Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 6.djvu/428

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BHAGATS OF THE GRANTH SAHIB


Whoever wrote the following hymns bearing the name of Bhikan in the Granth Sahib, must have been some religious man who resembled Shaikh Farid II, and was largely tinctured with the reformatory ideas then prevalent in India. It has been conjectured, with some show of probability, that Bhikan was a follower of Kabir.

Only God's name can heal a diseased mind and body.

Sorath

From mine eyes tears have flowed, my body hath become lean, and my hair the colour of milk.
My throat is choked ; I cannot utter a word ; what can mortal now do ?
O Sovereign Lord, Gardener of the world, be Thou my physician,
And save Thy saints.
There is pain in my forehead ; my body is burning ; my heart[1] is in anguish ;
Such pangs have been produced in me that there is no medicine for them.
The name of God, a pure nectareous water, is the best medicine in the world.
Bhikan prayeth, may I by the guru's favour obtain the gate of salvation !


The bliss which Bhikan finds in devotion :—

Such a Name, a priceless jewel, I have obtained as the reward of meritorious acts.
With several efforts I put the jewel in my heart ; however much I tried to conceal it, it would not be concealed.
Though one try to utter God's praises, they cannot be uttered ;
They are like sweets to a dumb person.
My tongue is happy in repeating, mine ear in hearing, and my mind in thinking on God's name.
Saith Bhikan, both mine eyes are satisfied ; wherever I look there is God

  1. Kareje ; as in Latin, the liver is used here for the heart.