Biography of Kabir Das,काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब। पल में परलय होएगी, बहुरि करेगा कब॥, बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय। जो मन खोजा आपना, मुझसे बुरा न कोय॥

       

Kabir Das

On Self-Reflection

बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय।

जो मन खोजा आपना, मुझसे बुरा न कोय॥

On the Importance of a Guru (Teacher)

गुरु गोविंद दोऊ खड़े, काके लागूं पाय।

बलिहारी गुरु आपने, गोविंद दियो बताय॥

On the Futility of Empty Rituals

पाथर पूजे हरि मिले, तो मैं पूजूं पहार।

ताते या चाकी भली, पीस खाय संसार॥

On the Value of Time

काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब।

पल में परलय होएगी, बहुरि करेगा कब॥

On True Devotion

दुख में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोय।

जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, तो दुख काहे होय॥

On Humility

बड़ा हुआ तो क्या हुआ, जैसे पेड़ खजूर।

पंछी को छाया नहीं, फल लागे अति दूर॥

On Patience

धीरे-धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय।

माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ऋतु आए फल होय॥

On True Knowledge

पढ़ि पढ़ि पंडित जग मुआ, पंडित हुआ न कोय।

ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय॥

On the Illusion of Duality

जल में कुंभ कुंभ में जल है, बाहर भीतर पानी।

फूटा कुंभ जल जलहि समाना, यह तथ कहे गियानी॥

On the Power of Words

ऐसी वाणी बोलिए, मन का आपा खोय।

औरन को शीतल करे, आपहुं शीतल होय॥

Indian mystic poet and saint Kabir Das lived in the 15th century and is renowned for his profound philosophical and spiritual works that helped to reconcile Islam and Hinduism. Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and adherents of other religions all hold him in high regard. Early Years Although there is disagreement over the specifics of his birth, Kabir was born in Varanasi (Kashi) circa 1440. It is generally accepted that Niru and Nima, a Muslim weaving couple, found and adopted him. His critical opinions on religious orthodoxy were influenced by his modest Muslim upbringing.

Spiritual Path Despite early opposition because of his alleged Muslim heritage, Kabir eventually became a follower of the Hindu saint Ramananda. His spiritual teachings, which rejected caste, rituals, and religious dogma in favor of devotion to an ethereal God, were straightforward but profound. By emphasizing inner purity over outward rituals, he advanced the notion of religious unity. 

Instructions Known as the Sant tradition, Kabir's ideology promoted: God's unity (Nirguna Brahman). the pointlessness of customs and prejudice based on caste. the significance of individual devotion to God and self-realization. Compassion, humility, and love are fundamental characteristics.Works The Bijak, Kabir Granthavali, and portions of the Guru Granth Sahib contain compilations of Kabir's poems. His dohas (couplets) make great wisdom understandable to the average person by using straightforward language. 

Legacy Kabir's teachings impacted renowned minds like Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and sparked movements like the Bhakti and Sufi traditions. His message of love and harmony is still being disseminated by his disciples, known as Kabir Panthis. Death It is thought that Kabir passed away at Maghar, Uttar Pradesh, circa 1518. According to a tradition, when his shroud was removed after his death, only flowers were discovered and split between the two factions, despite the fact that Muslims and Hindus had contested his remains.Kabir, who embodies inclusivity and spiritual insight, is still regarded as one of India's most revered saints and writers.Indian literature and spirituality have been influenced by Kabir's teachings for a long time. Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and adherents of other religions all hold him in high regard. Spiritual searchers all throughout the world are still motivated by his emphasis on having a direct, personal encounter with the divine. Kabir Das, who personified inclusion and deep spiritual understanding, is still regarded as a landmark figure in Indian history.

Kabir became a follower of the Hindu saint Ramananda in spite of his Muslim background. His teachings disapproved of the dogmas of both Islam and Hinduism and placed an emphasis on devotion to an ethereal God. He promoted an intimate relationship with God that was unrestricted by rituals.Kabir's worldview, which encouraged love and unity, cut across religious lines. He highlighted the value of inner spirituality and attacked the shallow elements of organized religion. His teachings are condensed into dohas, which are short but powerful couplets that express profound spiritual truths.God's Oneness The idea of a single, formless, transcendent God—often referred to as Nirguna Brahman—lays the foundation for Kabir's teachings. He underlined that everyone, regardless of religious background, can experience this divine presence, which transcends all names and forms. In order to express this unity, Kabir frequently used names like Ram and Allah interchangeably, which reflected his conviction that the divine is not limited by any one religion. 

