Kabir was a mystic poet and saint from India whose writings profoundly influenced the Bhakti movement. His work is characterized by deep spirituality and poetic language that explores the essence of divinity and human existence. Kabir's message resonates even today through his followers, who find inspiration for their spiritual lives in his writings. His legacy carries timeless truths about the unity of all creation.
Kabir's couplets which are considered as rich gems for their spiritual message and worldly wisdom have not been rendered into english so far. Here is rhymed english verse translation of three hundred of them from a wide cross-section of the multifaced genius utterances. Under each verse have been given a few lines in prose to help the reader grasp the underlying import of the message of the saint-poet.
"Few major achievements of world literature are as little known to Americans as the great ecstatic poetry of the Hindus and Sufis, as exemplified by the work of the 15th century master, Kabir. Irreverent while being intensely religious, Kabir seems incredibly playful in his taunting of the sacred dogmas of his time--to readers accustomed to the solemnity and ideological fidelity of most Western religious poems. Kabir has been translated into English only once before, by Rabindranath Tagore and Evelyn Underhill. Unfortunately, Tagore's Victorian English was simply not equal to Kabir's directness, spontaneity, and irreverent humor. Working from the Tagore-Underhill translation, Bly has done much more than retranslate into American diction. A noted poet himself, he has breathed new life into the work of a fascinating poet"--From back cover.
A New York Review Books Original Transcending divisions of creed, challenging social distinctions of all sorts, and celebrating individual unity with the divine, the poetry of Kabir is one of passion and paradox, of mind-bending riddles and exultant riffs. These new translations by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, one of India’s finest contemporary poets, bring out the richness, wit, and power of a literary and spiritual master.
Focusing on accessibility, this publication by Megali emphasizes the importance of making historical works available in large print for individuals with impaired vision. The commitment to preserving original texts while enhancing readability highlights the publisher's dedication to inclusivity in literature.