Bhagat Sadhna Ji is respected by the Sikhs because he is among the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri Adi Granth Sahib compiled by him. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji in addition to his own hymns and the hymns of his four predecessor Gurus included the hymns of 15 bhagats, 11 bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh Gurus.
These 15 Bhagats include: (i)Bhagat Jaidev Ji (ii) Sheikh Farid Ji (iii) Bhagat Trilochan Ji (iv) Bhagat Namdev Ji (v) Bhagat Sadhna Ji (vi) Bhagat Ramanand Ji (vii)Bhagat Ravidas Ji (viii) Bhagat Kabir Ji (ix) Bhagat Sain Ji (x) Bhagat Dhanna Ji (xi) Bhagat Pipa Ji (xii) Bhagat Beni Ji (xiii) Bhagat Bhikhan Ji (xiv) Bhagat Surdas Ji and (xv) Bhagat Parmanand Ji.
Thus, it is clear that this Holy Scripture includes the hymns of Hindu and Muslim saints belonging to various religions, castes and creeds. In Sri Adi Granth Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji added the hymns of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and this Holy Scripture is now known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib and is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.
By worshipping God Almighty Bhagat Sadhna Ji became an unseparable part of Bhakti lehar ( movement). Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji honoured him by including his one hymn in Raag Belaval in Sri Adi Granth Sahib (SGGS, P 858).The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, Sarup Singh Alag and Piara Singh Padam and others have referred to him as a resident of Sehvan also spelled as Sehban (Ilaqau Sindh) in present day Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan. However, Shabdarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib as well as Macauliffe have mentioned that he was born in Sehwan.
By worshipping God Almighty Bhagat Sadhna Ji became an unseparable part of Bhakti lehar ( movement). Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji honoured him by including his one hymn in Raag Belaval in Sri Adi Granth Sahib (SGGS, P 858).The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, Sarup Singh Alag and Piara Singh Padam and others have referred to him as a resident of Sehvan also spelled as Sehban (Ilaqau Sindh) in present day Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan. However, Shabdarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib as well as Macauliffe have mentioned that he was born in Sehwan.No information is available about the names of his parents.
There is difference of opinion among the Scholars about his date of birth. According to The Encyolopaedia of Sikhism, Giani Pratap Singh,Bhai Jodh Singh and Macauliffe he may be considered to be a contemporary of Bhagat Namdev Ji (1270-1350) but there is no authenticity of this fact. According to Sarbjinder Singh Bhagat Sadhna Ji was born in the 12th century. Only one thing is clear that he was born before Bhagat Ravidas Ji ( birth 1393) who in one of his hymns ( SGGS,P.1106) has included Bhagat Sadhna Ji's name as well as the names of Bhagat Namdev Ji, Bhagat Kabir Ji, Bhagat Trilochan Ji and Bhagat Sain Ji. Bhagat Ravidas Ji has stated.
Naam Dayv, Kabeer Tilocan Sadhan Sain tarai (SGGS, P 1106) He was a disciple of Bhagat Ramanand Ji and therefore he must have been born before Bhagat Ramanand Ji. It is generally believed that he was born around 1270 A.D. and left for his heavenly abode after 1351 A.D. According to The Enclyclopaedia of Sikhism, Shabdarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Piara Singh Padam and others he is said to be an quasai (butcher). Bhai Gurdas Ji in his Vaar 12, Pauri 15 and Vaar 25, Pauri 5 has stated that Bhagat Sadhna Ji was a butcher by occupation.
However G.S. Chauhan, Mayherwaan Singh and Macauliffe have stated that Bhagat Sadhna Ji was a butcher by accupation. He sold meat but did not kill the animals himself. He bought the animals dead and retailed the flesh to his customers. These three scholars have tried to give a new interpretation of Bhagat Sadhea Ji's being a quasai.
However, killing an animal, selling meat and eating meat are equivalent actions. Bhai Darbari Das has put an end to this whole controversy. He in his article Parchi Bhagat Sadhan ki in his book Parchain Bhagatan Kian has narrated an incident that one evening the whole meat was sold and no meat was left for Bhagat Sadhna Ji and his wife. They thought that if they kill the goat and eat one portion, the remaining meat will get stale by the next day.
Bhatgat Sadhna Ji decided that he should cut the patalu (testicle) of the goat. But when his wife went near the goat and tried to hold his testicle the goat spoke, why do you create a new tradition. In last births I have been cutting the head of your husband and in every next birth he has been cutting my head. Why do you want to let me suffer the whole night.
She got afraid and withdrew. When Bhagat Sadhna Ji himself tried to cut the patalu the goat again shrieked and repeated the same dialogue, and forbad Bhagat Sadhna Ji from cutting his patalu. Thus it is clear that Bhagat Sadhna Ji. killed the animals and also ate meat. According to Bhai Darbar Das this incident changed the life of Bhagat Sadhna Ji.
