Great Talisman of Guru

Kabir was a man of spiritual indignation since his childhood. There were no religious gathering, Satsang, etc. in Kashi where Kabir would not be present. In such gatherings, Kabir would often put witty queries before the Pundits and Mullahs. Such questions always pinched those learned people, leading to quarrels between them. And always, the Pundits and Mullahs expelled Kabir from the gatherings because they were unable to answer Kabir's witty questions. But their excuse would be that Kabir was the son of a weaver and hence did not deserve pious company.

Pundits and Mullahs would often give excuse that spiritual discussion was not a business of Niguras (one without a formal teacher). Having a formal Guru was a tradition then. Thus, pinched by these ridicules, Kabir began to roam here and there in search of a Guru. He was searching a real Guru. He happened to hear about Swami Ramanandji and reached his Ashram (hermitage). But the inmates of the hermitage prevented Kabir from meeting Swami Ramanand because they regarded Kabir no more than a petty Moslem weaver. Swami Ramanandji was a magnanimous saint and always contemplated for the social causes. The dejection of not being able to see Swami Ramanandji was too strong for Kabir to reject it. He fretted a lot. At last Kabir returned to his home after acquiring full knowledge about the daily routine of Swamiji.

Swamiji used to visit the jetty on the bank of the Ganges everyday early in the morning. Next day, Kabir reached there earlier and laid on steps at the Ghat of Punchganga. As usual, Swamiji also arrived there wearing charan-paduka (wooden sandals). As he was stepping down, his feet struck at Kabir. Kabir began to weep. Swamiji patted Kabir's head and said – "Don't cry O son ; speak Rama-Rama." Kabir was awaiting for this mantra and moment. He got this great talisman of Rama's name. Kabir returned to his home and declared himself a disciple of Swami Ramanand, wearing a basil rosary around his neck and smearing his forehead with sandalwood paste.

His mother Neema was the first person to see Kabir's new guise. That guise of Kabir a Hindu ascetics startled her and she came running to the hermitage of Swami Ramanandji. There she informed Swamiji that she had come from the dwellings of Julahas (weavers) and that Kabir was her son whom he had taken in his discipline and converted into a Hindu ascetic. Amazed Swamiji summoned Kabir at once. When Kabir arrived there, Swamiji, asked him gently stroking his head – "O son ; why do you speak lie ? Tell me when I made you my disciple ? Why are you defaming me ?" With folded hands, Kabir replied politely – "Maharaja, I was mentally very much disturbed. I had came to see you yesterday but the saints at your hermitage did not let me in. Then I had your sight at the Punchganga ghat today at dawn. You had yourself preached me patting my head to recite the name of Rama. I am salved with this talisman of Rama's name. Maharaja, to your disciples also, you give the same talisman. You have greatly obliged me by giving this talisman in the name of Rama. Even the scriptures speak a lot about the glory of Rama's name.

These words opened the eyes of Swamiji. He could not contain him and getting up from his seat, Swamiji hugged Kabir and kept kissing him for long. Swamiji said "O son, You are not an ordinary person. You are a Yogi from many births and in future, you will be the most prominent the saints. It is my blessings." Kabir felt overwhelmed by the blessings of Swamiji, whereas his mother, Neema returned home losing all of her hopes and expectations.

Soon afterwards, a rumor spread in Kashi that even the Moslems were becoming the disciples of Swami Ramanand. Even Kabir, who was a Moslem weaver, had become a disciple of Swamiji. Swamiji had greatly facilitated Kabir. Now, the religion won't survive in Kashi. Kaliyug’s advent has really occured; even a Julaha would become a saint and religious teacher. People from all the religious sects – Brahmin, Sanyasi, Shaiv, Vaishnava, Shakt etc. were cursing Swami Ramanandji and accusing him of degrading the religion. They also began to form a united front against Kabir.