Conversation between God Kabir and Gorakhnath

Dialogue between God Kabir and Gorakhnath

This following passage narrates the meeting between Yogi Gorakhnath and Sant Kabir in Kashi. Gorakhnath, a renowned spiritual leader, sought to challenge Swami Ramanand in a debate. Kabir, in child form, accompanied Ramanand. Known for defeating opponents and discrediting their spiritual practices, Gorakhnath underestimated Kabir due to his youthful appearance. Kabir, however, respectfully invited Gorakhnath to debate him before his Guru which astonished Gorakhnath.

Explanation of the text:

1. योगी गोरखनाथ प्रतापी, तासो तेज पृथ्वी कांपी।
   This describes the immense spiritual power and influence of Yogi Gorakhnath, whose aura was so strong that even the earth seemed to tremble under his presence.

2. काशी नगर में सो पग परहीं, रामानन्द से चर्चा करहीं।
   Gorakhnath arrived in the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi) to engage in a scriptural debate with Swami Ramanand.

3. चर्चा में गोरख जय पावै, कंठी तोरै तिलक छुड़ावै।
   It was speculated that as Gorakhnath had a history of winning debates, he would cause Ramanand and his followers to abandon their spiritual symbols like beads (kanthi) and tilak due to their defeat.

4. सत्य कबीर शिष्य जो भयऊ, यह वृतांत सो सुनि लयऊ।
   Portraying the role of a true devotee Kabir Sahib listened to this account with great attention.

5. गोरखनाथ के डर के मारे, वैरागी नहीं भेष सवारे।
   The followers of Ramanand i.e.vairagis avoided putting on their make up fearing the spiritual prowess of Gorakhnath.

6. तब कबीर आज्ञा अनुसारा, वैष्णव सकल स्वरूप संवारा।
   Seeing this, Kabir Sahib as per the command of his Gurudev adorned Vaishnava attire to counter Gorakhnath’s influence.

7. सो सुधि गोरखनाथ जो पायौ, काशी नगर शीघ्र चल आयौ।
   Upon learning of the preparations, Gorakhnath hurriedly arrived in Kashi for the debate.

8. रामानन्द को खबर पठाई, चर्चा करो मेरे संग आई।
   Gorakhnath sent a message to Swami Ramanand, inviting him for the scriptural discussion.

9. रामानन्द की पहली पौरी, सत्य कबीर बैठे तीस ठौरी।
   While Swami Ramanand sat on a high seat for the debate, Kabir Sahib (in child form) positioned himself humbly near the floor, signifying respect.

10. कह कबीर सुन गोरखनाथा, चर्चा करो हमारे साथा।
    Kabir Sahib directly addressed Gorakhnath, inviting him to first have a discussion with him before debating his Guru.

11. प्रथम चर्चा करो संग मेरे, पीछे मेरे गुरु को टेरे।
    Kabir Sahib proposed that Gorakhnath should engage with him first, and only then address Swami Ramanand.

12. बालक रूप कबीर निहारी, तब गोरख ताहि वचन उचारी।
    Seeing Kabir Sahib in a child’s form, Gorakhnath underestimated him and responded dismissively, not realizing Kabir’s divine nature.

Gorakhnath asks a question and Kabir Sahib answers

The following hymn highlights Kabir Sahib's eternal and divine nature, asserting that He has been a Vairagi since the beginning of creation. He describes His existence predating all forms of creation, including earth, Brahma, and Shiva. Kabir reveals His role across eras—guiding souls in Satya Yuga, Treta, Dwapar, and Kali Yuga. He emphasizes the importance of the Guru's words and saintly association for attaining salvation and concludes by telling Gorakhnath that He has always been the source of true spiritual knowledge for the world.

Explanation of the above text:

1. कबके भए वैरागी कबीर जी, कबसे भए वैरागी।
   Gorakhnath asks Kabir Sahib since when He became a Vairagi (renunciate or ascetic).

2. नाथ जी जब से भए वैरागी मेरी, आदि अंत सुधि लागी।।
   Kabir Sahib responds that He has been a Vairagi since the beginning and end of creation.

3. धूंधूकार आदि को मेला, नहीं गुरु नहीं था चेला।
   Kabir Sahib explains that in the beginning, during the state of darkness (Dhundhukar), when there were no Gurus or disciples - 

4. जब का तो हम योग उपासा, तब का फिरूं अकेला।।
   - since then I have been practicing true Yoga. Since the time when I was the sole existence in creation.

5. धरती नहीं जद की टोपी दीना, ब्रह्मा नहीं जद का टीका।
   Kabir says that even before the earth existed, His “cap” (a metaphor for divinity) was there. He further adds that before Brahma existed, I had adorned the tilak.

6. शिव शंकर से योगी, न थे जदका झोली शिका।।
   Kabir Sahib mentions that before the time of Lord Shiva (Shankar) and other ascetics, He existed, metaphorically remarking to the presence of a bag or tools for ascetic practices.

7. द्वापर को हम करी फावड़ी, त्रोता को हम दंडा।
   Kabir states that in the Dwapar era, He used a staff (favdi) for guiding souls, and in the Treta era, He used a danda (stick) as a symbol of His teachings.

