Page 40 - Gurmat Book 7

Bhagat Jaidev Ji, Bhagat Surdas Ji, Bhagat Parmanand Ji, Bhagat Pipa Ji, Bhagat

Ramanand Ji, Bhagat Sadhna Ji, and Bhagat Sain Ji. There is one Shabad from
Bhai Mardana, the Rababi from a Muslim family who played the rebab and

accompanied Guru Nanak Dev on his travels. There is one shabad by Baba Sunder

as well. Baba Sunder was the great-grandson of Guru Amar Das Ji who composed
a hymn titled "Sadd" after the passing away of Guru Ram Das.

There are interesting stories about some of the Bhagats. Bhagat Dhanna was a

farmer by trade. His story is that he worshipped a stone with such devotion that
one day God appeared to him from that stone. Bhagat Pipa was king who

denounced the throne and became a saint. Bhagat Ravidas Ji’s family worked with
dead animal skins to produce leather products. They were considered

untouchables. Bhagat Ramanand was a social reformer, and he did not

discriminate by gender, class, caste or religion even though he was born in a
Brahman family. He was the guru to Bhagat Kabeer Ji. During his lifetime, Kabeer

was threatened by both Hindus and Muslims for his views. When he passed away

both Hindus and Muslims had claimed him as their own.

In addition to the Bhagats, there is Bani of minstrels or Bhatts. They were the

singers of ballads in the poetic style of Swaiya. The Bhatts descended from the

lineage of Hindu bard Bhagirath. The Bhatt compositions honor the Gurus and
their families.

Some of these Bhagats were Hindus, Brahmins, Muslims, untouchables. They were

shoe-makers, butchers, farmers, king. Their family backgrounds and professions
had nothing to do with their philosophy on life and religion. Sikh Gurus did not

discriminate based on caste, religion or occupation. If the Bani of a saint

exhibited the values of Sikh faith, they included their Bani in Guru Granth Sahib,
regardless of where and when they were born.

The inclusion of all these holy people from different religions and castes makes

Guru Granth Sahib unique. Sikhs must be so proud to have a heritage of inclusion
and acceptance of all people. The world discriminates based on the religions,

color, gender and status, but Sikhism actually denounces such divisions.

Stepping Stones PSL Gurmat Sikhia Book 7G 2023 Edition Page 38