Conversation between God Kabir and Hanuman

The conversation between God Kabir and Hanuman is a profound spiritual exchange that delves into the nature of devotion, the limitations of worldly gods, and the true path to liberation. In this enlightening dialogue, Hanuman, devoted to Shri Ram, initially finds it difficult to accept Kabir’s teachings that challenge his long-held beliefs about divinity. God Kabir reveals to Hanuman the deeper truths about creation, the roles of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva under the dominion of Kaal, and the limitations faced by mortal gods, even those as revered as Ram. Through his compassionate wisdom, Kabir helps Hanuman recognize the path to true liberation beyond karmic cycles and worldly attachments. As Hanuman listens to these revelations, he ultimately gains a vision of Satlok, the eternal realm, and realizes Kabir’s divine identity. Inspired and humbled, Hanuman receives Kabir's teachings with gratitude, dedicating himself to the ultimate truth. This conversation not only deepens Hanuman’s understanding but also highlights the universal message of selflessness and the importance of seeking true spiritual knowledge for eternal salvation.

Summary of the Chapter "Hanuman Bodh"

On page 113 of Kabir Sagar, the twelfth chapter titled "Hanuman Bodh" discusses the instance where Lord Kabir provided refuge to Hanuman, the son of the wind (Pawan Putra). Dharmdas Ji inquired, "O Lord Kabir, the liberator! Did you also encounter the noble soul, Hanuman?"

Lord Kabir's Response: Yes.

Dharmdas Ji's Question: "Lord, did he accept your knowledge as well? He held deep, unwavering devotion to Shri Ram, also known as Vishnu. Bringing him under your refuge would be like making the sun rise from the west."

Lord Kabir’s Answer: Lord Kabir then recounted to Dharmdas the account of bringing Pawan Tanay (Son of the Wind) Hanuman under His refuge.

Below is an explanation by Ramapal Das on how Lord Kabir provided refuge to Hanuman and a brief narration of the Ramayana.

In the Ramayana, there is a tale about a king named Bali and his brother Sugriva. For some reason, Bali exiled his brother Sugriva from his kingdom and took possession of Sugriva's wife. Sugriva wandered despondently in distant lands. While wandering, he saw Hanuman Ji sitting on a mountain, chanting the name of Ram. They became friends, and Sugriva shared his sorrow with Hanuman Ji. Hanuman Ji promised to help Sugriva, who informed him that Bali had a power such that anyone who fought against him would have half of their strength transferred to Bali. Upon learning this, Hanuman Ji remained calm and abandoned the idea of fighting.

At that time, Ramchandra, the son of King Dasharath, was in exile, along with his wife Sita Ji and his brother Lakshman. The sister of Ravana, the king of Lanka, named Surpanakha, saw Lakshman and proposed marriage to him. Lakshman replied that he was already married (his wife’s name was Urmila). Surpanakha insisted repeatedly on marrying him, which enraged Lakshman, who, in a fit of anger, cut off her nose. Surpanakha then recounted her plight to her brother Ravana, providing him with all the details. In revenge, Ravana devised a plan to abduct Ram’s wife, Sita Ji. Disguised as a sage and with the help of his uncle Marich, Ravana successfully kidnapped Sita Ji.

In search of Sita Ji, Shri Ram Ji and Shri Lakshman Ji were wandering through the forests. During this time, they encountered Shri Hanuman Ji and Shri Sugriva Ji. After introducing themselves, Sugriva explained his plight to Shri Ram. Shri Ramchandra Ji set a condition: if he helped Sugriva regain his kingdom, then Sugriva must assist him in the search and retrieval of Sita Ji. The deal was finalized. Shri Ramchandra Ji hid behind a tree, fought Bali, and killed him, subsequently crowning Sugriva as king. Sugriva fulfilled his promise and sent searchers in all directions to find Sita Ji.

