Hagiographies of which tradition suggested that Kabir was "born a Hindu, Kabirdas" and was "initiated into bhakti by a guru, perhaps Ramananda"?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The Vaishnava tradition
Option (1) The Chishti sufi tradition — Incorrect. Kabir's ideas grew in dialogue with sufis, and several groups claimed his legacy. But the story of a Hindu birth and a guru like Ramananda does not come from the Chishti sufis.
Option (2) The Nath yogi tradition — Incorrect. Kabir was in debate with yogis in Awadh, but the Nath yogis did not write these lives claiming him for a Vaishnava guru.
Option (3) The Vaishnava tradition — Correct. Hagiographies within the Vaishnava tradition tried to show that Kabir was born a Hindu, Kabirdas, raised by a poor Muslim weaver family, and initiated into bhakti by a guru, perhaps Ramananda.
Option (4) The Lingayat tradition — Incorrect. The Lingayats were a Virashaiva movement of Karnataka led by Basavanna, devoted to Shiva. A guru like Ramananda belongs to the worship of Vishnu.
NCERT (2026-27): “8.1 Weaving a divine fabric: Kabir … |