Sant Kabir is considered to be one of the greatest poets, who believed that human beings are equal and being one with God is the ultimate aim of every individual.

It is said that he was found floating on a lotus leaf in a tank in Benaras by a Muslim weaver. The weaver took the vulnerable child under his care and gave him the name of ‘Kabir’, meaning ‘the great one’.

Kabir always wanted to become a disciple of Ramanand. However, since he was a Muslim, it was next to impossible for him to get initiation from a Hindu. So, he took recourse to a trick. Ramanand daily went to the bathing ghat for his pre-dawn ritual ablutions.

Kabir lay on the steps of the ghat in such a way that Ramanand stepped on him. Shocked at this incident, he chanted ‘Rama!, which Kabir repeated. Impressed with by Kabir, Ramanand took him as his disciple.

The hallmark of Kabir’s works consists of his two line couplets, known as the ‘Kabir ke Dohe’. The Dohas reflect the deep philosophical thinking of the poet saint.

Kabir believed in the Vedantic concepts of atman. He advocated the Impersonal Aspect of God (Nirguna) and was against idol worship. As per his view, all human beings are equal and the societal caste system that is so widely prevalent in our society is fallacious.

He said that true guru is the one who can be attained through direct experience. The common ways of realising the real God, like chanting, austerities, etc, are worthless. — Spiritualawakening.com