There are different versions about the birth of Kabir, one version says that he was found floating on a lotus leaf and one says that he was not born the ordinary way but from a large blister on his mother’s arm.

Whatever may be the motives behind these versions.Kabir was born in Benares to a weaver, Niru who was a Muslim by faith and his mother, Nima was a Turk. Kabir meaning “ the Most High’ may not be a forbidden name for the Muslims but it certainly was not a common name that was known to the illiterate poor of those days.

At his birth, Nima, his mother went to the Qazi, the Muslim priest, who opened the Koran as was his practice to look for a name and he came upon the name "Kabir". Thinking that the name was too lofty for a poor weaver he tried again and once again he came upon the same name. He wanted to try a third time but his mother happy with the name decided on the same one.

Kabir

Six hundred years ago, Kabir was born in India in 1398 AD. He lived for 120 years and is said to have relinquished his body in 1518. This period is also said to be the beginning of Bhakti Movement in India.

A weaver by profession, Kabir ranks among the world's greatest poets.

Kabir openly criticized all sects and gave a new direction to the Indian philosophy. This is due to his straight forward approach that has a universal appeal. Kabir is held in high esteem all over the world. Kabir was a Universal Guru.

Kabir did not accept the distinctions of caste or the four stages of life, nor did he revere the six philosophies. ‘Religion devoid of Love is heresy,” he declared. ‘Yoga and penance, Fasting and almsgiving are, without meditation, empty,’ he affirmed.

Ramaini, sabdi and sakhi he imparted his message to Hindus and Turks alike. Without preference, without prejudice, he saying were beneficial to all. Subduing the world, he uttered not words to please or flatter others, such was Kabir, who refused to accept the bias of the caste system or the supremacy of the six philosophies. This is the earliest account on Kabir found in Bhaktamal, a poetic work written by Nabhadas who wrote on saints and holy men.