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Kabir:
The Name
My Birthday:
23rd of May
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The details of Kabir's birth have been shrouded in mystery and legend. Although authorities disagree on both when and to whom he was born, the consensus seems to be that Kabir was born in either 1398 or 1440 in India, and passed away in 1518.
As to whom he was born, one legend proclaims a divine virginal birth. According to this legend, his mother was a Hindu of the brahman caste and became pregnant after visiting a Hindu temple. Because his mother was unwed, she abandoned Kabir and was later adopted by a Muslim weaver.
Another story has it that Kabir was born to Muslim parents. Yet another account of his birth asserts that he was found on the streets and adopted by Muslim parents.
There is, however, no doubt that Kabir was raised a Muslim and was also familiar with the Hindu religion. Instead of choosing either religion, Kabir preached the unity of all religions and the essential equality of all men. Authorities also disagree on whether Kabir was influenced by Guru Nanak Dev Ji (the first Guru and founder of Sikhism) or vice versa, though everyone agrees that the teachings of both Kabir and Guru Nanak Dev Ji mirror each other.
Indeed, Kabir believed that there was only one God and that all human beings are equal before God. He furthermore rejected the caste system and idolatry, and believed in reincarnation and stressed that all religious writings should be in the vernacular (i.e., in a language that everyone could understand).
In addition to being a highly influential religious and spiritual figure, Kabir's poetry is both famous and revered. To wit, his poetry is quoted in bazaars and discussed under trees in villages, children memorize his couplets in schools and musicians of all hues sing his mystical songs in fairs, streets and concert halls. Perhaps even more impressive, over 500 of his verses are incorporated into the holy book (and last Guru) of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.
Kabir's verses were written in the Hindi language and were purposely simple and rather easy to comprehend. His aim was communication, particularly with the common man.
In addition to his aforementioned incorporation into the Guru Granth Sahib, Kabir's verses and observations were recorded in what is called a Bijak ("account book") by a disciple around the year 1570.
The first English translation of Kabir's poetry was undertaken by Rabindranath Tagore and Evelyn Underhill, but was difficult to understand due to its use of almost incomprehensible Victorian English. The Kabir Book, with translations of Kabir's poetry by Robert Bly into more common English, was published in 1977.
Here is one of my favorite Kabir verses:
"The religious man comes along in his famous orange.
But if inside he is colorless, then what?"
Update: We have heard from more than one person that the widely celebrated day of Kabir's birth is June 16th. That's the same day my Dad was born. Weird coincidence!
To learn more about Kabir, e-mail me or my Dad!
Me: [email protected]
Dad: [email protected]