648th Birth Anniversary of Sant Kabir Das | 13 Jun 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

On 11^th June 2025, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Sant Kabir Das on the occasion of his 648th birth anniversary, observed as Kabirdas Jayanti (Kabir Prakat Divas).  

Who was Sant Kabirdas and What were his Contributions? 

• About: Sant Kabir Das (1440–1518) was a revered mystic poet, saint, and social reformer, born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.  
  • Kabir often referred to himself as a “julaha” (weaver) and “kori” (lower-caste identity), reflecting his humility and solidarity with the marginalized. 
• Teachings & Philosophy:  Sant Kabir Das is a prominent proponent of the Nirguna Bhakti tradition, which emphasizes devotion to a formless, attribute-less God (Nirguna Brahman). 
  • He received spiritual guidance from Ramananda, a Bhakti saint, and Sheikh Taqi, a Sufi teacher.  
  • Along with Ramananda, he popularized devotional worship in vernacular languages, bringing spirituality closer to the masses. 
  • His teachings challenged religious orthodoxy, blind rituals, and social divisions, advocating a universal, inclusive path to God.  
  • He emphasized truth, compassion, equality, and direct spiritual experience over formal religion. 
• Role in Bhakti Movement:  Kabir was a key figure in the Bhakti movement (7th-15th century), promoting devotion, inner purity, and social equality, while rejecting rituals and casteism. 
• Literature: Kabir composed dohas’ (couplets) and bhajans (devotional songs) in Brajbhasha, Awadhi, and Sant Bhasha, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Hindi literature. 
  • His works are marked by simplicity, depth, and universal appeal, often featuring "ulatbansi", paradoxical verses with reversed meanings to provoke reflection. 
  • His major compilations include Kabir Bijak (preserved by Kabirpanth in Varanasi and eastern UP), Kabir Parachai, Sakhi Granth, Anurag Sagar and Kabir Granthawali (associated with the Dadupanth sect in Rajasthan) 
  • Many of his verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, compiled by Guru Arjan Dev (5th Sikh Guru), reflecting his influence on Sikhism. 
• Legacy & Following: Kabir is revered by Hindus, Muslims & Sikhs alike, and his teachings laid the foundation for the Kabir Panth, a spiritual sect whose followers are known as Kabir Panthis. 
  • His legacy represents communal harmony, moral integrity, and inner spiritual awakening.