The bird Jatayu informed Shri Ram that Sita Mata had been abducted by Ravana, the king of Lanka. Jatayu attempted to rescue her but had his wings cut off. After this, Shri Ram Ji appointed Hanuman as his ambassador to negotiate with Ravana for Sita's return. Shri Ramchandra Ji gave Hanuman his ring, which had "Shri Ram" inscribed on it, to assure Sita that the one coming to meet her was indeed sent by him.

Taking the ring, Hanuman flew through the sky to Lanka. Ravana had a garden with nine lakh trees where Sita Ji was held captive. Hanuman presented the ring to Sita Mata to assure her of his authenticity. Sita Ji recounted all the suffering she was enduring at the hands of the demon Ravana. She removed her bracelet (a symbol of her marital status) from her hand and gave it to Hanuman, saying, "Brother! Show this bracelet to Shri Ram Ji, and he will believe that you have come after searching for Sita."

However, Sita Ji refused to accompany Hanuman back, stating that she would not go with him. When Hanuman expressed a desire to eat fruits, Sita Ji replied, "Brother! You may eat any fruit that has fallen, but I have not been permitted to pluck fruits." Upset by this, Hanuman initially uprooted the tree and then ate the ripe fruits, finally throwing the tree into the sea. In this way, Hanuman devastated Ravana's nine-lakh garden and cast the trees into the ocean.

King Ravana had tied cloth and cotton to Hanuman's tail and set it on fire. In response, Hanuman used the flames from his tail to set fire to Ravana's Lanka.

After this, Hanuman flew across the ocean and landed on a mountain. It was morning, and the mountain had a water reservoir filled with sacred water. Nearby, there was a garden with fruit-bearing trees. Hanuman Ji felt hungry and decided to take a bath. He placed the bracelet on a rock. While bathing, Hanuman kept one eye on the bracelet. A monkey came along, picked up the bracelet, and started to leave. Hanuman became worried that the monkey might throw the bracelet into the ocean, which would nullify his efforts. Now the path to Lanka was also blocked. In a strange predicament, Hanuman followed the monkey.

Before long, the monkey dropped the bracelet into a pot outside a sage's hut and ran off. Hanuman sighed in relief. When he peered into the pot to retrieve the bracelet, he saw that it contained numerous identical bracelets. Hanuman faced another problem. Picking up each bracelet to inspect, he found no distinguishing marks. Which bracelet was his? What if he took the wrong bracelet and Shri Ram said, “This is not Sita's bracelet”? His efforts would be in vain.

A sage sitting outside the hut observed Hanuman's distress and smiled. The sage spoke, “Come, son of the wind! What troubles you?” Hanuman replied, “O Sage! The king of Lanka, Ravana, has abducted Shri Ramchandra Ji's wife. I have come to find her.” The sage then asked, “Which Ramchandra are you talking about?” Hanuman was surprised and wondered if the sage was in his senses or under the influence of intoxicants. He asked, “O Sage! Are there many Rams?” The sage replied, “Yes, there have been many and there will continue to be births and deaths.” Hanuman did not find the sage’s behavior appropriate, but he also thought it was unwise to argue with him.

The sage then offered, “You can eat some fruits. I will prepare food for you. You must be tired; rest.” Hanuman replied, “O Sage! My peace is completely disturbed. Sita Mata gave me a bracelet. Without that bracelet, Shri Ramchandra Ji will not believe that I have found Sita. I placed that bracelet on a stone while bathing, and the monkey took it and dropped it in the pot. I cannot recognize which is the real bracelet; they all look alike to me.”

The sage, who was actually the Almighty Kabir in the form of a sage, said, “O beloved of the wind! Just take any one bracelet; there is no difference among them.” He added, “The number of bracelets in this pot is equal to the number of times Shri Ram, son of Dasharath, has been exiled, and Sita has been abducted, and the search has been conducted by Hanuman.”

