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Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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Kabir

Timeline (15th Century)

Poems by Kabir
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Kabir, Kabir poetry, Muslim / Sufi, Muslim / Sufi poetry, poetry, poetry, Yoga / Hindu poetry

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Kabir is not easily categorized as a Sufi or a Yogi -- he is all of these. He is revered by Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. He stands as a unique, saintly, yet very human, bridge between the great traditions that live in India. Kabir says of himself that he is, "at once the child of Allah and Ram."

He was born in Varanasi (Benares), India, probably around the year 1440 (though other accounts place his birth as early as 1398), to Muslim parents. But early in his life Kabir became a disciple of the Hindu bhakti saint Ramananda. It was unusual for a Hindu teacher to accept a Muslim student, but tradition says the young Kabir found a creative way to overcome all objections.

The story is told that on one particular day of the year, anyone can become a disciple by having a master speak the name of God over him. It is common for those who live near the Ganges to take their morning bath there in the sacred waters. The bhakti saint Ramananda took his bath as he did every day, by arising before dawn. On this special day, Ramananda awoke before dawn and found his customary way down to the steps of the Ganges. As he was walking down the steps to the waters, a little hand reached out in the predawn morning and grabbed the saint's big toe. Ramananda was taken by surprise and he expressed his shock by calling out the name of God. Looking down he saw in the early morning light the hand of the young Kabir. After his bath in the early light he noticed that on the back of the little one's hand was written in Arabic the name Kabir. He adopted him as son and disciple and brought him back to his ashrama, much to the disturbance of his Hindu students, some of whom left in righteous protest.

It is said that what really made this meeting the most special is that in this case it, was only after Kabir's enlightenment that Ramananda, his teacher, became enlightened.

Not much is known about what sort of spiritual training Kabir may have received. He did not become a sadhu or rununciate. Kabir never abandoned worldly life, choosing instead to live the balanced life of a householder and mystic, tradesman and contemplative. Kabir was married, had children, and lived the simple life of a weaver.

Although Kabir labored to bring the often clashing religious cultures of Islam and Hinduism together, he was equally disdainful of professional piety in any form. This earned him the hatred and persecution of the religious authorities in Varanasi. Nearing age 60, he was denounced before the king but, because of his Muslim birth, he was spared execution and, instead, banished from the region.

He subsequently lived a life of exile, traveling through northern India with a group of disciples. In 1518, he died at Maghar near Gorakhpur.

One of the most loved legends associated with Kabir is told of his funeral. Kabir's disciples disputed over his body, the Muslims wanting to claim the body for burial, the Hindus wanting to cremate the body. Kabir appeared to the arguing disciples and told them to lift the burial shroud. When they did so, they found fragrant flowers where the body had rested. The flowers were divided, and the Muslims buried the flowers while the Hindus reverently committed them to fire.

Poems by Kabir

	Between the conscious and the unconscious, the mind has put up a swing:
	Hang up the swing of love today!
	Having crossed the river
	He's that rascally kind of yogi
	Hey brother, why do you want me to talk?
	hiding in this cage
	I burst into laughter
	I have attained the Eternal Bliss
	I've burned my own house down
	[IX] O how may I ever express that secret word?
	lift the veil
	Many hoped
	My body is flooded
	My friend, this body is His lute
	O Slave, liberate yourself
	still the body
	The Drop and the Sea
	The impossible pass
	The Lord is in Me
	The self forgets itself
	The Time Before Death
	When I found the boundless knowledge
	When the Day Came
	[XII] Tell me, O Swan, your ancient tale
	[XVII] The light of the sun, the moon, and the stars shines bright:
	(1) Where dost thou seem me?
	(4) Do not go to the garden of flowers!
	(6) The moon shines in my body
	(8) Within this earthen vessel

Recommended Books

	The Bijak of Kabir, Translated by Linda Hess / Translated by Shukdeo Singh Amazon.com
	The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell Amazon.com
	Kabir: The Weaver's Songs, by Kabir / Translated by Vinay Dharwadker Amazon.com
	Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky Amazon.com
	One Hundred Poems of Kabir: Translated by Rabindranath Tagore, by Kabir / Translated by Rabindranath Tagore Amazon.com
	Perfume of the Desert: Inspirations from the Sufi Wisdom, by Andrew Harvey / Eryk Hanut Amazon.com
	Songs of Kabir: A 15th Century Sufi Literary Classic, by Kabir / Translated by Rabindranath Tagore Amazon.com
	Songs of the Saints of India, Translated by John Stratton Hawley / Translated by Mark Juergensmeyer Amazon.com
	The Soul is Here for its Own Joy: Sacred Poems from Many Cultures, Edited by Robert Bly Amazon.com
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Translated by Gurbachan S. Talib Amazon.com
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Translated by Winand M. Callewaert Amazon.com

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Kabir

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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