Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 6.djvu/136

124 ingly given to the child. When Kabir arrived at an age to understand the nature of the doubts cast on his birth he composed the following :— I have just come from God. Mammon hath led the world astray ; it hath not found the secret of my birth. I was not born, nor did I dwell in a womb ; I have appeared a child as I am. A weaver found me near his hut in a lake at Banaras. I was not in heaven, or in earth, or in any country ; my divine knowledge is endless. The spirit which is manifested in His own world is my name. I have no bones, no blood, no skin ; I have been manifested by the Word. I am beyond all body and endless, a superior being whom men call the immortal Kabir.

It would appear that, though the boy was adopted by Musalmans, he was subjected to Hindu influences from his earliest years. Banaras was and is the stronghold of Hinduism, and even its Muhammadan inhabitants are often strongly tinctured with the ancient religion of India.

Moreover, it is said that Gosain Ashtanand, a Hindu saint of the period, said to have been a disciple of Ramanand, saw the child at the time of his exposure in the tank ; and it is most probable that he subsequently followed his fate and gave him religious instruction as opportunities offered.

At a very early age Kabir s religious education was far advanced. While playing with his companions he used to repeat the name Ram or Hari, Hindu names of God. Musalmans said the child was an infidel. Kabir retorted that an infidel was he— 1. Who struck any person without just cause, 2. Who wore a religious garb to deceive the world,