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 fifth day after the new moon, Bhagat Kabir reminds us that the whole universe is made up of the same five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. This is the material reality in the domain of
Gobind, the Creation-Force, an epithet which highlights the creative power of
IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). Despite everyone and the world being made of the same five elements, we fixate on particular things and become caught up in having certain possessions, relationships, or whatever we deem valuable. Yet rare are those who seek and drink the ambrosial essence of love, living by the essence of
Nam (Identification with IkOankar). They have discovered their true purpose, aging without being afflicted by the pains of old age and death.
On the fifth day, Bhagat Kabir points out that the material world is essentially all the same—it is all composed of the same five elements, yet we get caught up in our illusions that it isn’t. We pine after things which temporarily satisfy our minds and our senses. Easily, we fall so deeply under the illusion of these desires that we allow them to hold precedent over our morality. We mine the Earth, and we dehumanize people out of greed and lust, even getting angry when we don’t get these things. Under the grip of our illusions, we lack the foresight to see that these things do not truly satisfy us; they are part of our inner struggles. We latch onto them out of distraction and impulse, rather than attaching to IkOankar out of love and humility. Bhagat Kabir invites us to a deeper, more meaningful, and connected life beyond these destructive, transient attachments. By reflecting on the impermanent body, made of the same five elements as all of creation, we are guided to look toward the eternal One, IkOankar. If we attach ourselves to IkOankar instead of our smaller attachments, Bhagat Kabir says our worries of old age and death become immaterial, as we realize this body is an opportunity to experience IkOankar. If we truly seek what is rare and valuable, the immortalizing essence of IkOankar is what we should be seeking. Bhagat Kabir says it is a rare person who experiences this love, who comes to sing the praises of IkOankar day in and day out. Will we be among those rare ones who see beyond the allure of the five elements, and lovingly attach to IkOankar instead? Will we let go of material allure to open ourselves to that loving and fearless state of being?