Hanuman replied, “O Sage! Tell me, if every time Sita is abducted, I have to bring back a bracelet, and the monkey puts it in the pot, then what remains for Hanuman to take?” The sage replied, “I have blessed this pot that whatever falls into it will duplicate.” Saying this, the sage placed a clay bowl into the pot, and an identical bowl appeared. The sage then said, “O Hanuman! You can take one bracelet; there will be no trouble.” Hanuman had no other option left, so he took one bracelet from the pot and flew away.

Hanuman Ji gave Shri Ramchandra Ji the bracelet as a token of Sita Ji and recounted everything that Mata Sita had said. Seeing the bracelet, Shri Ramchandra Ji became emotional. He embraced Hanuman Ji and said, “O saint! How can I repay your favor? You have put your life at risk to accomplish this great task for me. This bracelet indeed belongs to Sita. Now I will summon the assembly. Let us prepare for the next steps.”

A plan was made to build a bridge over the ocean. Nal and Neel had the power, blessed by the sage Munindra, to throw anything into the water without it sinking. Whatever they threw—stones, bronze vessels, or anything else—would float on the water. However, at that moment, Nal and Neel, out of pride and a desire to showcase their glory, did not invoke the name of their guru, sage Munindra, which resulted in the loss of their power. Shri Ramchandra Ji and all the assembled warriors, including Hanuman, were greatly distressed. For three days, Shri Ram stood knee-deep in water, praying for the ocean to part, but the ocean remained unyielding.

Then Shri Ram said to Lakshman, “Bring my fire arrow; I will set the ocean ablaze. The spirits of the ocean do not heed words.” At that moment, the ocean appeared before Shri Ram in the form of a Brahmin, stood with folded hands, and said, “O Lord! The world resides within me. Do not make me a participant in sin. Please find a way that both the serpent dies and the staff does not break.”

In your army, there are two soldiers named Nal and Neel. They are blessed by their guru. Even stones can float on water when thrown by them. When asked to demonstrate this by throwing stones, Nal and Neel desired to showcase their glory and did not remember their guru. As a result, sage Munindra took away their power, and the stones sank. The ocean pointed out their mistake. Then Nal and Neel remembered their guru. Shri Ramchandra Ji realized that if the guru can grant power to his disciples, he can also aid in his tasks.

Shri Ramchandra Ji was an incarnation of Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is the son of Kal Niranjan. When God Kabir Ji first came to the realm of Kaal, Jyoti Niranjan initially fought with God. When he could not overpower Him, he fell at His feet, begged for forgiveness, and received some blessings. One of those blessings was that my portion, Vishnu, will take birth in the Treta Yuga as Ramchandra in the house of King Dasharath, who will go into exile. His wife, Sita, will accompany him, and a demon will abduct her to the city of Lanka. Then Ramchandra will wish to build a bridge over the ocean but will not be able to do so. You should facilitate that bridge's construction. The second blessing received was that he would take birth in Dvapara Yuga as Krishna. After death, he would establish a temple by the sea in the city of Puri, named Jagannath. The ocean will not allow that temple to be constructed. You should protect that temple from the ocean. God Kabir Ji stated that He would carry out these tasks.

To fulfill that promise, God Kabir Ji appeared in the form of sage Munindra at the bridge and marked a line around the mountains with His staff. Nal and Neel recognized their guru from afar and exclaimed, “Our guru has come!” Shri Ramchandra Ji explained his problem and humbly requested blessings for the success of his work. God replied that Nal and Neel had made a mistake, resulting in the loss of their power. "I have marked a line around the mountain ahead. The stones within it have been made lighter than wood; they will not sink."

Hanuman Ji was a devotee of Ram. He wrote "Ram Ram" on the stones, picked them up, and placed them, causing the stones not to sink. Nal and Neel were also skilled masons. Therefore, they carved the stones and fit them into each other. Initially, the stones did not float on Ram's command; Nal and Neel also failed. Hanuman stood by, chanting "Ram Ram." He wanted the stones to float, but it all seemed in vain. Sage Munindra (Kabir Ji) had made the stones lighter; that was why they did not sink in the ocean.

