Kabir's poetry Transcends Time and Space, inspiring hearts and minds across generations.

Kabir's message of universal love and oneness continues to resonate with seekers of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Kabir's poetry Transcends Time and Space, inspiring hearts and minds across generations.

Here are ten lines in praise of Kabir:

 "Kabir's poetry is like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, refreshing and revitalizing."

 "Kabir's words pierce through the veil of illusion and point us towards the ultimate truth."

• "Kabir's message of love and unity transcends time and place, and speaks to the hearts of all."
• "Kabir's poetry is a mirror that reflects the human condition with all its joys and sorrows."
• "Kabir's wisdom is a guiding light that illuminates the path of the seeker."
• "Kabir's poetry is a bridge that connects the inner and outer worlds, the individual and the universal."
• "Kabir's message of simplicity and humility reminds us of the beauty of a life lived in service of others."
• "Kabir's words are a call to action, urging us to transcend our ego and live in harmony with all beings."
• "Kabir's poetry is a celebration of life and an invitation to embrace the divine in all its forms."
• "Kabir's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire, transform, and uplift humanity.

The famous Indian mystic poet Kabir Das, whose original name was Kabir Ahmad, was born in the year 1398 near Banaras, India. His father was a Muslim weaver and his mother belonged to the local Turkic community.

From his early childhood, Kabir was more of an eccentric who was not interested in traditional education or religion. In his poetry he challenged and criticized both the blind imitation of religious Muslims and the idolatry and caste system of Hindus.
Not surprisingly, neither the Muslim mullahs nor the Hindu pundits were happy with this. The bulk of Kabir's work was collected by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and is part of the "Guru Granth Sahib", the holy book of Sikhism.

According to many traditions, he died at the age of 120 and wanted to be buried in the cemetery of the "Turks" near Benares, India.

History and Background About Saint Poet Kabir

Kabir was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint, who was revered by both Hindus and Muslims. He is considered one of the most important saints in the Bhakti movement, a devotional movement that emphasized the personal experience of the Divine. Kabir's poetry, which was composed in Hindi, often blended elements of Hinduism and Islam, and addressed themes such as spirituality, love, devotion, and social justice.

Kabir was born in Varanasi in northern India, and according to tradition, was raised by Muslim weavers. He was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Hindu bhakti saint Ramananda, as well as by Sufi mysticism. Kabir's poetry was largely oral, and was passed down through the centuries by a community of devotees.

Today, Kabir is celebrated as a unifying figure in Indian culture, and his poetry continues to inspire people of all backgrounds and beliefs. His teachings have been translated into many languages, and his poetry is still widely read and sung in India and beyond.

History Of Kabir

The historical details of Kabir's life are somewhat unclear and shrouded in legend, but it is generally believed that he was born in Varanasi, India in the late 14th or early 15th century. Kabir is said to have been raised in a Muslim family of weavers, but he was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Hindu bhakti saint Ramananda, as well as by Sufi mysticism. Kabir's poetry often blended elements of Hinduism and Islam, and addressed themes such as spirituality, love, devotion, and social justice.

According to tradition, Kabir faced significant opposition from religious authorities during his lifetime, as his teachings challenged orthodox beliefs and practices. Despite this opposition, Kabir gained a large following of devoted disciples, who continued to spread his teachings after his death.

Today, Kabir is celebrated as one of the most important saints in the Bhakti movement, a devotional movement that emphasized the personal experience of the Divine. His poetry, which was largely oral and passed down through the centuries by a community of devotees, continues to inspire people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Kabir is revered by both Hindus and Muslims in India, and his teachings have had a profound influence on Indian culture and spirituality.

Family Tree of Kabir

The family tree of the poet Kabir is not well-documented, as his life and teachings are shrouded in myth and legend. According to some accounts, Kabir was the son of a Muslim weaver named Niru, while other traditions claim that he was born to a Brahmin widow named Neema. It is said that Kabir's parents died when he was young, and he was raised by a Muslim weaver named Bhusiram.

Kabir is also said to have had a wife named Loi, who was a weaver like himself. According to legend, Kabir and Loi had two children, Kamal and Kamali.

Despite the lack of historical documentation, Kabir's teachings and poetry continue to inspire people of all backgrounds and beliefs in India and around the world. His message of love, unity, and devotion to the Divine has had a profound impact on Indian culture and spirituality, and his legacy continues to be celebrated centuries after his death.

