- Died:
- 1518 (aged 78)India
Kabir, (Arabic: “Great”) (born 1440, Varanasi, Jaunpur, India—died 1518, Maghar), iconoclastic Indian poet-saint revered by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs.
The birth of Kabir remains shrouded in mystery and legend. One tradition holds that he was born in 1398, which would have made him 120 years old at his death. It is also uncertain who his parents were. According to one legend, his mother was a Brahman who became pregnant after a visit to a Hindu shrine. Because she was unwed, she abandoned Kabir, who was found and adopted by a Muslim weaver. That his early life began as a Muslim there is little doubt, but he was later strongly influenced by a Hindu ascetic, Ramananda.
Although Kabir is often depicted in modern times as a harmonizer of Hindu and Muslim belief and practice, it would be more accurate to say that he was equally critical of both, often conceiving them as parallel to one another in their misguided ways. In his view, the mindless, repetitious, prideful habit of declaiming scripture could be visited alike on the sacred Hindu texts, the Vedas, or the Islamic holy book, the Qurʾān; the religious authorities doing so could be Brahmans or qāḍīs (judges); meaningless rites of initiation could focus either on the sacred thread or on circumcision. What really counted, for Kabir, was utter fidelity to the one deathless truth of life, which he associated equally with the designations Allah and Ram—the latter understood as a general Hindu name for the divine, not the hero of the Ramayana. Kabir’s principal media of communication were songs called padas and rhymed couplets (dohas) sometimes called “words” (shabdas) or “witnesses” (sakhis). A number of those couplets, and others attributed to Kabir since his death, have come to be commonly used by speakers of North Indian languages.
Kabir’s poetic personality has been variously defined by the religious traditions that revere him, and the same can be said for his hagiography. For Sikhs he is a precursor and interlocutor of Nanak, the founding Sikh Guru (spiritual guide). Muslims place him in Sufi (mystical) lineages, and for Hindus he becomes a Vaishnavite (devotee of the god Vishnu) with universalist leanings. But when one goes back to the poetry that can most reliably be attributed to Kabir, only two aspects of his life emerge as truly certain: he lived most of his life in Banaras (now Varanasi), and he was a weaver (julaha), one of a low-ranked caste that had become largely Muslim in Kabir’s time. His humble social station and his own combative reaction to any who would regard it as such have contributed to his celebrity among various other religious movements and helped shape the Kabir Panth, a sect found across northern and central India that draws its members especially, but not exclusively, from the Dalits (formerly known as untouchables). The Kabir Panth regards Kabir as its principal guru or even as a divinity—truth incarnate. The broad range of traditions on which Kabir has had an impact is testimony to his massive authority, even for those whose beliefs and practices he criticized so unsparingly. From early on, his presence in anthologies of North Indian bhakti (devotional) poetry is remarkable.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Brian Duignan.
FAQs
What religion was poet Kabir? ›
That his early life began as a Muslim there is little doubt, but he was later strongly influenced by a Hindu ascetic, Ramananda.
What did Kabir say about religion? ›He questioned two prevailing orthodoxies: the concept of rival Gods and the need for religious rituals for worshipping Him. In place of Allah and Ishwar he conceptualised a single universal God; in place of denominational religions, he conceptualised a universal religiosity.
What was the significance of Kabir's poems? ›The significance of Kabir's poems is as follows: Source of Inspiration: Kabir's poems have been a source of inspiration to those who questioned rigid and unrooted social institutions, ideas and practices in search of God.
What was Kabir criticism of religion? ›He questioned what he regarded to be the meaningless and unethical practices of all religions, primarily what he considered to be the wrong practices in the Hindu and Muslim religions. During his lifetime, he was threatened by both Hindus and Muslims for his views.
Did Kabir believe in God? ›Kabir's philosophy about life was very clear-cut. He believed in living life in a very simplistic manner. He had a strong faith in the concept of oneness of God.
Which belief system influenced Kabir's philosophy? ›That his early life began as a Muslim there is no doubt, although he later became influenced by a Hindu ascetic, Ramananda.
What are the three main teachings of Kabir? ›- Rejection of major religious traditions.
- Criticism of all forms of external worship of both Brahmanical Hinduism and Islam.
- Criticism of priestly classes and the caste system.
- Belief in a formless Supreme God.
- Emphasis on Bhakti or devotion to achieve salvation.
Kabir preached that a simple union (sahaja-yoga), an emotional integration of the soul with God through personal devotion, could be achieved by all people, whether they were Hindus or Muslims ("I am not a Hindu, nor a Muslim am I"), or whether they were of high or low caste ("Now I have no caste, no creed").
Was Kabir against idol worship? ›Kabir strongly denounced the Idol-worship, pilgrimages, bathing in the holy rivers or taking part in formal worship, such as Namaz. He was opposed to all kinds of discrimination between human beings. He worshipped the Nirguna form of God whom he calls by several names such as Rama, Allah, Hari, Sain, Sahib, etc.
What was Kabir's poetry influenced by? ›Kabir's poetry draws on both Hinduism and Islam, though he was critical of certain aspects of both faiths. Some of his verses are included in the compilation of Sikh scriptures known as the Adi Granth. His mystical poems are grounded in the details and earthly particulars of everyday life.
