His Holiness Panth Shri Hajur 1008 Ardhnam Saheb

"Ideas and opinions of contributors to the magazine are their own, and not necessarily those of Panth Shri Shri Hajur 1008 Ardhnam Saheb or the editors of the magazine."

GOD, RELIGION, GOALS AND OBSERVANCES By Dr. J Das It is really an honour to be able to talk about God, religion and the soul. In this life we are on a journey, and we have to learn the lessons of life. Just as we go to school, we go to temples and learn. We read various scriptures, but we will learn only when our heart is in them. We cannot just read or listen and forget. We have to read, listen and understand, and then apply the lessons in our life. I would like to talk today about the goals and observances throughout life. There are four goals in life i.e. dharma, artha, kama and moksha . Going to the temple is a part of dharma. But we have to satisfy all four of these goals in life. Dharma is that process of life in which we live in accordance with nature i.e. the natural laws. We look after the health of the body, but we must also look after the health of the mind and spirit. We are the soul or atma. Atma comes from Paramatma and they are both atma, so the atma that we are is eternal. The soul is said to be sat-chit-anand existence, consciousness and bliss. That is our real nature. But our true nature is covered with the veil of ignorance, which is called avidhya. Because of that, we are not seeing the reality of ourselves. All the satgurus, and great teachers of humanity, have taught us to know the real Self. It is called atma gyan, or we can say Brahm Gyan. When we know that, we can say that we have moksha. Moksha is the last goal of life. Therefore in dharma we must live rightly in every aspect of life. The second goal is artha. I think most people spend about 50% of their life in this category. Artha means wealth i.e. material things. And we know from experience that we are working to gather material things such as a house, a big bank account, fancy cars, all kinds of tasty foods etc. These are all earthly things. They satisfy our physical and mental being, but not the spiritual. We are spiritual beings, and we have to satisfy that, so we have to put the proper emphasis on artha. We need to live, so we have to work, we have to have things, but we do not own anything. Kabir Saheb said: mutthi bandh ke aye jagat me, hath pasar ke jana hai (We came into the world with clenched fists, but we have to leave with hands outstretched ). We are not going to take anything with us when we depart, so how can we say that anything is ours. We did not bring anything in the world. We met everything here. We must put a limit on this artha, although we need it, we must not get entangled. They must not hold us. We must have the freedom to say yes or no, so we can have a balanced life - not only a materialistic life, but also a spiritual life. The third goal of life is called Kama. We all have desires. But we have to know our desires and whether they are worthwhile or not. Man mare na maya mare, mar mar jat sharir; asha trishna na mare, kahagaye das kabir (Kabir says that the mind, illusion, desires and longings do not die, even when the body approaches death). It is for us to understand that desires can control

our life. Lord Buddha said that the main cause of suffering is desires. Because of desires we do all kinds of things, good and bad, to satisfy our senses. We want to see, hear and taste things, but we must have control over desires especially on a spiritual path. Kabir Saheb says: man ko mar gagan charhi jayi; mansarovar paith nahai . (We must subdue the mind and bathe in the lake of tranquility). When we can make our mind calm like the Mansarovar Lake, then we are able to go above the mind and become realized. As long as we are working with the mind, we will be trapped with sensual pleasures. So desires have a place, but they must be noble desires. The last goal is moksha. What is moksha? Moksha is that state of our own awareness where we realize that we are not separate from God. In Sanskrit it is tat twam asi or aham brahm asmi. Thou art that, or I am the soul, the param tatva or Brahm, the Absolute. These are Supreme Statements or maha vakyas. We have to experience that state and not just say it. And how do we experience that Reality, that is tat. We have to control the mind, go above the mind, and get to the realm of the spirit. When we get to that region of the spirit, then we will see that all the worldly things are left behind. They are materialistic. The spirit, God, is not materialistic. All the matter comes from God, but God is spirit. The atma is spirit, so atma must realize God. The atma that we are is like water in a pot and the pot is in the ocean. Kabir Saheb said: jal men kumbh, kumbh men jal hain, bahar bhitar pani; phute kumbh jal jalahin samana, aisa gyan birle jani ( Water is in the pot and the pot is in the ocean; break the pot and the waters merge. Scarcely do people realize this relationship between the soul and God). But only the pot seems to make the difference. This body is like that pot. Atma is there. Remove the idea of being the body and know that we are the atma. We will then go above the body consciousness, and merge into God-consciousness. We can then say aham brahm asmi or tat twam asi and know what we mean. That is the stage called moksha. According to Patanjalis yoga system there are yamas and niyamas to guide our life. The yamas are ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha . What do these mean? Ahimsa is not to be violent towards any living being, not even to the trees, water or earth. We should not be violent in thought, word and deed. This is necessary since Gods presence is in everything. If we want to be close to God, then we have to be non-violent in every thing we do in life. Satya is truth. Always be truthful to others and ourselves. Be truthful to God. We cannot hide anything from God. He is omnipresent and omniscient, and knows everything. Truth must be in what we think, say and do. Kabir Saheb said: sanch barabar tap nahin, jhuth barabar pap (There is no austerity greater than truth and no sin greater than untruth). Asteya means nonstealing, not taking anything not belonging to us. Kabir Saheb said: kar bahiyan bal apane, chhor birane as ( We must earn our living honestly and not depend on others). God will always fulfill our needs in life. Brahmacharya is the fourth of the yamas, but the first of the four stages in life: brahmacharya, grihast, vanaprasth and sanyas. We must be pure in life and not go after sexual pleasures during student life. We need to control lust, anger, attachment, greed and egoism. We all have to learn, as we never know enough. Aparigraha is non-hoarding of things. Gandhiji said that if we take

