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Beyond Empty Ritual: The Critique of Outward Religion

Kabir and Vemana's Fierce Rejection of Ritualism Without Understanding

January 29, 2026
Shikshak Content Board
8 minute read
Section 2 of 11

Kabir: The Fire That Burns Hypocrisy — God Cannot Be Contained in Structures

Kabir does not speak gently. His verses are hammers meant to break illusion. He attacks religion when it becomes: • social performance • ego decoration • priestly control • external habit without inner realization --- Kabir Doha (Hindi) कंकर-पाथर जोड़ि के मस्जिद लई बनाय ता चढ़ि मुल्ला बांग दे, क्या बहरा हुआ खुदाय? Transliteration Kankar-pāthar joṛi ke masjid laī banāy Tā chaṛhi mullā bāng de, kyā baharā huā khudāy? Meaning You build a mosque from stone and brick, then climb it and shout aloud— Has God become deaf? Commentary Kabir exposes the absurdity: If God is everywhere, why must He be summoned by noise? If the Divine is infinite, why assume He lives inside structures? Kabir's point is radical: Religion becomes foolish when it forgets that God is not outside. The true temple is awareness.

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