About Sant Kabir
Sant Kabir is considered to be one of the greatest poets as well as mystics ever born in India. He believed that human beings are equal and being one with God is the ultimate aim of every individual. His love and devotion towards the Supreme One clearly reflects in his poetry. The Holy Guru Granth Sahib contains over 500 verses by the great saint, Kabir. The verses or dohas of Guru Kabir are still read by people with awe and admiration. Read on to explore the biography of Sant Kabir further.
Early Life
As per the life history of Saint Kabir, he was born in 1398 AD. It is said that he was found floating on a lotus leaf in a tank in Benaras by a Muslim weaver. The weaver took the vulnerable child under his care and following the traditional manner, gave him the name of 'Kabir', meaning 'the great one'. Even at a young age, Kabir displayed enormous spiritual talent.
Meeting his Guru
Kabir always wanted to become a disciple of Ramanand. However, since he was a Muslim, it was next to impossible for him to get initiation from a Hindu. So, he took recourse to a trick. Ramanand daily went to the bathing ghat for his pre-dawn ritual ablutions. Kabir lay on the steps of the ghat in such a way that Ramanand stepped on him. Shocked at this incident, he chanted 'Rama! Rama!'. Kabir said that since he had received teachings from him, in the form of the words 'Rama! Rama!', he was Ramanand's disciple. Impressed with the intelligence of Kabir, Ramanand took him as his disciple.
Kabir Philosophy
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. He had a strong faith in the concept of oneness of God. He advocated the notion of Koi bole Ram Ram Koi Khudai.... The basic idea was to spread the message that whether you chant the name of Hindu God or Muslim God, the fact is that there is only one God who is the creator of this beautiful world.
COMMUNITY Kabir Panthi Kabirpanthis: An Indian community comprising of Hindu ancestry
which recognises Kabir as their Prophet. The ritual life of the community
displays it's dual origins. They are numerous in provinces of Upper and Central
India, notably in Uttar Pradesh extending into Bihar.
It claims to be a spiritual organization dedicated to unite Hindu traditions and sustain peace between them.
They in a way can be compared to the Syrian Druze tradition in which a
Christian or a Muslim can be a part.
Practices and Beliefs
Considering that Nanak Sahib pressed straight and further on the mission which
Kabir Sahib had relentlessly pursued till he blended with Akaal Purukh, and
that Kabir Sahib verses are generously present in Gurbani
with much larger account of his Bani being freely available beyond Guru Granth
Sahib, the spirit of their beliefs smoothly blends into Gurmat. Some
Sikh scholars have advanced the the thought that of considering Kabir Sahib as
the originator of Sikhism.
Unfortunately somehow the community seems have got isolated from mainstream
Sikhism for two reasons :-
Geographically this community being some thing like tiny islands in the staunch majority community (Hindus) dedicated to Idol worship and brahmanic ritualistic & anti Gurmat ways.
neecha andar neech jaat neechy hun ati neech nank tin ky sang saath
vadiyan sio kia rees"
Sikh polity...
maintaining a 'could not care less' attitude & not extending a helping hand to this isolated community.
maintaining a stratigic & sustainable socio-political association with anti Gurmat forces.
Kabirpanthis are required to observe sanctity, purity and truthfulness in
their daily lives and behaviour. They believe that good behaviour and
meditation on the virtues of God are the methods of finding fulfilment and salvation.
Those who are literate read their holy books, which contain the messages of
Sant Kabir. On their own strength some of them are now learning to read and
write because they have been so swayed by the teachings of Kabir.
Due to anti-Gurmat socio political forces, regulated and aimed at the world
known policy of 'divide and rule', keep the masses ignorant of reality. Some of
the traditional rituals, unlike Sikhism which is devoid of any of these, still
stick on to the community. Typical examples are:-
Kabirpanthis wear small rosaries made from Tulsi - believed to be a sacred Hindu plant.
During their religious ceremonies, they sing praise songs to the music of cymbals, and the guru recites morning and evening prayers.
Lay persons must be cremated according to Hindu law, and priests must be buried according to Islamic law.
God is commonly called "sat sahib" or "kabir sahib". Kabir sahib is himself considered the supereme power.
Kabirpanthis practice Sahaja Yoga which was instigated by Kabir himself.
Kabirpanthi priests are called Mahant.
SCRIPTURE
The Sacred book of the Kabirpanthi religion is the Bijak, many jumbled
passages from which are preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib although. The
contents of the Bijak cannot be classified as Hindu, Muslim, or Sant. In a
blunt and uncompromising style the book exhorts its readers to shed their
delusions, pretensions, and orthodoxies in favor of a direct experience of
truth. It satirized hypocrisy, greed, and violence, especially among the
religious. The Bījak includes three main sections called Ramainī, Shabda, and
Sākhī, and a fourth section containing miscellaneous folksong forms. Most of
the Kabir material has been popularized through the song form known as Shabda
(or pada), and through the aphoristic two-line sākhī (or doha) that serves
throughout north India as a vehicle for popular wisdom. Kabir gave the essence
of all Holy Scriptures in simple Sakhis, which are couplets with musical
rhythm. His Sakhis are so important that they are accepted as supreme testimony
of profound spiritual truth.
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