BHAKTI AND SIKHISM. The word bhakti is derived from Skt. bhaj, meaning to serve, honour, revere, love and adore. In the religious idiom, it is attachment or fervent devotion to God and is defined as "that particular affection which is generated by the knowledge of the attributes of the Adorable One." The concept is traceable to the Vedas where its intimations are audible in the hymns addressed to deities such as Varuna, Savitra and Usha.
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.
