During the time of Saint Kabir, there lived a man named Surbajit, who was very knowledgeable in spiritual science. In those days in India, it was the custom of religious people, people of knowledge, to compete with each other to see who was more learned. And wherever Surbajit went, he used to engage in discussions about spirituality. When he won the “competition,” he received spiritual books and illustrations, which he transported on camels.
One day, having defeated many learned people, he returned home to his mother and told her that now he was the most learned person, the number one scientist: no one could defeat him. Then the mother asked if he had gone to Saint Kabir. If he defeated Kabir, then she will accept his victory. The son replied that he did not go to Saint Kabir because Saint Kabir is not a learned person and does not know anything about books and illustrations, or about theory. That's why he didn't even think about going to him. The mother nevertheless advised him to go, and if he wins, then she will agree to recognize her son as a truly learned man.
The son was not worried and was confident that he would easily defeat Kabir. If he was able to defeat so many learned people, then he will not have any problems with this ignoramus. In this mood, he went to Kabir and challenged him to a competition, otherwise he would have to admit defeat.
Kabir told him very simply:
“I’m just an illiterate weaver.” I don't have any scholarship. I can't compete with you, so I have to admit defeat.
Surbajeet asked him to write it on paper and sign it. But Kabir admitted that he could not write, and asked him to draw up the paper himself, and he would sign it. Surbajit wrote: “Surbajit is the winner and Kabir is the loser.” Kabir signed it. Then Surbajit returned home and showed the paper to his mother. It stated that Kabir is the winner and Surbajit is the vanquished. She asked her son to read it. He saw that it said the opposite of what he had written. Surbajit was very surprised and confused at the mistake he had made. He again went to Kabir and explained that he had made a mistake. The wording is incorrect and needs to be corrected. Kabir said:
- Okay, I don't mind. You can write again and I will sign.
So again he wrote that Surbajit is the winner and Kabir is the loser.
He checked what he had written twice, even thrice, and when he was absolutely sure that it was written correctly, he received Kabir’s signature and returned to his mother.
However, the mother again read that Kabir is the winner and Surbajit is the loser. She showed the paper to her son, and he was very confused that the paper was again written incorrectly. He decided to go and fix it again.
Quite annoyed, he went to Kabir for the third time and said that in both previous cases there had been a mistake and this time he wanted to do it right. Then Kabir said to him:
“Not me, but you yourself wrote this twice.” But, truly, you cannot avoid this mistake, you cannot do anything: it is the active Power of God that does everything. Whoever He wants to make a winner, that person will always be a winner. You could write once, twice or three times, but even if you wrote a thousand times that you are the winner and I am the loser, when reading it it would still turn out differently. If my God doesn't want His child to fail, it won't happen, you can't win.
Kabir continued:
- If you want to be a winner, then you have to do something really useful. You should throw all these books into the river and come to me. I will make you a winner.
And Kabir accepted him, initiated him and forced him to sit in meditation. Over time, Surbajit became more humble and humble, and when he became completely humble, he became the greatest.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru