BENI, BHAGAT is one of the fifteen saints and sufis some of whose compositions have been incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib. Very little is known about his personal life except that he spent most of his time in prayer and contemplation. Nabhaji`s Bhagatmal, which includes him in its roster of well known bhaktas or devotees, narrates a popular anecdote about how Beni absorbed in meditation often neglected the household needs and how the Deity himself intervened and physically appeared to help him. Bhai Gurdas (Varan, X. 14) has referred to Bern`s single pointed meditation in solitude enriched by moments of spiritual edification. Bern`s three hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib are marked by an intense spiritual longing.
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.
DIPA, BHAI, a Jatt of Deu clan, once came along with Bhai Narain Das and Bhai Bula to Guru Arigad (1504-52) and begged to be instructed how they could have themselves released from the cycle of birth and death. The Guru, according to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, told them to foll^ the bhakti marga, path of devotional love of God, to the exclusion of the paths of bairag (renunciation), yoga (austerities) and gian (knowledge). Bhakti, he explained, involved complete self surrender to the Will of the Lord.