He said, "The Lord is in the earth, the Lord is in the air, the Lord is in the water, and in fire too." This demonstrates his belief that the divine nature is present in every part of the cosmos.Opposition to Religious Orthodoxy and Rituals Both Islam and Hinduism's ritualistic customs and doctrines were criticized by Kabir. He thought that outward rites and rituals were flimsy and detracted people from the real meaning of spirituality. True dedication, in his opinion, was an inside, private experience rather than something that could be shown via external display. He exhorted people to look past these customs and discover the holy within.

 Kabir questioned the effectiveness of religious observances such as fasting, pilgrimages, and others, arguing that they frequently amounted to nothing more than ceremonial practices with no real spiritual meaning. He underlined that such ceremonies had no purpose if they were not performed with genuine devotion and inner purity.Ahimsa (non-violence) is emphasized. Kabir advocated for the ahimsa principle and denounced the use of animals as sacrifices in religious ceremonies. He promoted kindness and non-violence toward all living things, viewing such behaviors as irreligious and unforgivable sins. According to him, genuine spirituality entailed responding empathetically and kindly as well as acknowledging the divine presence in all existence. Kabir advocated for a comprehensive approach to peaceful life by extending his position on non-violence beyond words and deeds.Criticism of Social Inequality and the Caste System The caste system and other social hierarchies that were ingrained in Indian culture were harshly criticized by Kabir. He maintained that genuine spirituality transcends caste, creed, and social standing, emphasizing the equality of all people. He held that regardless of one's birthplace or social status, everyone has equal access to the divine. 

Kabir frequently emphasized in his rhymes the hypocrisy of individuals who asserted spiritual superiority on the basis of caste or religious identification, exhorting readers to see past outward differences and acknowledge the innate divinity in all persons.Self-Awareness and Individual Experience In order to comprehend the divine, Kabir strongly emphasized inner realization and personal experience. Instead of depending only on outside teachings or scriptures, he urged people to reflect and look within for God. He held that everyone possesses the divine essence and that spiritual enlightenment might be attained via self-reflection, meditation, and genuine devotion. Kabir frequently emphasized the value of self-discipline, inner cleanliness, and the development of qualities like humility, love, and compassion in his teachings.Love and compassion that are universal Universal love and compassion are emphasized as fundamental values in Kabir's teachings. According to him, a meaningful spiritual life is built on love, and one can connect with the divine energy contained in all beings by showing compassion and love. He exhorted people to adopt a more expansive viewpoint that acknowledges the interdependence of all life and to rise above limited self-interests.

 Kabir placed a strong focus on love in all spheres of life, including interpersonal relationships, one's perspective on the natural world, and one's relationship with the divine.Uncomplicated and detached A life of simplicity and disengagement from worldly belongings and ambitions was what Kabir promoted. He felt that addiction to material possessions and pleasures diverted people's attention from their spiritual development. Living simply and concentrating on the necessities will help one develop inner serenity and keep their eyes on the divine. Kabir lived a simple life as a weaver, earning his living by doing honest work and avoiding material prosperity, which was an example of these values in action.

Combining Different Religious Traditions Kabir's teachings combine aspects of Islam, Hinduism, and the Bhakti movement, among other religious traditions. He took inspiration from Advaita philosophy's non-dualism, Islam's monotheism, and Bhakti's devotional elements. He was able to appeal to a wide range of people and cross religious borders thanks to his unique style. According to Kabir's inclusive worldview, which highlighted the fundamental interconnectedness of all religious traditions, the holy may be approached in a variety of ways as long as the seeker's devotion was sincere.Criticism of Hypocrisy in Religion Kabir was an outspoken opponent of religious hypocrisy and the meaningless pretense of religiosity. He criticized those who performed rituals without knowing their actual purpose and questioned the legitimacy of religious leaders who took use of their positions for personal benefit. 

Genuine spirituality, according to Kabir, is a matter of the heart and cannot be evaluated by ceremonial observance or external appearances. He urged people to challenge religious doctrine and have a close, intimate encounter with God.The Bijak: Evidence of Kabir's Thoughts The Bijak, which translates to "Seedling" or "The Seed," is an anthology of Kabir's hymns and lyrics that summarize his lessons. Kabir's interaction with other linguistic and cultural communities is reflected in the Bijak, which is written in a number of languages and dialects, such as Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, and Persianized Hindi. Each of the text's three primary sections—Ramaini, Shabda, and Sakhi—contains a variety of compositions.