A twenty-one-year-old man goes to Kabir Das Ji for guidance. He has completed his studies and is in a dilemma whether he should get married or live like a sannyasi.
Man: Greetings to Thee. I wish to seek some guidance about my future. Should I get married or become a sannyasi?
Kabir Das Ji remains silent. The man approaches him every day with the same query. After a few days,
Kabir Das Ji (to himself): This man needs guidance earnestly. He is ready to receive the appropriate answer.
Kabir Das Ji: O sir, you shall stay at my place today.
In the mid-noon, Kabir Das Ji to his wife.
Kabir Das Ji: Can you bring a lamp as it is too dark here?
His wife brings the lamp without questioning him or ridiculing him. The man stands amazed.
Kabir Das Ji: Sir, you must stay till evening.
In the early dusk, Godhuli Bela, Kabir Das Ji performs Namaz and takes the man in the foothill of a mountain. There is a cave on the top of the mountain, where a sannyasi lives.
Kabir Das Ji (aloud): O seer! Kindly come down.
The old saint climbs down the mountain.
Kabir Das Ji: O sannyasi! Since how long have you been living here?
Sannyasi: I have been living here for fifty years.
Kabir Das Ji thanks him and asks him to return to his cave. The sannyasi climbs up and gasps heavily when he reaches the top.
Kabir Das Ji: O sannyasi! please come down.
Sannyasi comes down.
Kabir Das Ji: How many teeth do you have?
Sannyasi: I have four teeth.
Kabir Das Ji thanks him and asks him to return to his cave. The sannyasi climbs up and gasps heavily when he reaches the top. The saint does not question Kabir Das Ji.
Kabir Das Ji: O saint! Please come down.
Sannyasi comes down.
Kabir Das Ji: How old are you?
Sannyasi: I’m eighty years old.
Kabir Das Ji thanks him and asks him to return to his cave. The sannyasi climbs up and gasps heavily when he reaches the top. The saint does not question Kabir Das Ji.
Kabir Das Ji (to the man): Did you understand the notion?
Man: No, sir.
Kabir Das Ji: If you get married, you must approve every word of your better half. If she says that the sun rises in the west, you must accept it.
And if you choose the life of a sannyasi, you must live like this sannyasi. He didn’t question me or complain of disturbing him by asking silly questions. He smiled while climbing down the mountain, while climbing up the mountain, and while answering the questions, keeping his mind fixed on the soul. Though he suffered; the cold razor-like winds, the old age, and even the height of the mountain, he was aware of his identity as the soul.
Moral: It is very important to surrender. Once the mind fixes on the soul, there shall be no question of patience to be inculcated additionally. All six tenants of life shall manifest. If we complain at any level of our life, there is a possibility to improve. We should be contented with all that we have. This is the best key for living a life of a house-holder and even a sannyasi.