anything more than we need for our immediate use, we are stealing it from someone else. Take from the earth only according to our need, and from others only when they give, or what we earn. We all accumulate material things and we have to leave them and go. We feel trapped. We have to look after the car, the home, the bank account, the clothes, and we become entangled, and lose our freedom. In the yoga system of Patanjali there are also the niyamas - shouch, santosh, tapa, swadhyaya, ishwarpranidhana . What do they mean? Shouch means cleanliness. It must be in thought, word and deed, in our home, kitchen, food, and environment. Santosh means contentment. jahi vidhi rakhe saheb, tahi vidhi rahiye. God knows what we need in life, but if we want to go beyond what should really be ours, how will we be happy? We may not be wealthy, but we must live within our means. Life is at such a fast pace in many countries, that people do not stop and enjoy the simplicity of life. Tapa means to endure some hardship in order to learn, practice and develop spiritually. A soft and pampered life will not produce spiritual growth. Swadhyaya means to study, learn, read the scriptures and other educational material, and analyze what they mean. We must apply the good teachings in our life. Ishwarpranidhana means a longing to realize God in this life. We want to be jivan mukt - liberation from avidya or ignorance, and its consequent bondage. We must have the knowledge that we are free. We cannot depend on faith and belief alone. Knowledge gives freedom, while ignorance gives bondage. We arrive at knowledge by using vivek or spiritual discrimination. According to the Vedanta teaching, there are four means by which we can reach our spiritual goal in this life. They are vivek, vairagya, shatsampat and mumukshutva. What do they mean? They are guidance for our life. Vivek means to use our intelligence and spiritual discrimination, to know what is the atma, what is Paramatma, and what is the Reality? Is Paramatma material or immaterial? We must use vivek to analyze and know that the soul cannot die, because it is spirit, it is not a material thing. And what is Paramatma? What is Brahm, the Absolute? By using vivek we begin to understand the true nature of our own Reality. Vairagya means to practice detachment or renunciation, and not allow things to hold us. Use things that we have to, but do not be attached. We, and not the things, are the master. Shatsampat are six attributes we must cultivate. They are 1. Sama, or control of the mind and desires. 2. Dama, or control of the senses that seek fulfillment in objects. 3. Shraddha or faith and belief in the scriptural teachings, and in the guru. 4. Titiksha or undergoing some hardship and discipline to obtain spiritual benefits. Everything cannot be handed to us on a silver platter. We have to earn spiritual merits by our own effort. 5. Uparati or indifference in worldly matters, impartiality, and calmness. We cannot reach our spiritual goal if we long for material things. 6. Samadhana or proper concentration and meditation. We cannot go to God taking our body, but we can go to God through the spirit, through the atma. What God wants more than anything else, is for us to realize that we are the atma. That is true knowledge. Mumukshutva is to have a great longing for God. God must be in our heart all the time, so that whatever we do must be directed towards getting the realization of God in our own being. It is just as when we are longing to buy a

new car or new clothes, and we have to save up for it. Our mind is focused on getting the car or the clothes. Just so, we must want God without any strings attached. We cannot say to God, please give me a son and I will do a puja or religious ceremony, or O God, let me get a good job and I will perform yajnas in your name. We cannot bargain with God. God is not a businessman. God is that source of life, radiance, sustenance, and our being. Further, in the Vedanta teaching, there are three steps to realization. They are shravan which means to listen to good teachings given by spirituality advanced people. We do not know everything, so we need to be humble and learn. Manan means to contemplate on the teachings. Allow the buddhi or intellect to examine the teachings until the meanings become clear. In this way we advance from the material world to the more refined, inner world, eventually attaining enlightenment. The material world is not the Ultimate Reality. Reality is that which is always existent and unchangeable. For example, satya is truth, and we cannot make truth false. What is truth, is truth. So we must try to hold on to the truth of our true Self, and not the body that will die one day. The truth is eternal and we need to realize it. God is truth and truth is God. Nididhyasan is meditation that allows us to realize God in ourselves and in all beings. After considering the above teachings, it becomes clear that we must apply ourselves diligently, sincerely and humbly in order to make our lives meaningful and successful. Only then can we reach our spiritual goal. Dr. J. Das Please visit our site at: www.kabir.ca

By James Bean (USA) http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com The Ahimsa Prayer: This is such an eloquent prayer. It is something that one could recite each and every day, for it is not in the knowing but in the doing and the being that we embody peace. In the Kabir tradition this prayer is called Prarthana-panchak se, and is by Ramesvarananda Saheb, translated in Prof. David Lorenzens book, Praises to a Formless God, SUNY Press, NY (attached is a photo of the book). O Gurudev, give me peace, Give worthy feelings, worthy intelligence. Give mutual cooperation. Give purity to my heart. Let there be pure feelings in my mind. Let there be pure conduct by my body. May my speech be free of falsity and slander. May the sentiment of devotion increase. May my thoughts not be agitated by the ripening of innate karma. May my body and mind be healthy, May my worship be free of obstacles. May I remain in the presence of Saints and be filled with the sentiment of devotion. May I swim across the ocean of samsara [world of changes], the ocean filled with passion, hate, change and fear. Let there be neglect for wicked persons and compassion for the destitute, Happiness among those of good conduct and friendship with good people. May buffoonery cease and may we delight in the words that lead across samsara. May we be merry in the study of wisdom; May we keep our minds under control. May we have hope of refuge with the Satguru, May we have no fear of lust and other vices. May we ever yearn for self-awakening and have faith the words of revelation. May the darkness of ignorance be destroyed; May the lamp of knowledge be lit. May the law of death be forgotten, and immortality be expanded.

May there be no harm done to living beings through my words or my actions. May I never feel the least attachment to the objects of my senses. May there always be happiness and the absence of desire. May there be an end to the power of samsara, and a beginning to the knowledge of God. Please visit our sites at: http://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com http://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.co

By: Richa Aditya, Kharagpur, India.

I was going through this story told by Santsevij. I liked it and thought to translate and share it with all here. Sant Kabir Says,"The King of the Golden town (Ravan) dies leaving behind the palace of Gold and the Silver roof. (Sone ka Mahal, Rupe ka chaza chor chale nagri ke Raja.) Then one may wonder what should we ask from the Almighty? Goswami Tulsidas ji Maharaj says,"Yearn in such a way that the yearning itself gets burnt." (Aisi yachna karo ki yachna hi jal kar samapt ho jai.") What should we crave for then? There lived a king who had two wives. When the king was about to visit a foreign country, he asked his younger wife,"I am about to visit a foreign land. What should I bring for you from there?" She gave a long list of various things for which the country was famous for. The king next visited the elder wife and asked her too if she wanted something from there. The elder wife replied, I pray that you may return safely back to me. This is all that I want." The king visited the country and returned after staying there for a few days. He brought all the things which the younger wife had asked for. She was very happy after receiving all the gifts from the king. He brought the same gifts for his elder wife as well. In addition to this, whatever he thought was worth buying, he brought even that. Giving all those gifts, He asked his elder wife, "Are you happy now?" She replied that, "I want you. You are greater than all these things." The king stayed with her. When she got the King himself what else was left to get? In the same way the Supreme Lord is the King of this Universe. Nothing else remains to be received, after we have received the Supreme Lord. If we get the Lord, we will get everything. Nothing else would remain. Leave alone the cravings of this mortal world. If you want to ask for something ask for that Divine One who is the breath of this world, the Supreme Lord. Once you obtain Him, all your desires and all your cravings are burnt to ashes. Then there is no need for soliciting anything else.