Hanuman Ji was writing "Ram Ram" on the stones out of devotion. Wherever he sat, he would write "Ram Ram" on plants and trees. Hanuman Ji did not even know Shri Ramchandra Ji, son of Dasharath. He had been chanting "Ram Ram" long before. As folklore has it, Nal and Neel made the stones float, allowing the bridge to be built. Some said Hanuman Ji wrote "Ram Ram" on the stones, causing them to float. Others believed that Shri Ram made the stones float. This confusion arose from the events surrounding the floating of the stones and the statement of sage Munindra, who said he had made the stones light.

This conversation took place in front of 20-30 individuals. The remaining millions of people came for war, and they began collecting stones as soon as they received permission. They saw Hanuman Ji writing "Ram Ram." Others were picking up the stones and bringing them. Nal and Neel were building the bridge with the stones, while Shri Ramchandra Ji praised them. Others present informed one another that Hanuman Ji had written "Ram Ram" on the stones, causing them to float on the water. Some believed that Nal and Neel possessed some miracle, which allowed the stones to float. Thus, this misunderstanding spread. After constructing the bridge, they engaged in battle. Most were killed; some survived and returned to their homes, spreading this false information that continues to circulate to this day. The truth is what this servant (Rampal Das) has narrated.

A war ensued. A serpent trap weapon was unleashed on Shri Ram's army. As a result, Shri Ram, Hanuman, Jambvant, Sugriva, Angad, and the entire army were bound by the serpents. The serpents wrapped around them, immobilizing their arms and bodies, just as a farmer binds sugarcane. Then Garuda was summoned. Garuda killed all the serpents, freeing the entire army and Shri Ram. Lakshman was struck by an arrow and fell unconscious (into a coma). Then Hanuman Ji flew to Lanka and brought a physician. The physician said that there is a life-giving herb on Dronagiri mountain. It is identified by its glow at night, like a firefly. If it is brought before sunrise, Lakshman can be revived; if it is delayed, death is certain. Shri Ram Ji entrusted this task to Hanuman Ji, saying, "Bajrang Bali! This task cannot be accomplished without you."

As soon as he received permission, Hanuman Ji flew through the sky. On Dronagiri, the demons, using their magic, made all the other fake herbs shine. The physician had stated that the genuine herbs are very few in number. They cannot be identified during the day because similar plants grow around them. Hanuman Ji quickly understood. He lifted the Dronagiri mountain and set off through the sky. Hanuman Ji felt that he was being compared to his brother Bharat in strength by Lakshman and Shri Ram. They used to say that if Bharat were present today, he would send Ravana and his countless sons and grandsons to the land of the dead alone.

While flying, Hanuman Ji thought of testing Bharat. Bharat was aware that a war was ongoing between Ravana and Ram. Seeing Hanuman Ji flying with the mountain, he thought a demon was coming. He could cause a great deal of harm. Bharat Ji shot an arrow. Hanuman Ji pretended to be hit by the arrow and fell to the ground, chanting “Hey Ram! Hey Ram!”

He placed the mountain on the ground. Upon hearing the word "Ram," Bharat quickly understood that this must be someone on his side. Approaching closely, he asked, “Who are you? Where are you going? Why have you lifted the mountain? My name is Bharat. I am the brother of Shri Ram and Lakshman.”

Hanuman Ji replied, “My name is Hanuman. A war is ongoing between Ram and Ravana. Your brother Lakshman has been struck by an arrow and has fallen unconscious. The physician has indicated that there is a medicinal herb on Dronagiri. Since I could not identify it, I am carrying the mountain itself. I must arrive before sunrise; otherwise, Lakshman will die. You shot the arrow without thinking, and now how will I reach in time?”

Bharat explained the reason for shooting the arrow and said, “O son of Anjani! Do not worry. Lift Dronagiri and sit on the tip of the arrow. Stand with your feet in a forward and backward position. I will send you, along with the mountain, to Lanka with the arrow before you.”

