Tying up of Kabir by Sikandar Lodi

At first, Kabir saheb plainly refused to appear in the court of Sikandar Lodhi. He said – What I have to do with Badshah in the court ? I have neither stolen nor picked up anything. I simply sing in praise of Rama and weave cloths to earn my livelihood. Kotwal said – All the people of Kashi, including your mother Neema, have lodged a complaint with Badshah against you. Badshah is very angry. It you don't come on your own, we will take you forcibly.

Kabir saheb said it is not that I am afraid of meeting any Badshah. I regard all the people equally. King and the beggar… rich and poor, all are equal in my eyes. Even though, I made no mistake, but still I will go with you. Thus Kabir saheb got ready to appear in the court. He put a basil rosary around his neck… smeared sandal-wood-paste on the forehead, donned a turban and inserted a crest of peacock’s feathers in it. Kabir saheb never used to put such an attire. For the first time his dark complexioned body appeared so seducing that even Kamadeva would have been no match against him. His mind was over whelming with joy and eyes had a spellbinding effect. His voice appeared so sweet and cool that would quench even volcano in a moment. For the first time, Kabir saheb had exhibited his power of Yoga.

When Kabir saheb reached the court, thousands of his supporters also followed him. When Sikandar Lodhi saw such a huge crowd he inquired the Kazi about it. Kotwal informed them that they were the supporters of Kabir. Kabir saheb stood silently before Sikandar Lodhi. Kazi said – O Mastana (Whimsical one), this is Badshah Salamat, he is very kind-hearted, bow before him, he will forgive all your crimes. But Kabir remained stood like a statue. Kazi again asked Kabir to bow down before the Badshah. Kabir saheb said – Who is the Badshah ? What kind of Badshah ? There only one Badshah in the world whom I know and He is Rama. I bow before and salute only my Badshah Rama. Only Rama is my Badshah. He has the power of turning a king into a beggar and a beggar into a king. He can make sesame seed in to a huge palm tree, and vice versa. Without His wish, not even a single leaf moves in the world.

Sikandar Lodhi asked Kazi what kind of discussion was taking place. Kazi informed – Jahanpanah ! Kabir refuses to salute you. He declares some 'Rama' as his Badshah. For the first time, Sikandar Lodhi raised his eyes to look at Kabir. But he felt as if he were looking at a glowing fire-ball. His eyes dazzled by the glory of Kabir saheb, and he began to faint because of anger. Next moment, gathering his consciousness, Sikandar Lodhi shouted – “Kabir” now you will live no more. I will see who is your Rama and how He save you ? At that time Kabir uttered the following Sakhi (couplet) –

Jaako Rakhe Sainya, Maar Sake Na Koy !
          Baal Na Banka Kari Sakai, Jo Jag Bairy Hoy !!

Sikandar Lodhi said furiously – Kabir now get ready to go to the hell, nobody can save you. Then Sikandar Lodhi ordered his soldiers to enchain Kabir and throw him into the Ganges. Soldiers carried out the order perfectly and threw Kabir saheb into the Ganges after enchaining him tightly. Kabir saheb knew the procedure of Jalasana. With his Yoga-power he removed the chains and sat on the water surface taking a comfortable posture, come aside -

Ganga Gusain Gahari Gambhir !

Janjeer Bandhi Kari Kharai Kabir !

Mana Na Digai Tana Kahai Ko Darai !

Charan-Kamal Chitt Rahyo Samai !

Ganga Ki Lahari Meri Tooti Janjeer !

Mrig Chhala Par Baithe Kabir !

Pundit and Mullahs began to babble again – Jahanpanah. Kabir is a magician… he knows exorcism also. If you leave him like this, he will not let anybody live peacefully. Such a huge crowd is with him. Jahanpanah, he can even dethrone you and snatch your kingdom. It is not good for you either to leave him alive. Kabir can do anything, anytime. We have seen his miracles many times in Kashi.

Such kind of babbling fanned Sikandar's anger further. He said – Kabir knew exorcism, hence came out of water unhurt. But this time, his exorcism will not do.