KABIR PANTH SATSANGH GROUP INCORPORATED AUSTRALIA

SATYAMEV JAYATE

Bandagi Saheb,
The Human Body

CHHIT JAL PAVAK GAGAN SAMEERA PAANCH TATTVA KO ADHAM SHAREERA

The human body which is made up of five gross elements i.e. Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Space is impure in nature. The human body and the five elements are all perishable. The Vedas mentions clearly that the creation of human body and the universe is exactly the same, and the whole universe is present equally in every human body. Each element is located at its own central point and is completely visible in the human body along with its nature. Each individual element came into existence from a Word which further has five different forms that help us to understand the basic presence and nature of all the five elements in the human body: EARTH. Word: Satt Centre: Anus Colour: Yellow Taste: Sweet Forms: Bones, Flesh, Skin, Pores, Nails WATER. Word: Onkaar Centre: Genitals Colour: White Taste: Saline Forms : Blood, Saliva, Perspiration, Urine, Semen FIRE. Word: Centre: Colour: Taste: Spicy Forms: Jyoti Niranjan Mouth Red Hunger, Thirst, Laziness, Sleep, Yawning

AIR. Word: Sohang Centre: Navel Colour: Blue Taste: Sour

Forms:

Speech, Hearing, Force, Contraction, Expansion

Space. Word: R-Rankaar Centre: Sushmana Nerve Colour: Black Taste: Tasteless Forms: Word, Appearance, Juice, Smell, Touch The human body also consists of five Karm Indriyans (organs of action), five Gyan Indriyans (sense organs) & four Suksham Indriyans (sensorium). The details are as mentioned below: Five Karm Indriyan (organs of action): hands, feet, anus, genitals, mouth. Five Gyan Indriyan (sense organs): eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin. Four Suksham Indriyan (sensorium): mind, intellect, consciousness, ego. So, all the five elements along with twenty-five forms (Prakritis) and fourteen Indriyans (senses/sensorium) as mentioned above make the complete physical structure of a human being, and is called the Body. This body is Maya as it is perishable, but it houses the soul. The body can be thought of as being venomous according to the Kabir Sahebs sakhi below. It is controlled by the mind (Mann). When the mind is controlled in a meditative state it reaches the Sushmana that is the central nerve or channel between the Ida and Pingla where it unites with them. From here the mind gives command to the brain and regulates each individuals infinite desires, intellect, memory and actions that controls each and every activity of a person in this mortal world. Every human being (except Satguru) spends his/her whole life as a servant of the mind, just to fulfil his/her infinite desires which are meant only for the physical body, and has no concern with the soul that is our true Self.

YEH TANN VISH KI BAILREE, GURU AMRIT KI KHAAN SHEESH DIYE JOH GURU MILEY, TOH BHI SASTA JAAN
The human body is like a venomous vine, whereas the Perfect Spiritual Master is an ocean of nectar who protects a being from the effects of the venom. Even if a person has to give up his/her own life, i.e. ego, with absolute surrender, and succeed in getting to the shelter of such a Perfect Spiritual Master, then that would be the biggest bargain of his life. Satyanaam Mukesh Kumar Ph - 0417656448 E-mail Kabirpsatsanghgroup@hotmail.com E-mail mkdsch@hotmail.com

Kabir Panth Satsangh Group Incorporated Australia

Visit our website at: http://www.hajursaheb.com/html/kabir_panth_australia.html

KABIR PANTH SATSANGH GROUP INC: AUSTRALIA

SATYAMEV JAYATE

2013
Kabir Panth Satsang Dates 1. Friday 19-04-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs (Start)
10-05-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 31-05-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 14-06-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs Winter Break 5. Friday 16-08-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 6. Friday 06-09-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 7. Friday 27-09-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 8. Friday 18-10-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 9. Friday 08-11-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs 10. Friday 29-11-2013 8pm to 10pm = 2hrs (Finish) Venue : Blacktown City Council, Max Webber Function Centre, Cnr: Flushcombe Road and Alpha Street, Blacktown-2148 Plenty Secured (B1) Basement Parking through Alpha Street. Take the lift to Level 1 (Room # 1) SATYAMEV JAYATE 2. Friday 3. Friday 4. Friday

FIVE MAIN POOJAS IN DHARAMDASSI PRANALI KABIR PANTHIS

Fagoon Purnima Pooja - Mukesh Kumar Kabir Pragat Divas Jayanti Pooja - Vijay Prasad Mahabir Satguru Kabir Guru Poornima Pooja Ghiteshwar Kumar Kabir/Dharam Dass Bhadev Purnima Pooja Ravindra Lal

Satguru Kabir Saheb Anterdhyan Dhiyan Divas Pooja Renu Mukesh 2013 Last Full Moon Pooja Renu Mukesh
Param Bhagat Mr & Mrs Renu Mukesh have been celebrating this Fullmoon Guru Poojas since 31 years on Australian Soil, when no Mandalis at all existed. President: Vijay Prasad Mahabir, Vice President: Ravindra Lal, Treasurer: Renu Mukesh Secretary: Vinod Binet Prasad Public Officer: Mukesh Kumar Ph- 0417656448

Email : Kabirpsatsanghgroup@hotmail.com

By: Om Parkash Kabirpanthi, Kabir Mandir Delhi: Bhajan Kab bhaji ho satnaam So mere mann kab bhaji ho sat naam 1. Baalpan sab khel gawaayo, jwaani me byaapyo kaam, Boorha bhaye tan kaapan laage, latakn laagyo chaam. 2. Laathee teki chalat maaragame, sahyo jaat nahi ghaam, Kaanan bahir nayan nahi soojhe, daat bhaye bekaam. 3. Gharr kee naaree vemukh hoi baithee, putra karat baddnaam, Barrbaraat hai birathaa boorhaa, ath path aatho yaam. 4. Khatiyaa se bhui kaarr dehe, chhoot jaihe dhan dhaam, Kahe kabir kaah tab kari ho, pari hai yam se kaam. Meaning: (When will you chant the Perfect Name?) When will you chant the True Name? O Mind of mine! When will you chant the True Name? You have spent your entire childhood in play, and your adult life in the pursuit of egocentric desires. There is not much time. In old age the body is trembling and the skin is wrinkled. You are now using the walking stick to find your way, and you can hardly manage your gait. Your ears are becoming deaf, your eyes are getting blind and your teeth are becoming useless. Your very dear wife is not pleased with you anymore, and your son is insulting you. They are saying that your speech is fading. It is now difficult to pass the day. They will remove you from your cherished bed and put you in the ground. Your riches are all leaving you. Kabir says, You now have an appointment with Death. What are you going to do? From book KABIR UPDESH TRINIDAD

