Kabir Legends and Anant Das's Kabir Parachai: No. 140 (Sri Garib Dass Oriental S.)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Shri Satguru Publications

• Author: David N. Lorenzen

• Language: English and Hindi

• Pages: 270

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm

• Weight: 540 gm

• Edition: 1991

• ISBN: 9788170303169

About the Book:

This book is a pioneering effort that systematically collects and analyzes the principal legends about Kabir Das, the fifteenth-century poet-saint. The focus of the work is on how these legends reflect the ever-changing social and religious needs of those who created and passed them down. A key feature of the book is its in-depth examination of Ananta-das's Kabir Parachat, the earliest known collection of Kabir legends, with an English translation that makes it accessible to a wider audience. The book also offers a corrected Hindi edition based on a detailed comparison of more than a dozen manuscripts.

One of the main goals of this work is to shed light on the historical synchronisms between Kabir and his contemporaries, such as Ramananda and King Virasimhadev Baghel. It proposes a solution to the long-standing debate regarding the dates of Kabir's life.

About the Author:

David N. Lorenzen is a respected academic who specializes in the study of Kabir and the Kabir Panth. He is a professor in the Center for Asian and African Studies at El Colegio de Mexico, where he has dedicated his research to the exploration of Kabir's life, teachings, and influence. Lorenzen's work has contributed significantly to the understanding of Kabir as both a historical figure and a spiritual icon, offering insights into the cultural and religious contexts in which Kabir lived and wrote.

Preface:

The preface offers an intriguing account of the author's journey into the study of Kabir's life and his collection of manuscripts for this book. Lorenzen reflects on the challenges and excitement of piecing together the life of Kabir, whose story has been shaped by centuries of hagiographic narratives. He explains how his research began with a chance encounter with Ananta-das's Kabir Parachai and traces his efforts to gather and compare different manuscript versions, eventually leading to the English translation included in the book.

Through his meticulous research and collaboration with scholars, Lorenzen brings forth a fresh perspective on Kabir's legacy and presents the first comprehensive analysis of the Kabir Parachai. The book not only offers a valuable historical account of Kabir's life but also illuminates the deeper meanings embedded within the legends and stories surrounding him.