Bhagats and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Preface
Commencing this work from the holy land of courage, sacrifice and devotion Chittor and on the holy day of Vaisakhi, this work is primarily intended for the non-Punjabi, non-Hindi readers residing in the diverse corners of the world. The plan of the work is to provide brief life sketch of Bhagats and various ragas in which they have intended their verses to be sung in Sri Guru Granth Sahib along with the examples from The Holy Granth. Bhakti period had been one the most significant period of spiritual renaissance and reawakening not only of our country but in entire world as well. The religious and political repression of all other faith except Islam had given rise to this movement who gave the Nirguna or Formless worship of The Creator. A Brief account of the composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji will also be given starting with Guru Arjan Dev ji and ending with Guru Gobind Singh, though who did not contribute any verse to holy work, but helped in its final composition and grated the status of the Guru to it. I hope non-punjabi, non-hindi readers would find this work beneficial in understanding the thesis of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that is Nirguna worship of The Creator and the spirit of that age in which it was composed.
Dr.K.S.Kang
13-4-2023 Author
I
Bhakti Movement
It was a spiritual and social reform movement in India that emphasised personal devotion to God over ritualistic practices. It originated in South India and spread throughout the country, reaching its peak in the 15th to 17th centuries. This movement fostered a direct relationship between individuals and the divine breaking down social barriers and promoting religious equality. It centred chiefly on direct and personal devotion to Supreme Power often through singing and chanting devotional compositions. This movement challenged the rigid caste system and promoted equality and social harmony making spirituality accessible to all, including even lower caste and women. Prominent saints of this movement like Ramanand, Kabir, Guru Nanak Dev, Ravid Das, Namdev, Dhanna, Pippa, Sain, Sadhna, Sheikh Farid, Meera, and Chaitnya Mahaprabhu emerged, composing devotional poetry and songs that resonated with the masses. Most of them made compositions in local languages and dialects thus promoting direct interaction with the divine. Bhakti poetry and songs in local languages enriched Indian literature and culture, fostering a vibrant tradition of devotional music and art. It led to a gradual decline in the rigid social hierarchy based on caste, with increased acceptance of lower and subaltern castes in religious practices.
While composing Adi Granth( first version of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji), Guru Arjan Dev ji , while including hymns of Sikh Gurus like Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das ji, Guru Ram Das ji and Guru Arjan Dev ji himself included the hymns of other Saints also like Kabirji, Ramanand Ji, Surdas ji, Namdev, Ravi Das Ji, Dhanna, Pippa, Sadhana, Sheikh Farid and the like. As Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji was compilation of the various doctrines of Sikhism like formless of God, Oneness of God, and the like, so Guru Arjan Dev ji included the hymns of saints belonging to Bhakti Movement, who subscribed to the ideology of Sri Guru Granth Sahib too in 1604. The Second version this holy granth was composed by Guru Gobind Singh ji, who added some hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur and Ramkali ki Var by Guru Hargobind ji. Hymns by Meera nd Tulsidas ji were left out, though Meera’s hymn was included in the first version of Adi Granth, but later on it was removed in the second edition of this Holy Granth as it included the hymns of those saints only who subscribed to the ideology promoted in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
In this work, which is primarily meant for the readers who do not know Punjabi or Hindi, the plan is to give a short introduction of Bhagat’s life followed by the example of verses composed by them to be sung in various ragas of Indian Classical Music.
II
Bhagat Kabir Ji
He is a well known Indian mystic poet and saint. Born in Varanasi he is known for being critical of organized religion. The years of his birth and death are uncertain. Some historians consider 1397-1448 as the period of Kabir while others feel it to be 1440 to 1517 A.D. It is commonly believed that Kabir was found as an infant Lahartara Pond by a Muslim weaver couple Niru and his wife Nima, who brought him up in their family. He became disciple of Swami Ramananda in Varanasi known for devotional Vaishanavism with a strong bent to monist Advaita philosophy that God was inside every human being and not only that but present in every object, even in the minutest spec of dirt. His family is believed to have lived in Kabir Chaura in Varanasi. Kabir Matha here celebrates his life and times. His poetry is in Sadhu khadi boli or dialect of Hindi along with Braj, Bhojpuri and Awadhi. He also composed poetry in pure Bhojpuri. Most of his poetic compositions are on the themes of devotion, mysticism and discipline. There are 82 works attributed to him like Kabir Bijak, Kabir Parichai, Sakhi Granth, Adi Granth and Kabir Granthawali (Rajasthan). His followers have named his verbally composed poems as Banis (utterances) including songs and couplets- dohe, slokas, and Sakhis witnessing to be evidence of Truth. His poems were verbally composed and transmitted to following generations orally till they were compiled and written during 17th century when Kabir Bijak was compiled and brought out. He questioned the meaningless and unehtical practises of all religions – specifically in Hinduism and Islam. During his life time he was severely condemned and threatened both by Hindus and Muslims alike. But he considered slanderers as his friend and companion. However, after his death both Hindus as well as Muslims claimed him.
Sri Raga
The mother thinks, “my son is growing” : She does not know his days are wearing off.
The more she says,”he’s mine”, and loves him,the more the angel of death laughs.
You,O Lord has cast the world in Doubt. How can one realise Him when one is lured by Maya?
Says Kabir, “Leave your love of Poison, in its company your death is sure.
Call on the All Pervading Lord, O life,whose Word is life giving for ever and ferries across the Sea.
Raga Gauri
Life in all its ramifications as trees, animals, worms and insects,
manifests itself in various forms and kinds in several births.
I lived through many such lives, before I was cast into my mother’s womb.
I became a Yogi, an ascetic, and a man of chastity and pious conduct,
and I became a King, seated beneath a canopy, and a beggar too.
Raga Asa
I take to the Guru’s Feet and ask :” Pray tell me why was the man created?
Why does the world come and go?: Pray, make me wise in this”.
O God, be Merciful to me and lead me on to Your Path that my bonds of fear are loosened,
And the pain of births and deaths, the pleasures of Vice, and woes of the creaturely wombs end.
Raga Gujri
If you were to become a horned and mute quadruped, how, then would you sing the Lord’s Praise?
When, upstanding and down sitting you will be struck, where will you hid your head?
Without the Lord, one is like a stray bull,
with a torn nose, and bruised shoulders, fed upon the straws of coarse grain.
Raga Sorath
The Hindus are worn out worshipping the idols, and the Muslims bowing heads before (Kabba).
Some are cremated, while the others are buried;but none, O God, has found Your True State.
O my mind, the world is but a blind well, and the Yama has cast its net on all sides, far and wide,
The poets have passed off reciting their poetry;the Kapris repairing to Kedarnatha,
and the Sanyasins raising a tuft of matted hair;but no one has discerned Your True State.
Raga Dhanasari
Neither Brahma’s sons, Nor Shiva, nor Sheshnaga knows Your Mystery O’God?
It is in Society of Saints that man Cherishes You, O Lord. Neither Hanuman nor Garura
nor the god of the angelic beings, nor Kings Know Thy Attributes, O God.
Neither the four Vedas, nor Smritis, nor Puranas Nor Vishnu, nor Lakshmi Knew Your Content.
Raga Tilanga
The Vedas and Smritis are a make-believe, O dear it ceases not the outgoings of the heart.
But, if one keep one’s heart whole, even for a moment, lo, there is presence of Lord before him.
O man search your heart, each day and Live not, torn by doubt:
This world is a magic show; within it there is no one to hold your Soul’s hand.
Raga Suhi
Tired are the eyes, the ears, and the beauteous body,
Age has worn out my sense, but my love for Maya goes not.
O crazy,one, you have not been Blessed with Wisdom;
And so you have wasted your life away.
Raga Bilawal
The world is a stage, and no one stays here save for a brief moment.
So walk you on the straight path, else you too will receive the push.
Neither childhood, nor youth, nor age is safe from the clutches of death.
Man is but a mouse, and the cat of Death devours it in the end.
Raga Gond
Meeting with a Saint, one should converse with him.
But if one meets with an Evil mind, one should keep to oneself.
O friends, what words should one utter (to the Saints) ?
Only such words which makes us Abide in Lord’s Name.
Raga Ramkali
The Maya that binds all has bound me down too.
But the Guru, the Redeemer, has quenched my (inner ) Fire.
When this mind is Realised from end to end. Then I bathed at the fount of my Self.
The Mind, wherein the air is treasured, now abides in the state of Supreme Bliss;
and now there is neither birth, nor death, nor ageing for me.
Raga Kedara
He, who minds neither praise nor dispraise, and sheds his Ego and I-amness,
and looks upon gold and iron alike: he, indeed is the Embodiment of God.
O God, rare is the one who belongs to You. He leaves off his Lust, Wrath, Greed and Attachment;
and Knows he the State of Godhead.
Raga Bhairon
Lo, I have gathered the Riches of the Lord:
Yea, I neither conserve them for myself, nor throw them away.
The Lord’s Name is alone my Farm.
O God, I am Devoted only to You, yea , I seek only Your Refuge.
Raga Basanta
The whole earth is in Bloom as is the sky:
For, lo, in every heart is now Illumination of God.
Yea, my Lord the King, is in Bloom in a myriad Colours.
And wherever I see, I see Him Permeating all.
Raga Sarang
O mind, there is no one to support you without your God!
For, the love of your father and mother , brothers, sons and wife is but an Illusion.
Prepare O mind, a Raft that Ferries you across to the Yonder Shore, for thither your riches do not go along with you. And trust not the Vessel of body, for a little stoke and lo, there it shatters.
Raga Prabhati
I an now delivered of the fear of birth and death,
For the Lord of Bliss has become Manifest to me in His True Self.
Yea, the Lord’s Light has Illumined me Within, and my Darkness is dispelled.
And Dwelling on it , I’ve Attained to the Jewel of the Lord’s Name.
Raga Jaijavanti
Kabir utters the Lord’s Name: This is the rosary he tells.
For( through it ) the Devotees of God have been in Peace and Poise, age after age.
Kabir: Everyone laughs at my caste,
But, lo, I am dedicated to this caste in which I Contemplated my Creator-Lord.
III
Ravi Das Ji
Ravidas or Raidas is generally venerated as spiritual teacher or Guru in U.P, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Details of his life are vague as some scholars feel that he was born in 1377 and died in 1528 A.D. in the village Gobardhanpur at Benares at the age of 151 years. His parents were Santokh Dass and Mata Kalsi belonging to leather working community. While pursuing the vocation of leather work he spent most of his time in the company of Sufi Saints, Sadhus and ascetics. He was married to Lona Devi at the age of 12 yearsa and had a son Vijay Das The text Anantdas Parcai is one of the earliest surviving biographies of various Bhakti Movement poets that describes the birth of Ravidas. Medieval era text Bhaktimala suggest him to be disciple of Swami Ramanand His ideas and fame grew over his lifetime and even Brahmins used to bow before him. He travelled widely to Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Himalayas. He abandoned Saguna forms of supreme beings and focussed on Nirguna (abstract) forms of Supreme Beings. He also discusses the ideas that are foundation of Nath philosophy of Hindusim. Most of the scholars believe that Ravi Das met Guru Nanak Dev Ji during his life time. He is revered in the Sikh Scripture and 41 of his poems have been included in Adi Granth Sahib.