Satnaam, Saheb Bandagee. Please visit our Facebook page [Satya Kabir Nidhi] for updates: http://www.facebook.com/groups/347060274408/

SAT NAAM

KABIR SAT DHARAM PRACHARAK MAHA SABHA FIJI

Kabir Organisation presentation by Reshmi Devi on 10 March 2013, IFSF Agenda at AAII (L) Conference Centre, Flagstaff, Suva, Fiji

SATYANAM
O MY BELOVED PERFECT SPIRITUAL MASTER; OCEAN OF PEACE MERCY AND COMPASSION, ENLIGHTENMENT IS THROUGH YOU AND YOUR PRAYER. YOU HAVE BROKEN MY CYCLE OF TRANSMIGRATION (108 Mahant Shri Ram Swarup Dasji Maharaj, Life Sketch Book ) LIFE SKETCH AND THE PRINCPLE OF SATGURU KABIR SAHEB Introduction Satguru Kabir taught understanding one's inner self, realizing oneself, accepting oneself as is, and becoming harmonious with one's surroundings. It is for this reason that Satguru Kabir is held in high esteem all over the world. Another beauty of Satguru Kabir's poetry is that he picks up situations that surround our daily lives. Thus, even today, Satguru Kabir's poetry is relevant and helpful in both social and spiritual contexts. Satguru Kabir was a very creative poet. He composed in a pithy and earthy style. His poems had the praise for the true guru who reveals the Divine through direct experience. Satguru Kabir expressed his poems orally in vernacular Hindi. He is a very important person in Indian history. He is unusual in that he is spiritually significant to Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims alike. He criticized all sects openly. He gave a new direction to Indian philosophy. He touches the soul of all in both simplicity and style. Satguru Kabir has written much poetry and song. All of Satguru Kabir's recorded verses are in Hindi. His lyrics are characterised by a free use of the vernacular, and is unfettered by the grammatical bonds of his day. It is this quality which has made his philosophy accessible to generations of Indians." (website: sant kabir 2013). Sat Guru Kabir came to earth to show the right path to mankind. He taught unity, equality and universal brotherhood. Satguru Kabir Panth is a group of people who follow and propagate the teachings of Satguru Kabir Saheb. There are over a thousand of asharams, temples and millions of devotees around the world. (www.hajursaheb.com.) Satguru Kabir is the most well known disciple of Swami Ramananda. Tradition says that he was an adopted son of a poor Muslim weaver couple who were earlier Hindus. They belonged to the lower strata in the eyes of both Hindus and Muslims, and hence not bound by strict rituals and religious discipline. This made Satguru Kabir an unconventional poet and mystic. He had no regular schooling and took to weaving, his family vocation, and went on singing poems as he plied the shuttle to and fro. (A life sketch of satguru kabir saheb).

Satguru Kabir Saheb He could not serve or claim anybody as guru because of his humble birth, but was drawn to Ramanand's teachings. He thought of winning the Guru's blessings in his own way. Ramananda went to the river Ganga, every day for bath very early in the morning. One day when he was returning from the Ghat, his foot touched a human body in the darkness. Startled, he exclaimed "Ram, Ram!" Immediately Satguru Kabir got up and with folded hands appealed to the saint. "Master, you have given me the Ram mantra and made me your Sishya, even though I am only a poor Muslim weaver," and told about his yearnings to reach God. Ramananda was touched deeply by Satguru Kabir's devotion and humility and accepted him as a disciple. He became a worthy sishya in no time by imbibing many secrets of spiritual mysticism from Ramananda. (charlotte vaudeville, 1993). He started preaching in the most unconventional way. He continued with his vocation of weaving and composed songs as he worked. Though leading a God-intoxicated life, he stressed on manual labour, equality of man, and condemned religious bigotry. He stressed on simple life and meditation. People liked the moral message in his songs which poured out from his heart, and who was the very embodiment of things he uttered. He condemned image-worship in temples and mechanical prayers in mosques. He had a large following of Hindus and Muslims. But the orthodox of both the religions (Purohits and Mullas) hated him, and he was persecuted by both. Ultimately, he was forced to leave Banaras, and it seems he spent his last days wandering. (A life sketch of satguru kabir saheb). According to the legend he died a very old man. On his death, Hindus and Muslims quarrelled to claim his body. But when they lifted the shroud, there was only a big heap of roses. It is told that Hindus and Muslims shared equally the flowers and had the last rites per formed of their beloved guru according to their own custom. One community built a temple and another dargah. So goes the story. (Muhammed Hedayetullah, 1997). God to Satguru Kabir was all pervading supreme spirit. Ram and Rahim personified the same supreme spirit who could be won over only by pure devotion. Rituals or blind worship had no place in his way of serving God. "Seek him in the depth of your heart!" Satguru Kabir advised. "If God dwells only in the mosque, to whom belongs the rest of the country? Those who are called Hindus say that God dwells in an idol; I see not truth in either sect. Oh God, whether Allah or Ram, I live by thy name... Hari dwells in the south. Allah in west. Search in thy heart, search in the heart of hearts, there is His abode," he exclaimed. (Muhammed Hedayetullah, 1997). Satguru Kabir turned out to be a saint of the masses. His simple and Godintoxicated life became an ideal. His simple compositions --"dohe"--two liners or "chowpai"--four liners, were easy to remember and became immensely popular, and enabled one to grasp essentials of simple spiritual life. A common guru for Hindus and Muslims was the dire requirement of the age, and arrival of Satguru Kabir on the national scene provided the spiritual bond. His songs profoundly influenced the religious belief of the simple rural folk. As is common in India that each saint acquires the status of a founder of a sect.

