Kabir Das

Kabir Das was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint, whose writings influenced Hinduism’s Bhakti movement and his verses are found in Sikhism’s scripture Guru Granth Sahib. His early life was in a Muslim family, but he was strongly influenced by his teacher, the Hindu bhakti leader Ramananda. 
Kabir is known for being critical of both organized religion and religion. He questioned meaningless and unethical practices of all religions primarily the wrong practices in Hindu and Muslim religions. During his lifetime, he was threatened by both Hindus and Muslims for his views. When he died, both Hindus and Muslims he had inspired claimed him as theirs. Kabir means Famous Poet/Saint
Kabir suggested that Truth is with the person who is on the path of righteousness, considered everything, living and non-living, as divine, and is passively detached from the affairs of the world. To know the Truth, suggested Kabir, drop the “I” or the ego. Kabir’s legacy survives and continues through the Kabir Panth, a religious community that recognizes him as its founder and is one of the Sant Mat sects.

Kabir Math

Life and Birth of Saint Kabir

Kabir was born in the year 1398 in the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

The birth of Kabir remains shrouded in mystery and legend. It is also uncertain who his parents were. It is said that Kabir was conceived miraculously. His mother was a devout Brahmin widow who had accompanied her father on a pilgrimage to a famous ascetic. Impressed by their dedication, the ascetic blessed her and told her she would soon bear a son. After the son was born, to escape dishonor (as she was not married), Kabir’s mother abandoned him. Young Kabir was adopted by Nima, the wife of a Muslim weaver. In another version of the legend, the ascetic assured the mother that the birth would be in an unusual manner and so it was, Kabir was born out of the palm of his mother! In this version of the story too, he was later adopted by the same Nima.

In his poems, Kabir calls himself a julaha and kori. Both mean weaver, belonging to a lower caste. He did not associate himself completely with either Hindus or Muslims.

Kabir did not undertake any formal education. He was not even trained as a weaver. While his poems abound with weaving metaphors, his heart was not fully in this profession. He was on a spiritual journey to seek the Truth which is clearly manifested in his poetry.

To satiate his spiritual quest, he wanted to become the chela (disciple) of Ramananda, a famed saint in Varanasi. Kabir felt that if he could somehow know the secret mantra of his teacher, his initiation would follow. Saint Ramananda used to visit a certain ghat regularly in Varanasi. When Kabir saw him approaching, he lay down on the stairs of the ghat and was struck by Ramananda who out of shock gasped the word ‘Ram.’ Kabir found the mantra and he was later accepted as a disciple by the saint.

There is a locality named Kabir Chaura in Varanasi which is believed to be the place where he grew up.

Saint Kabir Das Teaching

Kabir’s teachings were vehement and rejected major religious traditions. His teachings ridiculed different forms of external worship of both Brahmanical, Hinduism, and Islam. He used to teach Hindu, Muslim unity. He believed that God is one who just has different names. He believed in a formless Supreme God. He also said that the only path to salvation was through bhakti or devotion. He also preached the lessons about the brotherhood of man. He was not in support of the caste system. His poetry was a form of spoken Hindi making it easy to understand for ordinary people. He has followers among both Hindus and Muslims.

Saint Kabir’s Philosophy and Poetry

Kabir’s philosophical tenets were extremely simple. He was known as the guiding spirit of the Bhakti Movement. He preached Bhakti or ‘Devotion’ through the medium of his ‘Dohas’. Kabir’s Dohas touched everybody’s heart and he was endeared by all. Following are the aspects on which Kabir has expressed his ideas.

Love for all was Kabir’s principal tenet. He emphasized that love was the only medium that could bind the entire humankind in an unbreakable bond of fraternity. Kabir detested the frivolities and rituals in Hinduism and Islam for, these could never bind together mankind. Hence he advised all to give up hatred and perpetuate love for one and all.

God was the focal point of Kabir’s religion and Kabir addressed him in different names. In his opinion, God alone was Ram, Rahim, Govind, Allah, Khuda, Hari, etc. But for Kabir, ‘Saheb’ was his favorite name. He said god was everywhere and His domain is unlimited. God was pure, sacred, existing, without form, light, endless, and inseparable. Hence God was all-powerful and he could only be worshipped through love and devotion. In whatever name one addresses Him, God is one and has no second. Hence Kabir preached Monotheism.

When it comes to poetry writing, Kabir is a poet who truly deserves a special mention. He was a great mystic poet, whose poetry touched many hearts. Kabir’s poetry had the knack to raise the conscience level of people and make them walk on the path of spirituality.

Great Works of Saint Kabir

The impressive works of Kabir Das are generally collections of dohas and songs. The total works are seventy-two including some of the important and well-known works are Rekhtas, Kabir Bījak, Anurag Sagar, Kabir Bani, Kabir Granthawali, the Suknidhan, Mangal, Vasant, Sabdas, Sakhis, and Holy Agams.

Kabir’s impressive works include the Bījak: the most sacred book of the Kabir Panth sect is the Bījak, many passages from which are presented in the Guru Granth Sahib and the Anurag Sagar. In the prestigious Holy Book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib, 217 songs of Kabir are incorporated (Anno 1604). He contributed the most, of all Gurus, to the Guru Granth Sahib.

In a blunt and uncompromising style, the Bījak exhorts its readers to shed their delusions, pretensions, and orthodoxies in favor of a direct experience of truth. It satirizes hypocrisy, greed, and violence, especially among the religious. The Bījak includes three main sections (called Ramainī, Shabda, and Sākhī) and a fourth section containing miscellaneous folksongs. Most of Kabir’s material has been popularized through the song form known as Shabda (or pada) and through the aphoristic two-line sākhī (or Doha) that serves throughout North India as a vehicle for popular wisdom. In the Anurag Sagar, the story of creation is told to Dharamdas (one of Kabir Saheb’s disciples), and the Maan Sarowaris another collection of teachings of Kabir Saheb from the Dharamdasi branch of the Kabir Panth.

Kabir’s charisma was so enormous that later poets-mystic were prepared to have their own beautiful songs spread by the name of Kabir, not by their own name.

Contribution of Saint Kabir to the Country

Some notable contributions of Saint Kabir’s are -:

• Role in Bhakti Movement – Kabir played a crucial role in the Bhakti movement, a devotional revolution in medieval India that emphasized a personal and emotional connection with God. His writings and ideas inspired other Bhakti saints, such as Guru Nanak Dev, Tulsidas, and Surdas, who further propagated the ideals of love, devotion, and spiritual awakening.
• Teachings – Kabir’s teachings were rooted in the belief in the unity of God and the underlying oneness of all religions. He advocated for a direct and personal experience of the divine, emphasizing love, compassion, and the importance of inner spirituality over religious rituals and dogmas. His verses and bhajans (devotional songs) continue to inspire millions of people, cutting across religious boundaries.
  
• Equality and Brotherhood – Kabir’s poetry challenged social and religious divisions prevalent in medieval India. He spoke against caste-based discrimination, and religious exclusivity, and advocated for unity and equality among all individuals. His verses emphasized the essential dignity and worth of every human being, regardless of their social or religious background.
  
• Contribution to Literature – Kabir’s poetry, composed in the form of dohas (couplets), was simple yet profound. His verses were written in a language accessible to the common people, using metaphors and imagery drawn from everyday life. Kabir’s works have been extensively studied and celebrated in Indian literature, influencing subsequent generations of poets and writers.

Saint Kabir Math

It is the Saint Kabir Math located in the Lahartara Varanasi. Devotees visit the Kabir Math to pay their respects to Saint Kabir, participate in spiritual discourses, and engage in devotional practices. Math also serves as a hub for the study and dissemination of Kabir’s poetry, philosophy, and teachings. The Kabir Math is considered a significant pilgrimage site for followers of Saint Kabir and plays a central role in preserving and propagating his teachings. It is believed to be the place where Saint Kabir lived and meditated during his time in Varanasi.

Philosophies of Saint Kabir

He laid the following philosophy:-

• Kabir believed in the unity of God. He called different gods like Ram, Rahim, and Allah as one. He believed in God’s will.
• Kabir criticized the practices like idol worship, performing rituals and ceremonies, visiting pilgrimage centers, etc. He emphasized purity of character and conduct. 
• He taught the lesson of Ahimsa and asked people to do not to harm animals.
• Kabir believed that only the Guru could show you the correct path. Swami Ramananda was the Guru of Kabir. The religion of Kabir comprises all men, women, and people from all social groups.
• Kabir put stress on Hindu-Muslim unity. He wanted harmony between these religions. He was considered the forerunner of Mahatma Gandhi.

Saint Kabir’s poetry and legacy

• Kabir’s poems were written in a variety of dialects of Hindi, including Braj, Bhojpuri, and Awadhi.
• They cover a wide range of topics and encourage a passionate commitment to God.
• Kabir’s lyrics were written in simple Hindi terms. The majority of his work dealt with dedication, mysticism, and discipline.
• Kabir Das, a famous mystic poet and one of India’s top spiritual poets, has provided his philosophical thoughts to improve people’s lives.
• People’s attitudes toward kindness have shifted as a result of his theory of oneness with God and Karma as true Dharma.
• Both Hindu Bhakti and Muslim Sufi concepts are fulfilled in his love and devotion to God.
• Kabir Bijak, Kabir Parachai, Sakhi Granth, Adi Granth (Sikh), and Kabir Granthawali(Rajasthan) are literary works featuring compositions credited to Kabir

Conclusion

Kabir Das was a great mystic poet who taught a genuine lesson about morality, humanity, and spirituality. He followed the directions of his Guru Ramanand and walked on the path of prosperity. The saint opened people’s eyes through his preaches, poetries, books, and beliefs. He was a great follower of ahimsa, love, and peace. Today, many Kabir Panthis worship him at Kabir Chaura, Varanasi. Although there is no proof of the poet’s birth and biological parents, his journey is legendary and teaches real-world humanity. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. What is the name of Kabir Das’s parents?

Ans. The name of his real parents is unknown but it was Neeru and Neema who found him lying beside a pond in Varanasi.

Q 2. What is the primary language of Kabir?

Ans. Hindi and modern standard Hindi are the main languages in which his poems had written. He used to pen his poems in couplets. His writings were very influential at the time of the Bhakti movement. Kabir was a prominent poet and mostly wrote his poems in Hindi.

Q 3. Who is the God of Sant Kabir?

Ans. Guru Ramanand Ji gave Kabir the name of the god Lord Rama for chanting mantras. Kabir then interpreted the mantra in his way, for whom Lord Rama was a pure Satchitananda and not the king of Ayodhya. He never differentiated between Hinduism and Islam. Instead, he only believed in one religion, i.e., the religion of love.

Q 4. How many Dohas had Kabir written?

Ans. Sant Kabir wrote 25 Dohas based on life. The deep lines of his dohas answer all questions related to life and Karmas. One can read and enchant his dohas.

Q 5. What are the different literary works of Kabir Das?

Ans. There is a total of 72 works of Kabir Das and some of the famous ones are Kabir Bījak, Kabir Bani, Rekhtas, Anurag Sagar, the Suknidhan, Mangal, Kabir Granthawali, Vasant, Sabdas, Sakhis and etc.