Kabir Syncretiom

Kabir-Syncretism
Introduction>
Kabir, a saint poet who lived in the 15th century, had an impact on the bhakti movement in medieval india. According to
Kabir's life narrative, he was the son of a widowed Brahman, who abandoned her son On the shores of Lahartara pond in
because she was afraid of the society, the new born was cared for by a couple of Muslim weavers, who gave him the
name "kabir" which literally translates as "Great"
Kabir was one of the most important reformers in the history of the Bhakti movement. The Bhakti movement was
syncretic with a strong focus on love and devotion to god. He preached the Importance of Hindu-muslim unity & was
adamant in belief that god is one and that Ishwar and Allah are distinct names for the same being. He instilled a sense of
commitment to god in his students & promoted brotherhood among members of society.
He believes that there should be a religion of love and fraternity among the people, with no distinction between upper
and lower classes, or between high and lower casts. He encouraged devotion and submitting one's self to the god who is
independent of religion or caste.
The notion of Karma was something he believed in from a young age. Kabir is well known for his critique of social norms
& social philosophy.
Syncretism
Syncretism is an important platform of multicultural streams. It offers an to be a opportunity to strong cultural
amalgamation, Concept. syncretism is covered by the cultural reciprocation.
syncretic means a blend/a mixture or an amalgamation of different cultures, religions, different schools of thought.
Kabir emphasized on the cultural unity. He says that both Hinduism & Islam are conveying the same thing, the way it is
preached are contradictory but not the essence of both. He made people aware that both of these religions want
humanity to live peacefully a happily. that is why the blends the two opposite beliefs & cultures, which is known as
syncretism.
“It is all one skin and bone, one piss and shit, One blood, one meat... Who is a brahman, who is a shudra?... Kabir says
plunge into Ram, There no Hindu, no Turk” (Kabir, Bijak)
Syncretism's mainly a merger, an amalgamation of the Hindus, Muslims and other religions. The cult of saints may well
be seen as a strong foundation of Hindu-Muslim Syncretism. To Kabir, the spiritual core values of both Hinduism & Islam
are close to each other."
Syncretism in India
In India, the phrase "unity in diversity" encapsulates religious syncretism. Indian civilization is said to be a synthesis of
various cultures, religions & Languages. Hinduism's diversity is said to provide file ground for the acceptance of various
religions Such as Buddhism, Jainism, & Islam. India's religion is marked by a wide range of religious beliefs & practices.
His famous Doha in Bijak- ‘Pothi Padh Padh Jag Mua….’ Preaches universal power of love, which is more powerful
than the holy scriptures, which divide peoples in different faith, whereas love unite them.
Kabir contributed in strengthening syncretic tradition in India. By rejecting idol worship, the caste system, pilgrim age
rituals and outward symbols of religious life, he took very radical stand. He stood for doing away with all the
unnecessary custom & Rituals in both religions and bringing union between these religions.
Kabir on Religious & social harmony→

“Beast meat and man meat are the same, Both have blood that is red… For gods and goddesses of clay, You slaughter
living beast! If your God is real, why can't he go to the field and have his feast!” (Kabir, Bijak)
Kabir was pained & repelled by the violence that took place in the name of religion which resulted in people killing each
other. He saw all human beeings as equal with no hierarchies between them based on religion or caste or any other
factor.
“No Hindu came out of the womb with knowledge of the Vedas, and no Muslim came out of the womb being
circumcised. All people are born from the womb of the mother, and after birth they accepted many pretended forms
and actions. Then we are both of the same blood, and the same breath sustains us. Then with what kind of knowledge
you became different from one another as Hindus and Muslims?” (Kabir, Ramaini).
Kabir had a monotheistic conception of God. Kabir advocated belief in formless supreme being a sprit. This conception is
referred as nirguna path as opposed to the Saguna path. The nirgun philosophy saw godas formless and without
attributes. While the Saguna philosophy saw yod as having form & attributes.
Being an advocate of the nirguna path, kabir was opposed to idol worship & ritualistic practices in all religions, be it
Islam or Hinduisin. However, it has to be noted that some depiction of Kabir do potray him as having elements of the
saguna tradition as well.
“Who can be called a Hindu and who a Turk (Muslim) when the same God is the Father of both, and they are brothers
embodying the same spirit?” (Kabir, Bijak)
Kabir argued that Hindus & Muslims were the children of with the the same Good & therefore, blessed with the same
supreme divine spirit, the Paramatma. They share same goal for salvation that is becoming one with the divine spirit.
In many of his verses he conveyed that Salvation can only be attained through extreme love, devotion, meditation and
knowing your true self. Look deep inside you, God is there, truth is there, he says in one of most famous doha- Kasturi
kundal base, Mrig (deer) dhoondat ban mahi- Kasturi ( the scent) is inside it but deer wanders in forest to search the
scent.
Kabir believed strongly that even though different religions have their own names for you, ultimately god is one, the
eternal supreme spirit that inhabits the soul of all human beings & all creations.
Caste
“All are born as human beings, this is known by all, Sudras are made by lying rogues: this is Kabir’s call” (Kabir, quoted in
Omvedt 2008)
Kabir's advocacy of human equality extended beyond just religion and also included Caste hierarches which was
prevalent reality in 15th century Banaras.
It has to be noted that the Muslim Weaver family Kabir grew up in belonged to a lover caste, Known as Julaha. Hence
the must have forced caste oppression & discrimination while growing up in Banaras
Kabir's critique of caste system is both spiritual & rational. The Spiritual critique flows from his belief about the supreme
spirit & its universal prevalence. The fact that all human beings are endowed with the spirit of the Same god, makes
everyone spiritually argument in favour of the caste equal for Kabir, Regardless of their caste
Rationally, Kabir argues that there is no evidence to indicate that people of same castes are superior to others.
everybody has the same flesh & do everything in similar manner. There is no bilogical difference betreeen an upper
caste person & a lower caste person.
Kabir's Political & Social Ideas