Innumerable followers in North India came to be known as Kabirpanthis, and the followers of his guru came to be known as Ramanandis. Through his peculiar use of Hindustani language he achieved linguistic unity. Originally he sang in Bhojpuri, a dialect of Hindi in East India. He stayed for long in Banaras and we can detect Awadhi and "Brij" influence. But the collected songs of Satguru Kabir like (a) Sakhi (songs--dohe), (b) Sabad (sayings, utterances), (c) Ramaini, mainly spiritual guidelines; all have Punjabi influence. His songs find place in Granth Sahib--sacred text of Sikhs. Rabindranath Tagore has translated one hundred and one of his songs into English. Satguru Kabir's compositions originally existed in hundreds and his disciples of different regions, collected and popularized them throughout the country through wandering ascetics (Gosais). (website: Kabir). The followers of Satguru Kabir can still be found in present day India and around the world. They call themselves "Kabir Panthis. A saint comes to the world to show the right path to the people who have lost their right vision or proper sense of direction in life. In India, fifteenth century was such a period when people of different faiths were fighting. Envy between two major religions of the time was growing rapidly. Envy amongst Hindus and Muslims, Brahmins and Mullahs, touchable and untouchables, was spreading and moving like a cyclone. It was the period of religious bigotry, intolerance, and decrease of social, moral and spiritual values. People were proud of their own religious rites and rituals, and scorned those of other religions. The rulers were tyrants. There was inequality amongst the people. At that time, Satguru Kabir appeared on the stage of Indian history (website:Kabir Association of Canada & Dr
Jagessar Das, 1985).

There is a legend about the appearance of Sat Guru Kabir. It was Monday morning, the full moon of Jyeshth month, 1455 Vikram Era (June1398 AD), at the pre-dawn hours when Swami Ashtanand was meditating on the bank of Lahartara Pond, near the city of Varanasi. He saw a light appearing on the lotus flower in the pond. The light took the form of a baby. Ashtanand was astonished. He could not figure out what that was, whether it was an illusion or a miracle of God. He left the meditation and went to his Guru, Swami Ramanand, to tell him about the strange incident ( website:Kabir Association of Canada
& Dr Jagessar Das, 1985).

Gangan mandal se utare, Satguru purush Kabir, Jalajmahi poudhan kiye, Sab piran ke pir. That is, Purush Kabir, the Spiritual guide and teacher, the Saint of all saints, descended from the heavenly plane and made his appearance on the lotus .
(Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77).

Satguru Kabir's birth itself is a mystery. Some people say that he was born in 1398 in Banaras(Varanasi). Some say that he was born in a Muslim family. Well some say that he was found floating on a lotus leaf in a tank in Benaras by a Muslim weaver named Nima and his wife. They gave him the name of Kabir meaning the great one. He had not formally got any education so he was almost completely illiterate. All he ever learned how to write was Rama. Kabir became a disciple of the Hindu saint Ramananda. It was a strange thing at that time that a Hindu

teacher will accept a Muslim student, but the young Kabir had creative ways to overcome all objections. (Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77). Ramanand Accepted Kabir as his Disciple:Kabir always wanted to become a disciple of Ramanand, but he was a Muslim and it was impossible for him to be a disciple of Ramanand, a Hindu Saint. He tried a trick. The saint Ramanand daily went to take his bath. On this special day, Ramananda awoke before dawn and found his customary way down to the steps of the Ganges. As he was walking down the steps to the waters, a little hand reached out in the predawn morning and grabbed the saint's big toe. Ramananda was taken by surprise and he expressed his shock by calling out the name of God. Looking down he saw in the early morning light the hand of the young Kabir. After his bath in the early light he noticed that on the back of the little one's hand was written in Arabic the name Kabir. He adopted him as son and disciple and brought him back to his Ashram, much to the disturbance of his Hindu students. (Website: sant kabir, 2013). Kabir, amongst the several saints that have blessed the country, Kabir Das, the well-known mystic poet, deserves a major credit for bringing about a revolution. He was a man of principles and practiced what he preached. People called him by different names like Das, sant, bhakta etc. As Das, he was referred to as the servant of humanity and thus a servant of Divinity. Well, in this article, we will provide you with the biography of Kabir, which will enable you to explore the story of Kabir Das. We will tell you some interesting facts about saint Kabirdas. (Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77). Many legends abound about the birth, life and death of Kabir, one of India's most quoted poets and mystics. His birth itself is shrouded in mystery. Some say he was the son of a Brahman widow, others that he was of virgin birth. What is known though is that he was brought up in a family of Muslim weavers. He was never formally educated and was almost completely illiterate. According to legend, the only word that he ever learned how to write was "Rama". Satguru Kabir played the role of a teacher and social reformer by the medium of his writings, which mainly consisted of the two line verses called Dohas. He had a strong belief in Vedanta, Sufism, Vaishnavism and Nath Sampradaya. He applied the knowledge that he gained through the various experiences of his life. He was always in the pursuit of truth and nothing could hold him back. Satguru Kabir was well known for his religious affiliation. Satguru Kabirs philosophy\poetry is a reflection of his philosophy about life. His writings were mainly based on the concept of reincarnation and karma.
(Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77).

Kabir Philosophy Satguru Kabir Saheb believed in the Vedanta concepts of Atman. He always advocated the impersonal spect of God (Nirguna) and therefore was against idol worship. As per his view all human beings are equal, and the societal caste system that is so widely prevalent in India, fallacious. He said the true

Guru is the one who can be attained through direct expressions. Satguru Kabir saheb passed on 42 generations. (Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77). (Kabir Panth) Kabir: Satguru Kabir Saheb Panth: Way of Life Kabir Panth is not only a religion but a way of life in the sense that you dont have to convert or to be confined into strict rules and restricted ideas to understand and benefit from Satguru Kabir Sahebs philosophy.

Five pillars of Kabir Panth LOVE HUMANITY COMPASSION NON-VIOLENCE TRUTH

(website: www.hajursaheb.com)

He was a Bhakti Saint, who sang the ideals of seeing all of humanity as one. His name, Kabir, is often interpreted as Gurus Grace. He kept himself away from the fundamentalism of all the religions and explained the root philosophies of spirituality. Satguru Kabir's poetry is the mirror of his philosophy about life. His sayings were based on the fact of reincarnation and karma. Satguru Kabir has a clear idea of philosophy of life. He liked to live in a very simplistic manner. He had a strong faith that God is unique. He wanted to say that God is only one, even while you are Hindu or Muslim. God is the creator of this beautiful world. The social and practical manifestation of Satguru Kabir's philosophy has rung through the ages. It represented a synthesis of Hindu, and Muslim concepts. From Hinduism he accepts the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma. From Islam he takes the affirmation of the single God and the rejection of caste system and idolatry. (david c.scott, 1985). The basic religious principles he espouses are simple. According to Kabir, all life is the interplay of two spiritual principles. One is the personal soul (Jivatma) and the other is God (Paramatma). It is Kabir's view that salvation is the process of bringing into union these two divine principles. Sat Guru Kabir taught the world the life of bhakti in faith with personal love and devotion to God. Our chief duty is the truth through words and deeds. No act of devotion can equal truth, and no crime is as harmful as falsehood. Sat Guru Kabir spoke to the masses without discrimination for the good of all, with strong messages of peace, love, unity, harmony, non-violence and equality .
(Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77).