Sri Raga
You are me, I am You: where is the difference?
Do the gold and golden bracelet differ? Or the water and the waves?
If I wouldn’t sin, O You Infinite One. How should you be called the Purifier of the sinners?
You are known as the Master, the Inner-knower of ourselves, so am I Your Servant Known:
from me, the Servant, are You the Master, I call on You,” O Lord grant me this Wisdom,
That Ravidas knows You equally in all, everywhere.
Raga Gauri
My constant companion is Evil; I’m ever oppressed by this thought.
My deeds are perverse: my birth is low.O my Lord, my Master, the vital breath of life.
Forsake me not, for, I belong to You. Efface my Woes:Bestow Thy Love upon me.
Even if I lose the power of my body, I’ll not leave Your Lotus-Feet.
Raga Asa
The deer, the fish, the black-bee, the moth and the elephant are destroyed by single malady.
But the man who lives with the five incurable Desires: What hope has he (of Redemption)?
O Lord man is in love with Ignorance, and his Light of Wisdom burns dim.
The worms and animals are thoughtless beings and cannot distinguish between Good and Evil.
But man’s birth is far too precious: but as man too, one keeps a low company.
Raga Gujri
The calf has defiled the milk in the teats, the black-bee has defiled the flower, the fish the water.
O Mother, what shall I now offer to my Lord, for I see not a beauteous flower (undefiled).
The Chandan Tree is girdled by snakes. Lo the Nectar and Poison abide in the same place.
How then with Incense, earthen lamps, food and fragrant flowers is Your Servant to worship You.
Raga Sorath
When I am, You are not: now that You are (inside me) , I am not.
The winds raise the waves in the high seas, but these too are nothing but water.
O God, Doubt is such a delusion.
That it makes us believe in what is not.
Raga Dhanasari
There is no one as forlorn as I am, nor no one as is Beneficent as You are,
there is no need to Know more. And as in Your Word I have put all my trust, so You fulfil me.
O God, I am forever a Sacrifice unto You. But how is that You speak not to me?
I was separated from myriads of births, O God this birth now I Dedicate to You.
Raga Jaitsri
O God, I know naught: and my mind is sold out to Maya
You are the Guru-the Master of the Universe,while I am a mere sinner of Kali age.
The five demons have led my mind astray,and have removed me far from You, my God.
In whichever direction I see, I see nothing but Pain, and though even Vedas testify,
my mind believes not in You.
Raga Suhi
The day that comes, also passes off: so does everyone vanish, and nothing stays.
My mates are leaving: I too am also to leave: and go to a far off place,
for Death hands over the heads of all. Awake O Ignorant one, why are you asleep?
Why have you taken the life of the world to be eternally true?
Raga Bilawal
Everyone laughed at my poverty: for, such was my state.
And now eighteen Siddhis are under my sway: such is Your Mercy, O God!
You know all and I am so Ignorant: You are the Destroyer of ‘coming and going’.
So all life seeks Your Refuge and You Fulfil all. He who seeks Your Refuge does not carry load of evil. And You save both high and low-and no one is ashamed of receiving Your Bounties.
Raga Gond
Dwell, O world, on your Emancipator,your God.
For without Lord’s Grace your body is reduced to dust. He, your Lord alone Emancipates You.
And He alone is our Father and Mother, He who Cherishes his Lord in life and death,
He, His Devotee, is ever in Bliss.
Raga Ramkali
We read, hear and reflect upon a myriad names,but that Embodiment of Love and Wisdom,
one sees not. O how is the iron to be transmuted to gold if it does not touch philosopher’s stone.
By God, the knot of Doubt is loosed not. And lust, wrath, Maya, Ego, and Jealousy,
these five together rob us all. One may be a great poet, of high family, a Pandit, Yogi, Sanyasi
and wise too, and mighty, and the benefactor of all, but one is rid not of sense of Ego.
Raga Maru
He, who is the Ocean of Peace, the Tree which yields all Fruits, the Wish-fulfilling Jewel,
the Master of the Kamadhenu; In whose hand are the four life objects,
the eighteen extra psychic powers and the Nine Treasures. That Lord one tolls not with the tongue.
And forsaking Him, one id involved with the (empty) words.
Raga Bahiron
Without Seeing (God),the Desire ( to behold Him) wells up not: But how to see Him
when all that seems will pass away? He, who Dwells upon the Name through His Praise,
That Yogi becomes Detached forsooth. He, who Knows the Lord and then Utters His Name,
He, meeting with Guru-the Philosopher’s Stone is not torn by Duality.
Raga Basant
You know naught,O man, and seeing your robes, you pride on yourself.
But (before God), O egoistical Bride you have no place.
And over your neck caws the crow (of Death). O crazy one, why are you puffed with Pride.
You are no more real than the mushrooms in the month of Bhadon.
Raga Malhar
O fellow men, I am reputed to belong to the caste of cobblers,
but within my heart I Cherish the virtues of God. Even if waters of Ganga turn into wine,
the Saints partake not of it. Even though the impure wine or other impurities, when merge with
Ganga they become pious like it. The Tar tree is considered impure but when it is turned into paper,
and on it the Praise of God is written, men bow down and pay obeisance to it.
