By SEETA PERSAD Monday, May 28 2007

Dr Jagessar Das, a Guyanese-born resident of Canada, lectures to scores of devotees on the discipline of the great saint of India, Sant Kabir.

“Kabir did not have to renounce the world in order to devote himself to the practice of severe austerities and meditation. In Kabir’s time the rulers were oppressors, he had to live in a society where people lived by the teachings of the holy text. However, Kabir learnt his lessons without books, became a preacher without a teacher and stood up boldly against evil and those considered to be hypocrites. He supported equality, irrespective of creed, caste, sex or religion. Because of the stance that he took in life, many became the disciples of Kabir,” he told the audience at the Kabir Lotus Ashram in Williamsville recently.

He said because of the love and discipline shown by Sant Kabir, the people gathered around him at the loom or the market place to listen to his sweet, soul stirring and sublime songs in his inspiring discourses. Das told the religious crowd that Kabir had supreme love for all and he was exceedingly kind and compassionate.

Das, accompanied by his wife Urmilla, completed a six-day lecture on Kabir teachings at Williamsville.

Das studied medicine at the University of British Columbia in Canada, and practised family medicine for the past 43 years. He is the editor of the quarterly magazine, The Kabir Voice and has authored books including, The Bijak of Kabir Vol 1 and 2, Poem of Kabir, Bhajans of Kabir — with the meaning of the songs all published in English.

Quoting from his latest publication, Das noted that Kabir’s religion was a religion of simplicity and his motto is to love unconditionally.

“Kabir preached for one to gain salvation, one must do devotion to God and God alone. He was not one who turned to the Quran or the Bible or the Ramayan for direction. Instead, he spoke of God as universal father to all mankind.”

In his closing remarks, Das said the problem of human suffering continues, and there is more suffering and pain today than there has ever been on the face of the earth.

“Not only is there physical pain, but emotional and mental pain.” Kabir explained that the cause of miseries and sufferings is our senses, which we fail to control, and are manifested by greed, anger, power, pride and attachment.

These emotions are controlling and overpowering people and pride sets in.

According to Das, “There are eight million four hundred thousand species on this earth. The human birth being the highest. When God put the human race upon this earth, their mission was to replenish and subdue the earth. To take care of the earth, make sure it is nurtured properly with deeds and actions,” he said.