Unity in Diversity: Satguru Kabir Saheb

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By Dr Mala Modun-Bissessur

Kabir first manifested his holy presence on a full moon day on a lotus flower in the sacred lake of Lahar Talab, a revered site by the river Ganges in Kashi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Bharat, in the year 1455 according to the Vikram Samvat Hindu Calendar (though some claim it could have been in 1398).

He was found by a Muslim couple, Niru and his wife Nima, both weavers by profession, and grew up with them in a place later named Kabir Chaura. He followed his foster parents’ path, and under the guidance of Hindu saint Swami Ramanand Ji, he devoted himself to preaching religious matters and philosophy. With Muslim foster parents and a Hindu master, he claimed to belong neither to any specific religion nor caste, was neither a friend nor enemy to anyone, and advocated for respect, dignity, and peaceful coexistence among all.

Sant Kabir Das’s teachings are pearls of wisdom on human values and duty to the Supreme. His saintly approach and the miracles attributed to him made him the poor man’s messiah. He was worshipped as “Hindu Ka Guru, Musalman ka Peer” — “The Hindu’s Teacher, The Muslim’s Chief.” He departed from his earthly presence in 1575 in the Vikram Samvat Iswisan Hindu calendar or January 1518 Magh Shukl Ekadashi in Maghar, a village in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh.

This locality, previously known as Magharan, was avoided by all as it was barren land with long drought periods, infested with dacoits who used to loot people. However, Sant Kabir Das chose that area to pray, meditate, and spend his last days. It is said that one day after his prayers and meditation, it started raining, and conditions improved since.

At his death, neither the Hindus led by Raja Bhagela nor the Muslims led by Nawab Pathan were able to conduct the last rites according to their respective religious customs. Instead, they discovered a bed of flowers beneath the shroud, which they divided equally. Raja Bhagela built a mausoleum – a “Samadhi” – and Nawab Pathan an enshrined tomb – a “majaar” – at the holy site where prayers in both faiths are regularly held. A huge statue of Sadguru Kabir Saheb has also been erected at Maghar.

The Kabir Council at Charles de Gaulle Avenue, La Caverne, Vacoas, Mauritius, was established in 1973 upon the advice of Mahant Ramswaroop Das of the Kabir Council, Gujarat, on a plot of land donated by Mahant Lockdas, son of Mahant Tulsidas Bucktowar, and with financial support from devotees.

The construction was largely undertaken philanthropically by the late Lallah Ramsoondur Modun, ex-executive member of the Council, former member of the Mauritius Legislative Assembly, and Minister for Fisheries. Sri Modun, an ex-executive member of the Sri Kabir Mandir, Bonne-Terre, Vacoas, had sponsored a previous visit of the Mahant here. In both temples, on each full moon Poornima day, a religious ceremony is held, and at other times, important events in the life of Sant Kabir Das and the Hindu calendar are celebrated.

In these days of in Bangladesh, as well as in Israel, Palestine, and elsewhere, one prays that Sant Kabir Das’s teachings for peace and unity among the diverse components of society in Bharat and beyond bring the much-needed enlightenment.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 23 August 2024