IV
NamDev Ji
Namdev was influenced by Vaishnavism and became widely known in India for his devotional songs set to music (Bhajans- Kirtans). His philosophy contains both nirguna and saguna brahman elements with Vedanta themes. Details of his life are uncertain and vague He is believed to have lived between 1270-1350 A.D. He was married to Rajai and had a son Vitha both of them wrote about him. As per Mahipati, a hagiographer of the 18th century, Namdev’s parents were Damashet and Gonai- a childless elderly couple who found child Namdev floating in river in response to their prayer to Almighty for a child. He was born into what is generally recognised as a Kshatriya community. Variously recorded him as being brought up in a Shimpi (tailor) or Chippa (Calico-printer) community of Maharashtra. There are differences regarding his birth too as some believe that he was born at Narsi Bahmani, down the Krishan River while other believe him to be born at Pandharpur. There was some communication between Namdev and Yogi Saint Jnaneshwar as noted by a hagiographer Nabhadas in Bhaktimala. He is generally considered by the Sikhs as holy men as a large number of them too came from lower classes. So they were lured by the social reforms projected by Namdev. As per Sikh tradition he died at a village Ghuman though it is not universally accepted. The literary works of Namdev were influenced by Vaishnavite philosophy and a belief in Vithoba. Along with Jnaneswar’s work, Tukaram and the writings of Namdev forms the basis of belief held by Varkaki sect of Hinduism that had first emerged first in Karnataka and then spread to Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Both Jnaneshwar and Namdev used Marathi language to convey their beliefs. Namdev’s style was to compose simple worded praise for Vithoba and to use a melodic device Sunkritan, both of which were easily accessible to common man. He taught that all can be saved equally, without any distinction of caste, through devotion (bhakti) to Vithoba. The earliest anthology record of Namdev’s compositions can be seen in Guru Granth Sahib ji that was compiled in 1604 A.D His padas are not mere poems but like other Bhakti Movement Saints he composed Bhajans that is songs meant to be sung to music. Literally a bhajan means a thing share or enjoyed collectively. His poetry was influenced by Vaishnavite philosophy, sometimes invoking Vithoba, sometimes Vishnu-Krishna as Govind Hari but he never refers to Dashrath’s son Ram- the her of Ramayana but when he mentions Ram he is implying a pantheistic Ultimate Being who is the One True and Real Teacher or Guide of man (Sadguru). He considers devotion, as a path of emancipation, superior to others. Namdev’s verses are to be intended to be sung in following ragas.
Raga Gauri
O God, You have caused the Stones to Swim across.
Then he, who utters Your Name why shall not he be saved? You have Saved Gunika, Kubja, shorn of beauty and Ajmal, the hunter. And they, who aimed at Your Lotus-Feet.
Sacrifice am I unto him who utters Your Name. Vidura, the Slave girl’s son, Sudama-Krishna’s
humble friend were Saved and Ugrasena was restored to his throne. Through You, O Namdeva’s
Master, were Saved even those devoid of meditation,austerity or works: ( Won’t You save me?)
Raga Asa
The One Lord is also Manifested as many, and wherever I see, I see Him Pervading all.
Your shiny mirage of Maya deludes all, but rare is the one who Knows,
All is Govind, the Support of the Earth, all over it He. And there is not another that one may see.
As upon one thread are strung a hundred beads, so is the Lord woven woof and warf into the world.
Raga Gujri
If You Bless me with a kingdom, it increases not my Glory.
Nor if You make me a beggar does it make me any lesser man.
Dwell you on your Lord, for this is the state of Supreme Bliss,
and then you do not come and go repeatedly.
Raga Sorath
When I See my Lord, I Sing His Praise. And then I, His slave become content.
Meeting with my Guru, I Merge in His Word. Where I see the dazzling Light(of God).
There I Hear the unstruck Melody (of Bliss). There I see the All Pervasive Light of God,
It is through Guru’s Grace that I have known this.
Dhanasari
One digs up foundation for one’s home and raises upon it a magnificent structure.
But is there any greater than Markandya the sage, who passed his days keeping a handful of straws on his head? Our Creator-Lord is the only Loving God of all.
O man why are you proud of your body which passes off in the end ?
Raga Todi
Some say the Lord is near, others that He is far. But how can a fish of the waters climb a tree.
O men, why you shout so much? For he who attains to His Love, confides not this secret to another.
Becoming a Pandit, one discourses on the Vedas: But I, Namdeva the Ignorant one,
knows naught else but my Lord, the God.
Raga Tilanga
For me, the Blind one, Your Name O Creator is the sole support;
I am a poor, meek, soul O Lord and my Mainstay is Your Name.
You are the Beneficent Lord, the Allah, the Contented One
The Living Presence, here before me.
Raga Bilawal
The Guru has Fulfilled me, and I am rid of my Woes and my inmost Self is filled with Bliss.
The Guru has blessed me with the collyrium of Wisdom, without Lord’s Name is life without a mind, Namdeva has known You through Contemplation O God,
And now his soul is Merged with You-The Life of all life.
Raga Gond
One is attracted by the sweet sounds, as is the deer,
who gives up his life, but thinks of his passion alone.
Bless me, O God, that I See You like it.
That forsaking You,I turn not to another.
Raga Ramkali
Of the paper, one makes the kite, and lo, it flies across the skies.
But while one chit-chats with the friends around, one keeps the mind in the string( lest it breaks)
So is my Mind pierced through by God’s Name. As the goldsmith keeps his mind absorbed in his creation. As the young girls,with pitchers full of water perched on their heads,roam the streets.
And they chat and giggle and talk on all things, but keep their mind always in the pitcher.
Raga Mali Gaura
Blessed is the Flute of the Lord that Rings unstruck, subtly and softly (within me).
Blessed is the sheep that offers its wool to weave the blanket that the Blessed Krishna dons.
O Devaki, mother of Krishna, Blessed art thou
In whose home came the All pervading Lord, the Master of Maya.
Raga Bhairon
O tongue, i’ll cut you up in a hundred bits,if you utter not the Lord’s Name.
O tongue, you be imbued with the Lord’s Name, and utter in Love only
the Name of your Beauteous God. O my tongue, everything else is an illusion:
Only the Lord’s Name makes us enter into the state of Nirvana.
Raga Basant
If the Master gives some trouble and the Servant runs away, He shames his entire clan and dies soon
O God, I’ll abandon not my Devotion to You, even if the whole world laughs at me.
O Lord, Your Lotus-Feet, I have Enshrined in my heart. As man even till death gathers riches.
So does the Saint cling to his God and leaves Him not.
Raga Sarang
Why O mind you roam in the forest of Vice? And in your ignorance lick the poison,
that makes you lose your consciousness. When the fish lives in water,
It knows not the net, nor death. But lured by the taste of tongue it takes the bait.
So do you, are lured by the love of riches and women.
Raga Malhar
Such is my God, the Man-Lion, my King, He, in whose house is the four headed Brahma- the Potter,who moulds into shape the whole world. And in His house is also crazy Shiva,
the World teacher of Quintessence. And at whose Door stand the Chitra and Gupta,
the Scribes of men’s Virtue and Vice. And whose Door-man is Dharamraja-
the Lord of Destruction- Such is my God, my King, the Support of the earth.
Raga Kanara
One sees one’s Lord, the Inner Knower of all hearts, as one sees one’s face reflected in mirror.
He Pervades all hearts, but is Stained not by Maya. Yes He is delivered of all bonds and is yet
bound (to His Creation). As one sees one’s face in clear waters,
so does one See God ( in a clean heart).
Raga Prabhati
My Primeval God has been since the beginning of Ages, and no one knows His end.
And He is deep down within all, yea He Pervades Everything; of such forms has He been described.
His Word Rings through the universe: the Lord’s Thunder is written across all the skies.
Yea, He, my God , is the Embodiment of Love.
V
Tirlochan Ji
Tirlochan was a celebrated medieval Indian saint who has contributed hymns to Guru Granth Sahib ji and Raag Sri. He was born in 1269 A.D in a Vaishya family of Barsi in Solapur district of Maharashtra. Four shabads written by him have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. In these he has condemned superficial rituals and pretentious renunciation and stressed on the holiness of the heart. His compositions can be found in Sri Rag, Rag Gujri, and Rag Dhanasari.
Sri Raga
In one’s mind is the immense love of Maya; and one forgets the fear of age and death.
One flowers like the lotus, by seeing his kins, and the vicious man, casts an evil eye on another’s woman. But when (Age), the offspring of the yama, comes with a terrible message, One feels helpless before it. Rare is the friend who says ‘Take me You my Lord into Your Embrace, Meet me ,my Lord,and Deliver me (of Maya).
Raga Gujri
Within him is the Dirt, and he cleans not within but from without he wears the garb of an ascetic.
Within his lotus heart, he knows not his God, why then has he become Sanyasin,pray?
O Pundit, the world is strayed by Ignorance, for it has not Realised the Lord of Supreme Bliss.
Raga Dhanasari
Why curse your God, O Ignorant woman, when the good and bad one receives,
is the fruit of one’s deeds. Though (the moon) is set in the forehead of Shiva
and bathes he in the Ganga, and though in his clan was born Krishan- the incarnation of Vishnu.
Its face is spotted black due to its own misdeeds.
VI
Sant Beni Ji
It is believed that he spent most of his time in prayer and meditation neglecting the household needs. He is believed to be contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He was a scholar with a humble temperament. He was ever ready to serve true True Guide which provided him real comforts. He denounced Hindu rituals and austerities of Hat Yoga so that common man learns the real motive of the true religion that is cultivation of Divine Name. He has three hymns in Rag Sri, Rag Ramkali and Rag Prabhatiin Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Sri Raga
(To be sung in the Measure of ‘Pahre’)
O man, when you were encased in the womb, and standing topsy turvy you were engrossed in meditation. Your body was listless and the pride of being a man was not yours,
your ignorance was in silence, and night was as was the day.
Raga Ramkali
Where the Ira, Pingla, and the Sushumana, converge:
There is Confluence for me of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, and there my Mind bathes.
O Saints, there one Sees the Immaculate God, But rare is the one who Mounts to the Guru and Knows, That there Abides our All pervading and Detached God.
Raga Prabhati
He bathes his body each day, each morn, and wraps two unstitched sheets about and,
practises the way of works, and feeds himself only upon milk.
But his heart is like a drawn knife ;
and what he utters is only to cheat men of whatever they have !
