Book Review: Kabir 1008 Vani
by James Bean
Copyright August 2005
Kabir 1008 Vani – Nectar of Truth and Knowledge
Essence of the Collection of Saakhis (the Saakhi Granth of Guru Kabir) in Simple Language and Style
Compiled by Lalchand Doohan Jigyasu
Translated into English by Kunwar Anil Kumar

Genres: Mystic-Poetry, Hinduism, Sikhism, Kabir Panth, Meditation, Bhakti (devotion)

Kabir 1008 Vani is a very beautiful and impressive book featuring 1008 sayings of Kabir, one of Indian’s greatest Masters and poet- mystics, who lived in northern India around six hundred years ago. As with Rumi, the Persian Sufi poet, in recent years Kabir has also become increasingly popular in the West. A few decades ago, the only translations of Kabir were, “Songs of Kabir” by Rabindranath Tagore published in 1915, and Robert Bly’s 1971 paraphrase or “versions” of Kabir, which were also based upon Tagore’s translation. These days however, there are literally hundreds of books available in the English language exploring the poetry and teachings of Sri Guru Kabir Sahib. The Saakhis (a term for a certain kind of poetic composition, a couplet giving testimony of eternal truths) are often used in the satsangs (spiritual gatherings in the name of Eternal Truth) of many spiritual paths based in India. It makes a great deal of sense that spiritual teachers would give satsang talks based upon the Saakhis of Kabir, as they are brimming with wisdom about how to integrate spiritual principals into one’s daily life. Kabir was critical of religious hypocrisy, going through the motions of outward rites and rituals without sincerity of heart. His path was that of Bhakti, meaning, love and devotion for the Beloved Supreme Spirit. For Kabir, the true church, mosque, or temple is within the body, within the human heart. The theme of the Saakhis is bringing all levels of our existence, more and more with each passing day, in body, speech, emotions, and thought, into harmony with the soul or spirit inside.

ISBN: 81-8133-515-5
Publisher: Manoj Publications
Website: Manoj Publications
Available in the US via Nataraj Books: Here