Knowledge ahead, knowledge behind, knowledge to the left and right. The knowledge that knows what knowledge is: that's the knowledge that's mine. -Bijak, sakhi 188 One of India's greatest mystics, Kabir (1398-1448) was also a satirist and philosopher, a poet of timeless wit and wisdom. Equally immersed in theology and social thought, music and politics, his songs have won devoted followers from every walk of life through the past five centuries. He was a Muslim by name, but his ideas stand at the intersection of Hinduism and Islam, Bhakti and Yoga, religion and secularism. And his words were always marked by rhetorical boldness and conceptual subtlety. This book offers Vinay Dharwadker's sparkling new translations of one hundred poems, drawing for the first time on major sources in half a dozen literary languages. They closely mimic the structure, voice and style of the originals, revealing Kabir's multiple facets in historical and cultural contexts. Finely balancing simplicity and complexity, this selection opens up new forms of imagination and experience for discerning readers around the world.
Being a great lover of Kabir's poetry, I purchased this title some time ago but never bothered to read the introduction all the way through - concentrating on the poems instead. That was a great shame! The long introduction is beautifully and insightfully written and I benefited from having worked though it carefully. Dharwadker, better than most, helps us navigate through what we can and cannot know about this amazing poet. As such, we most definitely benefit from having Dharwadker bring his keen eyes and insight to bear on the subject of Kabir. This title is highly recommended for both the very helpful introduction and the translations.
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