Ashram have high medicinal values and treated as auspicious.  There is Samadhis of eleven illustrious Siddhas who are considered as Ekadhasha Rudras near this Kreem Kund.  Baba Kinaram is believed as an incarnation of Lord Vaidhyanath of Varanasi, he was famous for his kindness and humility.  The childless couples who visit his Samadhis would attain offspring, and severe illnesses would get relieved after having a dip in this Kreekund.  Lord Shiva was the prime Aghori in the Aghori Sampradaya whose dwelling place is Mahashmashana, the practice of Aghori is the unison with the Bramham, it breaks the difference between soul and supreme soul with the intense practice and devotion, it is a practice to get rid of illusion and darkness of ignorance.  The practice of Aghori requires extreme control over senses and strict celibacy.

Baba Kinaram who was a great Siddha was loved by a large number of people for his kindness.  He attained Maha Samadhi in the year 1826.

Aghoracharya Baba Kinaram Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Kinaram Maharaj!

Chapter – 8

Baba Kaluram took Kinnaram to Kreekund, and said “ Kinaram, my work is over,  I was waiting for your arrival.  This divine place should not be empty.  This is one of the sanctified thrones of Aghori worship, you need not go anywhere, you have to stay here and continue your spiritual practices. In due course of time, all your spiritual practices will reach the higher state,” It is believed that Baba Kaluram who was the essence of Rishi Dhaththathreya gave Dheeksha to Kinaramji.  Usually, after the demise of the preceptor, all the miraculous deeds performed by him would come into circulation through his devotees and disciples. Baba Kaluram attained Maha Samadhi, Kinaramji could witness the bright ray of light raised from the head of Baba Kaluram and disappeared in the sky. Aghoris are considered as Siddhas,  they perform spiritual practices in the funeral grounds, in the sense, they have won over the evil spirits.  The Thamasic Sadhakas usually conduct black magic and people are scared of meeting them.  Though Baba Kinaram was an Aghori, he was much loved by the locals; he is highly devoted and kind to people.  The Kreekund is famous for Aghori practices because of Baba Kinaram, even today many people visit this Kreekund to get rid of illnesses.  People who visit Kreekund believe that it brings auspiciousness in their life, they conduct wide celebrations on Bhadrapad Shuklashashti day, and musicians arrive here to perform music on this day.  Later, this practice has stopped.

Kinaramji in his book “Viveksar” mentioned about himself, all those Vibhoothivarnnan of Bhagavad Gita “ I am the soul, I am the creator and preserver, I am the destroyer as well, I am the living and non-living things, I continue to take birth and undergoes death. I am the trinities; I represent ocean and tides, fragrances and flowers, till and oil, I represent worldly bondage, Mukthi, the nectar of immortality, and Halahal poison too. I represent knowledge and ignorance, meditation, light, and darkness as well,”  In this way Baba Kinaram represents all those living and non-living, good and evil in the Universe.  The famous saints of Samadhis  of Kaluram, Kinaram, Beejaram, Dhautharam, Gayibiram, Bhavaniram, Jainarayan Ram, Mathuraram, Jabardhasthram, Gauriram, Dinrairam, Sarayuram, Dalsingharam,  and Rajeshwaram, are located in Kreekund.