Hanuman Ji was very proud of his strength. He placed both feet on the arrow lying on the ground, lifted the mountain onto his hand, and stood up. When Bharat lifted the arrow, along with Hanuman Ji and the mountain, and brought it to the level of his chest to fit it on the bowstring, Hanuman Ji was astonished that the weight of both him and Dronagiri was lifted as if only the arrow had been raised.

Hanuman Ji said, “O son of Dasharath! I was testing you. I am healthy. I will fly and reach on time. Your two brothers have praised you. If Bharat were present, he alone would be enough to handle Ravana and his army. I could not believe their words, but today I see with my own eyes that you are truly brave and strong. You have shattered my pride as well.” Saying this, Hanuman Ji leaped into the sky using the arrow. At that moment, the arrow did not budge an inch.

It is worth considering that if someone lifts a weight, they do so by gripping it with both hands or one hand; however, they can never lift that weight using a stick. They can only lift a small weight with a stick. Bharat Ji lifted the mighty Hanuman Ji and Dronagiri 50 feet above the ground. In the Treta Yuga, the height of humans was approximately 70 or 80 feet. This is no ordinary feat. Imagine how it would feel for someone to lift another person with a stick!

Lakshman was revived by the physician with the Sanjeevani herb. A battle took place, and Ravana was killed. Ravana had devoted himself to Lord Shiva, offering his head ten times as a sacrifice. Each time, Lord Shiva returned his head and blessed him, saying that his death would come after ten beheadings. Ravana's head was indeed cut off ten times, and it returned to his body each time. Ultimately, he was slain when an arrow struck his navel, causing the nectar in it to be destroyed.

Ravana's heads were cut off ten times, and they returned to his body each time. Then, upon Vibhishan's advice that the nectar resided in Ravana's navel, Ramchandra made every effort to shoot an arrow at it. However, Ravana was focused on preventing the arrow from hitting his navel. Ramchandra Ji called out to the Supreme Being, “Kill this demon and help me. O Mahadev! O Lord of Lords! Please assist me. Your daughter (Sita) is in great distress. Your children, the thirty-three crore deities, are also imprisoned by this demon.”

At that moment, the Supreme Being, Kabir Ji, invisibly placed His subtle hands on Ramchandra's hands and guided the arrow to Ravana's navel. That is when Ravana was killed.

After attaining the Supreme Being, Kabir Ji, Sant Garibdas Ji (from village Chhudani, district Jhajjar, Haryana) spoke of the glory of Kabir Ji. Kabir Ji expressed the following:

कबीर, कह मेरे हंस को, दुःख ना दीजे कोय।
संत दुःखाए मैं दुःखी, मेरा आपा भी दुःखी होय।।
पहुँचुँगा छन एक मैं, जन अपने के हेत।
तेतीस कोटि की बंध छुटाई, रावण मारा खेत।।
जो मेरे संत को दुःखी करैं, वाका खोऊँ वंश।
हिरणाकुश उदर विदारिया, मैं ही मारा कंस।।
राम-कृष्ण कबीर के शहजादे, भक्ति हेत भये प्यादे।।

The kingdom of Lanka was given to Ravana's younger brother, Vibhishan. Shri Ram conducted the fire test for Sita. If Ravana had indeed united with Sita, she would perish in the fire. However, if Sita was pure and clean, she would not burn in the fire. Sita did not burn in the fire. The thousands present raised chants in praise of Mother Sita. She was honored with the title of Sati. Ravana was killed on the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Ashwaj.

Twenty days after the death of Ravana, Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita returned to the city of Ayodhya in the Pushpak Viman after completing the 14-year exile. That day was the Amavasya of the month of Kartik. On that dark Amavasya, ghee lamps were lit inside their homes and on the roofs to celebrate the arrival of Shri Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. Bharat returned the kingdom to his brother Shri Ramchandra.

