This composition by Bhagat Kabir
Ji is based on fifteen lunar dates. It consists of one
salok and sixteen
pauris. In it, Bhagat Kabir Ji conveys that IkOankar (the Divine) is the Creator of all. When one develops love for the
Nam of IkOankar, their mind is cleansed of the filth of vices. By singing IkOankar’s praises, one remains alert to the temptations of vices. Those who remain absorbed in IkOankar’s love become free of suffering. Additionally, the pauris of the composition inspire the being to accept the teachings of the Wisdom (
Guru), contemplate Nam, renounce desires, master the mind, and free oneself from the influence of transient things and relationships.
The being whose love is attached with the lotus-feet of Gobind, through the grace of Saint-Guru, the mind of that being becomes filth-free. On the eighth day after the new moon, Bhagat Kabir refers to the eight elements of the body in Ayurvedic philosophy. While science and philosophy attempt to explain the mystery of life, Bhagat Kabir urges us to recognize the treasure within that is beyond these eight elements. He says the most precious thing in the body is
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). Here, IkOankar is addressed as a Sovereign, a King, yet unlike earthly kings, IkOankar is has no exclusive lineage. Bhagat Kabir tells us that the Wisdom-
Guru guides seekers to realize the treasure within through an uncommon path. The Wisdom of the Guru runs counter to convention, cultural trends, and groupthink. The Wisdom-Guru leads a seeker within, where one becomes immersed in the treasure-like essence of IkOankar. Realizing IkOankar as their only lineage, they are imparted with an indestructible and impenetrable nature, a nature found only in those who realize they are direct descendants of the One.
People are always trying to reduce the mystery, breaking things down further to figure out what makes the world go round. While science and philosophy have their merits, Bhagat Kabir points out that in these complex systems, the mystery is often overlooked. IkOankar cannot be isolated or consolidated through any means of discovery or detection. Only the Wisdom-Guru can show us the greatest treasure within this body and the world around us. The Wisdom-Guru reveals the mystery of the One within, taking us where other systems cannot. The Wisdom-Guru shows us that One within is impenetrable and indestructible, and without any exclusive lineage. The Wisdom-Guru reveals that we are all of IkOankar’s lineage; we are all descendants of the One, each with equal opportunity to inherit the Sovereignty, Power, and Treasure of the One. Many people claim superior lineage, greater authority, or closeness to Truth because of their ancestry, but in reality, we are all the same. We all come from IkOankar, and all have the potential to receive IkOankar’s inheritance if we Identify with IkOankar through
Nam. This principle is radical, and Bhagat Kabir embraces it. He says the path of the Wisdom-Guru is a reversal of all norms, walking in the direction opposite to convention. It’s not about following specific regimens, techniques, philosophies, or sciences. It is the path of love, Identification, and reflecting on the beauty of IkOankar at all times. Will we forgo identifying simply with our earthly lineage, with our earthly body of eight elements, and embrace our True Identity in IkOankar? Will we walk the path of devotion to the Wisdom-Guru to understand the mystery?