Karam means - the principle As you do, so you will reap. Bharam means doubtful knowledge which Kaal Brahm has given in Vedas and Gita. (Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj). More Priniciples are: 1. Always speak truth 2. Adherence to pure vegetarism 3. Non Alcoholism intoxicants, drugs 4. Gambling in any form not allowed 5. To neither steal nor procure stolen goods 6. Maintenance and observance of a high standard of character (ie. never to indulge in any gross sexual relations) To adopt the above golden principles in ones life is possible only after the soul is blessed with the real, alive Holy Name of Supreme Father (Param Purush) by the enlightened Perfect Spiritual Master (Satguru). Kabir Dohas Satguru Kabir is a well known mystic poet, who is famous for his two line verses that are more popularly known as 'Kabir ke dohe.' Dohas of Kabir expressed love, mysticism and philosophy in the most beautiful manner. His dohas are not just popular amongst the Indians, but are also liked by the people staying abroad. (Sadguru Kabir Saheb, A Life Sketch, pg 77). bura jo dekhan main chala, bura naa milya koye,jo munn khoja apnaa, to mujhse bura naa koye [I searched for the crooked man, met not a single one. Then searched myself, I found the crooked one] SATNAAM Thank you Please visit our site at: http://www.hajursaheb.com/html/kabir_mandir_fiji.html

By: RKUK THE GREATNESS OF THE GURU By Dr. J. Das, Kabir Association of Canada. Published with permission (Note: Satguru Kabir exalted the position of the guru even above God, for it is the guru that enlightens you about God. In one of his famous couplets he stated, guru govind dono khade, kis ko lage panw; balihari guru apko, govind diyo lakhai If the guru and Govind (Lord Krishna) are standing together, at whose feet will you bow down first? I am a sacrifice onto the guru for he has revealed Govind to me. [Guru Kabir uses various conventional names for God, but refers to the formless God]) bando charan saroj guru, mud mangal agar jihi sewak nar hot hain, bhowsagar ke par guru ke sumiran matra se, nashat vighan anant tase sarva arambh men, dhyavat hain sab sant I salute the lotus feet of the guru. He is the place of happiness and bliss. Serving him man is able to cross the ocean of birth and death. With only remembering the guru, limitless obstacles vanish. Therefore, in beginning anything, all the saints meditate on him. guru guru kahi sab vishva pukare, guru soi jo bharm nivare bahut guru hain as jag mahin, hare dravya bhow dukh kou nahin The entire world is saying Guru, Guru and is calling him. The guru is he who removes There are many gurus in this world who take your wealth but do not remove any of your suffering. tase pratham pariksha kije, pachhe shishya hoi diksha lije binu jane jo koi guru karahi, so nar bhowsagar men parahin Therefore, at first test the guru, then afterwards become his disciple. If one accepts a guru without testing him, he will drown in the ocean of birth and death.

pakhandi papi avichari, nastik kutil vriti bakdhari abhimani nindak shath natkhat, duracharyit abla lampat He who is hypocritical, sinful, thoughtless, disbelieving, crooked and having the nature of a heron; who is egotistic, backbiting, wicked or sly, naughty, full of misconduct, and lustful towards women; krodhi krur kutark vivadi, lobhi samta rahit vishadi as guru kabahun bhuli na kije, inko durahi se taji dije And who is angry, cruel, argumentative, quarrelsome, greedy, without evenness of mind, and always sad, never accept such a guru even by mistake. Reject him from far away. nigamagam rahasya ke gyata, nispriha hit anushasan data daya kshama santosh sanyukta, param bichar man bhow mukta Accept a guru who knows the secrets of the scriptures, and who is unattached, is a well wisher, and disciplinarian; who is full of mercy, forgiveness, contentment, is highly thoughtful, and free from worldly bondage; lobh mohh mad matsar adi, rahit sada parmarath vadi rag dvesh dukh dwand niwari, rahen akhand satya vrat dhari Who is free of greed, attachment, ego, jealousy etc., and always speaks of the highest good; who removes the suffering of dualities (pleasure-pain) of attraction and repulsion, and who is unmovable from his vow of truthfulness; bhadra vesh mudra ati sundar, gati apar mati dharm dhurandhar kripya bhaktan par kar priti, yatha shastra sikhve shubh niti Who wears proper clothes, has a very beautiful countenance, is very approachable, intelligent, and is a leader in religion; who is kind, affectionate towards the devotees, and teaches the noble way according to the scriptures. jin ke swapanehu krodh ur, kabahun na hot pravesh madhur bachan kahi pritiyut, det sabahi updesh In a true guru, anger never enters his heart even in a dream; with sweet words he teaches everyone affectionately. haren abodh bodhprad janke, nashi ashesh klesh jivan ke krityakritya vikritya karm ko, nyaianyai adharm dharm ko

The guru removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge to the people, and destroys all the miseries of life. He teaches to discriminate between actions that are good or bad, and inaction, and between justice and injustice and between righteousness and unrighteousness. vividh bhanti nischai karvayi, bhinn bhinn sab bhed lakhai sat mithya vastu parkhavai, sugati kugati marag darsavai In many ways, he teaches us to determine all the differences separately, in detail. He lets us see the way of a good life and a bad life, and how to examine things that are eternal. tihi guruki sharanagati lije, tan man dhan sab arpan kije asan basan vahan aru bhushan, sut dara nij paricharak gan Take refuge in such a guru, and surrender all your body, mind and wealth to him. Offer him food, clothing, transportation and jewelry, and let your son, wife and servants serve him. kari sab bhent guru ke age, bhakti bhav ur men anurage tan yatra nirvahh ke karan, mange deya so kije dharan Put all offerings in front of the guru and express your spirit of devotion from your heart. To maintain the body on the journey of life, accept what he gives. lai bhikshuk sam din bhav man, kare pranam dandavat charanan maha yagya ko phal vahh pave, sakrit bandi guru shish navave Be like a beggar and accept his gift with humility, and prostrate yourself at his feet in salutation. You will obtain the highest benefit once you bow your head to the guru. yahi vidhi guruke sharan hoi, kare nirantar sev guru sam jane owr nahin, tribhuvan men koi dev Accepting the refuge of the guru in this way, serve him constantly. Do not accept any god in the three worlds as equal to the guru. jin guru ko manush kari jane, tin sam ko nirbhagya ayane buddhi rahit nar pashu samana, hai pratyaksh bin pachh vishana He who thinks the guru as a mere man, there is no one as unfortunate or foolish like him. He is without discriminative intellect, and it is clear he is like an animal without tail or horns.

