Kabir Das is a 15th century Indian mystic poet/seer/sant (teacher) whose syncretic spiritual couplets and songs continue to be appreciated worldwide. His poetic works are a mix of hymns, proverbs and parables. They teach devotion to God and Truth and to avoid anger, ego and attachment to the temporal world.
Kabir’s Biography
Even though his works are well-known, his life story contains conflicting stories and remains a mystery. Conflicting opinions are held by scholars regarding his birth, death and religion. Born anywhere between late 14th century to early 15th century he is claimed by Hindus, Muslims as well as Sikhs as belonging to their religions.
Kabir was a weaver by profession and used the common man’s language in his poetry. His name declares his Muslim origins and his poems display knowledge of Hindu gods. However, he attacked all religious orthodoxy and worshiped the God whose essence no one can explain but can only experience. He said of himself, "at once the child of Allah and Ram."
Historical Context – Bhakti Movement
The major characteristic of the Bhakti Movement in India was devotion to God (Bhakti). It started in South India and then spread to North India. During the 14th -17th centuries, many poet teachers or sants spread the Bhakti movement in the North. They taught that people should ignore the rituals and caste system in India but experience God through overwhelming devotion.
Kabir is believed to have been a student of Ramananda, a leader of the Bhakti Movement. Kabir was one of the saints of the Bhakti Movement but unlike other Bhakti poets he was not a devotee of Rama or Krishna or Shiva or Vishnu. God for him was Truth, Love and a formless spiritual presence. He was his guru, his beloved and present in everyone regardless of religion.
Kabir’s Followers
Kabir’s followers started their own community and are called Kabirpanthis. The Kabirpanthi community contains people with Hindu as well as Muslim ancestries. The followers of Kabir live in India as well as in Indian diasporic communities. They follow the teachings in Bijak. They believe in meditating on God as means to fulfillment in life.
Kabir’s Poems
Kabir is well known for his dhohas (rhyming couplets) and songs. Composed in the vernacular language of Uttar Pradesh, he used simple language and metaphors. Though illiterate, he sang his poems and it continues to be transmitted orally. As he said, “Kabir tells with mouth alone”.
There are three written collections of Kabir’s poems: Bhijak, Panchavani and Guru Granth Sahib. Bijak (Seedling) is the scripture of Kabir’s followers. Panchavani (Words of the Five) includes Kabir’s poems along with four other sants. The Sikhs’ scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib contains more than 500 verses by Kabir.
The West became aware of his poems through Rabindranath Tagore’s translations of Kabir’s poems into English. Songs of Kabir presents 100 songs of Kabir in English. Since then there have been other translations by Indians as well as Americans. The Bijak of Kabir by Linda Hess contains translations of the Kabirpanthis’ main holy book.
Quotations From Kabir’s Poems
A master weaver of words his poems about devotion to God, spiritual quest, and a universal spiritual consciousness remains popular even today and are often quoted. Some translated quotes are:
- “...the truth-seeker's battle goes on day and night, as long as life lasts it never ceases."
- "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath."
- “He has no beginning and no end; He holds all within His bliss.”
- “Look within your heart, for there you will find both Karim and Ram; All the men and women of the world are His living forms.”
- "In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none, To One who prays in happiness, how sorrow can come?"
