This guide reviews what’s known about Kabir Das ‘s life, analyzes the themes and subjects of his verses, and describes where and how they are compiled and collected. It summarizes the reasons some verses are ambiguous concerning authorship, and reviews how B.R. Ambedkar and Dalit writers have interpreted Kabir. It does not quote extensively, but rather paraphrases verses. Our Ravidassia guide review the tradition of Kabir’s contemporary Ravidas, and our B.R. Ambedkar bio covers Kabir’s later readers.
A summary of Kabir Das’s biography
According to Linda Hess and Shukdeo Singh, biographical accounts of Kabir’s life abound, though the main events of his life can be stated briefly. They say he was born in the early 1400s in Varanasi to a weaver family that recently embraced Islam, and that he was trained in the family’s weaving profession and may have learned meditation and devotion from a Hindu priest. Popular accounts date his birth to 1398. The article on Kabir in Wikipedia states that, like many figures of the medieval period, his exact birth and death years are not known, and that he lived and flourished in the 15th century. His teacher is said to be the Hindu poet-saint, Ramananda. The surname, Das, is said to mean “Great” or “Big” and is commonly used to mean “servant of God.” Some of his birth accounts are mythical and say he was born to a Hindu Brahmin woman and adopted by a Muslim weaver (Vajiram and Ravi). We have a related article on case-based discrimination among Muslims that addresses discriminatory practices against lower-class Muslim communities like the weavers.
Kabir and caste: what the verses address
Kabir’s works depict nirgun bhakti (Hinduism Today). Hinduism Today mentions that Kabir resided in, and actively condemned orthodoxy, in 15th century Varanasi, where Brahmin priests were socially dominant (Hinduism Today). Summaries prepared for exams mention that he was against the practice of untouchability and the caste system in general, and that the Sabir Panth, or the Kabir sect, follows his teachings, and rejects idolatry (Vajiram and Ravi). Hess and Singh mention his uniqueness in terms of assertiveness and independence (Hess and Singh). Logs mention that I have not read the verses in their original form.
Where is survives
Kabir’s poems were composed as song lyrics and meant to be sung (Hess and Singh). Many of the poems that are attributed to him today were transcribed more than 100 years after his death (Hinduism Today). Some of his poems are part of the Sikh Adi Granth, other miscellaneous versions of his poems are part of the Goindval Pothis, the Kabir Granthavali and the Bijak (Hinduism Today). The Kabir Panth’s Bijak also has other recensions, of which the most thorough analysis is done by Charlotte Vaudeville (Wikipedia, “Kabir”). It is also said that most of Kabir’s poems were compiled during the 17th century at Dhanauti, and later on at Kabir Chaura, Varanasi (Anantam IAS). Guru Arjan Dev, the 5th Sikh Guru, is said to have included 541 Kabir poems in the Adi Granth in 1604 (Anantam IAS).
What verses could have been added later
Due to differences in the collections and the fact that the verses were sung and written down at later dates, there is a fair amount of caution surrounding the attribution of individual verses (Wikipedia and Hinduism Today). This is significant when discussing the case of verses attributed to Kabir because those circulating on the internet as “Kabir on caste” are usually found lacking publication/version/translation information. Of the verses in the Adi Granth, some have early manuscript evidence and some do not (Wikipedia and Hinduism Today). Our article covering some of Ambedkar’s degrees covers a similar case with a different set of verses.
The Kabir Panth
The Kabir Panth encompasses a number of branches, the members of which usually revere the Bijak, and sometimes other works attributed to Kabir (Hinduism Today). One source says that members of lower castes like weavers and Chamars have traditionally followed the path (Anantam IAS). Our article covering Scheduled Castes has additional information on the category of the former.
Kabir and Ambedkar
A source preparing for an examination says that in his list of three gurus, that is, along with the Buddha and Jyotirao Phule, Ambedkar held special regard for Kabir (Anantam IAS). Because I was unable to confirm this information from a primary source, this information will be given in this document as a summary of the view. Information on Phule and Navayana Buddhism is available in other documents of this collection.
Keepers of the Kabir tradition
Before they were written down, Kabir’s verses were handed down from one generation to the next by the oral tradition. Thus, their survival depended on the communities who cherished them. The same is true for recording the history of your own community. The Ambedkarite Educational Program (AEPS) offers training in Blog and Web site creation, email marketing and other skills for 297 Rupees (approximately $4) for one year. You can take the trainings for free and learn these skills.
What the sources disagree upon
- There is no consensus on the year of his birth. Some scholars place it at the beginning of the 15th century (Hess and Singh). Others say it is 1398, which is the date appears in most publications.
- There is no consensus on the legend of his birth. In some accounts, his biological mother is a Brahmin who gives him away to a Muslim foster mother. In other accounts, his biological mother is a weaver, and hence, not of the Priestly class.
- There is no agreement on which of the extant texts comes closest to capturing his teachings and verses.
- There is no agreement on the number of verses of Kabir that the Adi Granth contains. One scholar suggests it contains 541 verses.
- There is no agreement on the identity of the three gurus that Ambedkar identifies. One account suggests that it is an examination aids publication, and is therefore, of dubious value.
Takeaway
Kabir was a 15th century weaver in Varanasi, and his verses can be found in three main texts. The Adi Granth and the Kabir Granthavali are in agreement on a number of verses. Some of his verses, critics say, are later interpolations. Dalit writers find Kabir to be a champion of their cause and of the oppressed in general. It is said that he is counted among the three gurus of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kabir Das?
Kabir Das is a revered poet and saint from the region of Varanasi from the community of weavers, from the 15th century. His works are in devotion of the absolute truth, and in critique of the social, spiritual and religious order of that age.
What is the Bijak?
It is the main scripture of Kabir Panth, and in its diverse versions, it contains Kabir’s sayings and poems. It holds divergence from the poems of Kabir in Sikh Adi Granth.
Did Kabir criticize the social order and caste?
Yes, most of his works are in criticism of social and spiritual orthodoxy and priestly authorities of his age.
Why did Kabir’s works get incorporated in the Sikh and the Hindu scriptures?
The works of Kabir were incorporated by Guru Arjan Dev in the Adi Granth (the predecessor of the Sikh Guru Granth Sahib) in the year 1604.
What did Ambedkar say about Kabir?
Ambedkar places Kabir alongside Buddha and Phule, as his spiritual guides.
SOURCES
- Wikipedia, “Kabir”
- Upaya Institute, Linda Hess and Shukdeo Singh, “Kabir’s Life and Work” (excerpt from the Introduction to The Bijak of Kabir, Oxford University Press, 2002)
- Hinduism Today, “The Mystic Mind and Music of Kabir”
- Vajiram and Ravi, “Kabir Das, Early Life, Teachings, Bhakti Movement, Literary Works”
- Anantam IAS, “Kabir Das: The Weaver-Saint of Nirguna Bhakti”
- Charlotte Vaudeville, Kabir (Oxford, 1974) (please add page references)
- David Lorenzen, Praises to a Formless God (SUNY Press, 1991) (please add page references)
- Linda Hess and Shukdeo Singh, The Bijak of Kabir (Oxford University Press, 2002)
