January 23, 2025

Kabir Das was a saint who, both the sects, Muslims and Hindus, consider their own. The reason for this is the universality of his thoughts and the mention of “Allah and Ram” in his works,in the same breath. The holy book of the Sikhs, ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, also contains the verses of Kabir.

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The birth of Kabir is completely shrouded as there is a dispute on the time period he lived and about his parents. Most claim that he lived between 1440 and 1518 while there are some who say he lived between 1398 and 1448. Since he is believed to have lived for many years 1440 to 1518 is more likely to be true. Regarding his parents also there are two stories. One is that he was born to an unwed mother who abandoned her child and he was then brought by a Muslim couple who were weavers. While the other story he was born and brought in a Muslim family. It was known that he lived in Varanasi. All agree that Swami Ramananda was his guru. There is a story that Swami Ramananda was not willing to accept Kabir as his disciple. One day Kabir lay down on the steps that led to the river, very early in the morning knowing that his guru would come that way for his bath. Not seeing him in the dark Swami Ramanand is believed to have put his foot on Kabir. Swami Ramanand felt sorry for Kabir and then accepted him as his disciple. Kabir is known for his poems which were wonderful verses influenced by Hinduism and Islam. Kabir died in January 1518 in Maghar, Uttar Pradesh. In his death both sects claimed the body and the story goes that when the cloth over the body was removed there were only flowers. So the Hindus took their half and made a Samadhi and the Muslims took the other half and built a tomb. Today the tomb and the Samadhi is seen side by side in Maghar.

Philosophy Propounded

Kabir Das believed in universality of all religion as they all spoke of one entity. Muslims claim him to be a Sufi saint; Hindus believe he is a devotee of Vishnu. However he criticized some of the practises of Hinduism and Islam and for this he was tortured by both the communities. However in his death both wanted a claim to his body.

Work Done to Spread the Philosophy

Kabir’s poems in simple Hindi that were on discipline, devotion and mysticism have influenced generations of people and are read to this day. His followers have formed a sect called the Kabir Panth and they are spread all over the world.