Bhagat Sadhna Ji's hymn included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ( SGGS P 858) is as follows:-
banee saDhnay kee raag bilaaval
ik-oaNkaar satgur parsaad.
nrip kanniaa kay kaarnai ik bha-i-aa bhaykh-Dhaaree.
kaamaarathee su-aarthee vaa kee paij savaaree.
tav gun kahaa jagat guraa ja-o karam na naasai.
singh saran kat jaa-ee-ai ja-o jaNbuk garaasai. rahaa-o.
ayk boond jal kaarnay chaatrik dukh paavai.
paraan ga-ay saagar milai fun kaam na aavai.
paraan jo thaakay thir nahee kaisay birmaava-o.
bood moo-ay na-ukaa milai kaho kaahi chadhaava-o.
mai naahee kachh ha-o nahee kichh aahi na moraa.
a-osar lajaa raakh layho saDhnaa jan toraa.
The translation of this hymn is as follows:
The Word of Sadhana, Raag Bilaaval:
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
For a king's daughter, a man disguised himself as Vishnu.
He did it for sexual exploitation, and for selfish motives, but the Lord
protected his honor.
What is Your value, O Guru of the world!, if You do not erase the
karma of my past actions?
Why seek safety from a lion, if one is to be eaten by a jackal?
For the sake of a single rain-drop, the rainbird suffers in pain.
When its breath of life is gone, even an ocean is of no use to it.
Now, my life has grown weary, and I shall not last much longer; how
can I be patient?
If I drown and die, and then a boat comes along, tell me, how shall I
climb aboard?
I am nothing, I have nothing, and nothing belongs to me.
Now, protect my honor Sadhana is Your humble servant.
In this hymn Bhagat Sadhan Ji says that One Universal Creator God.
By the Grace of the True Guru:
God Almighty forgave the carpenter who to marry a king's daughter (who had pledged to marry Vishnu) disguised himself as Vishnu and married the king's daughter. This man wore the distinctive dress worn by Vishnu for his selfish motive of marrying the king's daughter. The king got annoyed but the people around him consoled him that Vishnus are son-in-laws.
It is said that after some time another king invaded this king. He asked his son-in-law for help and said that with his greatness he will win. The powerless son-in-law felt very weak.He repented and prayed to God Almighty. The Lord protected his honour. Bhagat Sadhna Ji says O Guru of the world! what is your value if you do not erase the karma(deeds) of my past actions. Why seek safety form a lion if one is to be eaten by a jackal. This implies that if you take the protection of God (Lion) karma- roopi jackal cannot eat you. For the sake of a single rain drop, papeeha (the rainbird) suffers in pain. When its breath of life is gone, even an ocean is of no use.
Bhagat Sadhna Ji says that now my life has grown weary and I shall not last longer, how can I be patient? If I drown myself and die and after that a boat comes along tell me how shall I climb aboard? I am nothing, I have nothing and nothing belongs to me. In the last lines of the hymn he expresses his wish for self-surrender and says that myself Sadhna is Your man.
O God Almighty! protect my honour as you saved the impersonated person who disguised himself as ishnu to marry the daughter of a king. He says that if you submit yourself to God Almighty the small fears will not bother you.
Bhagat Sadhna Ji had to face many ordeals in his life because of his religious belief and dedication. Bhai Darbari Das has narrated an incident that Quazi (Muslim Judge) instigated the king that Bhagat Sadhna Ji is a Muslim but he follows Hindu religion. The king called Bhagat Sadhna Ji and said that at the marriage of his son he has to hold a party and he should bring and kill a cow. Sadhna Ji replied that there is no cow in the city.
The king said angrily that if he himslef arranges a cow Bhagat Sadhna Ji's neck will be cut off. The king sent many persons to bring a cow. They brought one cow but as soon as it was presented before the king it became a bullock. Many other cows were brought but every time when the cow was brought before the king it turned to a bullock. The king became very angry. But all the persons who had brought the cows told him that they brought the cows but when presented before you they became bullocks. Then the king became very sad.
Bhai Darbar Das says:
Lok kahai ham aani gae
eehan aaye balie ho jaev
( Parchi Sadhna Bhagat ki (P478-480)
He further adds:
People gave witness that every time a cow was brought but when presented before the king it turned to a bullock. Then the king repented and said that Bhagat Sadhna Ji has attained God and now the God is under his command. There is no cow in the world. The king fell down at Bhagat Sadhna Ji feet. ( Parchi Bhagat Sadhne Ki) P 482 )
This anecdote brings home the fat that khuda, allah, Hari, Rabb, Ram are the names of God Almighty You may worship him by any name, the main thing is worshipping Him. Macauliffe writes an anecdote related to a salgram ( a small stone image or idol Worshipped by Hindus which symbolises god Vishnu of the Hindus).