Basic Theme of Kabir's Poetry

The basic theme of Kabir's poetry is a message of love, unity, and devotion to the Divine that transcends religious and social boundaries. Kabir's poetry reflects his belief in the oneness of God and the essential unity of all people, regardless of their caste, religion, or social status. 

Through his poetry, Kabir encourages his listeners to seek the Divine within themselves and to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God. He also criticizes the hypocrisy and dogmatism of religious institutions and urges people to look beyond the outward forms of religious practice to find the essence of spiritual truth.

Kabir's poetry is known for its simple, direct language and its use of everyday imagery and metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths. His poems often draw on the imagery of weaving, a reflection of his own background as a weaver, as well as other everyday activities and objects to illustrate his message of love and devotion to the Divine.

Love of Kabir

In Kabir's poetry, the term "Beloved" or "Ram" is often used to refer to God or the Divine. Kabir's message of love and devotion is centered on the idea that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize the presence of the Divine within oneself and to develop a deep, personal relationship with God.

While Kabir's poetry is not explicitly romantic, there are some interpretations that suggest that his use of the term "Beloved" can also be read as a metaphor for a human lover. Some scholars suggest that Kabir may have drawn on the tradition of Sufi love poetry, which uses romantic love as a metaphor for the soul's longing for union with the Divine.

However, the exact nature of Kabir's relationship to the Divine, as expressed in his poetry, remains a matter of interpretation and debate among scholars and readers of his work.

Poetic Work of Kabir

Kabir's poetry is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and use of everyday language and imagery to convey deep spiritual truths. His poems often draw on the imagery of weaving, a reflection of his own background as a weaver, as well as other everyday activities and objects to illustrate his message of love and devotion to the Divine.

Here is an example of one of Kabir's poems, translated into English:

"O servant, where dost thou seek Me?

Lo! I am beside thee.

I am neither in temple nor in mosque: I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash:

Neither am I in rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and renunciation.

If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time.

Kabir says, "O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath.""

This poem reflects Kabir's belief in the presence of the Divine in all things and his rejection of the idea that God can only be found in religious institutions or through specific practices or rituals. Other themes in Kabir's poetry include the importance of humility, the need to let go of attachment to worldly things, and the power of devotion to transform the heart and bring one closer to the Divine.

Book of Kabir 

Kabir's poetry was primarily transmitted orally and was not written down by the poet himself. However, his verses were eventually compiled and preserved by his followers in various collections, the most famous of which is the "Bijak" or "Vipassana-Pradeep" of Kabir.

The "Bijak" contains over 2000 of Kabir's verses and is considered one of the most important works of Hindi literature. It has been translated into several languages and continues to be read and studied by people around the world. Other collections of Kabir's poetry include the "Kabir Granthawali" and the "Anurag Sagar."

The "Bijak" of Kabir is a collection of verses or couplets (dohas) and does not have traditional chapters. However, the verses are organized thematically and cover a wide range of topics such as devotion, morality, social inequality, and spiritual enlightenment. The "Bijak" contains over 2000 such couplets.

The word "Bijak" is derived from the Hindi word "Bij" which means seed. In the context of Kabir's work, "Bijak" refers to a collection of seeds of wisdom and knowledge that can grow into spiritual enlightenment. The title reflects Kabir's belief that his poetry contained the essence of spiritual teachings that could help individuals achieve a higher understanding of the divine.

Message of Kabir

The message of Kabir's poetry is multifaceted and has been interpreted in various ways. However, some common themes in his work include:

1. Oneness of God: Kabir emphasized the idea of one God who transcends religions and is accessible to all. He rejected the idea of sectarianism and promoted a universal message of love and peace.

2. Inner spirituality: Kabir believed that true spirituality was a personal, inner experience that did not depend on external rituals or symbols. He encouraged people to focus on their inner journey rather than external displays of religiosity.

3. Social Equality: Kabir was critical of social inequality and caste discrimination, and often used his poetry to challenge prevailing social norms. He emphasized the importance of treating all people with respect and dignity.

4. Simplicity: Kabir's poetry often featured simple, everyday language and imagery. He believed that spiritual wisdom was accessible to all, regardless of education or social status.

Overall, Kabir's message was one of love, tolerance, and spiritual awareness, with a focus on inner transformation rather than external showmanship.