vishva vidit vishesh prabhutai, govind se guru ki hai bhai govind ki maya vash prani, bhugte dukh chowrashi khani O Brother! The greatness of the guru, compared to God, is known in the world. Due to Gods Maya, living beings suffer in the 8.4 millions of life forms. guru pratap bhowmul vinashe, vimal buddhi hoi gyan prakahse sukh akhand nar bhoge jai, satyalok men basa pai By the grace of the guru, the causes of births (karmas) perish, and mans intellect becomes pure. Man then enjoys perfect bliss and dwells in Satyalok. guru se shresht owr jag mahin, hari biranchi shankar kou nahin suhrid bandu sut pitu mahatari, guru sam ko duja hitkari In the world, there is no one better than the guru, including Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. Besides a friend, relative, son, father or mother, who else is a well wisher equal to the guru? jake rakshak guru dhani, sake kahh kari owr hari ruthe guru sharan hai, guru ruthe nahin thowr What can others do to a person who has the protection of the mighty guru? If God is displeased with you, then the guru is your shelter, but if the guru is displeased, you have no place to go. yog yagya jap tap vyowhara, nem dharm sanyam achara ved puran kahain goharai, guru bin sab nishphal hai bhai O Brothers! The Vedas and Puranas repeatedly say that without a guru, all yoga, yajna, japa, penance, worldly activities, discipline, righteousness, control of passions, and noble actions, do not bear the desired fruit. guru bin hridai shudh nahin hoi, koti upai kare jo koi guru bin gyan bichar na awe, guru bin koi na mukti pawe Without a guru the heart cannot become pure, even if one tries in millions of ways. Without a guru,spiritual knowledge and noble thinking are not attained, and without a guru no one gets salvation. guru bin bhut pret tandhari, bhrame sahastra varsh nar nari

guru bin yamke hath bikai, pai dusahh dukh man pachhitai Without a guru, man and woman wander in doubt for a thousand years in the body of ghosts and spirits. Without a guru, man is sold into the hands of Yama and endures unbearable sorrows, and repents. guru bin sanshai kown niware, hridai vivek kown vidhi dhare guru bin nahin agyan vinashe, nahin nij atam rup prakashe Without a guru, who else can remove doubts; in what way can the heart possess discriminative spiritual knowledge? Without a guru ignorance cannot be removed, and the soul does not realize its true form. guru bin brahmgyan jo gaven, so nahin mukti padarath pawe tehi karan nischai guru kije, sur durlabh tan khoi na dije Without a guru, if one sings of divine knowledge, he will not attain liberation. For these reasons certainly accept a guru, and do not waste the body that even the gods have difficulty obtaining. ved shastra aru bhagavat, gita padhe jo koi tin kal santusht man, bin guru kripa na hoi If one reads the Vedas, Shastras, Bhagavatam, and Gita, still without the grace of the guru, the mind cannot be satisfied in the three times past, present and future. akhil vibudh jagmen adhikari, vyas vashisht mahan achari gowtam kapil kanad patanjali, jaimini valmik charanan bali In the entire scholarly world, the authoritative people Vyas and Vashisht were noble characters. I bow to the feet of the rishis Gautam, Kapil, Kannad, Patanjali, Jaimini and Valmiki ye sab guruke sharane aye, tase jagmen shresht kahaye yagyavalkya aru janak videhi, dattatraya guru param sanehi All of them came to the refuge of the guru, so in the world they are called great. Yagyavalkya and Janak, who was liberated in his lifetime, and Dattatraya greatly loved their gurus. chowbis guru kinhe jag mahin, ahankar ur rakhyo nahin ambarish prahalad vibhishan, ityadik jo bhaye bhakt jan

Dattatreya accepted twenty-four gurus in the world, and kept no pride in his heart. Ambarish, Prahalad, Vivishan, and others became devotees of gurus. owrahu yati tapi vanvasi, ye sab guruke param upasi hari biranchi shiv diksha linha, narad dhimar ko guru kinha Many others such as ascetics, practitioners of austerity, and forest renunciates were great worshippers of the guru. Even Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva took initiation, and Narad accepted a fisherman as his guru. sant mahant sadhu hain jete, guru pad pankaj sewahin tete shesh sahas mukh bahu gun gave, guru mahima ko par na pave As many saints, mahants and sadhus there were, they all served at the lotus feet of the guru. Shesh Nag, with one thousand mouths, sang the attributes of the guru, but could not fathom the grace of the guru. ram krishna se ko bada, inahun toh guru kinhh tin lok ke ve dhani, guru age adhin Who is greater than Ram and Krishna? Even they accepted a guru. They were masters of the three worlds, but were humble before the guru. nij mukh jo guru ninda karahin, kalp sahastra nark men parahin guru ki ninda sune jo koi, rasabh swan janm tehi hoi The state of the person who slanders his guru will be like dwelling in hell for thousands of years. If he listens to slander of the guru, then he is like having birth as a mule or a dog. guru se ahankar ur dhari, kare vivad mudh avichari te nar maru nirjal ban jai, trishit maren rakshas tan pai He who has pride in his heart, and argues with the guru, is foolish and thoughtless. Such a person is like being in the waterless desert and dies of thirst and inhabits the body of a demon. jo guru ko taji owrahi dhyave, hoi daridra ati dukh pave bin darshan nanin guru ke rahiye, yahh dridh niyam hridai men gahiye He who gives up the guru and worships others, becomes poor, and suffers a great deal. Do not go through life without a guru. Keep this firm principle in mind!

jo bin darshan karen ahara, hoi vyadhi tan vividh prakara yathashakti jan chuke nahi, hoi ashakt dosh nahin tahi He who eats without ever seeing a guru, develops various bodily ailments. As much as possible, people should not make mistakes. If one becomes helpless, then no blame attaches to him. guru sanmukh nahin baithe jai, khali hath hilawat ai jo kuchh owr nahin bani awe, patra pushp phal bhent chadhave Do not sit improperly in front of the guru, and do not go to him with empty dangling hands. If you cannot afford much of anything, then at least offer leaves, flowers or fruit to him. namra bhav ati pritiyut, charankamal shirnai jo satguru agya karain, lije shish chadhai With humility and a great deal of love, bow down at the lotus feet of the guru. Whatever command the guru gives, accept it and place it on your head (obey) ati adhin hoi bole vani, rank saman jori yug pani kabahun na baithe panv pasari, jangha pad dhari asan mari Be very humble and speak respectfully to the guru. Be like a beggar with folded hands. Never sit with your legs outstretched, and do not sit with one leg on the other thigh. sanmukh hoike gaman na kije, guru chhaya par panw na dije gupt bat kischit nahin rakhe, kari chhal kapat na mithya bhakhe Do not walk in front of the guru, and do not step on his shadow. Do not keep the smallest secret from the guru, and do not speak lies, or be deceitful or hypocritical. ved mantra sam kahana mane, guru ko parmatam sam jane satyasatya vichar na kije, guru ka kathan mani sab lije Accept the words of the guru as Vedic mantra, and accept the guru as equal to God. Do not analyze the gurus words as true or false, but accept all his sayings. jo kuchh shresht padarath pave, so guru charanan ani chadhave guru ki adbhut hai prabhutai, mile sahastra guna hoi ai

