Kabir Das - Shaila Suta

Volumes have been written about Kabir Das, much historical research has gone into his life story, many colorful legends have been woven around him. Our purpose here is to look into the heart of this mahatma in order to evoke bhakti in our own hearts, to lift our minds into the rarefied realms of God-awareness.

Kabir’s Life

Kabir Das is supposed to have been born around the year 1398 and lived to the ripe age of 120. He was found by the side of the lake Lahartara near Kashi by a pious Muslim couple called Neema and Neeru who were weavers by tradition. Kabir learnt the hereditary craft, but his mind was naturally inclined to prayer and contemplation.

Though Kabir is said to have married twice, many of his poems are addressed to his wife Lois, who shared his spiritual vision. He is known to have had two children, a boy named Kamaal and a girl Kamaali.

Mantra Deeksha

As Kabir’s spiritual practices intensified and the need for a guru was felt, he approached Swami Ramananda, who was well-known for his liberal and reformist views. But he was rejected, perhaps because of his Muslim background. However, Kabir’s yearning was so great that he lay down on the steps of the Ganges, in the darkness before dawn, when Swami Ramananda would come there for his holy dip in the river. The Swami stepped on him unawares and recoiled, saying "Rama Rama". To Kabir, that was mantra deeksha and he held on to the name of the Lord for the rest of his life.

© `Tapovan Prasad’ (April 2002) published by Chinmaya Mission, No.2, 13th Avenue, Harrington Road, Chetput, Chennai 600 031. Email: tapowan@vsnl.net. Reprinted with permission.

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