VII
Dhanna Bhagat
Bhagat Dhanna or Dhanna Jat was a mystic poet and vaishanav devotee who has contributed three hymns to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. He was born in a peasant family of Dhaliwal clan in village Chauru of Tehsil Phagi of Jaipur district in Rajasthan. He was disciple of Saint-poet Ramanand. Later on he moved to village Dhuan Kalan of Devli Tehsil of Tonk district in Rajasthan. There are a number of tales about the spiritual powers of Dhanna ji. As per one story one day many Sanasins came to him and demanded food and he used the grains that he had stored for sowing. So that year he could not sow the seeds in his fields. Though the fields did not yield grains but that year gourds were the output of the field. When feudal lord came to collect revenue Dhanna ji offered him gourds. Surprised and angered the feudal lord broke the gourd and found that they were full of precious pearls. Bhagat Meera refers to this story in her poem “ Sun lijo binati mori, main sharan gahi prabhu teri”.
Raga Asa
To the Lord, the Sustainer of the earth, was Namdeva’s Mind Attuned,
And lo he, the calico-printer of little worth, became worthy of Praise.
Giving up spinning and weaving, Kabir Cherished the Love of Lord’s Feet,
and he, the weaver of low birth became the Treasure of Virtue.
Ravidas, the cobbler, who carted the dead animals, abandoned the love of Maya.
And he became renowned through the companionship of the Saints
and Saw the Vision of the Lord.
Saina the Barber, who was engaged in doing odd little things, became known the world over,
when he Enshrined the Transcendent Lord in the Mind, and was acknowledged
among the devotees of the Lord. Hearing all this Dhanna, the Jat also became dedicated to God’s way. And he was ushered into Lord’s Presence : O how fortunate was he!
Raga Dhanasari
I Adore You, O Gopal, my Love; You fulfil all who Worship You.
I beg You to Bless me with wheat flour, lentils and ghee,
that my heart keep ever pleased with You. And I beg of You for silken wear and footwear too.
And the foodgrain too, grown by tilling the seven times over.
And hark, I also ask for milch cow and a buffalo too, and a fine Arabian mare to ride.
And I ask for a dutiful wife to look after the household:
These are the needs of me which I seek from You, O my Beneficent Lord.
VIII
Sheikh Farid
Fariduuddin Masud Ganjshakar popularly known as Baba Farid was a 13 th century Punjabi Muslim mystic poet and preacher. He was born in Kothewal in 1188 A.D- a place 10 kms away from Multan in Pakistan Punjab. He got his early education at Multan. Then he met his Guru Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki who was passing through Multan on the way of journey from Baghdad to Delhi. After completion of his education, Sheikh Farid moved to Delhi where he learnt Islamic Doctrines from his Guru Bakhtiar Kaki. When Kaki passed away in 1235 A.D. Farid left Hanis and became his spiritual successor but instead of settling in Delhi he chose to migrate to his native Punjab to a place then named Ajodhan present day Pakpattan in Punjab province of Pakistan). He was one of the founders of Chisti-Sufi order.
Raga Asa
They who love their Lord with their heart,alone are True,
but they who say one thing and do another, they are reckoned as False.
They who are Imbued with the Love of Allah are Inebriated with His Vision.
But, they who have forsaken the Lord’s Name are a burden on the earth.
Raga Suhi Lalit
When I could build my Boat, I didn’t.
And now when the Sea-waves lash, how shall I be Ferried Across ?
Love not the Sunflower, O life; its colour will fade away.
My Soul is weak: the Command of the Lord is hard to bear, and life’s milk once spilt will
be gathered no more.
IX
Sant Jaidev Ji
He was a Sanskrit poet during 12th century. He is known for his epic poem Geet Govinda that concentrates on Krishna’s love for Gopi Radha in a rite of Spring He is the earliest dated author of hymns included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. As per Gitagovind he was born in Kenduli Sassan village near Puri in Odisha. Inscriptions at Lingaraja temple suggest that Jayadeva had been a member of a teaching faculty of the school at Kurmapataka where he perhaps studies too. After his education he must have left for Kumarpataka where he had experience in composing poetry, music and dance. Besides Gitagovinda a few poems in archaic odia has been published by the Directorate of Culture, Odisha. They describe the romance of Radha-Krishan and contain ideas very similar to those used in Gitagovinda. He is widely considered as one of the earliest musicians of Odisi Music. Every night during Badasingar or the last ritual of Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri the Gitagovinda is sung to traditional ragas and talas such as Mangala Gujri. Two hymns by Jayadeva have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Raga Gujri
Since the beginning has been the Purusha of incomparable Glory: yea, He, who Loves Truth,
and like Virtues. He is the Wonder of wonders, beyond Nature, and whosoever reflects on Him is Emancipated. Dwell then only on one Name in your mind; yea, Contemplate the Nectar Name
which is the Quintessence of the seeming world.
Cherishing Him, neither age wears one nor is one under the sway of birth or death.
Raga Maru
The breath is turned-in-through the moon channel and retained in the Sushmana,
and turned out through the sun-channel uttering sixteen times ( God’s Name).
And lo, the (evil) potency of the mind is broken, and cease its outgoings;
and its wildness is tamed and one in drinks (the God’s) Nectar.
