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The Bijak of Kabir
Kabir was an extraordinary oral poet whose works have been sung and recited by millions throughout North India for half a millennium. He may have been illiterate and he preached an abrasive, sometimes shocking, always uncompromising message that exhorted his audience to shed their delusions,
pretentions, and empty orthodoxies in favor of an intense, direct, and personal confrontation with the truth. Thousands of poems are popularly attributed to Kabir, but only a few written collections have survived over the centuries. The Bijak is one of the most important, and is the sacred book of
those who follow Kabir.
pretentions, and empty orthodoxies in favor of an intense, direct, and personal confrontation with the truth. Thousands of poems are popularly attributed to Kabir, but only a few written collections have survived over the centuries. The Bijak is one of the most important, and is the sacred book of
those who follow Kabir.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
Kabir
133 books279 followersKabīr was a mystic poet and saint of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement. The name Kabir comes from Arabic al-Kabīr which means "The Great" – the 37th name of God in Islam. Kabir's legacy is today carried forward by the Kabir panth ("Path of Kabir"), a religious community that recognises him as its founder and is one of the Sant Mat sects. Its members, known as Kabir panthis, are estimated to be around 9.6 million. They are spread over north and central India, as well as dispersed with the Indian diaspora across the world, up from 843,171 in the 1901 census.[5] His writings include Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Kabir Granthawali and Anurag Sagar.
Kabir's early life is not firmly established. 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" Historians are uncertain about his dates of birth and death. Some state 1398 as a date of birth,5 whereas others favour later dates, such as 1440Some assign his death date to the middle of the 15th century – for example, 1440 or 1448whereas others place it in 1518Lifespans 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. They could not afford formal education for Kabir and initiated him into their trade of weaving.According to 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's 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.
Kabir's early life is not firmly established. 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" Historians are uncertain about his dates of birth and death. Some state 1398 as a date of birth,5 whereas others favour later dates, such as 1440Some assign his death date to the middle of the 15th century – for example, 1440 or 1448whereas others place it in 1518Lifespans 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. They could not afford formal education for Kabir and initiated him into their trade of weaving.According to 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's 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.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 3, 2014
"First the pain of separation, then the thirst for Love"
says Kabir, "only then will you know Joy of the Union".
Bijak: means a document containing sacred texts. And it is one of the earliest of the major texts in modern Hindi. Kabir suggested that True God is with the person who is on the path of righteousness, considered all creatures on earth as his own self, and who is passively detached from the affairs of the world. Kabir was an enlightened saint and this work actually contains his couplets and verses - which are full of wisdom and insights - which will sound paradoxical but so obvious at the same time. The work is a timeless classic.
The basic religious principles Kabir espouses are simple. According to Kabir, all life is an interplay of two spiritual principles. One is the personal soul (Jivatma) and the other is God (Paramatma). It is Kabir's view that salvation is the process of bringing into union these two divine principles.
The social and practical manifestation of Kabir's philosophy has rung through the ages. It represented a synthesis of Hindu, and Muslim concepts. From Hinduism he accepts the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma. From Islam he takes the affirmation of the single god and the rejection of caste system and idolatry. Not only has Kabir influenced Muslims and Hindus but he is one of the major inspirations behind Sikhism as well. Kabir has written much poetry and song. His lyrics are characterized by a free use of the vernacular, and is unfettered by the grammatical bonds of his day. It is this quality which has made his philosophy accessible to generations of Indians.
Highly Recommended!
says Kabir, "only then will you know Joy of the Union".
Bijak: means a document containing sacred texts. And it is one of the earliest of the major texts in modern Hindi. Kabir suggested that True God is with the person who is on the path of righteousness, considered all creatures on earth as his own self, and who is passively detached from the affairs of the world. Kabir was an enlightened saint and this work actually contains his couplets and verses - which are full of wisdom and insights - which will sound paradoxical but so obvious at the same time. The work is a timeless classic.
The basic religious principles Kabir espouses are simple. According to Kabir, all life is an interplay of two spiritual principles. One is the personal soul (Jivatma) and the other is God (Paramatma). It is Kabir's view that salvation is the process of bringing into union these two divine principles.
The social and practical manifestation of Kabir's philosophy has rung through the ages. It represented a synthesis of Hindu, and Muslim concepts. From Hinduism he accepts the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma. From Islam he takes the affirmation of the single god and the rejection of caste system and idolatry. Not only has Kabir influenced Muslims and Hindus but he is one of the major inspirations behind Sikhism as well. Kabir has written much poetry and song. His lyrics are characterized by a free use of the vernacular, and is unfettered by the grammatical bonds of his day. It is this quality which has made his philosophy accessible to generations of Indians.
Highly Recommended!
July 1, 2009
THE MOST radical motherfucker. This verse leaves me reeling.
