God Kabir's appearance in the Kalyug

The Manifestation of God Kabir (KavirDev) in the Age of Kalyug

In Vikrami Samvat 1455 (1398 CE), on a full moon day in the month of Jeth (May-June), during Brahm-Muhurta, Supreme God Kabir (KavirDev) descended from His eternal abode, Satlok. He appeared in the form of a child on a lotus flower in Lahar Tara Lake, Kashi.

To understand the context, let me first explain about Neeru and Neema. In Dwapar Yug, Neeru and Neema were the parents of Supach Sudarshan. Despite their piety, they had initially rejected the guidance of God Kabir. Later, Sudarshan, who had received initiation from God Kabir in the form of Karunamay, made a heartfelt request. He said, “God, You have granted me everything and filled me with the true wealth of bhakti. I have no further needs, but I request that if my parents are ever reborn, You care for them. They are virtuous souls but have strayed from Your teachings.”

God Kabir assured him, “Do not worry. I will ensure that your parents are taken care of when the time comes. I will free them from Kaal's grasp. You are free to proceed to Satlok.” Sudarshan then ascended to Satlok.

Before Neeru and Neema's rebirth in Kalyug, they had lived two previous lives as Brahmins but remained childless. Their third human birth, also in Kashi, was as Brahmins named Gauri Shankar and Saraswati, yet they still did not have any children.

Neeru and Neema, known as Gauri Shankar and Saraswati, were Brahmins devoted to Lord Shiva. They selflessly shared the glories of Shiva from the Shiva Purana with devout souls, never accepting money for their teachings. When given voluntary donations, they would only keep enough for their own needs and use the remainder to host communal meals for others.

Other Brahmins, envious of Gauri Shankar and Saraswati’s selfless service, resented Gauri Shankar's refusal to seek money from devotees. His purity of intention made him highly regarded. Meanwhile, Muslims, recognizing that Neeru and Neema had no Brahmin allies, took advantage of the situation and forcibly converted them to Islam. They sprinkled holy water throughout their home, on their clothes, and even in their mouths. In response, the Hindu Brahmins declared that Neeru and Neema were no longer part of their community.

Neeru and Neema’s Transformation into Weavers and Their Divine Attainment

Gauri Shankar and Saraswati, now forced into a helpless situation, were renamed Neeru and Neema by the Muslims. Previously, they had supported themselves through donations and used any surplus to host community meals. With the cessation of donations, they turned to weaving, setting up a handloom to earn their livelihood. Despite their new occupation, they continued to use their remaining funds for community meals. Hindu Brahmins, however, barred them from bathing in the Ganga, declaring, "You have become Muslims now."

In 1398 CE (Vikrami Samvat 1455), on a full moon day in the month of Jyesth (May-June), during Brahm-Muhurat (approximately 1½ hours before sunrise), Supreme God Kabir (KavirDev) manifested in bodily form. He appeared as a child, seated on a lotus flower in Lahar Tara Lake, Kashi city, where the Ganga's pure water filled the lake, keeping it abundantly pure.

Every morning during Brahm-Muhurat, Neeru and Neema would bathe in Lahar Tara Lake. One day, a brilliant light—manifesting from Satyalok—appeared above and settled on a lotus flower in the lake. This divine light made the entire lake shimmer before disappearing into a corner. Rishi Ashtanand, a disciple of Ramanand ji, witnessed this phenomenon. Ashtanand ji, who also bathed daily at Lahar Tara Lake and meditated on his mantra, was astonished by the dazzling light. Unsure whether it was a sign of his spiritual progress or a mere illusion, he decided to consult his Gurudev for clarification.

Ashtanand ji approached Respected Ramanand ji and said, "Gurudev, today I witnessed a light unlike anything I have ever seen." He described the event: "A brilliant mass of light descended from the sky. The intensity was so overwhelming that I had to close my eyes. In my closed vision, I saw the form of a child, much like how one sees a ball of light after looking at the sun. Is this a result of my spiritual practice or a flaw in my sight?" Swami Ramanand ji replied, "Son, such phenomena occur when incarnations from higher realms descend. They will manifest somewhere, be born from a mother, and carry out divine acts." (As these sages believed incarnations must take birth from a mother). With his available knowledge, Ramanand ji reassured his disciple.

As usual, Neeru and Neema were on their way to bathe. On the way, Neema prayed, "Oh God Shiv! (Though they had been converted to Islam, they could not forget their years of devotion to Shiv.) Have you run out of blessings for us? You could have given us just one child to make our lives meaningful." With these words, she burst into tears. Neeru consoled her, saying, "Neema, it's best to be content with God's will. If you keep crying like this, you'll weaken your body and lose your vision. A child is not in our fate." As they continued talking, they reached Lahar Tara pond. It was still a bit dark. Neema finished her bath and changed her clothes, while Neeru entered the pond and began bathing.

As Neema returned to the riverbank to wash the clothes she had worn during her bath, the darkness had lifted, and the sun was beginning to rise. She noticed something moving on a lotus flower in the pond. It was God Kabir in the form of a child, with one toe in His mouth and the other foot playfully moving. Initially, Neema thought it might be a snake approaching her husband, but upon closer inspection, she realized it was a child—resting on a lotus flower! She immediately called out to her husband, "Look out! The child will drown!" Neeru, dismissing her, replied, "You've gone mad for children. Now you're imagining one in the water." Neema insisted, "No, look carefully, on the lotus flower in front!"

Moved by Neema's urgency, Neeru looked where she pointed and saw a newborn baby lying on a lotus flower. He carefully brought the child, along with the flower, to Neema and then resumed his bath. After finishing, Neeru returned to find Neema cradling the Supreme God in the form of a child. She was overjoyed and, being a devout worshipper of Lord Shiv, began praising and praying, saying, "Oh God, you have fulfilled the wish I held in my heart for years. Just today, I prayed sincerely, and you answered."

That Supreme God Kabir, whose name invokes a deep stirring in our hearts, causing hair to stand on end and the soul to tremble in joy, had a profound effect on Neema. As she cradled and loved Him like a child, her happiness was beyond words—similar to the way the taste of jaggery can only be understood by the one who eats it. She showered the child with affection, kissing His face and holding Him close, repeatedly gazing at Him with motherly love.

Meanwhile, Neeru, after finishing his bath, began to worry. He thought, "We have no strong ties with the Muslims, and the Hindu Brahmins despise us. The Muslims took advantage of our isolation and converted us. Now, if we take this child with us, people will accuse us of stealing someone's baby. His mother might be searching for him, and what will we say? If we tell them we found Him on a lotus flower, no one will believe us." 

As Neeru contemplated the situation, he said, "Neema, leave this child here." But Neema, deeply attached, responded, "I cannot leave him. I would rather die in pain than abandon this child. I don't know what kind of spell he has cast on me, but I can't let him go." Neeru then explained the potential consequences, but Neema remained adamant, saying, "I would even accept exile for this child, but I will not leave him."

Seeing her resolve, Neeru thought she had lost her sense, ignoring the reality of their social situation. He sternly said, "Until now, I have never gone against your wishes, especially since we were childless. But today, I won't listen. Either leave this child here, or I'll be forced to slap you." For the first time, Neeru raised his hand to his wife in frustration.

At that very moment, Supreme God Kabir, in His infant form, spoke: "Neeru, take me home. You will not face any problems." Hearing the child speak, Neeru was stunned and fearful, thinking this child might be divine or a spiritually accomplished being. Without further argument, he silently began to walk home.

When they brought the child home, no one even thought to ask where he had come from. Men and women of Kashi gathered to see the child, marveling at his appearance. They remarked, "He looks divine. We've never seen such a radiant, beautiful child before." Some speculated, "He must be a god, perhaps one of Brahma, Vishnu, or Mahesh." Others believed, "This is a power from the higher realms." Everyone had their own interpretation of the child's origin.

Supreme God Kabir is the eternal Supreme Guru. He alone, in various forms such as a saint or rishi, manifests Himself (swayambhu) to restore the true spiritual knowledge (Tatvgyan) that gets corrupted by Kaal's messengers (saints). Kabir Sahib, descending from His divine abode, Satlok, periodically grants naam-updesh to gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv, as well as to rishis, munis, and saints. Respected Garibdas ji Maharaj has recorded in his teachings that God Kabir Himself revealed this wisdom.

The above teachings clearly prove that Supreme God Kabir alone is the Eternal God, who is immortal and everlasting. This very God, descending in all four yugas, reveals the true path of devotion (bhakti) to guide souls toward salvation.