Bhagats & Bani

An Introduction

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?

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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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!

Why was Bhagat Bani included?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 pathHukumnama for all

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Guru Amar Dass & Farid

Age:Farid 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 lifepositive contribution to society.

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,

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!

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

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?

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?

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.

Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS Ji

Rejected HinduismIdol 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?

Bhagat Kabir Ji in SGGS Ji

Rejected 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?

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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