Bhagats

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Bhagats Bani

• An Introduction

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Some questions you may have?

• How does one religious movement explicitly
  incorporate the writings of others into its
  scriptures?
• Who are the Bhagats?
• Why were some writings chosen and why were some
  rejected?
• Is the same message delivered or does it clash
  with main scripture?

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Bhagat ? Sant ?

• The word sant is derived from the word sat-
  (to be and true)- meaning one who knows truth
  comprehends reality
• Not the same as Christians- saint no
  sainthood in Sikhism
• Bhagat- Sanskrit root- bhaj to share
• Sikhi- 1. devotee or worshiper

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Who are the Bhagats Sants?

• Caste not an issue!- namdev- chimba- cotton
  printer, ravidas chamar-cobbler
• Brahmins Ramanand,Parmanand, Surdas
• Location- bengal (jaidev) Kabir (benaras)
• Muslim Kabir/Farid- 2 different types
• Shahedi Jaidev/sadhna/Kabir?
• Time- Farid- 12C AD Mardana 16C AD
• Amount- Kabir -292 hymms Pipa 1 hymm 8.2
• SGGSJ sees beyond, time, caste, region,
• Guru Ravidass Guru or Bhagat?

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Collection of Bhagat Bani ?

• 4 major theories
• 1.poet/sants bhakti movement
• Travelled village to village singing songs
• Adapted to the location, rythhm and language
• Working men and women began to sing remember
  them
• Via this tradition that the Gurus obtained the
  message.

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Theory 2

• 1604- What happened / who was the scribe?
• Was his work included ?
• Mira Bai (in addtion to other bhagats and their
  works ) approached Guru Arjan Devji for their
  inclusion into SGGSJi
• Some accepted , some rejected
• 4 rejected Kanha, Chhju Pilo and Shah Hussain-
  non conforming to spiritual tone of Gursikhi.
  (different reasons)
• Many of the bhagats lived before Guru Arjan
  Devji could result in difficulties in
  understanding their works
• Not Solely responsible for the inclusion

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Theory 3

• Guru Nanak introduced Bhagat bani to SGGs Ji
• Guru Nanak Uddasiss introduced him to works of
  various sants
• Punjab- Farid
• Bengal- jaidev
• Benaraes- Kabir/Ravidass

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Theory 4

• Guru Amar das-who was he ?
• Previous life Vaninshav Caste Hindu
• 1st Guru to actively use names of Bhagats in own
  works Kabir/Namdev
• Emphasis of continuity and differences with
  signature to scripture.
• namdev and kabir obtained their spiritual status
  from the perfect Guru M3.Siri Ragu SGGSp67

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Which theory is correct?

• All are correct in some form!
• Guru Arjan dev Ji did have a selection process on
  sants bani
• Guru Amardas Ji was a vanishav caste and did
  comment on bhagats bani
• Guru Nanak did travel far and wide
• Bhakti movement of singing songs of poets did
  exist
• Sikhs should accept it as so!

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Why was Bhagat Bani included?

• 1.Universe of Discourse
• 2.Divine Name
• 3.Religious Pluralism
• 4.Self Definition
• 5 Feelings and emotions

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Universal discourse

• Bhakti movement start 7thC spread north to Punjab
• Two different groups Nirguna vs Saguna
• Included different religions into this tradition
  (Kabir Jaidev)
• Groups locked in man made limits- names for god ,
  modes of worship, language 7 dietary codes
• Theological differences in beliefs and practices
  provide foundation for different identities and
  ideologies of different groups
• Sikhism attempts to transcend man made barriers
  and focus on common ideals and goals.
• Gita for the Hindus Koran for the Muslims SSGGS
  for ALL

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Divine Name

• All had a vision of Akal Purakh
• All followed discipline of the Bhagat and Nam
  Simran
• Farid they who forget the divine name become a
  burden on earth Jaidev gods name is the sole
  ambrosia and essence of life
• All yearn for Naam
• 5999 times Naam appears in sggsji name is the
  total expression that is god (Sat Naam- his/her
  name is true)
• Name of God and Names of God
• Ram,Hari,Govind,Parmeshavar- all hindu ?
• Allah, Khuda,,Rahim,Karim- all muslim ?
• All designated names of different traditions only
  Satnam goes beyond these.

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Religious Pluralism

• Co-existence of many religions in society we live
  ?
• Sikhism born in environment of Hindu/Muslim
  tension ?
• Guru Nanak respected both and rejected both
• Defined true Muslim/hindu/yogi- emphasised the
  divine truth- karam not dharma!
• Is Sikhism and mix of Hinduism Islam?
• Bhagat Bani contains some element which
  contradict main ideals.
• Is Sikhism a way of Life?
• Genuine focus of allowing us to interact with
  all, races ,creeds, faiths and castes- but not
  forgetting ourselves

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Self Definition

• People have to identify themselves via key
  beliefs practices- bedrock of religious
  identity
• Guru Nanak devji made a distinction of his
  teachings to other paths.
• Rag ASA 465/6- (not the full quote)
• The Muslims praise their law and they read and
  dwell upon it The Hindus praise the infinite
  forms to see the divine, the yogis dwell upon
  the void. Says Nanak the true devotees hunger
  to praise the divine the true name is their only
  support.

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Self Definition

• Guru Arjan dev Ji furthered this process.
• Treatment of Bhagat Bani to agree use of
  signature Kahai Kabir/ kahai Nanak
• Kabir full on rejected hindu/muslim faiths and
  practices
• Guru Arjan Devji- I do not keep the Hindu fasts
  or the Muslim fasts I do not go on Hajj or
  worship Hindu temples, I offer neither Hindu Puja
  nor Muslim Namaz, My body and soul belong to the
  one who is called Allah and Ram, Kabir has
  uttered the truth (sggs p1136 not the completed
  quote)
• Emphasises continuity and similarities with Kabir
  
• But reject both main religions and asserts Sikh
  own identity.

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Feelings and emotions

• Different people have different experiences of
  the same divine being
• Bhagat Bani has different themes that sometimes
  agree with Guru teaching but sometimes can be
  seen to contradict.
• Life is full of different experiences and
  feelings SGGs Ji know them all
• Everyone has a different spiritual path-
  Hukumnama for all

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Sheikh Farid

• Muslim Pir born 1173 AD
• Understood the Koran by aged 8 yrs old
• Lifetime of study and then became an Islamic
  Missionary via Sufi movement
• He had several wives, 5 sons, 3 daughters and
  innumerable devoted followers
• Lived a life of prayer, fasts,
• Strict adherent of Islamic way of life
• 1st Punjabi poet of the land of 5 rivers

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Sheikh Farid in SGGSJI

• DEATH- For that young girls marriage, the day
  was fixed, Twisting and cracking the frame, he
  forces life out, The soul is the bride, and death
  is the bridegroom finer than a hair is that
  bridge of hell, How can they who have been led
  astray by Satan turn their mind to God?
• Bridge ? Death ? Bridegroom? Satan? Sikhi?
• Designed to make people remember death and not
  to over indulge.

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Sheikh Farid in SGGSJI

• SEPERATION I slept not with my husband last
  night my body is pining away
• People talk of the agony of the beloveds
  separation but for me, O love it is the lord of
  life, for the body in which such agony does not
  spring, is like a crematorium
• Similar to Guru Angad Dev JI

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Sheikh Farid in SGGSJI

• Development of virtues speak never a rude word
  to any one break no heart as every heart is a
  priceless jewel, honesty, humility,
• True devotees They who are soaked in gods love
  remain imbrued with his vision
• Farid employs God as Infinite, inaccessible,
  great, real, a judge and omnipotent.
• He also uses Muslim names for God, Allah, Khuda,
  Rabb.

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Guru Nanak Farid

• Grace Farid- Gods gift is only via personal
  effort of devotees. (fasts, prayers, charity)
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji- Gods grace is free for all,
  and separate from all.
• Divine Union via self-torture Farid- strict self
  torture- walk on firewood to meet the beloved.
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji- why harm the beautiful body
  that God has given? Live a life of moderation.

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Guru Nanak Farid

• Death Farid purely Islamic, fire of hell, angel
  of death, and Satan
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji reincarnation transmigration
  
• Punishment Forgiveness Farid- god is a
  punisher on wicked and offenders
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji compassionate God, boundless
  gifts boons.

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Guru Nanak Farid

• Divine Union Farid- only after the torture of
  life itself
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji- Its here and now , one can
  achieve a mystical union now and full union at
  death.
• Farid- pessimistic about , Life, society,
• Guru Nanak Devji Optimistic about Life and
  society.

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Guru Amar Dass Farid

• AgeFarid must be of a certain age to follow
  Gods path of love- when hair is black or its too
  late.
• Guru Amar dass- divine grace dictates not
  personal effort- what is the irony?
• Ascetic Farid- separate from society, wear
  certain clothes, reject fine silks- to purify the
  body
• Guru Amar Dass- Good intention/action purify the
  soul, not clothes, within a family life- positive
  contribution to society.

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Guru Arjan Farid

• Gloomy view of life- Farid- if you cut of my
  throat had been cut on the same day as navel
  string, I should not have so much trouble and
  hardship
• Guru Arjan dev Ji- world is a garden, Farid, in
  which some poison bearing plants grow, but they
  for whom the master cares do not suffer at all
• Life is a magnificent opportunity! Simran Seva,

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Bhagat Jaidev

• Born around 12C AD Bengal lack of material
• Brahmin, later became a wandering ascetic devoted
  to Jagannath (Lord of the world) changed to lead
  family life once married
• Followed the Hindu scriptures, Idol worshiping
• Suffered for his faith Hands were Cut off and he
  accepted Gods Will!

