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Bhatt Bhika

Bhika (pronounced Bhikkha) Bhatt, a Brahman bard of Sultanpur Lodhi in presentday Kapurthala district of the Punjab, became a Sikh receiving the rites of initiation at the hands of Guru Amar Das. He lived up to the time of Guru Arjan to whom he introduced sixteen other Brahman minstrels from his community.

They sang in his presence praises to God and the Gurus. Some of their compositions were included by Guru Arjan in the Guru Granth Sahib. One of the two stanzas by Bhikha recounts his wanderings in search of a true saint ending with his ultimate success by the grace of God.

"Lord," sang the bard, "hath caused me to meet the Guru; as thou willest for me so must I receive O God!"

I wandered all over the place Searching for a hermit with heavenly Grace. I met many a mendicant, high flying on the ego fleet Soft-spoken, polished, vainful and sweet. In vain I wasted all my time, None of them was spiritually fine. Like an empty vessal or hollow pot, They talked a lot, all but rot. God in their hands was just a pawn Shady deals were in their clan. At last I reached the rightful place, With Thee Guru Amardas I found solace. Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1395.

ਗੁਰੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਅਰੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਤਤ ਸਿਉ ਤਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ॥
In deep meditation, and the spiritual wisdom of the Guru, one's essence merges with the essence of reality.

ਸਚਿ ਸਚੁ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਇਕ ਚਿਤਹਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਵੈ ॥
In truth, the True Lord is recognized and realized, when one is lovingly attuned to Him, with one-pointed consciousness.

ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਵਸਿ ਕਰੈ ਪਵਣੁ ਉਡੰਤ ਨ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
Lust and anger are brought under control, when the breath does not fly around, wandering restlessly.

ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਕੈ ਵਸੈ ਦੇਸਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਬੁਝਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Dwelling in the land of the Formless Lord, realizing the Hukam of His Command, His contemplative wisdom is attained.

ਕਲਿ ਮਾਹਿ ਰੂਪੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸੋ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਕੀਅਉ ॥
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Guru is the Form of the Creator, the Primal Lord God; he alone knows, who has tried it.

ਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲ੍ਯ੍ਯਿਉ ਸੋਇ ਭਿਖਾ ਕਹੈ ਸਹਜ ਰੰਗਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੀਅਉ ॥੧॥੧੯॥
So speaks Bhikhaa: I have met the Guru. With love and intuitive affection, He has bestowed the Blessed Vision of His Darshan. ||1||19||

ਰਹਿਓ ਸੰਤ ਹਉ ਟੋਲਿ ਸਾਧ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਡਿਠੇ ॥
I have been searching for the Saints; I have seen so many Holy and spiritual people.

ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਤਪਸੀਅਹ ਮੁਖਹੁ ਏ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮਿਠੇ ॥
The hermits, Sannyaasees, ascetics, penitents, fanatics and Pandits all speak sweetly.

ਬਰਸੁ ਏਕੁ ਹਉ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਕਿਨੈ ਨਹੁ ਪਰਚਉ ਲਾਯਉ ॥
I wandered around lost for a year, but no one touched my soul.

ਕਹਤਿਅਹ ਕਹਤੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਰਹਤ ਕੋ ਖੁਸੀ ਨ ਆਯਉ ॥
I listened to preachers and teachers, but I could not be happy with their lifestyles.

ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਦੂਜੈ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਹਉ ॥
Those who have abandoned the Lord's Name, and become attached to duality - why should I speak in praise of them?

ਗੁਰੁ ਦਯਿ ਮਿਲਾਯਉ ਭਿਖਿਆ ਜਿਵ ਤੂ ਰਖਹਿ ਤਿਵ ਰਹਉ ॥੨॥੨੦॥
So speaks Bhikhaa: the Lord has led me to meet the Guru. As You keep me, I remain; as You protect me, I survive. ||2||20||

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