Born near Benaras, or Varanasi, Kabir had his own definition of God. According to him, “true God” is with the person who is on the path of righteousness, considers all creatures as his own, and one who is passively detached from the worldly affairs. Here are some lesser known facts about the great mystic poet. Saint Kabir was born in 1398 AD in Banaras city. His father Neeru was a Muslim and weaver by profession. Banaras being a Hindu place of pilgrimage was always thronged by Sadhus. (born 1440, Varanasi, Jaunpur, India— died 1518, Maghar) , iconoclastic Indian poet-saint revered by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs

Who was Kabir Das ..?

Kabir's poetry is a reflection of his philosophy about life. His writings were mainly based on the concept of reincarnation and karma. Kabir's philosophy about life was very clear-cut. He believed in living life in a very simplistic manner.

History of Kabir Das

It is said that Kabir was conceived miraculously. His Mother was a devout Brahmin widow who had accompanied her father on a pilgrimage to a famous ascetic. Impressed by their dedication, the ascetic blessed her and told her she would soon bear a son. After the son was born, to escape dishonor (as she was not married), Kabir’s mother abandoned him. Young Kabir was adopted by Nima, the wife of a Muslim weaver. In another version of the legend, the ascetic assured the mother that the birth would be in an unusual manner and so it was, Kabir was born out of the palm of his mother! In this version of the story too, he was later adopted by the same Nima.

When people started doubting and questioning Nima about the child, the newly born miraculously proclaimed in a firm voice, “I was not born of a woman but manifested as a boy...I have neither bones, nor blood, nor skin. I reveal to men the Shabda (Word). I am the highest being...”. All these ideas emerge in his poetry. One cannot separate his spiritual experience and his poems. In fact, he was not a conscious poet. It is his spiritual quest, his ecstasy and agony which he conveyed in his poems. Kabir is an unusual poet by all means. In the 15th century, when Persian and Sanskrit were predominant North Indian languages, he chose to write in colloquial, regional language. Not just one, his poetry is a mixture of Hindi, Khari boli, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Persian and Marwari.

His writing

Jo Dise So To Hai Nahin, Hai So Kaha Na Jayee
Bin Dekhe Parteet Na Aave, Kahe Na Koyee Patiyana

Samajh Hoye To Rabeen Cheenho, Achraj Hoye Ayana
Koi Dhyave Nirakar Ko,Koi Dhyave Aakaara

His Philosophi

Kabir was brought before emperor Sikandar Lodi and charged with claiming possession of divine powers. He was banished from Varanasi in 1495. Thereafter, it is believed, he along with his disciples moved about throughout northern India, continuing his life in exile. Kabir died at Maghar near Gorakhpur in 1518.

Kabir’s influence was so great that after he died, similar to how different communities argued over cremation Lord Buddha upon his death, both Hindus and Muslims fought over his body. While Hindus wanted to cremate his body in Varanasi, Muslims wanted to bury it in Maghar according to their tradition.