Kabir was an Indian religious poet who lived during the 1400’s. Kabir could not read or write, but he recited his poems so that others could write them down later. His poetry is powerful, with a rough quality that brings it close to everyday life. His message of religious devotion continues to inspire Hindus today.
Kabir was born a Muslim, but his poetry speaks about God in both Hindu and Muslim terms. Some people claim that he tried to blend Hinduism and Islam into a single faith. But his poems suggest that he was against all forms of organized religion. He emphasized the importance of seeking God through direct religious experience and rejected the rituals of priests, temples, and mosques. He did not believe that gods existed in human or semihuman form. But he used the Hindu name Rama as one among many names for God.
Kabir was born in northern India, but scholars disagree on the details of his life. According to legend, he became a disciple of the great Hindu religious teacher Ramananda.
