Life and teaching of Bhagat Namdev ji on
HIS 754th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY (NOV. 12, 2024)
Bhagat Namdev Ji also spelled as Nam Dev Ji, his full name being Namdev Damaji
Relekar is one of the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri
Adi Granth Sahib. In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in
addition to the hymns of his predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included
the hymns of 15 Bhagats, 11 Bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh
Gurus. These 15 Bhagats include (i) Bhagat Jaidev Ji (ii) Sheikh Farid Ji (iii) Bhagat
Trilochan Ji (iv) Bhagat Namdev Ji (v) Bhagat Sadhna Ji (vi) Bhagat Ramanand Ji
(vii) Bhagat Ravidas Ji (viii) Bhagat Kabir Ji (ix) Bhagat Sain Ji (x) Bhagat Dhanna Ji
(xi) Bhagat Pipa Ji (xii) Bhagat Beni Ji (xiii) Bhagat Bhikhan Ji (xiv) Bhagat Sur Das
Ji and (xv) Bhagat Parmanand Ji. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) gave this
Holy Scripture the final form by including the hymns of the ninth prophet-teacher of
the Sikhs Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and thereby gave this Holy Scripture the
name Sri Guru Grath Sahib which is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This Holy
Scripture is unique in the sense that it includes the hymns of Hindu as well as
Muslim saints belonging to various castes and creeds which include Muslim, Rajput
Brahman, Jat, washerman, calico-printer, chamar, kasaee, weaver and barber born
in different parts of India.
In Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji's 61 hymns in 18 Ragaas have been
included. He was born on October 29th (October 26th according to some
scholars) in 1270 AD in the village Narsi Bamni also spelled as Narasi-Vamani,
District Himgoli of Maharashra. His parents were Sri Dam Sheti Ji also spelled as
Damsheti Ji and Shrimati Gonabai Ji. His caste was chheemba (calico-printer).
Janabai the family's maid servant and a Bhakta and poetess in her own right has
recorded the tradition that Namdev Ji was born to Gonabai Ji as a result of her
worship of Vithala in Pandharpur District Sholapur of Maharashtra. In two of his
hymns he has mentioned that he was a chheemba. It is worth mentioning that Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji while visiting Maharashtra visited all the key religious places and
also visited Narsi Bamni. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji also visited the Naag Naath Temple
which is also called Aundha Naag Naath Temple in Hingoli District of Maharashtra.
In his hymn which exists on Page 1164 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji
has said: I am of a low social class, O Lord, why was I born into a family of fabric
dyers?
When his age was less than 11 years he got married to Rajabai Ji also called Rajai
Ji daughter of Gobind Shetti Ji also spelled as Govindasheti Sadovarte. He had four
sons Narayan, Mahandev, Gobind and Vithaal and one daughter named Limba Bai.
Bhagat Namdev Ji received the gurhati (the first food ritually given to a new-born
baby) from his father. He spent the early years of his life in worshipping Shiv Ji and
Vishnu Ji. But later on in the company of Vishobha Khechar Ji and Gyandev Ji he
attained spiritual knowledge and changed his views. He adopted Vishobha Khechar
Ji as his Guru. Out of his life span of 80 years he spent a large part in Pandharpur
also called Pundrikpur in District Sholapur of Maharashtra. At Pandharpur several
persons became his disciples.
The anecdote which is very commonly narrated about Bhagat Namdev Ji is related
to his worship of Thakur Ji (idol). His father was a worshipper of Thakur Ji. One day
his father had to go to some place and he instructed Bhagat Namdev Ji to serve milk
to Thakur Ji. Like his father he gave a bath to Thakur Ji and also put a tilak (saffron
mark) on the forehead of Thakur Ji. Then he put milk in front of Thakur Ji and
requested with folded hands that Thakur Ji should drink that milk. Bhagat Namdev Ji
has narrated this incident in his hymn which appears on page 1163-64 of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. In this hymn Bhagat Namdev Ji has stated that taking the golden cup
he filled it with the ambrosial milk and placed it before the Lord. He requested Thakur
Ji saying that: 'Please drink this milk, O my Sovereign Lord God drink this milk and
that will make my mind happy. Otherwise, my father will be angry with me. The Lord
looked upon Namdev and smiled. Viewing his prayer and his dedication and
determination Thakur Ji blessed him and drank that milk. The God Almighty said that
this one devotee abides within my heart. The Lord drank the milk and the devotee
returned home. In this way Bhagat Namdev Ji was blessed with the Blessed Vission
of the Lord's Darshan.
