Author: Pashaura Singh
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 210
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195662695
Description
In this insightful new study, Pashaura Singh explores the interaction between early Sikhism and other religious movements in the Punjab, focusing in particular on those saints from the devotional tradition who find a place in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Pashaura Singh examines the impact of Sufi tradition in the Punjab by studying the Sikh Gurus’ responses to the work of Shaikh Farid. He considers Kabir and the Sant tradition of Northern India and also focuses on the Vaishnava Bhakti tradition as represented by various bhagats (‘devotees’). Finally, the author discusses the status of the Bhagat Bani (‘Utterances of the Bhagats’) within the Sikh tradition and its tremendous influence on the people of Punjab.
The Bhagat Bani provides an excellent example of scriptural adaptation in a cross-cultural spirit, offering a deeper understanding of religious pluralism and new answers to the basic question of who we are and what we do as a faith community. This lucid and engaging volume will be read with great interest by scholars and students of religious, scriptural, and Sikh studies, as well as general readers interested in Sikhism.
Review:
‘Drawing on his extensive liturgical training, experience as a Granthi, and academic training, at Toronto, Pashaura Singh addresses key problems and textual difficulties, criticizes existing assumptions, and gives the specialist and general reader alike a readable and thoughtful evaluation of early Sikh thought,. This book, along with his masterly Oxford volume on the Guru Granth Sahib, is basic to understanding Sikhism and its prominence among the world’ great religions.’
-N. Gerald Barrier, Middlebush Chair in the Social Sciences,
University of Missouri-Columbia.
Contents
List of Tables and Map
Foreword
Preface and acknowledgements
Note on Orthography
1. BHAGAT BANI IN THE ADI GRANTH
Introduction
Collection of the Bhagat Bani
Canonization of the Bhagat Bani
Theoretical Framework
1. The notion of a Universe of discourse
2. The theory of divine Name
3. The Idea of religious Pluralism
4. The Issue of self-Definition
5. Procedure of this study
2. BANI SHAIKH FARID JI KI
Biographical sketch
Textual Traditions
Sheikh Farid in the Adi Granth
Guru Nanak and Shikh Farid
Guru Amar Das and Shaikh farid
Guru Arjan and Shikh Farid
Conclusion
3. BANI BHAGAT KABIR JI KI
Biographical Sketch
Textual Traditions
Kabir in the Adi Granth
Guru Amar Das and Kabir
Curu Arjan and Kabir
Kabir’s gauri hymn with
Guru Arjan’s Additional Verse
Conclusion
4. BANI SRI JAIDEV JI KI
Biographical Sketch
Textual Traditions
Jaidev in the Adi Granth
1. Jaidev’s Gujari Hymn
2. Language of the Gujari Hymn
3. Structure
4. Major Themes
5. Jaidev’s Maru Hymn
6. Language of the Maru Hymn
7. Structure
8. Major Themes
Question of Authorship
Sikh response to the Vaishnava Bhakti Tradition
Textual issue of Surdas’s Hymn
Textual Issue of Mira Bai’s Hymn
Conclusion
5. STATUS OF THE BHAGAT BANI
Historical Perspective
Doctrinal Perspective
Liturgical Perspective
Inter-Religious Dialogue Perspective
Recent Developments
Conclusion
6. CONCLUSION
Glossary
Index