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 fourth day after the new moon, Bhagat Kabir urges us to focus on disciplining the mind, rather than following formulas or prescriptions. Our minds are described as fickle, often led astray, and overcome by lust and anger. Bhagat Kabir advises us not to dwell on these energies, even for a moment. To move beyond lust and anger, Bhagat Kabir reminds us that
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One) is present everywhere, pervading all waters from seas to rivers, and all lands from mountains to deserts. Merging with that all-pervasive One, the small self remembers and experiences itself as the Supreme Self, IkOankar. Bhagat Kabir highlights the helpful nature of this
Nam (Identification with IkOankar) and urges us to remain in that remembrance—to follow, dwell within, and cultivate that Identification with the Supreme Self in our lives.
On the fourth day, just as the Moon waxes and wanes in its reflection of the Sun, the waxing and waning of our minds comes into focus. We know how easily the mind can be overcome by distractions and vices such as lust and anger. It is hard to bring the mind to stillness—it is prone to wandering and slips into the pains of lust and anger like quicksand. Bhagat Kabir suggests no specific prescriptions or techniques, only that we immerse ourselves in the all-pervasive One, present in all beings and places, and come to Identify with that One. When faith and devotion is waning in lust and anger, we can tackle that fickle nature through love, and become vast like IkOankar. If we aren’t forging our path with love for IkOankar, we may be forging another path out of love for something else. Even lifelong devotees are not immune; when love for IkOankar wanes, we all are susceptible to our vices. Anger can rear its head in a split second when love wanes. Like a fire fueled with dry wood, we ought to nourish our love for IkOankar by offering our self-willed ego, which is entangled in lust and anger; only then can we experience the Supreme Self. There, our love for IkOankar is brightly and beautifully sustained, as we experience the beauty of the Supreme Self, IkOankar. Bhagat Kabir says this is our help and aid in life. This is how the waxing and waning of the Moon-like fickle mind can become stable and Sun-like. At that point, the Identification flows naturally, and we continually nurture love and Identification with IkOankar within. Will we remember to sit with IkOankar, our Supreme Self, rather than with the lust and anger of our small self? Will we remember to lead with love on this path, lest it fade before our eyes?
