Kabir : The Mystic Poet

Introduction

Six hundred years ago Kabir was born in India in 1398 AD. He lived for 120 years and is said to have relinquished his body in 1518. This period is also said to be the beginning of Bhakti Movement in India.

A weaver by profession, Kabir ranks among the world's greatest poets. Back home in India, he is perhaps the most quoted author. The Holy Guru Granth Sahib contains over 500 verses by Kabir. The Sikh community in particular and others who follow the Holy Granth, hold Kabir in the same reverence as the other ten Gurus.

Kabir openly criticized all sects and gave a new direction to the Indian philosophy. This is due to his straight forward approach that has a universal appeal. It is for this reason that Kabir is held in high esteem all over the world. To call Kabir a universal Guru is not an over exaggeration. To me personally, the very name Kabir means Guru's Grace.

I have been personally very deeply influenced by reading Kabir. Why Kabir? reveals my feelings and also, how this idea of my translating Kabir's verses, came into its being.

Inspite of the simplicity of Kabir's poetry, I must say, it is hard to translate. I humbly present some of his Dohas, Love Songs and Mystic Poems, in the following pages.

The hall mark of Kabir's poetry is that he conveys in his two line poems (Doha), what others may not be able to do in many pages.

Another beauty of Kabir's poetry is that he picks up situations that surround our daily lives. Thus, even today, Kabir's poetry is relevant and helpful in guiding and regulating our lives, in both social and spiritual context.

The following example is an apt illustration:

Looking at the grinding stones,
Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels,
Nothing stays intact.

Please note that what you see today is only a beginning. As we move along, more verses will be added on regular basis. It is my intention to include every possible known verse of Kabir on this site. This is not an easy task as according to rough estimates there are over 700 verses of Kabir. But I will try my best to do it. It may take its own time though.

Note to our readers: While presenting the Kabir Pages., I have shown the verses in Hindi and alongside in "Roman" English. Below is given the translation of the verse and then "My Understanding" of the verse.

If you would like to share your views on Kabir in the form of an article, essay or explanation of a specific verse, then please welcome to share with the world. I would like to enrich this website with your participation.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the support given to me by various people in developing this site.

Thank you,

Rajender Krishan
New York.

September 1999



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