Gurbani Quote On Greed

We only like to hear our praise and don’t like anyone speaking against us or pointing to our faults and shortcomings, So much so that many times we start considering that person as our enemy who says any disparaging word about us or our deeds. But there are some divinely wise persons who don’t mind anyone pointing to their faults. Instead, they listen very calmly and objectively to all the criticism of their opponents or slanderers. They make sure that they don’t have the shortcomings pointed out by others in their work or character. If the faults pointed out are true, then they sincerely try to remove these defects and thus improve their work and their character. In this spirit, they consider their slanderers as their friends rather than their foes. In this shabad, Kabir Ji is expressing similar sentiments in response to many attacks on his character or deeds by many people. They believed that Kabir Ji was not following the traditional ways and practices of Hindu and Muslim priests and scholars of his time, and therefore, they always tried to find faults in him.
 Responding to the slanderous remarks of the people, he says: “O’ (people of the) world, please slander me, yes slander me again and again. (I don’t mind it at all). Slander is truly dear to the devotees (of God. To them) slander is like their father and mother (who point out the faults of their children in order to improve their character and manners).”(1-pause)
 Kabir Ji goes even one step further in describing the benefits of slander, when he says: “(I believe that when we are) criticized we go to heaven. (Because when the faults in our character or devotion are pointed out, we are able to correct our mistakes, and we become truly virtuous). Then we enshrine the commodity of (God’s) Name in our heart. In this way, if our heart is pure when we are being criticized (then we are able to judge objectively, and find our true shortcomings. We can then remove those faults in our character or work. It is as if) a slanderer washes our (dirty) clothes.”(1)
 On the basis of above analysis, Kabir Ji declares: “The one who slanders (me) is my friend; therefore my mind always remains attuned to the slanderer (because I always want to know my faults, so that I may remove them). Therefore (I think, my) slanderer is the one who forbids anyone from slandering (me, because in the long run) a slanderer embellishes my life.”(2)
 In conclusion, Kabir Ji says: “In slander lies my love and affection, (because) slander sanctifies me. Therefore to the devotee Kabir, his slander seems the most beneficial thing. In fact, by slandering the slanderer has drowned, and I have crossed over (the worldly ocean).”(3-20-71)