X
Sadhna Ji
He was a poet, mystic and a saint, He was butcher by birth and profession. His only memorial is in Sirhind where he passed away. He was born in 1180 A.D at Hyderabad, Sindh in a muslim family. As his ancestral profession was of a butcher so he worked on his meat shop. But near his meat shop he planted a shady tree and created potable water facility for travellers and others. From his early age he was interested in Spiritualism and discussed spiritual and divine issues with various saints and holy men passing and relaxing under the tree before his shop. He proved that Shaligram stones, considered sacred by Vaishnavites is not God they are simple stones that were used by him in weighing his wares. He is also known for overcoming the desire of a seductive woman who killed her husband in order to have relationship with him. After his preachings she was totally transformed and burnt herself with the body of her husband on the funeral pyre. There is another story too that somebody accused him of seducing his wife and magistrate ordered his hands to be cut. Even after the punishment he was not disturbed and all and continued his devotion towards the Almighty with full devotion and concentration. It is believed that God was so much pleased with his devotion that He gave his hands back.
Bilawal
To wed a King’s daughter, a person assumed the garb (of Vishnu),
And he too, O God , though lured by lust and self, was Fulfilled by You.
What is Your Merit, O Guru of the World, if You do not forgive my past sins.
And why may one seek the refuge of the lion, if he is to be seized by jackal?
The Chatrik wails but for one drop on high, but if he loses his life,
and then is Blessed with a whole ocean, of what use is that blessing to him.
How am I to comfort my mind, when it is so tired of the toil and is stilled not;
For if I get the boat after I’m drowned, then, how shall I ride it and go across.
XI
Bhagat Pippa Ji
Bhagat Pippa ji was a rajput ruler of Gagron who had abdicated his throne to become a Hindu mystic, poet and saint of Bhakti Movement in India. It is believed that he lived he lived in late fourteenth century and early fifteenth century in the present day Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. He worshipped Hindu Goddess Durga Bhawani and kept her idol in a temple within his palace He left throne and became a disciple of Swami Ramanand like Kabir and Dadu Dayalh He shifted his devotional worship from Saguni ( Dvaita Dualism) to Nirguni God (Advaita Monism). In one of the story he stumbled into a robber of a milching buffalo that provided milk to his companions. Instead of protesting he helped the robbers in taking away buffalo and even suggested that they should take its young calf too with them. The robbers were so much touched that they left their evil ways and became his disciples. He taught that God is within one’s own self and that the worship is to within and have reverence for God in each human being. He has contributed hymns to the sacred book of the Sikhs- Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Raga Dhanasari
The human body is the embodiment of God, His Temple , the Yogi, the Pilgrim:
The body is the incense, the earthen lamp, the food, the flower and leaf offerings to God.
I’ve searched many parts of the whole universe but found the Nine-Treasures in the body itself.
I say, in the Name of God, that nothing there is that comes and goes. :
that what is in microcosm is also in the macrocosm; and he, who seeks, finds.
Says Pipa “ Our God is the Quintessence of All, and He reveals unto us Himself through Guru.
XII
Surdas Ji
He was a sixteenth century blind Hindu devotional poet and singer, who was known for his poetic work written in praise of Lord Krishna. He was born in a brahmin family of of Uttar Pradesh in 1258 A.D. He is celebrated as the pinnacle of poetic artistry in Braja Bhasha where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. His poems collectively are compiled in work Sursagar. It is said that when Surdas ji visited Golden Temple at Amritsar in the times of Guru Arjan Dev ji, he was so old that he could recite only one line and that couplet was completed by Guru Arjan Dev ji himself and included it in Guru Granth Sahib ji under Rag Sarang His lone line in Guru Granth Sahib ji is “ Chaad man hari bimukhan ko sang”( O’ mind do not even associate with those who have turned their backs to the Lord Hari).
Raga Saranga
The men of God abide ever with God: they surrender their body, mind and all they have,
Intoxicated with the Bliss giving Melody of Equipoise.
Seeing the Lord’s vision they are freed of Vice,and attain all they seek.
They involve themselves with naught else, for they See ever the Glorious Presence of God.
He, who seeks his God not, is like a worm who is fed on a leper.
Says Surdas, “ I hold my God in the Palm of my Mind ; ad this is the very heaven for me.
XIII
Bhagat Sain Ji
Sen Bhagat was a Hindu mystic Saint poet of Bhakti Movement who lived at the end of 14th century and beginning of 15th century. He was a Barber to Raja Ram Singh of Rewa. He was a well known name in every household due to his devotion to God. He was also disciple of Ramanand Ji. There are diverse views about his place of birth. Some consider him as royal barber in court of Ruler of Bidar, Karnataka while others feel that he was Royal Barber in court of Ruler of Bandhavgarh in Rajasthan while some others believe that he was born at Parbatpura in Punjab.
Dhanasari
I am a Sacrifice unto the Master of Lakshmi:
This, for me, is the worship of the deity with incense, the earthen lamp and ghee.
I utter only the Lord’s Song of Joy: Yea, of my Lord, my King, my God.
O God You alone are the Stainless Wick, the Sublime Lamp, and our Detached Lord,
Master of Lakshmi. Ramanand, my Guru, know how truly to worship God:
and he describes God as Sublime and Perfect Bliss.
XIV
Ramanand Ji
He was 14th century Vaishnavite saint and Guru of Kabir ji. He was born at 1400 A.D at Varanasi. The Hindu tradition recognises him as the founder of Rmanandi Sampradyay. He was born ina Gaur Brahmin family at Pragyaraj ( Allahabad). Ramanand was disciple of Raghvanand, a Guru in Vedanta based Vatakatalai school of Vaishanavism. He is credited as an author of many devotional poems but like most of the Bhakti movement poets his authorship of these works is vague. He developed his philosophy and devotional themes inspired by South Indian Vedanta philosopher Ramanuja. He lived most of his life in the city of Varanasi. As an early reformer he accepted disciples without any discrimination of gender or class. Traditional scholarship holds that his disciples included later Bhakti movement saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, Pipa and others. His verse is mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and he is known for discussing spiritual themes in his poetry in vernacular Hindi so as to make knowledge accessible to common man.