Death Of Kabir

The exact date and place of Kabir's death are not known for certain, but it is believed that he died in the early 16th century in Maghar, a town in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. The year of his death is estimated to be around 1518-1520.

Some Poetry from Bijak

Here is an example of a poem from Kabir's book "Bijak":

"Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag

Tera Sai Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag"

Translation:

"Just as oil is in the sesame seed, and fire is in flint

Your Sai is within you, if you have the power to wake up, then wake up."

This poem emphasizes the idea that the divine is within oneself and can be realized through self-awareness and spiritual awakening.

Here is another example of a poem from Kabir:

"Kasturi Kundal Base, Mrig Dhundhe Ban Mahi

Aise Ghati Ghati Hari Mile, Kabir Kabhi Na Chhodiye Jai"

Translation:

"The musk is in the deer, but it searches in the forest

Likewise, God is within every heart, but people search for him elsewhere. O Kabir, never leave the path of truth."

This poem highlights the idea that people often search for God outside of themselves, in external sources such as rituals or material possessions, when in fact God is within every person. Kabir urges people to seek truth and the divine within themselves, rather than looking for it in external sources.

Here is another example of a poem from Kabir:

"Dukh Mein Sumiran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye

Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye"

Translation:

"In times of sorrow, everyone remembers God, but in happiness, no one does.

Those who remember God in happiness, will never experience sorrow."

This poem teaches the importance of staying connected to God in both good times and bad. It suggests that those who remember God during good times will have the strength and wisdom to deal with difficult times. Kabir encourages people to cultivate a constant connection with God, rather than only turning to God when times are tough.

More Poetry of Kabir

Here's another example of a poem from Kabir:

"Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye

Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein, Sabit Bacha Na Koye"

Translation:

"Watching the grinding stones, Kabir laments.

Between the two stones, no one survives intact."

This poem is a metaphor for the harsh realities of life. The grinding stones represent the difficulties and challenges that we all face in life, and the fact that nobody survives unscathed suggests that we are all affected by these challenges in one way or another. Kabir is encouraging us to be mindful of these challenges and to be prepared to face them with strength and resilience. The poem also suggests that life is a constant cycle of ups and downs, and that we must learn to accept and navigate both the good and the bad times.

Bhajjan By Kabir

"Bhajan" is a term used for devotional songs in India. Kabir was known for composing many such bhajans that expressed his spiritual and social beliefs. Here's an example of a bhajan by Kabir:

"Bhajo re man, Ram naam sukhdai

Har jan sukh sampatti hoye"

Translation:

"O mind, meditate on the name of Ram

All those who do so attain peace and prosperity"

This bhajan emphasizes the power of meditation on the divine name, which according to Kabir, can bring inner peace and prosperity to the devotee.

Here are a few more Bhajans by Kabir:

1. Jhini jhini bini chadariya: 

Jhini jhini bini chadariya, 

kaharva se aayi re, 

Sakhiyaan saath mein chaliyan, 

kar gayi vyahvar re.

Translation:

I have woven this delicate garb,

but who comes to claim it?

My companions have all set forth,

and conducted their lives.

2. Bura jo dekhan main chala:

Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura na milya koye,

Jo mann khoja apna, to mujhse bura na koye.

Translation:

When I set out to see evil, none was found.

But, as I searched within, that was the worst I found.

3. Dheere dheere re mana:

Dheere dheere re mana, 

dheere sab kuch hoye, 

maali seenche sau ghada, 

ritu aaye phal hoye.

Translation:

Slowly, slowly, O my mind,

everything happens at its own pace.

The gardener may water a hundred buckets,

but the fruit arrives only in its season.

4. Moko kahan dhoondhe re bande:

Moko kahan dhoondhe re bande, 

main to tere paas mein, 

Na teerath mein, na moorat mein, 

na ekant niwas mein.

Translation:

Where do you search for me, O seeker?

I am right by your side.

Not in pilgrimage, nor in idols,

nor in solitary retreats. 

5. Saacha sahib ek tu:

Saacha sahib ek tu, 

ek tu hai jagat mein, 

jaisey kanchan ki thali mein, 

mithaiyon jaisa meetha sona.

Translation:

You alone are the true Master,

You alone are in the world,

Like sweets in a golden dish,

Sweetness in abundance.