Kabir was born into a community considered “low” by orthodox standards. Yet his poetry shook the foundations of religious hierarchy. Kabir attacked: • Brahmin pride • ritual purity obsession • caste-based exclusion Kabir’s Famous Question: If Birth Makes Brahmin… Hindi जाति न पूछो साधु की, पूछ लीजिए ज्ञान। मोल करो तलवार का, पड़ा रहन दो म्यान॥ Meaning “Do not ask a saint’s caste—ask his wisdom. Value the sword, not the sheath.” Commentary: Truth Has No Caste Kabir’s metaphor is brilliant: The sheath may look beautiful… But the sword alone has power. Likewise: • caste is outer covering • wisdom is inner reality Kabir demands: Judge by realization, not birth. Kabir on the Absurdity of Purity Hindi जो तू ब्राह्मण ब्राह्मणी जाया, आन बाट क्यों नहीं आया? Meaning “If you are truly born of a Brahmin mother, why did you not come into the world by another route?” Commentary: Biology Makes Everyone Equal Kabir mocks caste arrogance: All humans are born the same way. So how can one claim spiritual superiority? Kabir’s Core Teaching: God Dwells in All Kabir’s anti-caste vision is rooted in Vedantic unity: The same Divine light shines in every heart. To insult another is to insult God.