Education

Education and institutions of education like Hindu and Moslem primary schools in those days were largely in the hands of Pundits and Maulavies. Since Kabir belonged to a low-class weaver family, he was turned away from both Hindu and Moslem primary schools. He could not get his right to the basic education. Thus, Kabir could not read primary books either in Pathashalas of Pundits or Maktabs of Maulavies. But later on, he received the complete knowledge of written words in the company of pious people. Thus, the general saying about Kabir that he had no knowledge of letters or that he was illiterate shows nothing but complete ignorance :

Masi Kagad Chhuo Nahin, Kalam Gahi Nahin Haath. 
             Charo Jug Ka Mahatam, Mukhahin Janahin Baat.

Based on this couplet, there is a tradition of declaring Kabir as a totally illiterate person. This is a blind tradition, on which the learned ones never consider. In fact this couplet points to that experience based spiritual knowledge to gain which one does need neither ink, paper nor pen. The second line of this couplet says that all through the four ages, ascetics and sages have been relating this knowledge orally. Their experience is of course the source of their knowledge. This knowledge of the self or the spiritual knowledge -- whatever it is called, is gained by experience only. The logic that Kabir does not support touching ink, paper and pen is also absolutely incorrect because in another couplet, describing the glory of Hari, he says –

Saat Samundra Masi Karun, Lekhani Sab Banraye.

Dharati Sab Kagad Karun, Hari Gun Likha Na Jaye. Thus, in this couplet, Kabir speaks of writing. He says that no one can describe the virtues of Hari even if one makes ink from all the seven seas, pen from all the forests and paper from the entire earth. Both these couplets talk about the heights of spirituality and both of them are linked with the experience of the self-knowledge. Isolated considerations on one or two couplets does not clear anything about the depth of Kabir's greatness. Couplets of Kabir contain more than one meaning. Trying to explain, therefore, these couplets superficially and taking their metaphysical meaning just outwardly are wrong traditions. Some people have become expert in such kind of exercise.

Just try to study analytically the words of that literate saint whom you declare as totally illiterate and contemplate on his sayings. You will discover what kind of illiterate he was. In the 'Beejak' of Kabirvaani, there is a section of 'Gyana-chauntisa'. The section contains a poem according to the sequence letters in Hindi alphabet. Each letter of this poem describes complete knowledge of spiritual philosophy. In spite of this, you declare Kabir as an illiterate person with no knowledge of letters. This attitude can be described with no word other than ignorance. Kabir initiated a sect of knowledge. Language was like the Kalpa-Vriksha (wish-tree) of his tongue. Acquiring the knowledge of letters would not have been a difficult task. By all means, from Kabirvaani (collection of the sayings including couplets created by Kabir) it is clear that he had acquired the formal knowledge of reading and writing.

I cannot in favour of regarding kabir as a Pundit of written knowledge. I have analyzed the realities of his life. He was strictly against the bookish knowledge and held totally different ideals regarding education. He never gave much importance to the text-bookish knowledge. From the Vaani of Kabir, it becomes apparent that he regarded acquisition of such a capability as education as would act as a catalyst to stimulate the thoughts. He was not ready to recognize such education as would retard one's thoughts :

Pothi Parh-Parh Jag Mua, Pundit Bhaya Na Koy. 
             Dhai Akhar Prem Ka, Parhai So Pundit Hoy.

This couplet clearly demonstrates his thinking about the education. Kabir had learnt the language of love. Such a knowledge as would lead one to the arena of love comprising of just two and a half letters, was his goal. And he definitely achieved his goal.