Kabir was a great 16th-century saint whose large following included Hindus and Moslems. At the time of Kabir's death, the disciples quarreled over the manner of conducting funeral ceremonies. The exasperated master rose from his final sleep and gave his instructions. "Half of my remains should be buried with Moslem rites," he said. "Let the other half be removed with a Hindu sacrament." He then vanished. When the disciples removed the shroud that had covered his body, nothing was found but a beautiful array of flowers. Half of these were obediently buried in Maghar, by the Moslems, who revere his shrine to this day. The other half was cremated with Hindu ceremonies in Banaras. A temple, Kabir Cheura, was built on the site and attracts immense numbers of pilgrims.

In his youth, Kabir was approached by two disciples who wanted minute intellectual guidance along the mystic path. The master responded simply:

Path presupposes distance;

If He be near, no path needest thou at all.

Verily it maketh me smile

To hear of a fish in water athirst!

(An extract from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda)