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Kabir
15th-16th century Indian poet and saint / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kabir (1398–1518 CE)[1]: 14–15 was a well-known Indian mystic poet and sant. His verses are found in Sikhism's scripture Guru Granth Sahib, the Satguru Granth Sahib of Saint Garib Das,[2] and Kabir Sagar of Dharamdas.[3][4][5] Today, Kabir is an important figure in Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam, especially in Sufism.[6]
Kabir | |
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![]() Painting of Kabir weaving, c. 1825 | |
Born | 1398 CE[1]: 13–14 |
Died | 1518 CE
(aged approx. 120 years) Maghar, Delhi Sultanate (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) |
Movement | Kabir panth |
Era | Bhakti movement |
Region | South Asia |
Notable students |
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Language | |
Main interests | |
Born in the city of Varanasi in what is now Uttar Pradesh, he is known for being critical of organized religions. He questioned what he regarded to be the meaningless and unethical practices of all religions, primarily what he considered to be the wrong practices in Hinduism and Islam.[3][7] During his lifetime, he was threatened by both Hindus and Muslims for his views.[8] When he died, several Hindus and the Muslims he had inspired claimed him as theirs.[4]
Kabir suggested that "truth" is with the person who is on the path of righteousness, considered everything, living and non living, as divine, and who is passively detached from the affairs of the world.[4] To know the truth, suggested Kabir, drop the "I", or the ego.[8] Kabir's legacy survives and continues through the Kabir panth ("Path of Kabir"), Sant Mat sect that recognizes Kabir as its founder. Its members are known as Kabir panthis.[9]