Write an article on the biography of Kabir

His life

The birth and childhood of Kabir are hidden in mystery. There is controversy only the date of his birth. Most probably, he was born in 1440 A.D. and lived till 1519 A.D.

According to popular beliefs, Kabir was the son of as Brahmin woman. While infant, his mother left him near as tank of Benares’s Muslim weaver named Niru found the child and took it home. His wife brought up the child like her own son. The child was named as Kabir. Kabir grew up as a Muslim. He learnt weaving and worked as a weaver.

From his childhood, Kabir was deeply devoted to God. Though as member of as Muslim family, he felt attracted towards the Bhakti philosophy of Hindu saint Ramananda.According to tradition, with much difficulty but in great eagerness, Kabir at last became a disciples of Ramananda.

Thus, Kabir was influenced by the Hindu religious thoughts. But side by side, he learnt much of Islam. He felt greatly attracted towards the Sufis. He found the substance of both the religions dearest to his heart.

Kabir did not leave home to become sannyasi. Instead, he leaved as pious householder. As a poor weaver, he learned his humble livelihood. His real work, however, was devotion to God and religious advices to fellowmen. His sayings attracted countless Hindus and Muslims. By the time of his death, he was renowned as a great saint. Kabir was the foremost champion of Hindu-Muslim unity.

His Sayings

The words of Kabir touched the human heart. He preached the messages of love and unity. If God created all men, He did not certainly desire difference between the man and man. To Kabir, division of man into different religions was unnecessary and unnatural. He declared: “Hindu and Turk were pots of same clay; Allah and Ram were but different names.” For real believers, there could be no caste. As he said: “it is needless to ask of as saint the caste to which he belongs.”

Kabir believed in the sameness of Hinduism and Islam as far as the Love of God was concerned. To him, the true love of God could be achieved only through devotion or Bhakti. This devotion should come from within the heart, not from external shows. He criticized the formalities of all religions. Worships or prayer in temples or mosques was meaningless without true devotion. By emotional Bhakti, man could come nearer to God.

Kabir was as bold preacher. He criticized the outer modes of religions. His satires were aimed at the orthodox Maulavis and Pundits. He asked who the Lord of Earth is if Allah stays inside Mosque. Who is looking after the world if Rama is inside the image? To Kabir Hari does not exist in the east and Allah in the west. They, as one, are inside the human heart. Divinity was existent in all men and women. It was impossible to know the God’s will. Man’s duty was to surrender himself to the will of God.

Criticizing superstitions, Kabir said with courage: “if by worshipping stones one can find God, I shall worship as mountain: better than these stones (idols) are stones of the flour mill with which men grind their corn.” To the Muslims, he asked: what good was the pilgrimage to Mecca if the pilgrim marched with as impure heart? He said:

“It is not by fasting and repeating prayers and the creed

That one goeth to heaven:

The inner veil of the Temple of Mecca

Is in man’s heart, if the truth been known.”

Kabir was as firm believer in the unity of Godhead. To him, Allah and Ram, Karim and Keshab, Hari and Hazrat, were the various names of the one and the same God .It require inner eye to realize him.

Kabir was a great reformer. He preached against religious differences as well as caste systems. He criticized the Brahmins and the Maulavis for their closed minds. He said, “Vain too are the distinctions of caste. All shades of colors are but broken arcs of light, all varieties in human nature are but fragments of humanity. The right to approach God is not the monopoly of Brahmans, but if freely granted to all who are characterized by sincerity of heart.”

Kabir was full of humility. He wanted man to give upon pride, anger, envy, and ego. He composed devotionals Bhajans, known as the Kabir Doha. His songs touched heart and roused emotion. Hindus and Muslims alike became his disciples. When he died, his followers from both religions performed his last rites. The followers of Kabir came to be known as the Kabirpanthis. His influence was deep only the medieval society.