THE HISTORY OF BHAGAT BENI

  [ THE HISTORYOFBHAGAT BENI ]

Bhagat Beni Ji – A Mystic Devotee of the Divine 

Bhagat Beni Ji was one of the revered fifteen Bhagats whose hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal Sikh scripture. He was a deeply spiritual saint and mystic, who lived before the time of the Sikh Gurus, and preached a message of inner devotion, truth, and detachment from rituals.

( Life and Background )

Bhagat Beni Ji is believed to have lived between the 12th and 15th centuries, though exact dates are uncertain.

He came from a Brahmin family, and was well-versed in the Vedas and Hindu scriptures. However, he rejected blind rituals and caste-based practices, and instead emphasized meditation on God's Name (Naam) and living a humble, righteous life.

Spiritual Teachings

Bhagat Beni Ji strongly criticized hypocrisy in religious practices, such as idol worship, meaningless fasting, and ritual baths.

He taught that true devotion is internal, and God is realized through love, humility, and remembrance of the Divine Name.

He believed that God resides within all beings, and only a spiritually awakened person can truly connect with the Divine.

( Contribution to Guru Granth Sahib Ji )

Three hymns by Bhagat Beni Ji are included in the Guru Granth Sahib:

In Raag Prabhati, Raag Ramkali, and Raag Sorath. His hymns are powerful condemnations of ritualism and emphasize Naam Simran (meditative remembrance of God's Name) as the true path.

Legacy and Influence

Bhagat Beni Ji’s teachings aligned closely with the philosophy of the Sikh Gurus, especially the emphasis on inner devotion over outer display. His inclusion in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji reflects the universal message of Sikhism – that anyone, from any caste or background, can attain spiritual truth through devotion and humility.

Key Message

> "One who forsakes pride and ego, and remembers the Lord with love, attains liberation in this very life."

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***Jeetu Gill ***