6.12: Kamal restored to life by the Saints

162. The saints and sadhus had gone to the river-bank to bathe. They performed their worship of God and returned to Kabir’s hermitage.

163. Finally taking leave of Kabir, these dwellers in sacred places started on their way. Kabir made a namaskar to these saints, and accompanied them to see them off.

164. The wife was bitterly weeping. She prostrated herself on the ground before these saints, and said, ‘When shall I see your feet again?’

165. Speaking thus humbly to these saints, the two accompanied the saints to see them off. As they came out of the city an extraordinary event took place.

166. As the company was hurriedly walking along the path, they suddenly saw a headless corpse impaled upon a stake. The saints saw it from afar.

167. As they stood still for a moment to look at the sight, a most extraordinary thing took place. Kamal joined his hands together and made a namaskar to the saints and sadhus.

168. The men and women expressed their astonishment as they saw this most unusual act. It seemed to them extraordinary that a headless corpse should make a namaskar.

169. The saints and sadhus said to Kabir, ‘The corpse is making a namaskar to us. How is it that life has been preserved in a body without head?

170. When a tree is cut down what would make its branches suddenly show signs of life? If the feathers of a bird are plucked from it, what would enable it to fly in the air?

171. If the strings of a vina are broken, how can it be played upon? So, seeing a corpse with life in it, seems to our minds a most unusual thing.’

172. Kabir joined his hands palm to palm, and said to the saints, ‘Bhishma fell on the bed of arrows, and yet his life was preserved in his body.

173. Abhimanyu, in order to relate to Arjun his sorrows when he fell on the battlefield, had his life preserved in his body with courage.

174. Also when Ravan [Ravana] was making trouble for Jatayu his body was overwhelmed with pain, his desire to see Shri Ram [Rama] preserved life in his body.

175. So this thief was a Vaishnava. He had a great desire to make a namaskar to your feet. Therefore his life remained in. him.

176. The desire of his heart has been fulfilled. He has seen you. Now he will leave his perishable body and live in his everlasting home.’

177. Hearing him say this, the saints replied, ‘Who indeed was this thief?’ Then Kabir related to the saints the whole story.

178. The Vaishnavas then said, ‘Although we had not asked for food, how is it that Kabir should kill so good a son as Kamal?’ 179 Hearing them say this, the noble Vaishnava answered, ‘All earthly things are perishable. Whatever is seen to have a form must in the end disappear.

180. Suppose I had not killed Kamal, would he thereby have remained immortal?’ Listening to this remark, a sense of compassion arose in the hearts of the saints.

181. The saints said to Kabir’s wife, ‘Hasten and bring the head and show it to us. Hearing this remark, she hastened back to her home.

182. She took her son’s head and brought it back to the saints. When the compassionate saints saw it they were moved with emotion.

183. They took the corpse down from the stake and placed the head upon it. The men and women looked on with wonder. Listen now to the strange thing that happened.

184. As the saints placed their hands upon the head of Kamal, he came to life, arose and made a namaskar to the saints.

185. All the inhabitants of Benares now prostrated themselves on the ground before Kabir. Said they, ‘This Vaishnava is supremely wise, a complete saviour for all dull-minded beings.’

186. The saints gave him their blessing and started on their way to sacred places. Listen now to the delightful story which will be related in the next chapter.

187. This book containing the history of the saints might be considered as a beautiful temple in the sacred city of Pandhari; where the eternally loved, dark-complexioned One for ever stands on a brick;

188. where sadhus and Vaishnavas sing His praises out of love, and there I, a sinner and an ignorant person, have come to see and worship Him.

189. With reverence I take in my hand these verses, like tulsi leaves and flowers. I, Mahipati, fall at His feet in order to ask Him for His beneficent love.

190. Swasti (Peace!). This book is the Shri Bhaktavijaya, The Lord of the world will be pleased if you listen to it. Therefore listen, you God-loving pious bhaktas. This is the sixth very delightful chapter.