Kabirs early life is not firmly established.[7]:14 In Indian tradition, he is commonly supposed to have lived for 120 years from 1398 to 1518, which permits him to be associated with other famous figures such as Guru Nanak and Sikander Lodi, however most historians state this to be highly unlikely.[7]:14 Historians are uncertain about his dates of birth and death. Some state 1398 as a date of birth,[8]:5 whereas others favour later dates, such as 1440.[9] Some assign his death date to the middle of the 15th century – for example, 1440[ or 1448 whereas others place it in 1518.Lifespans commonly suggested by scholars include from 1398 to 1448, and from 1440 to 1518. According to one traditional version of his parentage, Kabir was born to a Brahmin widow at Lahartara near Kashi (modern day Varanasi). The widow abandoned Kabir to escape dishonour associated with births outside marriage He was brought up in a family of poor Muslim weavers Niru and Nima. Vaishnava saint Swami Ramananda accepted Kabir as his disciple. When Swami Ramananda died, Kabir was 13 years old. In his hymns, Kabir does not call himself born as Brahmin, but he refers to himself as born a Julaha many times in his hymns. Bhagat Ravidas, the contemporary of Kabir, also mentioned in his hymn that Kabir was born to Muslims who were cow killers. According to influential American Indologist Wendy Doniger, Kabir was born into a Muslim family and all these stories attempt to drag Kabir back over the line from Muslim to Hindu Kabir was initiated[citation needed] by Swami Ramananda- a major exponent of Vishishtadvaita philosophy who considered lordRama as Iṣṭa-devatā. Kabir too often refers to Rama as his lord. He did not become a sadhu, nor did he entirely abandon worldly life. Kabir chose instead to live the balanced life of a householder and mystic, a tradesman and contemplative. However, there are conflicting views of whether he actually entered into a formal marriage or not. Kabirs family is believed to have lived in the locality of Kabir Chaura in Varanasi. Kabīr maṭha (कबीरमठ), a maṭha located in the back alleys of Kabir Chaura, celebrates his life and times.Accompanying the property is a house named Nīrūṭīlā (नीरू टीला) which houses Niru and Nimas graves. The house also accommodates students and scholars who live there and study Kabirs work.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:37:51 +0000
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