Garib Das

Saint Garib Das(1717–1778) was a spiritual leader and called Acharaya (one who is teacher to saints), spiritual reformer and founder of the Garibdasi panth (a sect) who follow his preachings). He was born in 1717 to a family of Dhankhar Jats In Village Chhudani, District Jhajjar, Haryana(India), and he has written almost 24000 words of holy book which is called Garibdassi Granth which is followed by so many Garbidassi and Kabir panthies. His Garib Das ki granth Sahib or redBaba Garib Dasji ki bani consists of some 7,000 verses of the poet Kabir followed by 17,000 of his own. The granth (holy book) has so many words from different languages like Arabic, Gujraati and other language spoken at that time in different regions up to Afghanistan and across the Himalayan valleys. He left this earth in 1778, and over his remains a mausoleum was erected. The holy book contains vast knowledge of different forms of Bhakti and Sadhna. Acharaya explained different ways to reach the ultimate goal of human soul which is also discussed in Vedanta. Till the present age of Kali there appeared so many holy books preaching different ways to meet Gods like Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Rama. The holy book of Acharaya Garib Dass describes the conclusion from almost all books which are presently part of Indian spiritual teaching.

The holy book gives practical knowledge to reach the ultimate goal.

Garibdasis held Kabir and Rama identical - Ram men kabir men kuchh antar nahin. The Garibdasis are found in Punjab and Haryana. There are branch institutions in a number of villages in Rohtak district. These include the Bhuriwale(Garib Dassi) Sampradaya.

Family and early life

Sant Garibdas Ji was born in 1717 A.D. in the village Chhudani, district Jhajjar, Haryana in a Dhankhar family of Jats.[1] His father's name is Shri Balram Ji and his mother's name is Shrimati Rani Devi Ji. Village Chhudani is the maternal's village of Garib Das Ji Maharaj. His father belonged to the Dhankhar gotra of Karontha village, district Rohtak, Haryana. His father Shri Balaram Ji was married to Rani Devi, daughter of Shivlal Singh in village Chhudani. Shri Shivlal Ji had no son. Therefore, Shri Balaram Ji was kept in the house. After 12 years of marriage Sant Garib Das Ji Maharaj Ji was born in the village Chhodani. Shri Shivlal Ji had 2500 Bighas (big Bigha which is 2.75 times bigger than today's Bigha and counts for 1400 acres of land).

Shri Balaram was the heir of all that land and after him, his only son Sant Garib Das Ji inherited all that land. Garib Das Ji used to go to cow grazing with other cowherds since childhood.

Spiritual Journey

Saint Garib Das's spiritual journey started when Respected Kabir God met him at the age of 10 years.

After taking initiation from Kabir Saheb, he went to Satlok with him.[2] On the way, Lord Kabir also showed him heaven. When they reached Satlok, he (child Garib das) saw Lord Kabir was sitting on the throne. Then, child Garib das became shocked because Lord Kabir was also standing along with him in the form of Zinda Mahatma. After a moment, the two forms of Lord Kabir merged, and only Lord Kabir on the throne remained. Then, God Kabir sent him back to earth. After coming back to earth, he started telling all the villagers and everyone about lord Kabir.

The knowledge received from God got written in six months in Garib das's garden of berries by sitting under a Khejri (Jand) tree, and thus the handwritten Holy Book Sri Sat Granth Sahib (Amarbodh, Amargranth) was composed. Mahatma Garib Das Maharaj went to Satlok in 1778 at the age of 61.[3] A memorial, Chhatri Saheb, was cremated at the village Chhudani.  After this, appearing in the same body, he lived in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh for 35 years.  There is also a memorial Chhatri Sahib built in his name.


Kabirpanth

The sect ongoing from Saint Garib Das Ji Garibdas Panth is also a Kabirpanth. And, in the Holy Kabir Sagar chapter Kabir Bani (Bodh Sagar) and chapter Kabir Charitr Bodh, Garibdas Panth is written as the twelfth sect (Panth) of Kabirpanth and that the twelfth Panth would be "the Dawn". It is also written in the Holy Kabir Sagar that the thirteenth Panth will emerge from the twelfth Panth only when Kabir Sahib himself would come in the twelfth Panth.

Work

The Banis uttered by him are revered by his followers as Holy SatGranth Sahib a Holy Book that has the collection of the Banis of Sant Garib Das Ji Maharaj alone.

Philosophy

Just after Kabir Sahib Ji left Sant Garib Das Ji's soul back on earth, Sant Garib Das Ji uttered numerous Banis saying that Kabir Sahib only is the Supreme God in Satlok.

Just like Kabir Sahib Ji, Sant Garib Das Ji has also criticised both Hindus' and Muslims' spiritual leaders for ignorantly preaching wrong worship and knowledge in the society.

References
  1. "Biography of Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj with Salvation Story | Jagat Guru Rampal Ji". www.jagatgururampalji.org. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  2. "A Brief Introduction of Saint Garibdas Ji". www.speakingtree.in. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  3. "गरीब दास - भारतकोश, ज्ञान का हिन्दी महासागर". amp.bharatdiscovery.org. Retrieved 3 January 2021.

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