Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and the ways in which these have been transmitted.

Kabir had an important place in the poet-saints. His teachings are as follows:

(i)    He described the ultimate reality as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. He also used terms like aulakh (the unseen) and nirakar (the formless). These words.were drawn from Vedantic traditions.

(ii)    He repudiated idol-worship and polytheism.

(iii) He emphasised the Sufi concept of zikr and ishq (love) to express the Hindu practices of nam-simaran (remembrance of God’s name).

(iv)    He believed that God was one though his names are different.

(v)    He referred to God as formless.

(vi)    He stated that salvation can be attained through Bhakti.

(vii)    He opposed the religious rituals of both the Hindus and the Muslims.

(viii)    He was against caste discriminations.

Expression of views

Kabir expressed his views in the language that was spoken and understood by the common people. After his death, the followers spread his views through various means of communication.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his teachings : Baba Guru Nanak was born in 1469, at Nankana Sahib near the river Ravi. This place is now in Pakistan. He was bom in a Hindu family. He learnt Persian, Arabic, Hindi and Mathematics. Me travelled widely. He spent most of his time in the company of Sufi saints and Bhaktas. His main teachings are as follows :

(i) He advocated nirguna bhakti. He firmly repudiated and rejected the religious practices like sacrifices, ritual baths, idol worship and austerities.

(ii) He rejected the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims.

(iii) He stated that the Almighty or rub had no gender or form.

(iv) He proposed that all his followers should connect to the Divine by remembering and repeating the Divine name.

In fact, Guru Nanak Dev expressed his ideas through hymns called “shabads”. He expressed all his views in Punjabi, the language of the region. He recited his “shabads” in various ragas.