“Kabir calls out, write two things down, worship God and feed the hungry. The world died of reading tomes, no one
turned out wise; from the single word of ‘love’ wisdom will arise” (Kabir, quoted in Omvedt 2008)
Kabir's political & social ideals were encapsulated in his utopian ideas which were proposed by him as a worthy
alternatives to the society of his time. The term Begumpura that is place without sorrow, or utopian village society.
Kabir's thoughts on ideal state of affairs have also greatly contributed to the general conception of Begumpura.
Kabir had its own terms for the utopian society as he sang of Amarpur that is Immortal place & Premnagar - Land of
Love.
Kabir's political imagination emerged in the context of 15th "Century Banaras. It was a period when big traders and big
landlords comprised of both Hindus & Muslims and they exploited the poor who also belonged to both the religions.
Hence, Kabir advocates for a complete reconceptualization of society, wherein Such differences disappear & people live
together peacefully, without any discrimination.
Kabir's political & social ideas were based on his experiences & observation of the society of his times. Kabir wishes to
remove all societal evils hierarchies & exploitation from society. In his view, this can only be achieved through Bhakti',
the devotion & love of people towards god
His ideal society will not have the exploitation of the poor by the rich as there will not be any private property in his
conception of ideal society. All resources will be shared. In his views, people Should take part in collective decision
making without any need for a king of a hierarchical government. Therefore there will not be any taxation, nor will there
be any need for it because of to the nature of his society.
Moreover, discriminatory social structures like the caste system will also not exist in his ideal society Similarly, religious
animosity will not be present in kabir's vision of Ideal society. Residents of Kabir's ideal society will be be followers of
monotheistic, syncretic god of Kabir.
Kabir's Thoughts on women

“Kabir says many have been ruined due to the love for women. Many more will go to the hell laughing all the way
through” & “A snake has two hoods, a woman has twenty hoods If she stings one, there is no chance to survive”
(Kabir, quoted in Upadhayay 2018)
Despite his progressive views on many social issues, Kabir's views on women have been criticized as being regressive and
influenced by prevalent prejudices of his time. He has been criticized for idolizing the patriarchal construct of a faithful
wife.
It has been pointed out that Kabir been looks favorably at the practice of sati, whereby widowed women were expected
to die on the funeral pyre of their husbands. Kabir portrays this regressive practice at the times as an example of pure
love.
Moreover, in some places, Kabir indicates. strongly that women could distract men from true devotions he warns men
about the temptation of women.
Even though Kabir talks in praising terms about women as mothers & ideal wife in some places those favorable
descriptions were in line with the prevalent patriarchal notions of that period. seeme of these glorias descriptions harm
than good as they reinforced problematic social practices like Sati.
Conclusion
He preaches looking inside, within oneself also in day to day life. This would help in social harmony. ‘Bura jo dekhan
mai chala…mujhse Bura na koi’ also another Doha says it is better to be deceived than to deceive. Even if one does
bad to you, better you do good to him, for your goodness will be with you and others vices with them. This was
another jewel of his thought for social harmony and religious tolerance.

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Kabir-Syncretism

Kabir on Religious & social harmony→

Kabir's Political & Social Ideas

Kabir's Thoughts on women

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