Birth and Family Life:

Born in Varanasi (modern day Banaras), India, legend tells that Bhagat Kabir Das lived a long life, from his birth in *1398 A.D. until his death, thought to have occurred either in 1448 A.D., or 1518 A.D. Historic tradition perpetuated by his followers puts his age at 120 years altogether, however modern historians can account for only 50 of the 120 years of his supposed lifespan.

Though a strong influence in the philosophy developed by Sikhism's founders, Guru Nanak Dev (born of a Hindu family), and Bhai Mardana (born of a Muslim family), it is uncertain whether the life of Kabir predates that of Guru Nanak and he died just before the birth of the first guru, or whether he lived on another 70 years. No actual evidence has been discovered in support of the traditionally popular supposition that Kabir and Guru Nanak actually met in person and became contemporaries in breaking down old patterns of caste, idolatry, ritual and superstition.

Kabir's origins are somewhat obscure, however it is a generally accepted belief that as a very young child his Brahmin Hindu mother abandoned him after becoming widowed and destitute. A Muslim weaver by name of Niru adopted the child into his family and raised him in the trade. Kabir and his adopted family apparently belonged to the weaver caste of Julaha, likely having converted to Islam coming from a Yogi sect of married householders of Nath influence.

As a grown man, Kabir became the disciple of Ramananda, a Hindu teacher. Tradition indicates that Kabir did not live the life of an ascetic, but married and raised a family, and that his wife Loi bore him two children.

Spiritual Life:

As evidenced by his extensive writings, Kabir continually sought to integrate the devotional bhakta and Nath yogic philosophies of Hinduism with the more enlightened Sufi traditions of Islam while rejecting the heavily dogmatic unenlightened and contradictory aspects of both.

One of 43 authors whose works are included in the scripture of Guru Granth Sahib, 3151 lines of verse attributed are to Kabir. This selection of Gurbani, collected by First Guru Nanak and compiled by Fifth Guru Arjun Dev in the original Adi Granth of 1604 A.D. represents a only a portion of the entire poetic compositions penned by Bhagat Kabir. Other noted compilations of his works are titled Bijak and Kabir Granthavali. The satirical style of his prose poked, provoked, and challenged religious rituals and rites at the heart of both Hindu and Islamic philosophies. Consequently, Kabir lost favor with the inflexible leaders of both religious sects who publicly banished him from their provinces.

End of Life:

Kabir eventually left Varanasi and lived in exile as a recluse on the outskirts of society. He journeyed throughout India with his deciples, a band of itinerant followers, until his death near Gorakh Pur at Magahar. Ironic in death, as in life, Kabir had the last and final word debunking superstitious ritual, for Hindus believed the choice of his final resting place in the village of Magahar 20 some miles (43 kilometers) to the southeast of Basti to be the least auspicious place where one might depart life to surely be reborn as a donkey, while considering Varanasi to be a guaranteed direct pathway to heaven.

Kabir Bani:

Bhagat Kabir bani includes discourse concerning the contradictions of spiritual concepts on a variety of subjects:

• Circumcision Rites
• Dietary Law and Meat
• Gaming and Gambling
• Henna Tattoo Adornment
• Imbibing Intoxicants (Bhang)

Selections in Guru Granth Sahib of Bhagat Kabir bani can be read on Ang:

• 91 - 92
• 323 - 330
• 330 - 340
• 340 - 343
• 343 - 344
• 344 - 345
• 475 - 485
• 524
• 654 - 656
• 691 - 692
• 727
• 792 - 793
• 855 - 858
• 870 - 873
• 947 - 956
• 957 - 966
• 1102 - 1106
• 1123 - 1124
• 1157 - 1162
• 1162 - 1163
• 1193 - 1195
• 1196
• 1251 - 1252
• 1253
• 1349 - 1350
• 1364 - 1377

*The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism by Harbans Singh

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