Intellectuals, on the basis of their erudition, claim to know the Lord. But, says Kabir, they do not know the Lord nor do they know anything about Kal, the negative power, who is the cause of the creation and of the changes that continually take place in it. The learned have only book knowledge; they lack the true knowledge that is the outcome of spiritual experience and attainment. Their talk about God and spiritual matters, about heaven and hell, is theoretical, based only on intellectual speculation and imagination. It is like the make-believe of children, arranging marriages for their dolls. The learned pundits and priests also act as spiritual guides and initiate by shaving heads or having people perform certain ceremonies. Kabir says that since they do not even know where their disciples' souls will go after death, they can hardly guide them on the spiritual path.

The erudite, the clever, the intellectual,
Claim to know the Wise One,
But in truth know Him not.
They know not the mystery
Of the second wise one
Who is the cause of creation
And of destruction,
Of the advent of night
And the dawn of day.

They have all adopted the trade
Of rites and rituals,
Of piety and ceremonies,
Of worship of many gods.
Ignorant of the One, the Lord of all,
They talk of heaven and salvation
Like children at play
Arranging marriages for their dolls.

Tell me, O learned ones,
Where do they go after death
Whom you tonsure
To make your disciples?
Realize
That the Lord's Name alone
Is the real treasure
And give up all counterfeit.

Bijak, Ramaini 36
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