February 29, 2012
The book made the teaching of the Buddha more firm, clearer and close resemblance which in turn faith towards Buddha are more clear. The book content has been composed by Kabir in UNTOUCHABLE INDIA, for sure. Thanks to Dr. B.R Ambedkar's effort to fight for untouchable and treat all equal. Dr B.R Ambedkar himself from KABIRPANTH. But he renounce HINDUISM and entered into BUDDHISM. Because of only two cause, UNTOUCHABILITY and PURE MYSTICISM.Please let-us make these books free of cost for reading because teaching can not be given at cost of something. Kabir gave his message equally to all and free.
November 29, 2018
"The mind dwells in front of the eyes
And run with every blink.
In the three words mind is king
Everyone worships mind.”
.
Had a great rainy day over books and tea. Ah, meet Kabir! the blind poet from India who has been well-known for hundreds years for his poetry. He is considered as one of the saints in Indian poetry along with Mirabai and Surdas. His poems are very meaningful especially those related to birth, life and death. In my personal opinion, Kabir is like Persian Rumi or Roman Marcus Aurelius whose writings are such a guidance for people living their life. The Bijak of Kabir is without exception. It is full of Kabir’s wisdom or guidance in life. My favourite passage of the book is when Kabir talks about how powerful and important one’s mind can be as the passage aforementioned. Kabir is a bliss!
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#mirabai #thebijakofkabir #bhaktimovement #indianpoet #kabir #indianliterature #literature #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #ilovereading #igreads #igbook#instaread #instabooks #bookish #bookshelf#bookshelves #bookaholic #letsread #ilovebook#bookstagram #literarian #literatureteacher#literatureisliving #bookstagramindonesia#booknerd #bookofinstagram #descalibrary#descaslibrary
And run with every blink.
In the three words mind is king
Everyone worships mind.”
.
Had a great rainy day over books and tea. Ah, meet Kabir! the blind poet from India who has been well-known for hundreds years for his poetry. He is considered as one of the saints in Indian poetry along with Mirabai and Surdas. His poems are very meaningful especially those related to birth, life and death. In my personal opinion, Kabir is like Persian Rumi or Roman Marcus Aurelius whose writings are such a guidance for people living their life. The Bijak of Kabir is without exception. It is full of Kabir’s wisdom or guidance in life. My favourite passage of the book is when Kabir talks about how powerful and important one’s mind can be as the passage aforementioned. Kabir is a bliss!
.
.
.
#mirabai #thebijakofkabir #bhaktimovement #indianpoet #kabir #indianliterature #literature #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #ilovereading #igreads #igbook#instaread #instabooks #bookish #bookshelf#bookshelves #bookaholic #letsread #ilovebook#bookstagram #literarian #literatureteacher#literatureisliving #bookstagramindonesia#booknerd #bookofinstagram #descalibrary#descaslibrary
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March 11, 2024This is a great book to understand the nonsensical religion how it has been created and what are its real faces. It will not change any do thing about you if you understand one thing that is YOU need to use scientific and not do things that you don't want to happen to you. (ya think that is the very irrational claim that is the thing which created all the utter nonsense in our country. Just get away from them. This Only destroyed the consciousness of the modern era as well as the previously born world. I love Kabir More than any other person in this world of Philosophy. Don't read Philiospy just use your common sense. It will be enough to solve all of your problems. A weak person needs a guide and a strong person always finds his guide in himself. If that book helps you to find your guide the good otherwise of nonuse.
January 22, 2023
Interpreting the Kabir is Herculean task. He himself says know one knows understand what he want to say. This book is sincere effort to express the thoughts and Coplets of Kabir, the great philosopher, master , guide, guru.
I was always searching some good text to understand him. This book is the best.But, I could hardly say I understood Kabir, this book has given me his audience,
I was always searching some good text to understand him. This book is the best.But, I could hardly say I understood Kabir, this book has given me his audience,
October 20, 2022
Not a fan of this translation. Next time I read Kabir, I should read the unabridged Hindi version of the Bijak and also his songs collected in the Guru Granth Sahib, which is in fact the earliest collection of his songs.
October 29, 2019
Kabir is my favourite
May 26, 2009
This translation is really amazing, and the commentary also illuminating, and in a very radical kind of English, not shying away from a rich way of bringing the paradoxical poems of Kabir, with their often almost "surreal" upside-downness, to life. Koan-like, in that by a clash of opposites, irrational positings, we're brought even somewhat breathlessly close to his meanings... And his voice is here very human, very familiar-seeming, without resorting to an academic literalness, yet very authentic. I found this in a used bookshop late at night in Berkeley a few years ago... Oxford published it. There must be a few floating around...
July 4, 2013
We've been reading and learning Kabir's dohas since childhood. I believe, each one of us know at least one or two saying by Kabir.
What makes this book special is the stylistics analysis of Kabir's work. Need to read it several times. The book makes explicit the rhetoric of Kabir; explores the mechanisms of "how" and "why" he says something. Linda Hess is amazing.
What makes this book special is the stylistics analysis of Kabir's work. Need to read it several times. The book makes explicit the rhetoric of Kabir; explores the mechanisms of "how" and "why" he says something. Linda Hess is amazing.
August 14, 2007
One of the greatest poets ever....
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December 17, 2009rtyytyujyujtuj
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews