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ਲਈ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਦੁਰਗਸਾਹ ਵਰ ਜਾਗਨ ਭਾਰੀ ॥
liee bhagautee dhuragasaeh var jaagan bhaaree ||
Durga held out her sword, appearing like great lustrous fire.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Dasam Bani - Pannaa 120Some Sikhs have the misconception of the authenticity of the Dasam Granth, as it has mentions of Devis (eg. Bhagauti, Durga, Chandi, Maya). In Ardas, Gurbani such as Chandi Di Vaar, and during Shastar Puja, we are paying homage to and venerating the form of Akaal Purakh Vaheguru's (God's) Shakti (Divine Energy), rather than a goddess. In this article, we will explain the creative use of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's words in Dasam Granth. Kindly read the book The Granth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Essays, Lectures & Translations by Kamalroop Singh which has been written based on decades of research on Dasam Granth. The understanding of Dasam Bani is essential to realise the spiritual significance of Gatka & Shastar Vidya. If not, Gatka would appear as just another martial art just like Wushu, Taekwondo or Muay Thai, which is not the case. It is no wonder that Gatka has won impossible wars, though the Khalsa was often being vividly outnumbered.
Let's study the following example of the mention of ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ Bhagauti Ji in the Daily Ardas of the Sikhs:
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ ॥
sree bhagautee jee sahai ||
May SRI BHAGAUTI JI (The Sword) be Helpful.
ਵਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ ਕੀ ॥
vaar sree bhagautee jee kee ||
The Heroic Poem of Sri Bhagauti Ji.
Ardas / Chandi Di VaarWhat/Who is Sri Bhagauti Ji?
What/Who is Sri Bhagauti Ji?
Bhagauti or Bhavani (Sanskrit Bhagavati, spouse of Vishnu, or the goddess Durga) has had in Sikh usage a chequered semantic history. In early Sikhism, especially in the compositions comprising the Guru Granth Sahib, the word has been used as meaning a bhakta or devotee of God. Bhagauti is often used as a reference for a Sword and the Divine Energy of the Timeless One, as in the case of the above Panktia (lines).
Dasam Granth contains three different narrations of the battles of Chandi, the Indian goddess of war, and two of the Chandi compositions record Paatshahi 10 as a heading. The Chandi Charitra Ukati Bilas or ‘Recitation of the Deeds of Chandi’ records that it is derived from the story of Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. The second exposition is simply known as Chandi Charitra and in the standard edition does not have any rubrics recording the source of the composition, but it forms a part of the Bachitra Natak. Both the compositions have been written in Braj but the third version, known as Chandi di Vaar or ‘The Ballad of Chandi’, is the only composition written in chaste Panjabi. It begins with an invocation to the ten gurus and the first verse is employed as a part of the Sikh Ardas. The compositions of the goddess describe her battles with various demons and she takes on different forms including Chandi, Durga, Bhavani, and Kali. The tales symbolise the epic battle between good and evil where the demons represent different types of evil. The compositions are often recited by Khalsa to induce Bir Ras (Warrior Spirit) and this would provide them with the spiritual powers to fight Dharam Yudh (righteous battles).
Those who mistakenly believe Dasam Granth Sahib Ji may have been adulterated, should read and understand the following Bani excerpts from Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaaran, which provide confirmation to Dasam Bani.
ਸੋ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੋੁ ਭਗਵੰਤੈ ਜਾਣੈ ॥
so bhagautee juo bhagavantai jaanai ||
One who knows the Benevolent Lord God is the true devotee of Bhagaautee.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ॥
gur parasaadhee aap pachhaanai ||
By Guru's Grace, he is self-realized.
Siree Raag - Guru Amar Daas Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 88Guru Amar Das Ji explains the significance of Bhagauti, as one who is a devotee of Bhagauti (Used to reference Shakti – Divine Energy) is self-realised and knows Vaheguru. There's many instances in Gurbani where Vaheguru is referenced by the different names i.e. Ram, Isar (Shiva), Brahma, Indra, Bhagauti, Durga, etc.
In Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaar, Bhagauti has been used as an equivalent of sword.
ਜਾਣੁ ਕਥੂਰੀ ਮਿਰਗ ਤਨਿ ਨਾਉ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਲੋਹੁ ਘੜਾਇਆ।
jaan kathooree mirag tan naau bhagautee loh ghaRaiaa|
The musk is found in the navel of deer and similarly, from ordinary iron the powerful sword (Bhagauti) is aced.
Bhai Gurdaas Ji - Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran - Pannaa 25Bhai Gurdas Ji references Bhagauti, the sword, as emerging from ordinary iron. Guru Gobind Singh Ji also prescribed Iron to be the metal used to produce Shastar.
And Chandi herself is referred to as being a devotee, a Bhagat, of Sri Akaal Purakh Sahib Ji (God) itself.
ਤੁਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਜਪੰਤੀ ॥
tuhee har nira(n)kaar Thaakur japa(n)tee ||
You (Chandi) contemplate on the Almighty.
ਤੁਹੀ ਰਾਛਸਨ ਕਉ ਪਕੜ ਕਰ ਦਹੰਤੀ ॥
tuhee raachhasan kau pakaR kar dhaha(n)tee ||
You locate the demons and destroy them.
Dasam Granth - Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Dasam Bani - Pannaa 1428Hence, Bhavani is to Vahiguru, like the earthen pots are to the clay.
Though the Aad Shakti is from what all things came from:
ਏਕਾ ਮਾਈ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਵਿਆਈ ਤਿਨਿ ਚੇਲੇ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
ekaa maiee jugat viaaiee tin chele paravaan ||
The One Divine Mother conceived and gave birth to the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva).
Japu Ji Sahib - Guru Nanak Dev Ji - Sri Guru Granth Sahib JiIt in itself is still the creation, the emanation from Vaheguru. Sri Bhagauti Ji Sahaai comes after Sri Vahiguru Ji Ki Fateh as seen in the excerpt from the Ardas/Chandi Di Vaar above. When we do namaskaar (salutation) to our Shastars, the Shakti we are bowing to is that of Vaheguru and of none other.
In this article, we have explained and proved the use of Sri Bhagauti Ji as a symbol of strength, justice & fighting spirit. It has been a regular theme throughout Gurbani, be it in Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Dasam Granth Sahib Ji or Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaaran.
References
The Granth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Essays, Lectures & Translations by Kamalroop Singh (highly reccomended read)
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