Sarvajit and Kabir

A Brahmin named Sarvanand, a great scholar of the Vedas and scriptures had defeated many learned men in debate and so he changed his name from Sarvanand to Sarvajit – ‘the conqueror of all’. His mother who was the disciple of Kabir, said to him that she would accept him as the ‘victor of all’ only when he defeated Kabir in debate.

The mother’s remarks pinched Sarvajit’s pride. He thought that Kabir, an ordinary weaver is no match for his debate. Yet anxious to prove his merit and convince her mother, he proceeded to Banaras.

With books loaded on a bullock, Sarvajit arrived at Kabir’s hut and called out, ‘Is this the home of Kabir?’ Kabir was not at home, and hearing the call, Kabir’s daughter Kamali came out. Seeing bullock loaded with books, she was amused and said: ‘Kabir’s home is on a peak, the path is slippery and hard. Where even an ant’s foot finds no hold, the pundit wants to reach there with the bullock load of books!’

Before Sarvajit could think of an answer, Kabir returned and Sarvajit challenged him to hold the debate with him on philosophy and scriptures. Kabir humbly replied, ‘I am an illiterate weaver who has never before even seen such a large number of books.’ But Sarvajit insisted. When Kabir asked him why he was so anxious to argue with an ignorant person like him, Sarvajit told him about his mother’s challenge. Kabir said, ‘I know I cannot overcome you in debate, so I admit my defeat.’ Sarvajit said, ‘Alright then you give it in writing, so that I can show it to my mother. Kabir replied that he can only sign his name and he would put his signatures on whatever Sarvjit wrote. Sarvajit wrote, ‘Sarvajit has defeated Kabir.’ Kabir signed it. He returned and showed the document to his mother.

When she saw the document, it was written, ‘Kabir has defeated Sarvajit.’ Much perturbed at the slip in writing, he again visited Kabir and got a fresh note signed. Sarvajit came back to his mother. The note again read, ‘Kabir has defeated Sarvajit.’ He went to Banaras again, and again the note read like that.

Sarvajit greatly perplexed and upset, said ‘Mother, this Kabir seems to be a magician. He does something and words change.’ Sarvjit’s mother was aware of Kabir’s greatness. She replied, ‘Son, he is a Saint, a man of God, not a magician. In his presence impurities of mind are thrown aside and truth prevails. You were overwhelmed by his personality and each time you unwittingly wrote the same thing. To defeat Kabir, you must first know his teachings.

Seeing her sone quiet, she added: ‘See how humble he is! He admitted his own ignorance. To defeat Kabir, you have to be humble with him. You can win him with humility only.

Sarvajit went to Kabir again. But this time without the bullock load of books. A few days’ association with the Saint, made him a different person. He thanked his mother for urging him to go to Kabir. He said, ‘Kabir is truly great. I fell at his feet and owned my defeat. He has made me his disciple.

Sarvajit’s mother was overjoyed: ‘Yes, my son, you have now foundthe path to real knowledge.