One day, Sita told Shri Ramchandra that she wanted to give some rewards to the warriors who fought in the war. As a reward, Sita gave Hanuman a garland of true pearls from around her neck and said, “O Hanuman! I am giving you this priceless gift; take great care of it.” Hanuman broke a pearl from the garland and then smashed it. He quickly smashed the second one, and before long, he smashed all the pearls and tossed them onto the ground. Sita did not appreciate Hanuman's behavior and, filled with anger, said, “O fool! What have you done? You have destroyed such a priceless garland. You remain just a monkey of monkeys. Get away from my sight!”

At that moment, Shri Ramchandra was also seated on the throne beside Sita. He too did not think well of Hanuman's behavior and remained silent. Hanuman then said, “Mother! Anything that does not have the name of Ram inscribed in it is of no use to me. I have broken the pearls to see if the name of Ram was inside, but it wasn’t there. Therefore, it is of no use to me.”

Sita replied, “Is the name of Ram written on your body? Then why do you carry this body with you? Just throw it away and tear it apart.” At that moment, Hanuman tore open his chest and showed her that “Ram-Ram” was inscribed there. Immediately, Hanuman left Ayodhya and went far away.

Shri Ramchandra used to secretly roam at night in disguise to understand the sorrows and troubles of the people of his city, Ayodhya. A few years later, while wandering the streets of Ayodhya at night, he heard loud voices coming from a house. Shri Ramchandra approached to listen to the conversation. A washerman's wife had quarreled and left the house. She stayed at her sister's house for two or three days and then returned. The washerman was beating her and saying, “Get out of my house! You have spent two nights outside. I will not keep you in my house. You are tainted.” She replied, “I swear by God! I swear by King Ram! I am pure. You beat me, and in anger, I went to my sister's house. I am innocent.”

The washerman said, “I am not Ramchandra, the son of Dasharath, who brought back his tainted wife who had lived with Ravana for years. Everyone in Ayodhya is talking about this. What kind of life does a person have whose wife has become impure?”

When King Ram heard this from the washerman, it felt as if hot oil had been poured into his ears.

The next day, Ramchandra called a council and informed them about the ongoing discussion in the city, stating that this gossip would cease only when he expelled Sita from the house. At that moment, Sita was summoned to the assembly and ordered to leave her home. The reason was also explained. Sita pleaded, “O Lord! You had conducted my trial by fire. I also declare with my soul that Ravana did not violate me. The reason is that he had received a curse from a sage: if he were to commit adultery with another man's wife, he would die instantly. If he were to unite with her with her consent, it would not happen. Therefore, Ravana could not even touch me for that purpose. O Lord! I am pregnant. Where will I go in this condition? There is no shortage of men like Ravana.”

Ramchandra, having given the order, left the assembly, saying, “I do not want to be the subject of slander. My lineage will be tarnished.” Sita felt as if the ground was slipping from beneath her feet. Darkness loomed in the sky. Life seemed to remain only for a few more days in the world.

Sita left Ayodhya and set off. She kept trying to glance back at her Ram and his palaces, and when she had walked far into the forest, she fell exhausted near the hermitage of Sage Valmiki and lost consciousness. Sage Valmiki had gone out for a bath. Upon seeing a young woman in a state of pregnancy lying unconscious, he approached her and fetched medicine from his hermitage. He placed it in Sita's mouth and sprinkled cold water on her face to cool her down. At that moment, Sita regained consciousness and sat up. When the sage asked her name and village, she replied about the earth below and the sky above but refused to say anything further. The sage, being compassionate, said, “Daughter, the world is full of selfishness. Thank the Almighty that you have come to my hermitage. Consider me your father and stay with me.” Sita began to live in Sage Valmiki’s hermitage, and the sage did not pursue the matter further.

