Kabir and King Ibrahim: story about ego/pride and humbleness



Story told by Sant Kirpal Singh in His book “The light of Kirpal”


Ibrahim was a Saint, he was a king who left his kingdom and came to Kabir, lived with Him for three, four years. He was quite obedient and did not ask for anything. Whatever was given to him he would eat. He would do whatever he was told to do, like a bought slave. So Loi, the mother of the house, told Kabir, “Well, he is quite ready, will You give him something now?” And Kabir told her, “No, his vessel is not yet ready.” She said, “What more is wanted? He is very obedient; he does not say anything; whatever you give him, he eats; he never grumbles.” “All right, tomorrow morning when he goes out of the door of the house, you put all of the refuse of the house into a basket and throw it over his head. Then, listen to what he says.” Next morning when Ibrahim went out of the house, Loi put all the house refuse over his head. Ibrahim said, “Now! Had this been Bokhara . . .” (He was the king of Bokhara, you see), “this would not have been.” His ego was still there . . . “I am a great man living at His door.” When she told Kabir, He said, “1 told you, his vessel is not yet ready.” Then some years passed. He remained there for more than ten years. Then one day Kabir said, “Now the vessel is ready.” Loi said, “There is no difference outwardly.” [Kabir:] “All right, tomorrow morning when he goes out, just throw all of the night waste over his head.” The next morning she did so. Ibrahim said, “God, I am worse than that.” And Kabir said, “Didn’t I tell you? He’s now ready, you see.”