Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

by Justin E. Abbott | 1933 | 306,590 words

This is the English translation of Bhaktavijaya which is a Marathi poem written by Mahipati in 40,000 lines. The text documents the legends of Indian saints from various backgrounds and extensively covers figures like Ekanath, Tukaram, and Ramadasa, highlighting their contributions to scholarship, philosophy, poetry, and social reform. The Bhaktavi...

7.7: Saints served by God in various forms of Kabir

115. Having listened to the reading of Kabir’s letters’ the saints bowed their heads in his praise, and on the day appointed in the letters, they arrived.

116. An innumerable number of saints arrived from east, west and south. Kabir bowed to them and lovingly embraced them.

117. Seeing this enormous gathering of Vaishnavas, the saint Kabir was full of joy. Said he, ‘A happy day has arisen to-day. for with my own eyes I have seen the Vaishnavas.’

118. The crooked-minded men began to wag their heads in derision; ‘Now let us see what is going to happen.’ Looking at one another they clapped their bands.

119. Noticing this difficult situation the Dweller in Ayodhya, the Life of Janaki (Ram [Rama]), said to Himself, ‘I cannot bear to have any lack found in my bhakta on my account.

120. Kabir is one entirely detached from the thinkings of this world. Now that this innumerable gathering of saints has taken place, I must be his helper and protect him.’

121. The Vaishnavas of the sacred cities suddenly arrived and encamped on the banks of the Ganga river. The Lord of the world seeing this, arrived to relieve Kabir in his distress.

122. He became a Kabir to as many of the noble Vaishnavas as had arrived. The Holder of the Bow (Ram [Rama]) assumed for the occasion an infinite number of forms.

123. Hari took the form of Kabir in various ways and served these bhaktas. The evil-minded sought to see the fun, but seeing the astonishing sight,

124. and taking one another by the hand, they went into the gathering to investigate. When they saw with their eyes an infinite number of Kabirs, their mind was filled with amazement.

125. God felt great pleasure in serving His saints. In assuming these infinite forms His wonderful power of creating appearances was seen.

126. As men and women looked about to see the fun they everywhere saw the bhakta Kabir. Each Kabir was serving the saints with reverence and caring for them.

127. One washed their feet, one gave them a bath, one prepared the sandalwood paste used in the worship of God.

128. One stood before them with hands joined palm to palm. One massaged their feet. One held their wooden sandals. Such were the illusory forms of Hari.

129. One sang before them and another gave them to eat. The Life of the world gave them pan-supari.

130. He helped some to lie on beds, and himself sat by them. To some of them Krishna spoke in tender tones.

131. Krishna powdered bhang, and gave to some. To some He gave the kusumba juice to drink. He filled the pipes of some and gave them to smoke.

132. The Saviour of the world said to some, ‘Let us hasten to the temple.’ To some He was constantly saying, ‘Show me your favour.’

133. On the foreheads of some he made the marks with the paste of white clay. Making a garland of tulsi He would put it on them and hold a mirror before them. Shri Ram put these on with His own hands.

134. The Lord of the world sat before some, rubbing them with the saffron and sandalwood paste. He put musk on the foreheads of some, and gave beauty to their eyebrows.

135. The Life of the world put on raiment and ornaments on some. Some He took aside and requested them to teach Him the knowledge of the soul.

136. He took the sandals of some, and with feelings of reverence held them on His head. Before some of them the wonder-working Hari sang songs.

137. The Life of the world prepared straw mats for some and laid them down to sleep. To those who had a hankering for opium, He brought and gave it to them.

138. Innumerable people sat down to eat and there the Lord of the world served them. In His love He gave some water to drink.

139. In some places Krishna was making garlands of tulsi and placing them around their necks. In some places He had taken fans in His hands and was delighting people with the cool breeze.

140. In some places the Life of the world made the saints lie down, and He sat by them massaging them. In some places He lovingly sat to listen to books being read.

141. When some went to bathe, the Lord of the heart went with them. The Dweller in the heaven Vaikunth [Vaikuntha] would say to some, ‘Tell me something 1 can do for you.’

142. He sat near some and gave them a light lunch. The Husband of Rukmini waved the whisk on some.

143. Just as the one sun is reflected in all vessels of water and is still untouched by the water, so the allpervading Krishna manifested Himself in the form of Kabir.

144. Long ago when Krishna was a child, the cow-herdesses took him by the hand and came to complain to Yashoda. He then suddenly manifested Himself in numberless forms.

145. While the daughter of Drupad [Drupada] was serving a meal to a gathering of Kauravas some evil-minded men gave her trouble. He then appeared before each one’s plate in the form of Draupadi and reproached Duryodhan [Duryodhana].

146. So Krishna, seeing the loving devotion of Kabir, assumed innumerable forms. Men and women saw the amazing sight and wondered at it.

147. The Vaishnava bhaktas remained there in the sacred city of Benares for three nights. During all these times, the Lord of the heaven Vaikunth [Vaikuntha] lovingly served them.

148. The Lord of the heart with His own hands gave to every one garments and ornaments. Whatever anyone desired, he obtained.

149. The Husband of Sita, having seen these Vaishnavas on their way, He became invisible.

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