The Almighty Kabir, who came to play his divine role as Sage Munindra in the Treta Yuga, met Hanuman. The True Master spoke, and Hanuman greeted him with “Ram-Ram,” then stood up to honor the sage and sat down on one stone, inviting the sage to sit on another. Both took their places. Hanuman began to try to recognize the sage. The sage asked, “What are you thinking, Hanuman? I am the same sage in whose hermitage the monkey placed Sita's bracelet in a pitcher. There were other bracelets just like it. O Hanuman! How was that bracelet?”

Hanuman quickly recognized him and again bowed to the sage. “O Sage! What brings you here?” The Almighty Kabir (in the form of Munindra Sage) replied, “O Son of the Wind! I have come to impart the knowledge of devotion to you. You are worshipping Dasharath's son Ramchandra, considering him the Supreme Almighty, but you are mistaken. That which is born and dies cannot be the Supreme Almighty. The Supreme Almighty is imperishable.”

Hanuman replied, “O Sage! Your words hurt me. My feelings are wounded. Please discuss another topic.” The Almighty Kabir explained, “If a person is walking on the wrong path, believing it to be right while heading towards a den of robbers, and if a gentleman informs him that the path he is taking poses a threat to his life and wealth, as it leads to a den of robbers who first attack and then loot, and if that person responds by saying, ‘You are hurting my feelings,’ how true is that?”

Hanuman remained silent but smiled as if to say, “You speak the truth.” Observing the sign of peace on Hanuman’s face, the Almighty revealed, “Shri Ramchandra is an incarnation of Shri Vishnu. Shri Vishnu, along with Shri Brahma and Shri Shiva, is under the dominion of Kaal (Kaal Brahma), also referred to as Jyoti Niranjan. Due to its fault, Kaal has been cursed to consume one lakh human-bodied beings every day, while simultaneously producing one and a quarter lakh daily. Consequently, he has made each of his three sons the ruler of a specific domain. Shri Brahma embodies the quality of Rajas, which inspires all beings to procreate. This is why Brahma is mistakenly considered the creator. The true creator is the Supreme Almighty.”

Kaal has given his second son, Vishnu, the department of maintaining according to deeds; Vishnu embodies the quality of goodness (sattva). Kaal has assigned his third son, Shiva, who embodies darkness (tamas), the department of killing these one lakh human-bodied beings and sending them to himself. He remains unmanifest (hidden) himself. You see, here no being is immortal; even the deities die. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva also are born and die. Those who live their full lifespan also age. There is one realm where there is no aging or death. There, no Ravana abducts anyone's wife. Before your eyes, in the Ram-Ravana war that took place in Lanka, how many people and other beings were killed? Just to rescue one Sita. You risked your life for Shri Ramchandra and set Lanka ablaze. Ravana's brother, Ahiravan, who was the king of the underworld, kidnapped Ram and Lakshman. He was about to sacrifice them. You went there and brought both of them back alive. You tell me, are they not the Supreme Being? At the time when the snakes had bound Shri Ram, you, and the entire army with the snake-fang weapon, you were all held captive. The snakes had ensnared all of you. You were all helpless. In a short while, Ravana's army would have easily slaughtered you all. At that time, Garuda was summoned. He killed the snakes. You and Ramchandra were freed from bondage. If the Supreme Being is so helpless that he could not cut his own bondage, what will happen to the priests? Consider this.

काटे बंधत विपत में, कठिन कियो संग्राम।
चिन्हो रे नर प्राणियो, गरूड़ बड़ो के राम।।

Hanuman Ji said, "Rishi Ji! Building a bridge over the ocean—is that an ordinary person's task? This could not have been done without the Supreme God."

समन्दर पांटि लंका गयो, सीता को भरतार।
अगस्त ऋषि सातों पीये, इनमें कौन करतार।।

"If you consider Shri Ramchandra Ji to be the Supreme God because he built a bridge over the ocean, then Sage Agastya drank the waters of all seven seas. So, who among them is the Supreme God?"

Rishi Munindra Ji explained, "Have you forgotten? A Rishi once came and, using his staff, he drew a line across stones from a mountain to make them light. That’s when the stones floated, and the bridge was built. Ramchandra had been pleading for a passage for three days, and it was the ocean that mentioned Nal and Neel."

