Kabir - The Rebel.

Kabir.

Writing a story when most of the information is available on the internet is by itself futile if we are not able to add a different perspective to the story.

Saint Kabir Das- the name itself is intriguing because in Arabic , Kabir means “great” , Das means “slave” or “servant” in Sanskrit. He was probably born of a virgin mother like Jesus Christ and when he died his body strangely was replaced by flowers which were divided among his hindu and muslim devotees.

Writing about a hard core rebel is something very difficult, but the very act of rebellion means that the consciousness is high as a conformist does not need to be aware as he is a follower blindly following the others.

Kabir spoke in the local language, was not an intellectual, his poems came out of his heart which was full of devotion for God. He was a great saint who staying in Benaras used to torment the learned Brahmins and he was against both orthodox Hindus and Muslims and probably took a lot of pleasure in taunting the orthodox people. Along with sayings of Baba Farid , the Sufi saint, the sayings of Kabir were also included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Now Kabir did not want anyone to be a blind follower of either Hindu or Muslim religion and wanted everyone to be reasonable and logical. He had very short and profound sayings or couplets known as Dohas. These Dohas were highly meaningful and have influenced Indian society and specially Bollywood music till date.

Some of his Dohas are given below:-

All-Time Favourite Doha

"Dukh Mein Sumiran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye, Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Toh Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye." Meaning: "During suffering, everyone prays to the Lord, but when experiencing happiness, we forget to thank God. If one were to pray to God even during the good times, can the bad times ever trouble one?"

Everyone Knows This One

"Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye, Jo Mann Khoja Aapna, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye." Meaning: "I searched for the crooked man, but failed to find one. But when I searched within myself, I realised there was none more crooked than me!"

A Quote For Today

"Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ab, Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kab." Meaning: "Instead of doing tomorrow's work on the morrow, do it today, and do today's work, right now! If the moment is lost, can you get it back any way?"

Life Is Like A Grinding Stone

"Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye, Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein, Sabit Bacha Na Koye." Meaning: "Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments, In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact."

Choose Your Words Carefully

"Aisee Vani Boliye, Mann Ka Aapa Khoye, Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye." Meaning: "Speak such words, without the ego's manipulative ways, that not only your own body remains composed, you also give your listeners joy through your words."

In Its Own Sweet Time

"Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sab Kuch Hoye, Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye." Meaning: "Slowly, slowly, O mind, everything happens at its own pace, The gardener may water with a hundred pots of water, but the fruit only arrives in its season."

Just Enough

"Saayi Itna Deejiye, Ja Mein Kutumb Samaye, Main Bhi Bhookha Na Rahoon, Sadhu Na Bhookha Jaye." Meaning: Give me only so much, O God, that it suffices to fulfil the needs of my clan, I should not suffer cravings, nor should my visitor go unfed."

What Use Is It To Be Aloof?

"Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor." Meaning: "Of what use is eminence, to be like a tall date tree? It neither offers shade to travellers, not is its fruit easy to reach!"

The Divine Is Inside You

"Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag, Tera Sai Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag." Meaning: "Just as a seed contains oil, fire is present in the flintstone, the Divine is inside you, realise this if you can!"

Love, The Biggest Teacher

"Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye, Dhai Akhshar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe So Pandit Hoye." Meaning: "Reading books hasn't made anyone wiser. But the One who has experienced even the first flush of love, knows more about Life than a learned man."

Love Stories Are Sweet

"Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kuch Kahi Na Jaye, Goonge Keri Sarkara, Baithe Muskae." Meaning: "Inexpressible is the story of love, no one can fully describe what it feels like, Similar to the dumb guy who has eaten sweet sugar, he can only smile to show his pleasure."

Reading about the life of different Saints may expand our horizon for all Saints always said the same thing – to love God is to love humanity without distinctions of caste, creed, nationality or religion. The function of all Saints was to break all the barriers and bring about unity and love.