Whatever good things you obtain, bring it and offer it at the feet of the guru. The grace of the guru is wonderful, and your offering will increase a thousand fold. kiye yathavidhi guru ki puja, shesh rahe kartabya na duja prabal pap nashe sab tanke, hoi manorath puran man ke jo guru ko bhojan karvave, mano trilokahi nyont jimave If one worships the guru in the prescribed manner, then there remain no other duties outstanding. All the grave sins of the body are destroyed, and all wishes are fulfilled. He who offers food to the guru, does as if he invites and feeds the three worlds. guru ki mahima hai amit, kahi na sake shruti shesh jin ki kripa kataksh se, rankahu hot naresh The grace of the guru is limitless, and the Vedas and Shesh Nag cannot explain it. By his grace and merciful look, the poor can become a king. as prabhav hai susar kehiman, jas kuchh hai satguru ki mahima sarv siddhprad ati vardayak, dukh sankat men param sahayak Which other person can have the same influence as the Satguru through his grace? His grace gives all success and great boons, and is the main remover of suffering and miseries. nit uthi path kare jo koi, sakal pap kshai take hoi chit chinta santap vinashe, sukh santap aishvarya prakashe The person, who daily wakes in the morning and recites the Guru Mihama, will have all his sins removed. His anxieties and sorrows disappear, and wealth, happiness and prosperity appear. mahavyadhi jwar adi niware, dei akal mrityu bhi tari lahen sakal sukh je jag kere, kabahun daridra na ave nere Serious diseases and fever etc. disappear, and he avoids the fear of untimely death. He will attain all pleasures of the world, and poverty never comes to him. hoi alabhya labh maragmen, pave man pratishtha jagmen param mantra yahh akhil phalprad, haran sakal bhav janm maran gad

Inaccessible gains come to you when you follow the good path, and you attain respect and a good reputation in the world. This Guru Mihama is a great recitation and gives all good fruits, and destroys all births, deaths and diseases. shraddhavan bhakt lakhi lije, tako yahh guru mahima dije param rahasya gudh ehi jani, kahe na sabahin prasiddh bakhani Examine a devotee who is truly devoted and give him this Guru Mihama. Knowing this Guru Mihamas great and deep secret, do not boast about it to others. dhanya mat pitu dhanya hai, dhanya suhud anurakt dhanya gram vahh janiye, janh janme guru bhakt Fortunate are the mother and father, and fortunate is the loving friend, and fortunate is the village where adevotee of the guru is born. bhakt prabhav miti sakal, dharamdas ki pir koti janam ke punya se, satguru mile kabir By devotion, all the sufferings of Dharam Dass vanished. It is by the good deeds of millions of births that he met Satguru Kabir.

Feature Ashram

Sadguru Kabir Gyan Mandir.

Darjeeling

Sadguru Kabir Gyan Mandir.

Gorubathan Basti (Bich Gown) P.O. Fagu (Sombari Hat) PIN No. 735231 Dist. Darjeeling. Mobile tel: 919933131418

Feature Scriputure: Bijak of Guru Kabir by Dr. J. Das RAMAINIS

ramaini 76 my mohh sakal sansr, ihai vichr na khu vichr. my mohh kathin hai phand, hoi vivek so jan band. rm nm le ber dhr, so to le sansrahi pr. sakhi: rm nm ati durlabh, owre te nahin km. di ant ow jug-jug, rmahi te sangrm. Meaning: The world is full of Maya (illusion) and attachment, but no one appears to be concerned. The trap of Maya and attachment is very strong. Only the devotee who has discriminative power can cut himself free. Take the name of God as the boat to cross the worldly ocean. Only then can one cross to the other shore of this world. Sakhi: The attainment of God's name is very difficult, yet I have no need for other names. From beginning to end, and from age to age, I am struggling for the realization of God. Commentary: In this ramaini Guru Kabir is speaking of the powerful trap of Maya and attachment in the world. Maya is the great illusive power that makes us feel that the material things that we see around us, including human beings, are the Reality. But, in fact, according to discriminative thinking, all things in the world are transitory, and the only Reality is God. It is because of this divine ground that all things have their existence. These transitory material things keep on changing, dying, and being reborn or recreated. That which has no eternal existence cannot be the Reality. It is thus, according to Vedanta philosophy, that attachment to the world is like attachment to a shadow that vanishes. The only reality is God. That represents an eternal Power and thus is the only Reality. However, people of the world scarcely think about Maya and attachment from this angle. Those few people, who have developed their

discriminative thinking, are able to perceive the trap of Maya and attachment, and to step beyond them to a realization of the Reality that exist behind all the transitory manifestations. Guru Kabir is saying that we should make God's name the boat that will take us across this worldly ocean. Yet, the name of God is difficult for most people. The difficulty arises because merely saying the name of God, in whatever form people have of that name, is not enough. It must be done with understanding and feeling. It must lead to a realization of what that name really means. In other words, it must awaken the spiritual consciousness that ultimately must realize its union with God. Unless this occurs, the mere repetition of God's name, and the reading of all scriptures, become useless. Guru Kabir is saying that from beginning to the end of life, or of creation, from age to age one must struggle to know God. All religions teach, in their own way, a path to God, but because people are so fascinated by the attachments to the worldly things, they find it difficult to progress spiritually to a realization of God.

Thank you for taking the time to read the teachings of Sat Guru Kabir Saheb. We would like to thank all the contributors for the articles. There are those of us who are hungry for Sahebs knowledge and there are those of you who have the knowledge, please let there be equilibrium or else the rich will get richer and the poor will have no chance Our hope is that this will encourage Ashrams and Mahants to share their knowledge in future editions. Please email your articles to: enq@2kabir.co.uk
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