What type of poem is Kabir? ›
Saint Kabir's poems are known as Dohas. Dohas are defined as poetry composed in the form of Matrika metre. This genre of poetry emerged in the Apabrahmasa and usually used in Hindi poetry. Kabir's verses have been recorded in the Adi Granth of the Guru Granth Sahib.
What is the significance of the poem? ›Poetry can be a powerful teaching tool, helping students improve their literacy. It can also allow writers to express their emotions and allow readers to connect to those emotions. Poetry is also connected to aesthetics, or the exploration of what is beautiful in the world.
What were the socio religious ideas of Kabir? ›Sant Kabir was against the caste system imposed by the Hindu community. He said that there should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, and rejected the authority of both the Veda and the Koran. He laid great emphasis on the equality of men.
Why was Kabir against all the external forms of worship? ›His teachings openly ridiculed all forms of external worship of both Brahmanical Hinduism and Islam, the preeminence of the priestly classes and the caste system. Kabir believed in a formless Supreme God and preached that the only path to salvation was through bhakti or devotion.
What ideas and practices were rejected by Kabir? ›Kabir and Guru Nanak rejected all orthodox religions of that time. They were against the caste system, luxurious life, and discrimination based on religion.
Which God did Kabir Das worship? ›Kabir's God is knowledge, bliss. His God is the Shabda or the Word.
Who is Kabir in the Bible? ›Per him, as per Bible also only Kabir is true god. “God Kabir met Jesus and took his soul to Satlok. On their way, God Kabir made him see his ancestors David, Moses, Abraham, etc.
Which God is Kabir? ›The incarnation of God Kabir on the lotus flower
According to the method mentioned in the Vedas, The Supreme Being Kabir Saheb, in the body of a single element of a light (Tejpunj), came from Satlok and descended on a lotus flower in Laharatar lake in Kashi, Varanasi, India. The direct witness was Sage Ashtanand.
Sant Kabir's true philosophy is not only human and Divine in nature, but also social and ethical in nature. Harmony, equality, and devotion are all important themes in Sant Kabir's philosophy. The aspect of dedication predominates in his thought, with the connotation of Seva.
What was Kabir's ideology behind his bhakti and devotion? ›He, like the other prominent saints of his time, argued that it was only through bhakti, intense love or devotion to God could one attain salvation. In many of his verses, Kabir proclaimed that people of all castes have the right to salvation through the bhakti tradition.
Why is Kabir remembered even today? ›
Kabir's message is immortal so he is remembered even today. His message of equality, love, communal amity and brotherhood without distinction on the basis of caste, creed and religion remains the beacon light for us.
What were the teachings and impact of Kabir? ›Key Teachings and Philosophies of Kabir:
Kabir did not supported asceticism and believed that one can find God without leaving the materialistic world & its obligations. Kabir saw all the religions in the same light & considered religions merely different means to reach same God.
His followers are known as Kabirpanthis which means travellers who go on the path of Kabir.
What are the differences between Guru Nanak and Kabir? ›The Main Differences
Guru Nanak established a new religion called Sikhism, which was quite different from Hinduism and Islam. He explained his teachings in the holy scripture of Guru Granth Sahib. Whereas saint Kabir never found any religion but went on to earn millions of followers using his dohas.
Songs of Kabir is a 1915 book consisting of 100 poems of Kabir, the 15th-century Indian poet and mystic, translated from Hindi to English by Rabindranath Tagore. In this book Kabir has combined the philosophies of Sufism and Hinduism.
Who was Kabir and what did he preach? ›Kabir was one of the great reformers of the Bhakti movement. He taught Hindu Muslim unity. He believed that God is one and Tshwar' and 'Allah' are different names of one God. He taught devotion to God and also preached brotherhood of man.
Which religion does not worship idol of God? ›Thus, an important point is made: Hindus don't worship idols, believing them to be Gods. Rather, they view the statues and images as physical representations of God to help them focus on an aspect of prayer or meditation.
Who was Kabir What do you know about his teachings? ›He was an advocate of the nirguna form of Bhakti. According to Kabir, the same God was referred to by several names like Rama, Hari, Allah, Rahim and many more. Everyone should be devoted to God and not pay heed to religious differences. He rejected the caste system, idol worship and pilgrimages.
Was Kabir an untouchable? ›The unambiguous answer is “no”. Kabir was not a Dalit. He did not belong to one of the Scheduled Castes. The Dalit castes had to face untouchability.
What form of spoken was the language of Kabir poetry? ›Solution: The language of Kabir poetry was a form of spoken hindi widely understood by ordinary people.
What are poems of Kabir called? ›
Saint Kabir is a famous poet-saint of Medieval Indian History. He is famous for his couplet works called 'Dohas'(Doha literally means two lines).
What was poet Kabir life and teaching? ›Kabir's teachings were vehement and rejected major religious traditions. His teachings ridiculed different forms of external worship of both Brahmanical, Hinduism and Islam. He used to teach Hindu, Muslim unity. He believed that God is one who just has different names.
