BHAGIRATH

BHAGIRATH or Bhagirath, of Malsian, an old village in presentday Jalandhar district of the Punjab, who is recorded as being one of the early disciples of Guru Nanak, was according to Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 14, known as a worshipper of the Goddess Kali. As the Janam Sakhis report, Bhagirath had served faqirs and sadhus and worshipped many gods and goddesses in quest of spiritual consolation. One night, it is stated, he went to sleep adoring the stoneidol in his room when he had a dream. A voice spoke to him that all his wanderings would cease if he were only to make a trip to Sultanpur, not far from his village, and meet Guru Nanak who was a chosen one and had not till then fully `revealed himself. Bhagirath, it is said, followed the direction and sought out Guru Nanak, at the evening prayer in his home at Sultanpur. He became a disciple and remained there spending his time praying and singing hymns with the sangat, the holy fellowship. His is one of the fewest names from among Sikhs of Guru Nanak`s Sultanpur days mentioned in the Janam Sakhis. From Sultanpur he was once sent on an errand by Guru Nanak to Lahore to make purchases for the wedding of Bhai Mardana`s daughter. According to Sarup Das Bhalla, Mahima Prakash, Bhagirath rejoined Guru Nanak and remained in attendance at Kartarpur where the Guru had settled down at the end of his extensive travels lasting about 20 years. 1. Bhalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
2. Kohli, Surindar Singh, ed., Janamsakhi Bhai Bala. Chandigarh, 1975
3. Vir Singh, Bhai, ed., Puratan Janam Sakhi. Amritsar, 1982
4. Trilochan Singh, Guru Nanak. Delhi, 1969