Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin‚
Ab Hari Hai Mein Nahin,
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya‚ Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin
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Kabir in the Amar Kantak forest. In the Sahdool district deep in the forests of Madhya Pradesh is this extraordinary place of Amar Kantak. Here we find the Charan Paduka (footprints) and Kabir Chabutara of Kabir Saheb. The Paduka is on approximately 1 km from the main stream of the Narmada River. The village of Amar Kantak is on a distance of approximately 5 km from the river. The area still remains forested and no settlements of significance are to be noted. This gives the area a distinctive splendour. The main road from Amar Kantak joins the highways from Sahdool and Jawalpoor. It is said that whilst kabir Saheb travelled along the nation he passed thru the Amar Kantak forest. He was attracted by the beauty and tranquillity of the place. He stopped for some time and started meditating. He went in Sadhana for quite some time. It is also said that to test the determination of Kabir Saheb, the Narmada River itself went to Kabir Saheb. Kabir Saheb knew of this. Narmada got afraid that if such a great Saint was meditating near the river, the river might lose its greatness. Narmada wanted to drive away Kabir Saheb from its closeness. Narmada tried to force a lot of water thru a smaller stream of the river. this stream reached the spot where Kabir Saheb was meditating. But the efforts of Narmada became fruitless when facing the radiant posture of Kabir Saheb in Sadhana. Beaten and ashamed, Narmada went to Kabir Saheb to ask for forgiveness. Kabir Saheb very much loved the
woods, the mountains and rivers. Kabir Saheb spoke to Narmada:
"Once every day you have to leave your dirtiness behind and
visit me in a clean and pure form. When you will come, I will
bath in your plain and pristine waters". From that day on
the Narmada went for the daily darshan (visit) of Kabir Saheb.
Each day between 8 am and 9 am the Narmada is seen as a white
stream approaching the footprints left by Kabir Saheb. During
these hours many devotees, bhaktas and tourists come and witness
the pristine flow of the Narmada. The flow being the main
attraction, the Kabir Chabutara and the Charanpaduka are also of
major importance. |