Is Kabir was a Sufi saint? ›Although little is known about the life of the mystic and poet Kabir, it is known that he was born in a family of Muslim weavers and later became a disciple of the Hindu ascetic Ramananda. As such, Kabir is considered both a Sufi and Brahmin saint.
What is the main idea or message of a poem? ›Theme is the main or central idea in a literary work. It is the unifying element of a story.
What is the main idea of the poem famous? ›At its most basic level, the poem is about fame. But Nye treats fame as a construct of perspective: the result of imbalances of power, fear, unrequited love, and tragedy. The fame of an object to the subject may not exist in reverse, and the notoriety of both may not exist at all outside of their isolated relationship.
What was the social impact of Kabir? ›Kabir laid stress on religious toleration and taught a lesson of brotherhood to Hindus and Muslims. Kabir raised his voice against the custom of sati and child marriage, the two evils which were purely social in character.
What were the religious beliefs of the people in the southern states during the medieval period? ›During the mediaeval period, most people in Southern India followed Hinduism. They were either Shaivites, who worshipped Shiva, or Vaishnavites, who worshipped Vishnu. The Bhakti movement, which emphasised simple form of devotion towards God, was also strong in Southern India.
What were the views of Kabir and Guru Nanak about the liberation and salvation? ›What were the views of Kabir and Guru Nanak about liberation and salvation? Answer: Kabir preached that the only path to salvation was through bhakti or devotion. Nanak insisted that caste, creed, and gender are irrelevant for attaining liberation.
What is the idea of Bhakti? ›bhakti, (Sanskrit: “devotion”) in Hinduism, a movement emphasizing the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee toward a personal god and of the god for the devotee.
Was Kabir a Sufi poet? ›Though little is known of the life of the Indian mystic and poet Kabir, it is believed he was born in or near Benares. He grew up in a family of Muslim weavers before becoming a disciple of the Hindu ascetic Ramananda. Kabir is considered both a Sufi and Brahmin saint.
Who was the God that Kabir Worshipped? ›
He worshipped the Nirguna form of God whom he calls by several names such as Rama, Allah, Hari, Sain, Sahib, etc. So all the statements are true about Kabir.
Was Kabir das a Sufi? ›Sant Kabir Saheb also known as Kabir Das and Kabir Saheb was born in 1398, Varanasi and brought up in a Muslim weavers family by Niru and Nima. He was a mystic poet and a musician and was one of the important saints of Hinduism and also considered a Sufi by Muslims. He is respected by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
What were the main teachings of Kabir? ›- Rejection of major religious traditions.
- Criticism of all forms of external worship of both Brahmanical Hinduism and Islam.
- Criticism of priestly classes and the caste system.
- Belief in a formless Supreme God.
- Emphasis on Bhakti or devotion to achieve salvation.
Kabir played the role of a teacher and social reformer by the medium of his writings, which mainly consisted of the two line verses called Dohas. He had a strong belief in Vedanta, Sufism, Vaishnavism and Nath sampradaya. He applied the knowledge that he gained through the various experiences of his life.
Which type of poem Kabir wrote? ›Saint Kabir's poems are known as Dohas. Dohas are defined as poetry composed in the form of Matrika metre. This genre of poetry emerged in the Apabrahmasa and usually used in Hindi poetry. Kabir's verses have been recorded in the Adi Granth of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Why is Kabir called a mystic poet? ›Instead of solely criticizing organized traditions, his poetry reflects his personal idea of transcendence of all conventional religious practices. This could be why Kabir is often categorized as a mystic rather than a saint, with the attending religious associations.
What were the teachings of Sufi saint and poet Kabir? ›- Kabir believed that salvation could be attained by sincere devotion to God, by being kind, performing good deeds and with bhakti. ...
- Kabir's teachings are in the form of dohas or couplets, which are very popular throughout India.
The knowledge giver of Quran Sharif says HE is the same GOD, Allahu Akbar 'Kabir, who created the entire universe and all that is between the Earth and Sky in six days and sat on the throne, in His Eternal Place (Satlok) on the seventh day.
Who is the supreme God in Christianity? ›God in Christianity is believed to be the eternal, supreme being who created and preserves all things. Christians believe in a monotheistic conception of God, which is both transcendent (wholly independent of, and removed from, the material universe) and immanent (involved in the material universe).
What are the holy book verses of Kabir? ›Answer: Kabir expressed his ideas in a vast collection of verses known as sakhis and pads. Some of these were later collected and preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, Panch Vani and Bijak.
Do Sufis worship Muhammad? ›
Devotion to Muhammad is the strongest practice within Sufism. Sufis have historically revered Muhammad as the prime personality of spiritual greatness.
Which religion did Sufi saints belong to? ›What is meant by Sufi Saints? Sufi Saints are Muslim saints who entered India in the 12th Century and gained popularity in the 13th century.
What is God Sufi? ›Sufism is not a separate sect of Islam, but rather a stream of interpretation emphasizing the interior path, or tariqah, of mystical devotion to God. A tradition describes the Prophet's spiritual journey, the Mi'raj, in which he ascended into the highest heavens and came face to face with God.