TRILOCHAN, one of the three Maharashtrian saint poets whose compositions are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the other two being Namdev and Parmanand. Trilochan is said to have been born in AD 1267 of a Vaisya family. There is no unanimity among scholars regarding the place of his birth. Some say that he was born in the village of Bars! in present day Sholapur district of Maharashtra, others that he was born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh but came to Maharashtra where he spent most of his life. Besides being an ardent Vaisnavite, Trilochan (lit. the three eyed, that is one who can see the past, present and future all at once) was a learned scholar well versed in the Puranic lore and Indian philosophical thought.
Among the slokas of Bhakta Kabir, incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib are interposed two (212 and 213) which purport to represent a dialogue between Trilochan and Namdev. In the first sloka Trilochan, adressing Namdev, who was commonly seen occupied with the printing of cotton sheets, which was his profession, derided him for being too much attached to the world. Namdev in the second sloka gently tells Trilochan that true bhakti lay in lovingly repeating the Lord`s Name while doing one`s work with one`s hands and feet. Four hymns of Trilochan are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, one each in Siri Raga and Dhanasari Raga, and two in Gujari Raga.
The theme of the hymn in the. Siri Raga (GG. 92) turns upon God, man, devotion, death and the final release (moksa). God is all pervading, present in every place, and knows everything ; man, oblivious of death, remains engrossed in love of family, the neighbour`s possessions, pleasures and mammon and comes to grief. Of Trilochan`s two hymns in Raga Gujari, the first, in order to stress the superiority of a pure heart and devotion to God, questions seriously the validity of all mendicant garbs, ritualistic observances, and ascetical practices. The second hymn in Raga Gujari centres upon the psyche of man and transmigration. Trilochan in consonance with the Indian religious conception says that the last thoughts of the dying man, the result of the passion and desires which ruled his life, determine his future birth.
A dying man absorbed in the thought of wealth will be born a serpent, a man absorbed in the thought of woman will be born sans morals. Trilochan`s hymn in Raga Dhanasari (GG,695) abounding in allusions to the Indian Puranic literature and mythology puts forth the view that one`s own acts are exonerable only through the remembrance of God`s Name. In this hymn, as in the hymns of Namdev, the use of che has been made in relational cases, e.g. “…ta che mohijapiale ram che naman,” “bisv ka dipaku svami ta che re suarathi pankhi rai garur ta che badhava”, etc.
References :
1. Sabadarth Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Amritsar, 1959
2. Gurdit Singh, Giani, Itihas Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Bhagat Bani Bhag). Chandigarh, 1990
3. Sahib Singh, Bhagat Bani Satik. Amritsar, 1959-60
4. Chaturvedi, Parshu Ram, Uttan Bharat ki Sant Prampara. Allahabad, 1964
5. Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion : Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. Oxford, 1909
Trilochan: Maharashtrian Saint in Guru Granth Sahib
Bhagat Trilochan, a revered saint-poet from Maharashtra, holds a distinguished place in the Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Born in 1267 into a Vaishya family, Trilochan’s life and teachings reflect profound spiritual insight and a deep commitment to the principles of devotion and ethical living.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Trilochan’s exact birthplace remains a topic of scholarly debate. Some sources suggest he was born in Barsi, located in present-day Solapur district of Maharashtra, while others propose Uttar Pradesh as his birthplace, with Maharashtra being the region where he spent most of his life. His name, meaning “three-eyed,” symbolizes his ability to perceive the past, present, and future—a metaphor for his spiritual wisdom.
As an ardent Vaishnavite, Trilochan was deeply immersed in Puranic lore and Indian philosophical thought. His hymns reflect his scholarly background and his ability to distill complex spiritual concepts into accessible teachings.
Contributions to Guru Granth Sahib
Trilochan’s hymns, included in the Guru Granth Sahib, emphasize the importance of inner purity and devotion over superficial rituals and ascetic practices. Four of his hymns are featured in the scripture, each offering unique perspectives on spirituality:
- Siri Raga (Page 92):
This hymn explores themes of devotion, death, and liberation (moksha). Trilochan highlights the omnipresence of God and warns against the distractions of worldly attachments, urging individuals to focus on divine remembrance. - Gujari Raga (Two Hymns, Page 525):
These hymns critique ritualistic observances and ascetical practices, advocating for a pure heart and sincere devotion to God. Trilochan also delves into the psyche of man and the concept of transmigration, explaining how one’s thoughts at the time of death influence their future birth. - Dhanasari Raga (Page 695):
Rich in references to Puranic literature and mythology, this hymn underscores the importance of remembering God’s Name as the ultimate path to redemption. Trilochan uses vivid imagery to convey the idea that one’s actions can only be absolved through divine remembrance. Dialogue with Namdev
Among the hymns of Bhagat Kabir in the Guru Granth Sahib, two slokas represent a dialogue between Trilochan and Namdev. Trilochan questions Namdev’s attachment to worldly activities, while Namdev responds by emphasizing the value of repeating God’s Name while engaging in one’s duties. This exchange encapsulates the essence of Sikh philosophy, which harmonizes spiritual practice with worldly responsibilities.
