Sant Kabir Das Jayanti - Life, Teachings, and Contribution to Bhakti Movement

A prominent figure in the realm of spirituality, Sant Kabir Das was a mystic poet from the 15th-century India. His profound literary contributions played a pivotal role in shaping the Bhakti movement .

This article is an attempt to give in-depth information on Sant Kabir Das, especially for IAS exam aspirants. His sayings have recently been in the news, so it is very important for candidates to be familiar with his life and work.

Recent News about Sant Kabir Das

The 644th birth anniversary of Kabir Das, known as Sant Kabir Das Jayanti, was celebrated on June 24, 2021.

• The celebration, also referred to as Kabir Prakat Divas, takes place annually on the full moon day (Jyeshtha Purnima tithi) in the Hindu month Jyeshtha, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. For more details on various Indian calendars, you can visit the Calendars in India page.

It is important for candidates preparing for the upcoming UPSC Prelims to understand the significance of Sant Kabir Das, especially within the Art and Culture section of the civil services exam’s syllabus

A Closer Look at Sant Kabir Das

Who was Kabir Das?

• Born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Sant Kabir Das was raised by a Muslim couple who were weavers by profession.
• A renowned saint, poet, and social reformer of the 15th century, his works and poems emphasized the greatness and unity of the Supreme Being.
• Kabir Das was a significant figure in the Bhakti Movement.
• His influence is still felt today through a sect known as the Panth of Kabir, a spiritual community that regards him as their founder. The Kabir Panth is not a separate religion, but rather a spiritual philosophy.
• Kabir Das often referred to himself as a 'julaha' and 'kori' in his poems, both terms meaning weaver and indicating his belonging to a lower caste. He did not fully align himself with either Hindus or Muslims.

For more information, you can check out the List of Bhakti Movement Saints .

The Education of Sant Kabir Das

• Kabir Das did not receive any formal education or training as a weaver. Despite the weaving metaphors in his poems, it was clear that his heart was set on a spiritual quest for truth.

Who did Kabir Das follow?

• Though Kabir Das was raised in a Muslim family, his teachings were heavily influenced by Vaishnava Saint Swami Ramananda, a Hindu Bhakti leader.

The Literature of Sant Kabir Das

• Kabir Das was a renowned poet of his age.
• His work influenced the Bhakti movement immensely.
• Some of his prominent works are 'Sakhi Granth', 'Anurag Sagar', 'Bijak', and 'Kabir Granthawali'.
• His Bijak has an enormous repertoire of poems.
• The works of Kabir Das mainly dealt with the ideas of reincarnation and karma.
• Despite being illiterate, he wrote his poems in a mix of Hindi, Avadhi, Braj, and Bhojpuri. These poems are known as 'Dohe', 'Saloka', and 'Sakhi'.
• Kabir Das is best known for his two-line couplets, referred to as 'Kabir Ke Dohe'.
• A large portion of his work was compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev.
• The verses of Kabir Das are included in the Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.

The Language of Kabir Das

• Kabir Das primarily wrote in Hindi.
• In the 15th century, when Persian and Sanskrit were the dominant languages in North India, he chose to write in a colloquial, regional language.
• His poetry is a blend of Hindi, Khari Boli, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Persian, and Marwari.

The Travels of Kabir Das

• Towards the end of his life, Sant Kabir Das visited the city of Maghar in Uttar Pradesh.
• After his passing, a dispute arose between Hindus, who wanted to cremate his body, and Muslims, who wished to bury it. Miraculously, flowers were found under his shroud, half of which were cremated in Kashi and the other half buried in Maghar.
• Kabir Das was indeed laid to rest in Maghar, where his grave can be found today.

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism department has recently taken steps to promote Maghar as a tourist destination. This is the place where Hindus have constructed a temple in memory of Kabir Das, while Muslims have built a mausoleum in his honor.

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