8. सतयुग मेरी फिरी दुहाई, कलियुग फिरौ नो खण्डा।।
   During the Satya Yuga, He spread His divine message universally, and in the Kali Yuga, He is present across the nine regions (symbolizing the whole world).

9. गुरु के वचन साधु की संगत, अजर अमर घर पाया।
   By following the Guru's words and associating with saints, He teaches how one can achieve the eternal, indestructible state of salvation.

10. कहैं कबीर सुनों हो गोरख, मैं सब को तत्व लखाया।।
    Kabir concludes by telling Gorakhnath that He is the one who has revealed the true essence of spirituality to all.

Kabir Sahib explains to Gorakh Nath

In the following hymn Kabir Sahib explains to Gorakhnath the concept of His eternal existence, which transcends time and creation. He has been present through countless cosmic cycles, predating the births of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and celestial beings. Unlike mortal entities, Kabir is neither young nor old, remaining unchanged and imperishable. He emphasizes that His divine essence is beyond comprehension and highlights the transient nature of all creation compared to His eternal presence. Through this, He underscores His role as the ultimate, timeless spiritual authority.

Explanation of the text:

1. जो बूझे सोई बावरा, क्या है उम्र हमारी।
   Only the one with deep understanding can grasp the concept of my age, which is beyond comprehension.

2. असंख युग प्रलय गई, तब का ब्रह्मचारी।।
   I have existed since countless cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, living in a state of eternal renunciation.

3. कोटि निरंजन हो गए, परलोक सिधारी।
   Millions of Niranjan (Kaal Brahm) forms have perished and passed into the afterlife.

4. हम तो सदा महबूब हैं, स्वयं ब्रह्मचारी।।
   I have always been the beloved eternal being, existing as the eternal renunciate.

5. अरबों तो ब्रह्मा गए, उनन्चास कोटि कन्हैया।
   Billions of Brahmas and 49 crore (490 million) forms of Krishna have come and gone.

6. सात कोटि शम्भू गए, मोर एक नहीं पलैया।।
   Seventy million (7 crore) forms of Shiva have passed, yet my existence has remained unchanged.

7. कोटिन नारद हो गए, मुहम्मद से चारी।
   Countless sages like Narad and prophets like Muhammad have come and gone.

8. देवतन की गिनती नहीं है, क्या सृष्टि विचारी।।
   The number of celestial beings (gods) is beyond count; consider the vastness of creation.

9. नहीं बुढ़ा नहीं बालक, नाहीं कोई भाट भिखारी।
   I am neither old nor a child, neither a bard nor a beggar.

10. कहैं कबीर सुन हो गोरख, यह है उम्र हमारी।।
    Kabir declares to Gorakhnath, "This is the nature of my eternal age and existence."

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Kabir Sahib reveals his secret to Gorakhnath

The following hymn reveals Kabir Sahib's divine origin and eternal nature, emphasizing his transcendence beyond human birth and physical elements. He declares himself as untouched by the five elements, with no earthly parents, and originating from Satlok, the eternal realm. Despite being ridiculed as the son of a weaver, he affirms his identity as the imperishable, supreme being. Kabir Sahib highlights his role as the grantor of liberation and the essence of ultimate truth, with even Brahm meditating on his divine essence.

Explanation of the above text:

1. अवधु अविगत से चल आया, कोई मेरा भेद मर्म नहीं पाया।।टेक।।
   The eternal being (Kabir Sahib) has descended from the unseen, incomprehensible realm. No one has been able to understand his mystery or true essence.

2. ना मेरा जन्म न गर्भ बसेरा, बालक ह्नै दिखलाया।
   I have neither taken birth nor dwelled in a womb, yet I appeared in the form of a child in Kashi at my own will.

3. काशी नगर जल कमल पर डेरा, तहाँ जुलाहे ने पाया।।
   My abode in Kashi (Varanasi) was on a lotus flower in a lake, and a weaver (Niru) discovered me there.

4. माता-पिता मेरे कछु नहीं, ना मेरे घर दासी।
   I have no biological parents, nor do I belong to any household or have a wife.

5. जुलहा को सुत आन कहाया, जगत करे मेरी हांसी।।
   Though I was called the son of a weaver, the world mocked and ridiculed me.

6. पांच तत्व का धड़ नहीं मेरा, जानूं ज्ञान अपारा।
   My body is not composed of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space), as I am the embodiment of boundless knowledge.

7. सत्य स्वरूपी नाम साहिब का, सो है नाम हमारा।।
   My true essence is the eternal, truthful form of Sahib (God), and that is my true name.

8. अधर दीप (सतलोक) गगन गुफा में, तहां निज वस्तु सारा।
   In the celestial realm of Satlok, the eternal light shines, and all that is eternal resides there.

9. ज्योति स्वरूपी अलख निरंजन (ब्रह्म) भी, धरता ध्यान हमारा।।
   Even Brahm (Jyoti Niranjan), meditates upon my essence.

10. हाड चाम लोहू नहीं मोरे, जाने सत्यनाम उपासी।
    My being has no flesh, bones, or blood. Only those devoted to Satnam (the true name) understand this.

11. तारन तरन अभै पद दाता, मैं हूं कबीर अविनासी।।
    I am Kabir, the eternal and imperishable one, the liberator who grants the fearless state.

References:

• Kabir Sagar - Agam Nigam Bodh - Page 1760

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