Kabir

On a certain occasion, a large company of saints who resided in sacred places came to Kabir's house. They arrived during the first watch of the night. Both Kabir and his son, Kamal, immediately went forward and prostrated themselves on the ground to show their respect. Kamal quickly brought a woollen blanket for the saints to sit on and kindly offered, "O Swamis, please seat yourselves on it." When the saints witnessed this gesture, all three parties felt immense joy. It was akin to the joy that Indra felt when he saw Sanak and the other sages, or like the happiness that arises after days of drought when abundant rain finally pours down, bringing joy to people's hearts. In the same way, Kabir was filled with joy, as if a sick person had been given nectar to drink or a Chatak bird had quenched its thirst with moonlight. It was as if the lamp, fueled with wick and oil, emitted a bright light, or when devotees immersed themselves in joyful devotion while listening to kirtan (devotional songs). Kabir's joy was reminiscent of Sita's delight upon meeting Hanuman in the Ashoka forest.

Feeling great joy upon seeing these esteemed saints, Kabir took his wife aside and said, "We must provide food for these Vishnu-devoted saints who reside in sacred places. If we allow them to sleep here on an empty stomach, our reputation for goodness will be tarnished." However, there was not even a morsel of food in their house, so the couple was distressed. In response to her husband's concern, Kabir's wife spoke, "My beloved husband, I don't see any other option. If we approach our neighbors for help, they will refuse to assist us. We could go to the market and buy food, but we have no money. Therefore, take our son with you and steal something. Break into the shop of those merchants who seem to have an abundance of food supplies. Bring back the stolen food and serve a meal to these saints." Kabir agreed to his wife's plan, took a sword, and Kamal grabbed a crowbar. Together, they swiftly went to the marketplace.

Upon entering the bazaar, they forcefully broke into a merchant's shop. Kabir sent his son inside while he remained outside. It was midnight, and the merchant was sound asleep. Kabir called out to his son from outside, urging him to quickly collect the necessary items. As Kamal looked around the shop, he saw piles of money, garments, and ornaments. However, he felt a sense of disgust at the sight. Instead, he gathered flour, rice, sugar, split peas, melted butter, and crystallized sugar. He also collected turmeric, asafoetida, cumin seeds, salt, vegetables, and plates made of leaves—just enough to provide for the needs of the saints. Despite the abundance of garments, ornaments, and money in front of him, Kamal rejected them all and only took what was necessary for cooking.

As they hurriedly exited the shop, a thought crossed Kamal's mind. He realized that the grocer was fast asleep and should be awakened. Kamal knew that it was wrong to harm someone who was defenseless or to speak ill of others behind their backs, as it would lead to hellish consequences. Being a wise devotee of Vishnu, Kamal understood the difference between right and wrong. He decided to awaken the grocer and swiftly retreat from the scene. Gathering courage, he quickly approached the grocer and slapped him on the back, saying, "You should be awake. We are two thieves who have broken into your shop. We are taking the cooking supplies with us." The grocer woke up, but Kamal started running away. However, as he passed through a narrow opening, both of his feet got caught. With half his body outside, the grocer managed to seize him.

It was as if a deer, escaping from one snare, found itself trapped in a forest full of hunters. Similar to a royal swan being seized by a falcon at Lake Manas, or a parrot falling into a trap due to its ignorance. It was like the child of Subhadra (Abhimanyu) being caught when the king of the Kauravas surrounded his army in a circular formation. Or when a kokil bird, while flying in a garden, is ensnared by a hunter. In this way, Kamal, in his attempt to escape, had both his feet caught by the grocer. The child Kamal called out to his father, comparing their situation to the incident when Hanuman was carrying Mount Dron for the aid of Lord Rama but was wounded and thrown down by Bharat. Kamal said, "The grocer will now come outside and shout in the bazaar. When the townspeople hear him, they will rush to see what's happening. Everyone will consider us the thieves of the town. Therefore, cut off my head and quickly return home. If you hold onto any notion of love or that I belong to you, it will harm your reputation for goodness. When people hear the story of your theft, saints will no longer visit our house. Just as dutiful wives, upon hearing of the presence of prostitutes, get up and leave, or when learned scholars and pandits depart upon the entry of an outcaste (Mang) into a house, or when a wise person leaves upon hearing their respected guru being reviled. Similarly, upon hearing the story of your theft, saints and sadhus will get up and depart. Therefore, O devotee of Vishnu, ocean of peace, complete with all good qualities, listen to me now. Let go of any feelings of love and attachment, and cut off my head with your own hand."

Upon hearing his son's words, Kabir felt pleased in his heart. He took the sword in his hand and severed his son's head. He gathered the bundle of cooking supplies and hurriedly returned home.