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Bhagat Jaidev in SGGSJi

• 2 Major works in SSGSJI
• Both are Niruguni in Nature whilst his major
  Hindu works are predominantly sarguni
• Gitagovind Famous Hindu- Large following among
  the Vaishnavas. This shows how the Gurus were
  selective
• Use of various names of God , Hari, Govinda,in a
  non incarnated sense

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Bhagat Jaidev in SGGSJi

• Famous phrase rama-nama (Gods Name) used by the
  Gurus for the discipline of meditation on
  divine name.
• Hari Bhagati- devotion to God must overflow in
  ones thoughts, words and deeds.
• Praises the householders way of life?
• Is his work really his own?

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Bhagat Jaidev in SGGSJi

• Major work- Maru Ragu- talks about regulated
  breathing in yoga positions to become one with
  God
• He is appealing to God for help to overcome his 5
  internal enemies
• Controversy- Influenced Hatha Yoga/Yogi Bhajan,
  and the Alpha Punjabi dude
• Do Sikhs believe in yoga as a path to
  enlightenment?

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Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS Ji

• Born Benaras beginning of 15C AD
• Belonged to family of so-called low cast weavers
  that recently converted to Islam (Islamic Sufi)
• As a child he was rejected by both the Hindu's
  and Muslims (Ram Ram, Kafir)
• Several attempts made to torture him by Muslims
  and the Hindus- (elephant, drowning)
• Famously rejected circumcision- If circumcision
  makes a man a Muslim what about a women?
• Basics- belief in one god, all to remember him,
  must obey his will, god treats all the same as
  one. EVERYTHING IS GODS CREATION.

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Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS JiRejected Hinduism-

• Idol worshiping,
• Brahmins- Castism
• pointless rituals,(food, and bathing).
• God only realised via the Brahmin and via
  Sanskrit
• Pilgrimage to Ganges,Orissa, Benares
• Yogic practices (God is in the Heart not the
  forest)
• What can Sikhs learn from this?

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Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS JiRejected Islam

• Islam/Koran not the only way forward
• Pilgrimages
• Fasting for a month only
• Sole Usage of Islamic names for god
• Diet- you chant gods name then kill a chicken?
• What Sikhs can learn from this?

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Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS Ji

• Separated himself from all!
• I have discarded the writings of Pandits and
  Mullahs, I have taken nothing out of them. If
  purity is in your heart you can behold the lord
• Declares himself as a child of one who is
  known by different names
• True religiousness is inwardly denounces all
  external observances
• Biraha- talks of the pain of being separated from
  true spouse - GOD
• Devotion is a solitary one- nobody can halt or
  delay or influence his path to enlightenment.
• What happened to the Saad Sangat? Sarbat Da
  Bhala

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Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS Ji

• Rejected his Family and Job as a Weaver and
  resorted to praying and begging Kabir has given
  up setting the loom and weaving On his body he
  has written the name of Ram
• What does Guru Nanak tell us to do? 3 key rules?
  

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Guru Amar Dass Kabir

• Divine Grace Kabir- I have crushed and
  grounded my own self, yet YOU O Beloved, never
  had a word for me
• Losing patience after his efforts?
• Amar Dass- this cup of love belongs to the
  lord, and he himself gives it to him
• Divine grace is as a result of selfless devotion,
  with no gain in mind,
• Personal effort alone does not equal salvation?
• Dying whilst living, surrender ourselves to the
  Hukum.

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Guru Amar Dass Kabir

• Karma Rebirth Kabir- Your chance of human
  life does not come again and again, once a ripe
  fruit falls you cant stick it back on the tree.
  Unique opportunity of human life, to break birth
  and death cycle.
• Amar dass- this life is unique, and that one can
  achieve liberation , yet again by obeying Gods
  Hukum and only via his grace.
• Agreement with Kabir but distinguished SIKH
  belief of Gurprassad.

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Guru Amar Dass Kabir

• Sahaj State Kabir- develop on your own, withdraw
  from society and life in the world. He also
  rejected his family business.
• Whatever I propose, God disposes, so why propose
  and scheme? For whatever GOD proposes, He does
• Accepts divine will with a negative, escapist
  attitude
• Amar Dass- He puts care (chinta) in us, he makes
  us carefree, (achint) give praise to that one who
  takes care of all.
• One can participate in the world and let God
  take care of all of our affairs.

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Guru Arjan Kabir

• Saints Sinners Kabir- strongly opposed to
  association with sinners, describes them as Meat
  Eaters, drinkers, By touching a blackened
  Vessel, one is sure to get stained
• For Kabir the door of liberation is now closed
  for them.
• One must stay away from bad moral influence of
  sinners?
• Sikhs are positive, must stay in the sangat and
  achieve salvation, must work, and surrender
  ourselves to god with no thoughts of gains!

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Guru Arjan Kabir

• Saints Sinners Amar Dass- Every Sinner is a
  potential Sant.
• Door of the holy sangat is always open.
• In the correct context, one must stay away from
  bad places , bad people i.e. PUBs CLUBS and
  BHANGRA GIGS.
• Balanced approach, one should neither flee from
  sinners nor indulge in their company.

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Conclusion

• 1.Universe of Discourse
• 2.Divine Name
• 3.Religious Pluralism
• 4.Self Definition
• 5 Feelings and emotions