Sant Kabirdas, born in Samvat 1456 (1399 AD), remains one of the most influential and revolutionary sant-poets of Indian literature. Known for his powerful devotional poetry and profound philosophical insights, Kabir’s life and teachings continue to inspire generations across religious and social divides. Yet, many aspects of his birth and life remain shrouded in mystery and controversy.
According to popular belief, Kabir was born to a Brahmin widow but was abandoned near the Lahartara pond of Kashi due to social stigma. He was found and raised by a weaver couple, Neeru and Neema, who belonged to a caste heavily influenced by Nathpanthi yogis. Despite being Muslim in name, the weaver community practiced a syncretic spiritual tradition blending elements of Nath yogis, which deeply shaped Kabir’s spiritual outlook.
This unique upbringing exposed Kabir to a rich blend of religious traditions early on, fueling his lifelong quest for spiritual truth beyond orthodox boundaries. Kabir was known to have a deep affinity for yogic rituals and practices, which reflected the Nathpanthi influence in his formative years.
One of the most famous legends about Kabir’s spiritual initiation recounts how Ramanand ji’s sandals fell upon the sleeping Kabir’s body by the banks of the Ganga, leading Kabir to utter “Ram-Ram,” marking his initiation into the Vaishnav tradition. Kabir’s own verses reveal a strong reverence and pride in his guru Ramanand, whom he acknowledges as his spiritual teacher and source of the Ramnaam mantra.
In contrast, although some Muslim disciples assert that Kabir also took initiation from the Sufi Fakir Sheikh Taki — a figure mentioned in Kabir’s verses — the tone and context suggest a lack of guru-like reverence. Kabir’s relationship with Sheikh Taki appears more as mutual respect than discipleship, underscoring Kabir’s spiritual independence and syncretism.
Throughout his life, Kabir adopted and blended the devotional ideologies of Vaishnavism, Sufism, and Nath yogis. He vehemently opposed religious dogma, caste distinctions, and social divisions, emphasising instead the unity of human experience and the oneness of God. His teachings called for breaking down barriers and cultivating harmony in society.
Kabir’s verses, compiled by his disciples in the form of ‘Sakhi’, ‘Sabad’, and ‘Ramaini’, are rooted in experiential wisdom rather than formal education—Kabir himself admitted, “I did not touch ink and paper, I did not hold a pen in my hand.” His poetry, simple yet profound, continues to resonate with people across faiths.
Kabir’s teachings were far ahead of their time and hold enduring relevance for contemporary society. Some of his notable messages include:
- Universal Welfare: “Sai, give me so much that my family can be satisfied. I should not remain hungry, and the sant should not go hungry.”
- Non-Alignment: “Kabir stands in the market, asking for everyone’s welfare. Neither friendship with anyone, nor enmity with anyone.”
- Critique of Social Injustice: “Seeing the running mill, Kabira cries. Between the two millstones, no one remains whole.”
- Valuing Knowledge over Caste: “Do not ask the caste of a sant, ask his knowledge.”
- Self-Reflection: “I went to look for the bad, but did not find anyone bad. If I searched my own heart, I found no one worse than me.”
- True Scholarship: “The world died reading books, but no one became a scholar. He who reads two and a half letters of love becomes a scholar.”
Kabir did not shy away from sharply critiquing the hypocrisy he perceived in religious practice, including among Muslims. His verses sarcastically highlight the gap between external ritual and true spirituality:
- “Kabir, this is the house of love, not the house of the aunt. He takes off his head and touches the ground, then he enters the house.”
- “The Pirs and sants of the Muslims eat chicken and rooster. He marries his aunt’s daughter and gets the engagement done at home.”
- “He builds a mosque by joining gravel and stone. The Mullah gets on top of it and gives the call, has the God gone deaf?”
- “You fast during the day and rest at night. This is blood and that worship, why do you seek happiness?”
Kabir’s biting satire was aimed not at any religion per se but at the empty rituals and moral failings that he saw as barriers to genuine spiritual progress.
Sant Kabirdas’s poetry transcends centuries as a clarion call for spiritual integrity, social equality, and religious harmony. His verses continue to be a vital source of inspiration for bridging divides in Indian society, urging people to look beyond superficial identities and unite in the shared quest for truth and compassion.
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