guru

BANI BHAGATAN SATIX (satik = exegesis or commentary) by Pandit Tara Singh Narotam (q.v.) is an exposition of the bani or hymns of the bhaktas or saints (here the word implies contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib other than the Gurus). The work was, according to inner evidence, completed in 1939 Bk/AD 1882 and the scribe was one Sundar Singh. It was published in AD 1907 by Rai Sahib Munshi Gulab Singh and Sons, Lahore. The book is divided into two parts the first part (pp. 386) covering the compositions of the bhaktas included in Sikh Scripture up to Raga Gujari and the second (pp. 522) covering the rest of them.

BASANT KIVAR, by Guru Arjan, is the shortest of the twenty-two vars, i.e. holy poems composed in the style or tone of odes (vars, in Punjabi) or heroic ballads included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Basant, Punjabi for spring, from which musical measure the Var derives its title is, like Malhar (the rag"a of the rainy season), an ancient seasonal ragathe raga of springtime. Basant ki Var comprises three pauris or stanzas only, each pauri consisting of five lines. Like the Var of Balvand and Satta and unlike any Other var in the Guru Granth Sahib, this Var does not have any slokas added to the pauris.The Var addresses itself to the theme of the Guru`s grace which alone will enable man to overcome his ego or self hood and, thus, attain, communion with the Creator.

BHADAUR, a small town 25 km northwest of Barnala (30°22`N, 75°32`E) in Sangrur district of the Punjab, is sacred to. Guru Gobind Singh, who came here from Dina in December 1705 following the chase. The area was then an uninhabited jungle land, and it was only after the village ofBhadaur was founded by Baba Ala Singh, eighteenth century Sikh warrior and noble, that a shrine commemorating the Guru`s visit was established here.

BHAGO, MALIK, was, according to Sikh chroniclers, the Hindu steward of the Muslim chief of Saidpur, present day town of Eminabad, now in Gujranwala district of Pakistan, during the days of Guru Nanak. The tradition relates that once while Guru Nanak was staying with Bhai Lalo, a poor carpenter, in the town, Malik Bhago gave a feast to which Guru Nanak, along with other holy men and dignitaries, was invited. As the Guru declined the invitation, the Malik had him summoned to his presence and asked the reason for his refusal.

BHANDARA from bhandar (Skt. bhandara = bhanda, vessel, implement, + agara, house, meaning storehouse, depository, treasure house) has been used in this literal sense in Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book of the Sikhs. In extended connotation the term stands for a feast given especially for yogis and sannyasins, or to invoke divine favour for a private or public cause. Bhandara in current usage means any feast under religious auspices by individuals or institutions open to laymen as well as to devotees. In this sense it would be like guru ka langar, a typically Sikh institution, except that the latter is not aimed at any specific object, nor is it restricted in duration.

BHATTU, BHAI, a learned Tivari Brahman, is listed by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 19, among the devoted Sikhs of the time of Guru Arjan. As records Bhai Man! Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, he once accompanied by Bhai Phirna Sud, Bhai Bholu and Bhai Jattu, visited the Guru and supplicated thus : "0 support of the support less, we have recently returned after a dip in the Ganges. The pandits there said that all incarnations, gods, sages and saints had their preceptors.

BHOLU, BHAI, a Tivari Brahman, is mentioned in Bhai Gurdas, Varan , XI. 19, as a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. The Guru, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, once explained to him that Guru Nanak`s Guru was God himself, though he did bow before Guru Angad whom he had chosen for succession as Guru after him. See BHATTU, BHAI

BIRBABABUDDHAJI, GURDWARA, in the revenue limits of the village of Thatta, 20 km south of Amritsar, commemorates Baba Buddha (1506-1631), the venerable Sikh of the time of Guru Nanak who lived long enough to anoint five succeeding Gurus. He spent many years looking after the bir, lit. a reserved forest used for cattlegrazing, said to have been offered to Guru Arjan by Chaudhari Langah of Patti out of his private lands. According to Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi it was here that Mata Ganga, the consort of Guru Arjan, received from him on 21 Assu 1651 Bk/20 September 1594, the blessing for an illustrious son, the future Guru Hargobind, Nanak VI.

BUDDHO, BHAI. a washerman of Sultanpur Lodhi, embraced Sikh faith in the time of Guru Amar Das, Over the years, he became reputed for his piety. He once visited Amritsar with the sangat of his town and received blessing from Guru Arjan. SeeAKUL. BHAI, and BHIKHA. BHATT

BUNGA: A place of residence for the Sikhs or the place for rest for the pilgrims. There were at least 69 Bungas at Amritsar in the nineteenth century, some of them are still in existence. Another term for the resting hostel for the Sikh pilgrims is Saran. At Darbar Sahib, Amritsar Guru Ram Das Saran has been built for the pilgrims. Another Saran at Darbar Sahib is named Guru Nanak Niwas. Lately, a paid hostel named Aka/ Rest House, too, has been built. There are Sarans attached to almost all of the major Gurdwaras.