648th Birth Anniversary of Sant Kabir Das: Philosophy and Notable Works

In 2025, Sant Kabir Das Jayanti was celebrated on Wednesday, June 11th, marking his 648th birth anniversary. Explore the life and teachings of Sant Kabir Das, the 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint.

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Context: Sant Kabir Das Jayanti was celebrated on June 11, 2025, marking his 648th birth anniversary and honouring his legacy of spiritual unity and social reform.

Who Was Sant Kabir Das?

Sant Kabir Das was a 15th-century mystic poet, Bhakti saint, and social reformer from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Born in 1440, believed to be raised by a Muslim weaver family.
Symbol of religious harmony and spiritual universality.

Sant Kabirdas

Notable works include:

Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Kabir Granthavali, Anurag Sagar.
Several verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Philosophy of Sant Kabir Das

God within the self: Emphasised introspection over rituals, saying God resides within, not in idols or temples.
Nirguna Bhakti: Advocated devotion to a formless, universal divine (Nirguna Brahman)—not personal gods.
Rejection of rituals: Opposed religious orthodoxy, superstitions, and caste-based discrimination.
Ethical living over dogma: Stressed humility, service (seva), simplicity, and Nam-smaran (chanting the divine name).
Equality and non-violence: Championed social justice, non-violence (ahimsa), and human dignity for all.

Influence of Sant Kabir Das

Kabir Panth: A devotional sect founded on his teachings, promoting equality and simplicity in spiritual practice.
Impact on Sikhism: Highly revered by Guru Nanak; many of Kabir’s hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Inspired reform movements: Influenced Dadu Panthis and other groups who resisted casteism and ritualism.
Universal appeal: Respected by both Hindus and Muslims, Kabir remains a unifying spiritual figure across faiths.