Thiti (Kabir Ji)

Through the Rahau line, Bhagat Kabir says: The being whose love is attached to the lotus-feet of Gobind, through the grace of the Saint-Guru, has a mind that becomes filth-free and stays awake in the kirtan of Hari each day. The Rahau highlights the central idea of the composition, serving as an anchor meant to be reiterated throughout. Here, Bhagat Kabir emphasizes the transformative power of loving devotion—not simply ritual or austerity, but genuine humility, praise, and guidance in attachment to IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One). Bhagat Kabir refers to IkOankar with two names: Gobind, which highlights the creative aspect manifesting within creation (Creation-Force), and Hari, representing the all-pervasive One. The imagery of the lotus-feet invokes the deep beauty and purity of the lotus rising from the muck below; paired with feet, it connotes humility and being guided by this beauty. Ultimately, it represents a seekers love for Nam (Identification with IkOankar). The Saint-Guru, who actualizes and exemplifies the teachings of the Wisdom-Guru, walks firmly in this Identification. By being Graced with the exemplification of the Saint-Guru, we too come to lovingly Identify with IkOankar, and our minds become free from vices and distractions. We remain awake and aware of the all-pervasive One at all times. This awareness inspires natural praise and admiration, flowing effortlessly, like water easily flows past obstacles. Just as the full moon fully reflects the sun’s light, so too, in loving devotion, does the darkness of the mind fade and we come to fully reflect the light of IkOankar, the Creation-Force, the all-pervasive One.

The being whose love is attached with the lotus-feet of Gobind, through the grace of Saint-Guru, the mind of that being becomes filth-free. Bhagat Kabir begins with the new moon, the day when darkness prevails. In contrast to common traditions worldwide wherein the new moon is a time for outward displays of ritual and religious austerity, Bhagat Kabir calls our focus inward. On this day, Bhagat Kabir says to get rid of desire completely. Remove all expectations from the mind. Remove all expectations that salvation, in a spiritual sense, will be attained through ritual, prescription, yoga, pilgrimage, or any other outward displays and ritual practices. Instead, live in remembrance of Ram, the beautiful One, an epithet for IkOankar, who lives within and knows every heart and mind. Living in this way, the door to liberation, or salvation, is found within this lifetime. Through that door of liberation, Bhagat Kabir says the supreme essence of the Wisdom-Guru is experienced, meaning the Braham, the Divine, IkOankar, the essence of the Self, is realized within.

Bhagat Kabir’s guidance for us on the day of the new moon, when darkness prevails, is to let go of our desires, expectations, and attachments within. Instead of focusing on what it is we want today, tomorrow, in our lives, let us remember the supremely beautiful One within, who knows our hearts and minds intimately. This is the One whose lotus-feet we ought to lovingly remember and Identify with. In doing so, Bhagat Kabir says, we can walk through the doorway of liberation within this lifetime, rather than hoping for liberation after death. We can experience the Divine here and now when we are connected to the essence of the Wisdom-Guru, the Truth of the Wisdom-Guru, which guides us to feel the grace of IkOankar. In all of this, Bhagat Kabir is saying that now is the time to start this journey toward liberation. Through loving devotion, through the Wisdom-Guru, through Identification, we experience grace, and our minds become filth-free, reflecting the beauty of IkOankar. In utter darkness, these practices invite the light of IkOankar into our minds, transforming our lives in the present. In darkness, will we let go of our worldly desires and turn toward love of the beautiful One? Will we follow that love through the door of liberation and come to know the beautiful One who knows us intimately?