Many legends abound about the birth, life and death of Kabir [1440-1518], one of India's most quoted poets and mystics. His birth itself is shrouded in mystery, some say he was the son of a Brahman widow, others that he was of virgin birth, what is known though is that he was brought up in a family of muslim weavers. He was never formally educated and was almost illiterate. According to legend, the only word that he ever learned how to write was 'Rama'.

Many legends abound about the birth, life and death of Kabir [1440-1518], one of India's most quoted poets and mystics. His birth itself is shrouded in mystery; some say he was the son of a Brahman widow, others that he was of virgin birth.  What is known, is that he was brought up in a family of Muslim weavers. He was never formally educated and  almost illiterate. According to legend, the only word that he ever learned how to write was 'Rama'.

Legend says that he was born in 1398 and relinquished his body when he was about 120 years old. In this way his followers claim him as contemporary to Guru Nanak and Sikander Lodi. There is a famous legend about his death;  when he died, his Hindu and Muslim followers started fighting about the last rites. When they lifted the cloth covering his body, they found flowers instead. The Muslim followers buried their half and the Hindu cremated their half. In Maghar, his tomb and samadhi still stand side by side.

The social and practical manifestation of Kabir's philosophy has rung through the ages. It represented a synthesis of Hindu, and Muslim concepts. From Hinduism he accepts the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma. From Islam he takes the affirmation of the single god and the rejection of caste systems and idolatry. The basic religious principles he espouses are simple. According to Kabir, all life is an interplay of two spiritual principles: one is the personal soul (Jivatma) and the other is God (Paramatma). It is Kabir's view that salvation is the process of bringing into union these two divine principles.

Kabir is a very important figure in Indian history. He is unusual in that he is spiritually significant to Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims alike. Kabir openly criticized all sects and gave a new direction to the Indian philosophy. Kabir touches the soul, the conscience, the sense of awareness and the vitality of existence in a manner that is unequalled in both simplicity and style.

It is for this reason that Kabir is held in high esteem all over the world. Another beauty of Kabir's poetry is that he chooses situations that surround daily lives. Even today, Kabir's poetry is relevant and helpful in both social and spiritual context. Following Kabir means understanding one's inner self, realizing oneself, accepting oneself as is, and becoming harmonious with one's surroundings.

Kabir has written much poetry and song. All of Kabir's recorded verses are in Hindi. His lyrics are characterized by a free use of the vernacular, and is unfettered by the grammatical bonds of his day. It is this quality which has made his philosophy accessible to generations of Indians.


Kabir's philosophy has been well summarized in a poem by Mina Nagi from allpoetry.com

KABIR

Kabir wrote his manifestations in verse and songs
His concept of a single God was very strong
His mystical vision transcends religions and ideology
He used vernacular to explore Indian mythology.

The religious codes he espoused are simple
life is an interplay of two spiritual principles;
“One is God and the other is the personal soul”
To attain salvation should be our ultimate goal.

The only word he ever learned to write was “Rama”
His believed in reincarnation and the laws of Karma
Though, he was illiterate, he envisioned life as stark
His Dohas cured social ills, became his hallmark.

His verses inspire us to discover life’s reality
They are to the point and remind us of morality
Over seven hundred profound couplets he did orate
Differences among Hindus and Muslims, he tried to negate.

In India, Kabir is the most quoted poet ever born
Was he a Hindu or Muslim, it remains unknown?
Hundreds of his verses are revered in the Sikh’s holy book
Nanak’s philosophy is the reflection of his outlook.

Poem by http://allpoetry.com/mina%20nagi