Appearance

Saint Kabir was appeared on the full moon day in the month of Jyeshth of the Vikrami year 1456 that corresponds to the year 1398 AD. It was Monday on that day. Regarding the appearance of Kabir, there is a famous Doha (couplet) which is taken as an authentic indicator in Kabir-pantha (a sect formed by the followers of Kabir). This couplet clearly ascertains the day of Kabir's appearance :

Chaudah Sau Pachpan Saal Gaye, Chardravar Ek Thath Thaye.
                 Jeth Sudi Barsayat Ko, Pooranmasi Tithi Pragat Bhaye.

Thus, this couplet describes the passing of fifty-five years. As for the year, both 1455 and 1456 (of the Vikrami era) are described traditionally as the year of Kabir's appearance. When one says 1455, it is always followed by 'passed' – that is the year 1455 had passed before the appearance of Kabir. Of course, the passing of the year 1455 marks the beginning of the year 1456. There is no doubt in it. By all means, therefore, the day of Kabir's appearance falls on the turn of the year 1455 and the beginning of 1456 in Vikrami era.

Now, the question arises that the year has been described to close in the month of Jyeshtha (that corresponds to June of Gregory calendar). It is said that in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, passing of the summer season marked the closing of a year… and every new year, which probably was based on the seasons, started after the month of Jyeshtha. Hence, the Vikrami year 1456 seems to be the more authentic and proven year of Kabir's appearance and it is accepted as the true. It is also true that it was Monday on that full moon day. Full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha is still regarded as an auspicious day even in modern era, and it is known as ‘Vata-Savitri’.

On that full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha, Neeru was bringing his wife Neema from her parental home in Mandur village (present Maduadeeh) after gauna (the custom of bride’s second coming to groom’s home after her marriage). The village Mandur (present Maduadeeh) is situated in the southern part of Varanasi. Neeru's residence was in Naraharpura locality (present Kabir-chaura) of Varanasi. The summer season was at its peak and it was the mid-day sun in the month of Jyeshtha. Neeru and Neema were travelling in a palanquin via the eastern jetty of Lahartara pond. Neema felt thirsty because of intense heat. She was badly perplexing when the palanquin made a halt beside a verdant mound near Lahartara pond, and all the travelers began to rest under the shade of a tree. There were many gardens and orchards on the mound. Neeru soon began to nap under the influence of cool breeze that blew from the mound while Neema reached the bank of the pond to quench her thirst.

Folding both of her palms in a cup shape, Neema lifted some water. As she was about to drink it, she heard the cries of a baby. Neema stopped drinking and raised her eyes. She noticed a newborn baby lying on the ground at some distance from the pond. The baby was thrashing its limbs violently and crying relentlessly. For a moment, Neema stood in hesitation. But then, gathering her courage, she approached the baby. The baby was extremely beautiful and had some supernatural touch that attracted Neema. But still she was hesitant for babbling tongues of the society. Very soon, affection overcame dilemma and inner-fighting… and she lifted the baby in her lap. Neema reached to her husband Neeru.

Sight of a newborn baby in the lap of Neema startled Neeru. For some time they continued to fight over the issue whether to take the baby home or not. They were afraid of defamation of their family on one hand…and on the other, punishment by the government over the matter of abandoned child was also frightening them. As long as the debate continued between them, motherly compassion took firm hold in the heart of Neema. Ultimately, Neeru gave away before the insistence of his wife Neema… and they decided to foster the baby facing everything… and fetching water from the pond, Neema poured two drops of water into the mouth of the baby. The face of the baby bloomed like a fresh flower. Those two drops of water proved like the nectar for the baby. Divine virtues were visible in the baby. Getting the baby in that manner was proving like a boon for Neeru and Neema for the each passing moment. First, taking the baby as the grace of Allah, Neeru and Neema wanted to leave him on a bunch of lotus flowers at the same spot where Neema had found him. But the Nature did not let it happen. In later course of time, a temple was constructed at the same spot by Kabir-chaura Math. This ancient temple is the remains of 'Lahartara-Kabir-Udbhav-Sthal' (the place of Kabir's origin). At the same spot, Neema had lifted the baby into her lap. At this same spot, the sights of Neeru and Neema had fallen simultaneously at the baby. This, supremely sacred spot, has become a great place of pilgrimage for the world. The moment, Neeru and Neema had sighted the baby simultaneously, was the moment of Kabir Saheb's origin and the place where both of them touched the baby simultaneously became a supremely sacred place of Kabir Saheb's origin. In any case, a consensus was reached between Neeru and Neema. And they brought the baby home. Thereafter, the newly-wed couple began to foster the baby facing all kinds of social allegations.

Neeru and Neema belonged to the Muslim weaver community. Weaving cloths was their main profession. Barely two or three generation's back, the ancestors of Neeru had accepted Islam. Before that, they belonged to Hindu weaver community. Hence, Neeru still had mixed-customs and was not so orthodox in his religious outlook. Neema, on the other hand, had hailed from an orthodox Mohammedan family. Thus, Neeru was somewhat generous, whereas his wife Neema was a strict follower of the religion. Consequently, they had many differences between them. The baby was forced to be brought up in such a family atmosphere, which had an air of mixed-customs. Nonetheless, mother always has a leading role in the fostering and molding a baby according to her own customs and culture. Neema wanted to raise the child strictly according Islamic traditions and customs.