Saint Kabir lived in Benaras (Kasi, Varanasi), India during 15th century. His contributions to the BHAKTI and the SUFI movements in India are well known. Some of his poetry was incorporated into the ‘Guru Granth Sahib'(Adi Granth), the sacred book of Sikhs. In this holy book, Kabir’s hymns appear at the head of ‘BHAGAT BANI’. Kabir pointed to the inward life of the mind as the source of contact with the Divine. Kabir grew up as a Muslim and his family was poor and he belonged to a community whose traditional occupation was that of weavers.
The Legend about Kabir’s Departure
Kabir’s life, his birth and death, is shrouded in mystery and legend. One popular legend about Kabir’s death claims that after his death, his Muslim and Hindu disciples were fighting about the type of funeral rites as the Muslims believe in burial and the Hindus believe in cremation of dead bodies. When they had finally opened Kabir’s coffin and pushed the cloth that was used to cover the dead body, they were astonished to find that the body was missing. In lieu of the body, they found flower petals and an empty book. His disciples entered Kabir’s sayings in that book.
Mati Kahe Kumhaar Se Tu Kya Raunde Moye Ek Din Aisa Aayega Mein Raundungi Toye Aaye Hai So Jayenge Raja Rank Fakir Ek Sinhaasan Chadhi Chale Ek Bandhe Janjir Durbal Ko Na Sataaiye Jaaki Moti Haaye Bina Jeev Ki khaal Se loha Bhasm Ho Jaye Chalti Chaki Dekh Ke Diya Kabira Roye Do Paatan Ke Bich Mein Baki Bacha Na Koi Dukh Me Sumiran Sab Kare Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye Jo Sukh Mein Sumiran Kare To Dukh Kahe Hoye Patta Tuta Daal Se Le Gayi Pawan Udaye Ab Ke Bichhade Kab Milenge Door Padenge Jaye Kabira Aap Thagaiye Aur Na Thagiye Koi Aap Thage Sukh Upaje Aur Thage Dukh Hoye
Humans, who had arrived on this planet earth, are certain to depart as well. The King would depart after having climbed the throne. The Slave would depart after having lived in shackles. The Fakir or Monk who had no worldly possessions or attachments also would depart when his time for departure arrives. Kabir may have departed and as per the legend, his dead body had mysteriously disappeared but we still have his ideas and thoughts to inspire us.
HOW AND WHEN MAN ARRIVES?
It is very interesting to note that Indian thinkers like Saint Kabir Das are certain about man’s departure. It would be much more interesting to reflect upon as to how man arrives here in the first place. If we understand as to when and how man arrives on planet Earth, we could be more certain about man’s status in nature.
Each human being arrives as a new object, one of its own kind, original, unique, and distinctive. The genome of each man who has arrived here has not existed before, and would not exist again after the departure of that man. If arrived, man has no choice other than that of existing as an Individual with Individuality. If there is no escape from death; there is also no escape from the fact of existing as an Individual while living. Man has to define the term life, and death and explain the basis for his existence as an Individual with Individuality while he cannot rule or govern even a single individual living cell in his body which comprises of over 100 trillion cells. This Individuality also shapes the dying process of the Individual while the man faces challenges to his mortal existence coming from numerous directions. The King may die of his battlefield injuries. The Slave may die of the effects of heat or cold. The Fakir may die of respiratory illness like pneumonia.
The Rudolf-Rudi doctrine of Spiritualism 