8.Kabir Das

 Kabir Das was a revered Hindi poet and mystic who lived in India during the 15th century. His poetry was deeply influenced by the Bhakti movement, and some of his verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib of the Sikhs. Born into a Hindu Brahmin family, Kabir was raised by a Muslim family after being abandoned as an infant. He became a disciple of Ramananda, a prominent saint of the Bhakti tradition, and was known for his sharp critiques of religious orthodoxy and rituals in both Hinduism and Islam.

Kabir questioned the necessity of ceremonies such as the Hindu sacred thread ritual and the Muslim practice of circumcision (Circumcision), arguing that they were not rooted in the Vedas. This outspokenness led to threats from both Hindus and Muslims, yet after his death, both communities claimed him as their own. There was even a dispute over whether his body should be buried or cremated. Kabir believed that God resided in those who walked the path of Dharma. To him, true devotion lay in recognizing all living beings as manifestations of God and rejecting materialism. Kabir encouraged meditation through the mantra "Rama Rama."

To this day, the spiritual sect Kabir Panth exists, and its followers regard Kabir as their founder. Members of this group are called Kabir Panthis.

Life and Legacy

The exact period of Kabir's life remains uncertain. Some historians suggest he lived between 1398 and 1448, while others argue for 1440 to 1518. Similarly, accounts of his birth vary. One narrative claims he was born to an unwed Brahmin woman in Varanasi. To conceal her pregnancy, she allegedly placed the newborn in a basket and set it afloat in the Ganges, where he was found and raised by a Muslim family of weavers.

Some scholars assert that Kabir was among the earliest Indians to convert to Islam, while others note his strong spiritual leanings toward Shaivism and the Nath sect, which were significant during his time. There are conflicting accounts of Kabir's personal life—some say he was celibate, while others claim he had a wife named Alla Dhanya, a son named Kamal, and a daughter named Kamalika.

1. Guru and Disciple

Kabir became a disciple of Ramananda, a devotional poet from Banaras, who preached the idea that God in Advaita (non-dualism) resides equally in everyone. Initially hesitant to accept Kabir due to his Muslim upbringing, Ramananda is said to have had a change of heart after an unusual incident. Kabir lay down on the steps of the Ganges before dawn, covered in torn cloth. When Ramananda accidentally stepped on him and exclaimed “Rama Rama,” Kabir claimed the Guru had accepted him as a disciple by uttering the divine name. This act convinced Ramananda to formally acknowledge him as a follower.

2. Kabir and the King of Kashi

Kabir was widely regarded as a saint. One of his notable disciples was Vir Singh, the King of Kashi. The king revered Kabir deeply, often rising from his throne to offer him the seat of honor. However, Kabir decided to test the king’s devotion.

One day, Kabir roamed the market with Ravidas, a shoemaker, and a former prostitute, carrying two bottles filled with a colored liquid resembling alcohol. This caused outrage among the townsfolk, who gossiped about Kabir’s company and actions. When they arrived at the king’s palace, Vir Singh hesitated to greet Kabir, as he too judged the situation.

In the royal court, Kabir deliberately spilled the liquid onto the floor, revealing its spiritual purpose. Ravidas explained that the liquid had extinguished a fire at the Jagannath temple in Puri at that exact moment. The king later confirmed this miracle through a messenger, which strengthened his faith in Kabir.

3. Seeing God Directly

A man named Ramdas once approached Kabir, asking, “Guru, can you show me God?” Kabir agreed but asked for three days. Taking his words seriously, Ramdas sold all his possessions, prepared food, and invited his village to witness the divine event.

On the appointed day, while everyone waited eagerly, a bull wandered into the kitchen, urinating and defecating over the food. Enraged, Ramdas struck the animal with an iron rod, driving it away. Later, the wounded bull approached Kabir, who comforted it with tears in his eyes, saying, “Lord, this is what has happened to you!”

This incident demonstrated Kabir’s teaching that God resides in all living beings. Through this lesson, Kabir emphasized the divine presence in every creature, plant, and aspect of nature.

4. The Death of Kabir

A prevalent belief in Kabir’s time was that dying in Kashi (Varanasi) ensured entry to heaven, whereas dying elsewhere meant losing that privilege. To challenge this superstition, Kabir chose to leave Kashi and spent his final days in Magahar, a town some distance away. In 1575, sensing his death approaching, he meditated in a cave in Magahar.

Kabir’s teachings treated Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs equally, rejecting divisions based on religion. His tomb is located in Magahar, and the cave where he meditated can still be visited.

1.    Kabir’s Poetry

Kabir’s poems resonate with themes of universal love, spiritual introspection, and devotion. Below are some examples of his verses:

Are you looking for me?

I am right next to you, my shoulder touching yours.
You cannot find me in towers, temples, mosques, synagogues,
or churches, even where hymns are sung.
I am not in garlands or in your vegetarian meals.
When you truly seek me, you will see me
in the smallest, most unexpected places.

Kabir’s Sayings

• Disciple: Master, what is God?  
• Kabir: God is inside your breath. Listen.
•  
• Many have died; you too will die.
• The death knell is ringing.
•  
• The whole world lives in a dream,
  only the words of the wise remain.
• Everyone knows that drops of water join the ocean,
  but how many realize the ocean joins a drop?

The same river that flows in you
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