Hanuman Ji replied, "That was Vishwakarma Ji who came in disguise at the call of Shri Ramchandra Ji."

Param Purush Kabir Ji said, "Vishwakarma Ji can build a bridge, but he cannot make stones float on water. Nal and Neel had a unique power in their hands—the objects thrown by them would float on water. One day, pride overtook them, and their power disappeared. That blessing was actually from me."

Hanuman Ji asked, "Are you Rishi Munindra Ji?"

Param Purush Ji answered, "Yes." Munindra Ji then continued, "Didn’t you, disregarding your own safety, do everything for Ram Ji? Even when Sita spoke harshly to you and asked you to leave the palace, Ram, who was present, didn’t say a word to stop her. Deep down, you believed in loyalty, but outwardly, you said, ‘Rishi Ji, one shouldn’t criticize others.’ But, Hanuman, speaking the truth isn’t criticism. If Shri Ramchandra and Sita had even the basic qualities of good humans, they would have cherished you and kept you close for life, grateful for everything you did for them. Yet, you don’t consider life worth living without them.

Listen further. The treatment you received, Ramchandra and Sita eventually faced the consequences of that behavior. A few years later, Ram banished Sita from his home, even though she was pregnant at the time."

Hearing this, tears streamed from Hanuman Ji's eyes as he fell at Rishi Ji's feet, speechless.

The people of Ayodhya celebrated Diwali and Dussehra for only two years after Ram’s return. Later, they stopped celebrating. The very goddess they fought Ravan for was now going through immense suffering. The festival of lights symbolizes happiness, but when the king and queen are separated, Diwali loses its meaning for both the king and the people. From that time, the Diwali festival ceased. The two years it was celebrated served as a basis, and the simple-hearted people continued observing the festival in remembrance of those times.

In this way, the tradition of Dussehra and the burning of Ravan continues. When someone in a family loses a young family member, the family and relatives stop celebrating festivals. Hanuman Ji then said, “Lord, please speak more of Param Purush (Supreme God).” Kabir Param Purush Ji then narrated the creation of the universe. Listening to the true story, Hanuman Ji was filled with devotion and prayed to see Satlok, the Eternal Realm. Param Purush ascended into the sky, and Hanuman Ji watched in awe. For a moment, Hanuman Ji could no longer see him, which left him worried about how he would meet the sage again.

Just then, a special light appeared in the sky, and Hanuman Ji was granted divine vision, revealing Satlok. He saw Rishi Munindra Ji seated on a throne, radiating a brilliant light. He wore a crown and had a royal canopy over his head. After showing this scene for a while, the divine vision ended, and Rishi Munindra Ji descended back down. This made Hanuman Ji realize that he was indeed in the presence of the Supreme God. He saw that Satlok was a place of true happiness. Hanuman Ji then took initiation from Kabir Param Purush Ji, feeling blessed and becoming eligible for liberation.

In this way, Kabir Ji took the holy, selfless soul of Hanuman Ji under his shelter. Supreme God always grants shelter to selfless souls like him because they become true devotees and achieve liberation. Those worldly individuals who deceive or mistreat the selfless endure lives full of suffering.

In the end, Shri Ramchandra Ji faced defeat at the hands of his own sons, Lav and Kush. Sita Ji did not even wish to see him, and before his eyes, she merged into the earth. Overcome by this grief, Shri Ramchandra Ji ended his life by jumping into the flowing waters of the Sarayu River near Ayodhya, taking a water-samadhi. The selfless Hanuman Ji, who helped those in need without expecting anything in return, was rewarded for his virtues. The Supreme God himself came, showed him the path to liberation, and blessed his soul. Hanuman Ji will receive a human life again in the future, at which time Param Purush Kabir Ji will take him into his refuge and grant him liberation. The seed of true devotion has already been planted in this soul.

References:

• Kabir Sagar - Hanuman Bodh

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