Kabir, the Mystic Poet

Kabir was born in India in 1398 AD...almost six hundred years ago. He lived for 120 years and died in 1518. He was the forerunners to the Bhakti Movement in India where people believed that God is just one, with no form and there is just one way to unite with him - Bhakti (Devotion). He was found as a baby by a muslim weaver who took pity and brought him to his home and raised him. When he grew young, he would go to the temple and get the tilak on his forehead after prayer. He didnt find any difference in religion from the beginning. And all the people of his religion would scold him for that. Slowly he started scorning all religions and spreading his message of devotion to the Ultimate God irrespective of all religions.

He urged people to think outside the Quran and Vedas and to simply follow Sahaj path, or the Simple/Natural Way to oneness in God. He did believe in the Vedantic concepts of Atman, the Soul, and therefore spurned the orthodox Hindu societal caste system and worship of statues, thus showing clear belief in both bhakti and sufi ideas.

There is a legend that after his death, his Muslim and Hindu devotees were fighting over his proper burial rites. The problem arose, as Muslim customs called for the burial of their dead, whereas Hindus cremated their dead. The two groups fighted to take ownership of his coffin one claiming that Kabir was a Hindu, and the other claiming that Kabir was a Muslim. However when they finally open Kabir's coffin, they found the body is missing, and there were just many flowers inside. The groups divided the flowers and resolved the fight.

His greatest work is the Bijak (means the Seedling), an idea of the fundamental one. This collection of poems demonstrates Kabir's own universal view of spirituality.

This is a famous song by him.

Moko Kahan Dhundhere Bande Mein To Tere Paas Mein
Where are you looking for me fellow, I am right with you
Na Teerath Mein, Na Moorat Mein Na Ekant Niwas Mein
I am not in any pilgrimage, nor in any idol, not in solitude.
Na Mandir Mein, Na Masjid Mein Na Kabe Kailas Mein
I am not in Mosque, Temple nor in Kaaba-Kailash
(Kaaba is a muslim holy and Kailash a hindu holy place.)
Mein To Tere Paas Mein Bande Mein To Tere Paas Mein
I am with you, fellow, I am with you
Na Mein Jap Mein, Na Mein Tap Mein Na Mein Barat Upaas Mein
I am not in concentration, nor in meditation, not in any holy fasting
Na Mein Kiriya Karm Mein Rehta Nahin Jog Sanyas Mein
I am not in any ritual customs, not in sagehood
Nahin Pran Mein Nahin Pind Mein Na Brahmand Akas Mein
I am not in life. nor in afterlife, not in universe or sky
Na Mein Prakuti Prawar Gufa Mein Nahin Swasan Ki Swans Mein
I am not in nature caves, not in the breathe of graveyard
Khoji Hoye Turat Mil Jaoon Ik Pal Ki Talas Mein
If you look inside, I will be found in a moment
Kahet Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho Mein To Hun Viswas Mein
Kabir says, listen good people, I exist in faith.

Kabir is one of my favourites along with Meera, Tulsidas and Surdas. It is difficult to understand the language sometimes but once you get to feel their bhakti you are blessed

If you need any translations then just send me the couplets.

Sure I will