Essays

If Eknath established a close link between Sufism and Hinduism, Kabir blended both Islam and Hinduism. His rich poetry is an outpouring of his heart. One is amazed on how a simple man with no scholarly knowledge can write so wonderfully.

Maybe that can be explained by his verse 'I have stilled my restless mind, and my heart is radiant, for in Thatness I have seen beyond Thatness.

Born in Kashi in 1440 to Muslim parents, he approached Ramananda numerous times for initiation. Each time, he met with refusal. One  day, he hid near the steps leading to the Ganges river anticipating to contort Ramananda again.

Ramananda, however, by mistake stepped on Kabir and and uttered 'Ram, Ram.' Kabir took this as a sign of initiation and Ram as his mahamantra. Ramananda is said to have accepted this.

Kabir never retired from the world to become a recluse. He was married, had children and was a weaver by profession.

He saw life filled with God in the form of love and joy. However, Kashi, being an orthodox city, considered him a heretic and ordered him to leave in 1495.

Unfazed, Kabir spread his joy of divine love through various songs throughout his travels in North India. In 1518, his health broke down and he left his body, but never did he forget the love of Ram.

Several of Kabir's verses are sung to this day in India. One can find many of his poems and songs translated into English by the famous poet, Tagore.