By Zile Singh
Sant Kabir, Satguru to his followers, is known as “Sant Shiromani” – the greatest of all Sants. Abandoned by his mother immediately after his birth in 1440 A.D. in Banaras (now Varanasi), he was brought up by an issueless Muslim couple Neeru and Neema who were weavers by caste. Due to poverty and lower caste, Kabir could not get formal education. He remained in the weaving profession throughout his life. He died in 1578 in Maghar. After his death, there was a quarrel between the Hindus and the Muslims to claim his body. His interests were mysticism, theism, syncretism and poetry. He had a son and a daughter; Kamal and Kamali respectively.
The Jayanti is observed in the month of May or June every year on the full moon day as per the Gregorian calendar. This year it fell on June 24. The day is celebrated in India as well as abroad by his followers across different religious groups. Not only in Hinduism and Islam but in Sikhism Bhagat Kabir occupies a prominent place because there are hundreds of Kabir’s hymns in Sri Guru Granth Saheb, the holy book of the Sikhs. Kabir is an Arabic name for boys that means “great”, “powerful” and “leader”. It has been used 40 times in the Quran. Kabir’s poems reflect a mystic Sufi Islamic influence.
Paying his tributeon the occasion in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The path shown by Kabir will continue to inspire generations to move ahead with brotherhood and goodwill. Kabir not only fought against social evils but also gave the message of humanity and love to the world. “
Due to Covid restrictions, the Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Burnaby celebrated Kabir’s Jayanti on July 11. The ambience was good at the Guru Ravidass Sabha. The Kirtani Jatha, led by Bhai Bhupinder Singh, sang melodious poems of Satguru Kabir. Shri Makhan Singh Chambasang shabads of Guru Ravidass and Guru Nanak. Sardar Surinder Singh Sandhu, General Secretary of the Sabha, introduced Shri Khushi Ram ji to the gathering as a high ranking retired officer of the government of India and an emerging centenarian in August this year. Although he is a Buddhist, he strongly believes in “humanism”. The General Secretary mentioned about “From Servitude to Freedom” an autobiography of Shri Khushi Ram.
Shri Khushi Ramspoke about the role of Kabir, Ravidass and Nanak in uplifting the masses off the ritualistic and superstitious traditions at that time. About the holy places and the caste system he quoted Kabir’s following Dohas: “ Mano kathormare Banaras, naraknavachia jai. Har ka sant mare harambhe, saglisantarai.” And “Jo tuBrahman, Brahmanijaya, Aan vat kahenahiaaya?About the high and low castes he quoted Kabir, “Awal Allah noorupaaya, kudratke sab bande. Eknoorte sab jag upja, kaunbhalekaunmande.”He said that Guru Nanak, being junior in age, drew enough from Kabir’s philosophy. Shri Khushi Ram stated that the dreams of Kabir and Ravidass (Utopia of Begampura) was woven by Dr. Ambedkar in the Constitution giving it a legal framework. The Directive Principles of State policy talk about the creation of a welfare state.
Shri Zile Singh, a retired Indian Foreign Service Officer, dwelt upon the idea that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution drew a lot from the spirit of the teachings of Satguru Kabir. Dr. Ambedkar’s parents were Kabir Panthis. The principles of Justice, Equality. Liberty and Fraternity enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution speak about the essence of Kabir’s following Dohas;
Equality– Kabirakhadabazzarmein, sab ki mange khair.
Na kahu se dosti, nakahu se bair.
Kabir, from a common place is seeking the welfare of all without any fear and favour. He has neither the friends nor the foes. All are equal to him. Kabir emphasised the importance of the gender equality also stating that, “ Narinindana karo, nari ratan ki khaan. Nari se nar hot hai, Dhurv, Prahladsamman.
Liberty–Kabir, fearlessly was at liberty to condemn the rituals and superstitions of both the Hindus and the Muslims.
Patharpuje Ram mile tau maipujupahar.
Ghar ki chakki koi napuje, pees khai sansar.
Kankarpatharjorke masjid laibanai.
Upparchadi Mulla bang de, baharahuakhudai?
Fraternity –
Pothipadhpadh jag mua, Pandit bhayonakoye.
Dhaiaakhar prem ke, padhe so pandit hoye.
Reading and writing do not make anyone wise, but love, harmony and tolerance are required to be wise.
Kabir yeh ghar prem ka, khala ka gharnahi.
Sees utaare hath kar, so paseyghar mahi.
This land is a house of love. It is not your aunt’s house. Only those who have dropped hatred and ill-will can stay here. It is an attitude of respect and reverence towards all human beings. In the context of nationalism, it means that whatever divisive tendencies are there in one’s head, these should be dropped. In today’s political context, Zile Singh said that until and unless the Dalits shed their differences of mutual acrimony, they have no future. The Sabha also is a victim of such personal feuds from its inception. The enemy is not outside, but within. “Bura jo khojanmeinchala, buranamilya koi. Jo dil khoja aapna, mujh se bura na koi.
General Secretary, Shri Sandhu spoke about the life and teachings of Satguru Kabir in the context of the prevailing atmosphere of hate and bigotry; lynching and atrocity. Kabir condemned all the social evils.
Shri Rick Toora, President of the Sabha thanked the audience and the speakers.
Zile Singh is a well respected Columnist, Writer and a Vipassana Meditater. He has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights. He can be reached at [email protected]
