The Life and Teachings of Kabir

By : Meenal Nandwani

• Born in India in 1398 AD• Grew up in a Muslim family• Relinquished his body in 1518• Hindus and Muslims fought about his last rites

Background

• Ramananda went to take his bath in the Ganges• Kabir grabbed Ramananda’s toe• Took Kabir back to his ashrama

Initiation

• Kabir went to the market to sell cloth• Went into meditation and did not notice that someone had stolen some cloth• A brahmin came to his house and told his mother about the incident • His mother became furious

The Lord Saves Kabir

• Struck Kabir on the head with a stick• The brahmin was the one hurt, not Kabir• The Lord gave darshan to Kabir

The Lord Saves Kabir

• Did not become a sadhu • Lived simple life• Tried to bring cultures of Islam and Hinduism together

Kabir’s Life

• Forced to go into exile by emperor Sikandar Lodi• Lamented that his fingers could not accompany his songs of praise any longer• Relinquished his body in 1518

Kabir’s Life Cont…

• Criticized widely accepted ideas• Reincarnation and the law of Karma• Single god and the rejection of caste system and idolatry• Personal soul (Jivatma) and God (Paramatma)

Kabir’s Teachings

• Picks up situations that surround our daily lives• All of Kabir's recorded verses are in Hindi

Poetry

Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So UbPal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub

Tomorrows work do today, today's work nowif the moment is lost, the work is done how? *******************************************************Jab Tum Aaya Jagat Mein, Log Hanse Tu RoyeAise Karni Na Kari, Pache Hanse Sab Koye

When you were born in this worldEveryone laughed while you criedConduct NOT yourself in manner suchThat they laugh when you are gone

Dohas (Couplets)

Tell me, Brother, how can I renounce Maya?When I gave up the tying of ribbons, still I tied my garment about me:When I gave up tying my garment, still I covered my body in its folds.So, when I give up passion, I see that anger remains;And when I renounce anger, greed is with me still;And when greed is vanquished, pride and vainglory remain;When the mind is detached and casts Maya away, still it clings to the letter.Kabîr says, 'Listen to me, dear Sadhu! the true path is rarely found.'

Tell Me Brother

• http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/K/Kabir/

• http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Kabir

• http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dohas-ii/

• http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Kabir.aspx#1

Works Cited

Hare Krishna!

Thank You!