Kabir (2)

By profession he was a weaver and perhaps that is how Kabir wove simple words into something so wonderful as his poetry. Picking up situations that surrounded our daily lives, made his poetry eternally relevant. Thus even today, his poetry has a major influence on both the social and spiritual context. Characterised by a free use of the vernacular, his lyrics were unfettered by the grammatical bonds of his day. It is this quality which made his philosophy accessible to generations of Indians. Today Kabir Ranks amongst the world's greatest poets and is perhaps the most quoted author, attributing the fact that his work had a universal appeal. The social and practical manifestation of Kabir's philosophy has rung through the ages and across religions. From Hinduism he accepted the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma. From Islam he took the affirmation of a single God and the rejection of the caste system and thus went around his quest for the ultimate religion, with an approach that was straight forward and honest. He believed that all life is interplay of two spiritual principles, the soul (Jivatma) and the God (Parmatma). Salvation then, is the process of bringing into union these two divine principles. Born more than six hundred years ago, mystic poet Kabir is said to have lived for 120 years and finally relinquished his body in 1518.