Kabir Dohas

Kabir paahan paramesur keeaa poojai sabh sansaar.
Eis bharavaase jo rahe boodde kaalee dhaar. ||136||

Kabir kaagadh kee obaree mas ke karam kapaat.
Paahan boree pirathamee pandit paaRee baat. ||137||
(SGGS: 1371)

Translation:

These are two Dohas (Salokas) of Kabir Ji on the subject of statue worship.

Kabir, the religious world has turned a stone into a god and the whole world worships it. Those keeping such a belief (that worship of stone is actually worship of God) will drown in the river of ignorance. 136.

Kabir, the scriptures are like prison for the faithful but ignorant, while the rituals ascribed therein become (like) the (iron) bars on the windows, to prevent escape from the prison. The gods of stone have burdened the religious world into drowning in it, while the clergy have plundered (the masses in the name of God, through exploitation). 137.

My understanding:

Kabir Ji has shared how the humans have attempted to capture all-pervading, all-powerful God in a well carved stone. The gullible masses have fully ascribed to that belief. However, he says that those convinced of this false reality will drown in the pitch dark-black river of ignorance. Kabir, further expounding on his take on this world reality, says that their scriptures have become their prison bars on the window, instead of window for their liberation. He expounds that the rituals ascribed in there become iron bars to prevent the escape of the inmates (faithful). The clergy have exploited the scriptures to plunder the inmates (faithful) only to enrich themselves.

The statements in these two Dohas by Kabir Ji are a very bold take on the clergy, who have exploited the words of the scripture to enrich themselves. They were supposed to be the guiding lights for the lesser fortunate brethren, instead they have exploited their knowledge to maroon their own brethren in useless rituals and practices. It is like drowning them in pitch-dark streams of ignorance, while enriching themselves from their offerings. Obviously, Kabir must have engaged himself in some other form of worship instead of idol worship. Kabir Ji has expounded on his own practices elsewhere by saying:

“Poojaa karau na nivaaj gujaarau.
Ek nirankar lae ridhai namasakaarau. 3.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 1136)

Translation: I do not perform Pooja (Hindu worship services), nor do I offer Namaz (the Muslim prayers). I have taken the One Formless God into my heart; and I humbly bow my head to Him (in reverence). ||3||

Kabir Ji is telling us that true worship is to develop loving and reverential relationships with Almighty, instead of engaging in rituals. True spirituality is looking for the divinity within and the experience of Oneness with everything.

December 21, 2024

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