Dear Editor: Regarding the message of Bhagat Bani, unfortunately the controversy has been tattered, this san old issue which mis Jen ‘Tee Singh Bhasnur even to publish Sri Guiral Granth Sahib” without Bhagat Bani, for questioning the decision of the Guru, he was dismissed from the Panth. Professor Sahib Singh, Principal Teja Singh, Bawa Harkishan Singh and some other devotees formed a study group. After many years of study, they concluded that Gurbani in the Guru Granth Sahib has in definite grammar of its own. When interpreted according to the rules of that ‘grammar, there is only one interpretation ‘possible and not many, as was then popular with traditional Gian is. Greatness of a Giani was judged by the number of inter citation she would give of the same hymn. 9 Sahib Singh proved that Bhagat Bani gives the same message as Gurbani.

‘The Sikhs, who think the two Banis give a different message, should decide their stand if they find similar differences in Gurbani, Will they believe the Guru has given two contradictory messages to they will search for the correct interpretation? Guru Nanak says in Japji (i) Pauri29, four khan is sing his praise (ii) Pauri 35, there are innumerable Khan is. Unless one in. terprets a hymn correctly and according to the text, a reader will get into problems of ‘understanding the message of the hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Instead of quoting the names of scholars, Jot your readers quote a hymn where they think the message of Bhagat Bani does not conform to Gurbani. They are suggested to be cautious and know that half glass full ‘and half ‘glass empty convey the same and not contradictory message. Manjit Singh, Vancouver, Canada.

Dear Editor,

Reference WSN Jan. 9 & 2430, 1996. This is a very delicate subject and opinions should be expressed keeping in view the respect of Siri Guru Granth Sahib, as it is our eternal Guru now. There is doubt that literary meanings of Gurbani is Bani of Gurus ie., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, ‘and 9th Guru and Bhagat bani means bani of Bhagats.

‘Some bani of Bhagats is of Sargent $aroop ‘of God, but later on when they came in contact with Gurus, they became Bhagats of Nirgun Saroop of God. When you #0 deep in the meaning of Bhagat bani, you have to keep this thing, in mind that in state of mind the words were said. Gurus from the very beginning, have de~ scribed God as in Nirgun Saroop and hidden in His creation.

Most of the Bhagats are of tie ime of the Guru Nanak, Parman and and Surdass were ‘at the time of 3rd to 5thGuru. Giani Gurdit Singh has written the “It has of Siri Gura, Granth Sahib” Part I (Bhagat bani bhag) and he has discussed in detail the Ban’s, the time of Bhagats end parentage etc. of Bhagats. For example there were six Nemdevs in Msharashtra at different times but Namdev who’s bani is in Guru Granth Sahib, who was thrown out of Mandir, who liter lived at Ghurman in Punjab, who was tortured by Sikandar Lodhi and had to get milk out of a dead cow was contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev and both met at Kumar Tirath, Similarly in Guru Granth Sahib is the Bani of Farid Sani (Sheikh ‘Abraham) whom Guru Nanak Dev met24 in His life time.

 As Bhagat bani is in Siri Guru Granth Sahib, which is our Eternal Guru at this time, so we have the same respect for it as other banies. Sikh religion count from ‘Gurus Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh, Granth and Panth as their Gurus and consider other Bhagats as Bhagats but we have every respect for them. We should try to understand the whole bani of Siri Guru Granth Sahib and intelligently follow the teachings, and then we will not differentiate between Guru Bani and Bhagat bani.

Beware of those writers who want to make wedge in Sikh followers and try their utmost to disrespect Siri Guru Granth Sahib, This is the only wholly scripture in the world which sheds and will shed light for all times to come and will show the path to mankind to live and let live peacefully and become One with Almighty God in life time Jiwan Mukat). We should avoid unhealthy and unnecessary discussions on the Banies of Siri Guru Granth Sahib, Sewa Singh Sangha Fort Atkinson, WI

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 28, 1996