Raga Basant
O, where am I to go, when Bliss is in my very Home? Lo, my outgoings have ceased,
and my mind has been crippled. One day in my mind welled up the Desire (to see God).
And I took a myriad of flowers and the scents of the sandalwood along,
And went over to the temple- the abode of God- to worship him there,
and the Guru revealed to me His presence within me.
XV
Bhikhan Ji
Peer Bhikhan Shah was a 17th century Sufi Saint born in Pehowa in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. For some time he lived in Guram in Patiala district and finally settled at Thaska in Kurukshetra district. As per a tale preserved in Bhai Santokh Singh’s work Sir Gur Pratao Suraj Granth, Bhikan Shah learnt through intuition that Guru Gobind Singh ji will be born in Patna, so he made obesiance to the East instead of West as done by most of the muslim saints. When asked to explain his strange act his reply that Lord Himself revealed through new born baby in the East so he had bowed beofre no ordinary mortal . Then he travelled all the way to Patna to see infant Guru ji. Desiring to know what would be the attitude of Guru ji towards two principal faiths of the country he placed two pots before infant Guru Gobind Singh ji, who was only three months old at that time. As the infant Guru ji covered both the pots simultaneously with his tiny hands he concluded happily that Guru ji would treat both Hindus and Muslims alike and show regard to both of them. There was another meeting between Guruji and Bhikan Shah at Lakhnaur in Ambala District of Haryana. His two shabad have been included in Rag Sorath at Ang 659-660 of SGGS.
Raga Sorath
Water wells up in my eyes: my body has become weak, my hair grow grey,
My throat is choked, and I ‘ve become mute, What shall I do now? O God be Thou my Physician.
And save me, Your saint and ferry me Across. My forehead aches, my body burns ,
in my heart is pain, with such a malady I am gripped of which there is no cure.
The Lord’s Immaculate Nectar-Name is the panacea all for all maladies of the world.
Says Bhikhan, “ By Guru’s Grace, I Attain to the Door of Deliverance.
XVI
Conclusion
The Bhagats- holy men of various backgrounds have contributed significantly to the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. First of all the Bhagats have blasted this myth that only person belonging to elite class of society can only realise God in their life as Kabirji was a weaver, Namdev was a calico-printer, Ravidas a cobbler by caste and profession and Dhanna a farmer. It is not that the Bhagats did not come from elite background as Pippa came from ruling class while Surdas and Ramanand were Brahmins. They opened the vistas of spirituality to every individual whoever is devoted to the creator with sincerity and devotion as God does not discriminate between souls as belonging to lower or higher rank of the society that are the creations of human beings. These holy men propagated the philosophy of lover-beloved relationship between individual soul and the Almighty Creator or The Oversoul. In this analogy individual soul is the beloved who has separated from her lover-the Oversoul and now is striving hard with sincerity and devotion to merge and get united with the Oversoul in the same way as a lover and beloved gets united after the wedding.
Hymns of these holy men emphasise the concepts of oneness of God, devotion, humility and the rejection of social discrimination. They plead for a direct and personal experience of the divine, These Bhagats, despite their diverse backgrounds, consistently preach the belief in one God rejecting idol worship and the multiplicity of deities. They stress on the significance of devotion and humility in the path of spiritual realisation, pleading for a humble and sincere approach to God. They have challenged societal norms and caste discrimination advocating for a society where all individuals are treated equally with dignity. These pious men reject the ritualistic practices and dogma of institutionalised religion emphasising a direct and personal contact with the divine. To some God is friend, to some a teacher, to some even a playmate and even a helping hand at farming. They also highlight the importance of ethical conduct and a virtuous life as a path to spiritual growth and liberation. Bhagats plead for breaking free from the shackles of material desires and attachments, urging individuals to focus on spiritual liberation. They encouraged individuals to seek a direct and personal experience of the divine, rather than relying on external rituals and practices.
Winding up some of the teachings of prominent bhagats whose hymns have found place in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, Bhagat Ravidas- whose compositions emphasize divine love, self realisation and liberation from material and social bondage. Another prominent figure of Bhakti Movement Kabir whose verses condemn religious hypocrisy and stress on the significance of devotion and spiritual awakening. While the teachings of Namdev stress the importance of remembering God and living a life of service. Similarly Bhagat Sain, who was a Barber by profession, his verses emphasize devotion and compassion and Bhagat Dhanna who found God in his daily life and work, his teachings highlight the significance of living a simple and honest life. Teachings of these Bhagats integrated into the Holy Granth, provide a rich and diverse perspective on spirituality emphasizing the oneness of God, the importance of devotion and the need for a more just and a world full of compassion.
References
I am deeply indebted to the following authors and works that helped me immensely in comprehending the text as well as translating it properly.
1. Singh, Manmohan (Tr.) Sri Gutu Granth Sahib- English and Punjabi Translation vols 1-8, Amritsar: Golden Offset Press, 1995
2. Singh, Dr. Sahib, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan vol 1-8, Jalandhar: Raj Publishers, 1970
3. Singh, Dr. Gopal, Sri Guru Granth Sahib English Version, Vol 1-4,
New Delhi:Allied Publishers, 2002.
4. Sikhiwiki, www.sikhiwiki.org
5. Sikhnet, www.sikhnet.com
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