This time lot of woods piled into a huge pyre. Then Kabir saheb thrown on it after tying in a bundle and the pyre was set ablaze. But the fire could not burn Kabir saheb. Such as, the gold begins to glow more brilliantly after roasting in the fire, similarly, when Kabir saheb was thrown into the fire, he came out glowing like the gold. His body was glowing so brilliantly that even the gold would have felt ashamed.

Lakareen Manjh Daari Agini Prajari Dai !

Nai Maanon Bhai Deh Kanchan Lajaavahin !!

Now Sikandar Lodhi felt fed up of his futile attempts. This time, he put the responsibility of killing Kabir on his teacher Shekh Taqi and the Kazi. Kazi told Sikandar Lodhi about a natural and simple way of killing Kabir in the army of Sikandar Lodhi, there was a rogue elephant. It would have been the easiest way to get Kabir crushed by that elephant, the rogue elephant was very notorious killer and had killed hundreds of people under his heavy feet. In order to kill Kabir, the elephant was made to drink lot of intoxicating alcohol so that its anger could surge even higher. Peelvan (mahout) was also made to drink similar wine so that he could not make even minor mistake out of mercy.

Once again, arms and legs of Kabir saheb were tied securely and he was then thrown before the inebriated, rogue elephant. Kazi ordered the mahout to drive the elephant and trample Kabir, even though Kazi was also familiar with the grace of Paramatma. No one can hurt him, Who has the grace of that Supreme Being… He is the omnipotent. Mahout kept on hitting the elephant with his curb, but instead of marching ahead, the elephant moved back trumpeting loudly, because a lion-like ferocious animal was visible to the elephant guarding Kabir saheb. Even the mahout could see that ferocious lion. What crime has the saint committed, that he has been thrown before a rogue elephant in such a hapless condition. But the elephant bows before that saint, who is lying before it in a bundle-like form. But Kazi and mullahs are all blinds, they can not see anything. They have three times tied Kabir, still they are not ready to believe his virtues. Shekh Taqi said to Sikandar Lodhi – Jahanpanah ! Kabir is indeed a true Faqueer. Get up from throne and beg his pardon. Anger of a saint can bring havoc. I understand now that you can do no harm to Kabir. Allah is exceptionally gracious on him. Hearing these words, Sikandar Lodhi began to shiver with fear. He shouted at the Pundits, mullahs and Kazis and asked them to run away and get lost -

Kaha Aparaadh Sant Haun Kinha, Bandhi Pote Kunjar Kun Deenha!

Kunjar Pote Bahu Vandan Karai, Ajahun Na Sujhai Kaji Andharai !!

Getting up from his throne, Sikandar Lodhi fell at the feet of Kabir and begged for his pardon. He said – Kazi and Mullahs do not know the dignity of a saint. Saints are really kind and gracious. Kabir saheb at once forgave Sikandar Lodhi happily. Sikandar Lodhi tried to give him many parts of his kingdom and inaccessible wealth of gold and silver. But Kabir saheb had nothing to-do with the gold and silver and other royal luxuries. Kabir sahib said – Lodhi, all the wealth and luxuries not going to last for eternity. Singing of devotional songs for my Rama is the gold and silver and everything. This throne and kingdom are the causes of sorrow. Nothing is greater in the world than the devotion to Rama. Rama has given me everything. I don't want anything from you. Then Kabir saheb and his supporter returned to his hut happily :

Singh Roop Keso Darpavai, Tate Hasti Nikati Na Avai !

Peelvan Kun Darsan Deenun, Maali Gayand Paro Tahan Keenu !

Peechhai Syaah Sikandar Deethaa, Kabir Aagen Sindh Baitha !

Peelvan Hasti Kari Nyara, Bhai Karamat Abaki Bara !

Sancha Rama Kabir Tumhara, Abakai Rakhau Jeev Hamara !

Kazi Mullah Maram Na Janai, Sirjanhar Tumhari Manai !

In Kabir-panth, it is famous that Kabir saheb was tied fifty-two times. But historically with Sikandar Lodhi, these three incidents are famous. Kabir's whole life had been full of strange incidents. In all probabilities, attempts on his life would have been made more than fifty-two times. Kabir saheb life has been a life of struggles. Since birth till his heavenly departure, every moment of his life has this kind of incident or that. Kabir saheb's whole life is, in a way, a tied up bundle (Kasani).