Four Essential Qualities of a True Guru According to Kabir Sahib

Characteristics of a True Guru - Speech by God Kabir

गुरू के लक्षण चार बखाना। प्रथम बेद शास्त्र ज्ञाना।।
दूजे हरि भक्ति मन कर्म बानी। तृतीयें सम दृष्टि कर जानी।।
चैथे बेद विधि सब कर्मा। यह चार गुरू गुण जानों मर्मा।।

In this speech, Kabir Ji outlines the four key qualities or characteristics of a true Guru. Each of these qualities is essential for someone to be considered a genuine spiritual teacher. Let’s break down the four qualities:

1. Knowledge of Vedas and Scriptures

"प्रथम बेद शास्त्र ज्ञाना" – The first characteristic of a Guru is having a deep and thorough understanding of the Vedas and other sacred scriptures. This means the Guru should be well-versed in spiritual texts and possess the wisdom and knowledge contained within them.

2. Devotion to God in Mind, Action, and Speech

"दूजे हरि भक्ति मन कर्म बानी" – The second quality is devotion to God (Hari) through one's thoughts (mind), actions, and speech. The Guru should be a living example of how to practice sincere devotion in all aspects of life, showing consistency between what they teach and how they live.

3. Equanimity and a Balanced Vision

"तृतीयें सम दृष्टि कर जानी" – The third characteristic is having a sense of equanimity, or "sam drishti," meaning a balanced and impartial vision. The true Guru sees all beings as equal and does not differentiate between people based on external factors like caste, creed, or status. They treat everyone with the same respect and compassion.

4. Understanding and Practicing Rituals and Actions as per Vedic Principles

"चैथे बेद विधि सब कर्मा" – The fourth quality is having spiritual practice or worship in alignment with the vedic instructions and following them in the right way. The Guru should know the true purpose behind these vedic instructions and guide their followers accordingly, ensuring that these actions are performed with the correct intention.

Conclusion

"यह चार गुरू गुण जानों मर्मा" – Kabir emphasizes that these four qualities are the essence (or "mystery") of a true Guru. A genuine spiritual teacher must possess knowledge of sacred texts, demonstrate true devotion, maintain equanimity, and properly understand and practice spiritual actions. Only such a Guru can guide the seeker toward spiritual enlightenment.

This teaching serves as a guide for identifying a true Guru and stresses the importance of both wisdom and conduct in the spiritual path.

---