He says that Sadhna Ji's bad deeds of life had been washed away and that he had become as pure as gold. He believed in Salgram but used it to weigh meat for selling meat. One day one Sadhu (hermit) saw this and said that the salgarm should not be kept with a butcher to weigh meat. On being asked by the herit Bhagat Sadhna Ji gave the Salgarm to him without hesitation.
After a few days the hermit came back to return the salgram. He told Bhagat Sadhna Ji that he washed the salgram with panch-amrit i,e milk, curd, butter, honey and Ganges water and worshipped it with sandalwood and incense. But the salgram did not accept his worship.
The hermit said that he salgram was happy with he worship of Bhagat Sadhna Ji and that the had done a mistake of taking it away form him. This ancedote brings home the fact that God Almighty craves for true and pure worship and not material objects.
Macauliffe writes that after this incident Bhagat Sadhna Ji renounced everything and started going towards lonely places and jungles. If ever he happened to see some relative from a distance he tried to evade him, and would change his way. During this journey one evening he stayed in the house of a family. The man's wife became attracted towards him and at night expressed her wish to have sex with him. Bhagat Sadhna Ji curtly refused and said that even if she cuts his neck he will not agree She thought that Bhagat Sadhna Ji was afraid of her husband So she cut down the neck of her husband.
Even then Bhagat Sadhna Ji denied to fulfil her wish. She became angry and spread the news that Bhagat Sadhna Ji had killed her husband and spread this news that Bhagat Sadhna Ji had killed her husband. He
was arrested and produced in the court. Bhagat Sadhna Ji was go great that he accepted the crime because he believed that God Almighty has Himself put him in this situation. The judge announced the punishment of cutting his hands. It is believed that he got the hands again.
Macauliffe has given another anecdote that once a king asked him to bring meat at night time. Bhagat Sadhna ji could not give meat at that time and as a punishment the king ordered that he be sealed alive in a wall. When the wall was being completed Bhagat Sadhna Ji uttered the hymn which is entered in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (P858)
Bhai Gurdas ji while explaining the spiritual height Bhagat Sadhna Ji has emphasized that by worshipping God Almighty Bhagat Sadhna Ji, Bhagat Beni Ji, Bhagat Trilochan Ji, Bhagat Namdev Ji and Bhagat Dhanna ji attained spiritual height and were included in the list of Bhagats. (Vaar,23, Pauri, 15) Bhagat Sadhna Ji left for his heavenly abode in Sirhind, which now falls in District Fatehgarh Sahib of Punjab .
It is believed that he must have moved to Sirhind after 1351 A.D. If 1270 A.D is considered his date of birth he left for his heavenly abode at the age of 81 years. It is not known as to for how many years he
lived at Sirhind.
He was an ascetic, was engrossed in true prema bhagti, had pious character, was dauntless, determined, knowledgeable and scholar. Even his hymn shows his deep knowledge about the sayings of medieval saints and his schorlship.
It may be concluded that Bhagat Sadhna Ji in his hymn has expressed deep thoughts, symbolic anecdotes and illustration. He has expressed spiritual principles in detail. He has emphasized that we should worship God Almighty with devotion because by doing so all of our all evil deeds will be washed away. He preached the concept of jivan mukt (emancipation) and used the term 'ausar laja' (protect honour) for it.
In his sacred memory at the place where he stayed in Sirhind and left for his heavenly abode (i) a mosque of Sadhna Quasai (ii) Sadhna Quasai Masjid at Sirhind, District Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab exist.
Reference used in this write up include
(i) The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism published by Punjabi University, Patiala, Part IV 1998, (ii) Mahan Kosh by Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha (2004) (iii) Pandran Bhagat Sahiban by Sukhdev Singh Shant (2018) (iv) Divine Revelation by Sarbjinder Singh (v) Parchian Bhagtan Kian By Darbari Das ( Bhai) (editor) Gurcharan Singh Sek (1994) (vi) Piara Singh Padam and Others's composition Guru Granth Sanket Kosh (1994) (vii) Tript Kaur's book Bhagat Bani (1998) (viii) Bhai Gurdas Ji's Varaan Gian Ratnavali (ix) Satbir Singh's article in the book by Roop Singh (Editor), Se Bhagat Satguru Man Bhai (x) Giani Pratap Singh's book Bhagat Darshan (1994) (xi) Sarup Singh Alag's book Parichai Sri Guru Granth Sahib and (xii) The Sikh Religion by M.A. Macauliffe, Vol VI,1909.
Dr. Amrit Kaur
Retd. Professor
Punjabi University
Patiala, Punjab, India