Bhai Gurdas Ji (Vaar 10, Pauri 11) has narrated this incident as follows:-
One day his father who used to serve milk to Thakur Ji had to go away on some
errand. He instructed Namdev Ji to serve Thakur Ji and also serve milk to Thakur Ji.
Namdev Ji gave a bath to Thakur Ji and brought milk of Kapil (brown) cow. He also a
put a Tilak on Thakur Ji's forehead and then he prayed whole heartedly with folded
hands that Thakur Ji should drink that milk. In view of Namdev Ji's dedication and
determination Thakur Ji became kind and blessed him with His Darshan (holy
glimpse) and also drank that milk.
There is another famous anecdote about Bhagat Namdev Ji and Aundha Nagnaath
Temple in District Hingoli of Maharashtra which appears on Page of 1164 of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. Once when he was chanting Bhajans in front of this temple with his
senior Gurus like Jnanadeva Ji and Vishobha Khechar Ji and few more Varkaris, the
temple pujari told them that their singing in front of the temple was disturbing their
routine pooja and prayer and asked them to go away from the temple. The temple
pujari insulted Bhagat Namdev Ji and said that he was of a lower caste why he had
come to the temple. The pujari asked Bhagat Namdev Ji to go away. He says that I
picked up my blanket and went back, to sit behind the temple. As he uttered Glorious
praises of the Lord the temple turned around to face the Lord's humble devotee.
Here but God Almighty in order to be in the sight of the pinning devotee and listen to
his Bhajans, revolved the temple. It is testimonial to that miracle why Nandi is
located on the back-side of the temple. Now the devotees who go to visit that temple
enter the main entry and then go to back-side of the temple to have a holy glimpse of
Shivling.
In his hymn which appears on Page 1164 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev
Ji says:
Laughing and playing I came to your temple, O Lord, while I was worshipping I was
grabbed and driven out. I am of a low social class, O Lord why was I born into a
family of fabric dyers. In his hymn which appears on page 1292 of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji says calling me low caste and untouchable, they beat me
and drove me out, what should I do now, O Beloved Father Lord? The Lord turned
the temple around to face Bhagat Namdev Ji. He turned his back on the Brahmans.
As mentioned earlier Bhagat Namdev Ji adopted Vishobha Khechar Ji as his Guru.
When he went to Naagnaath Temple to meet Vishobha Khechar Ji for the first time
Vishobha Khechar had turned himself in the form of a leper and was sitting with his
wounded foot on the Shivling i.e. stone image representing Lord Shiva. Bhagat
Namdev Ji was very much upset to see this. Vishobha Khechar Ji asked him to place
his foot where Shiv Ji is not present. Wherever Bhagat Namdev Ji placed his foot he
found that Shivling was present under it. Bhagat Namdev Ji understood that God is
not only present in Pandharpur. He is all-pervasive. Vishobha Khechar Ji asked him
to lift him and take him outside. Bhagat Namdev Ji did this inspite of the fact that his
clothes got stained with blood. Vishobha Khechar Ji became happy and turned
himself into his real form. Thus Bhagat Namdev Ji adopted him as his Guru.
In his hymn which appears on Page 1165-66 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat
Namdev Ji says that Kazi's and other Muslims did not like Bhagat Namdev Ji's
worship of Ram. They complained to the Muslim King that he worships Ram and not
Khuda. The king called him and appealed to him to worship Khuda instead of Ram.
When Bhagat Namdev Ji refused to obey the order of the king even though he found
no difference in 'Ram' and 'Khuda' and also that he did not like that anyone who
does not believe in this should force someone to have a different view. Thus the king
gave him many tortures. The king tried to get him trampled by an elephant. Laying
Bhagat Namdev Ji in front of an elephant the Mahaut started beating the elephant to
make him step forward to trample Bhagat Namdev Ji. But the elephant ran away.
The king tried to bribe him by saying that if he starts taking the name of Khuda, he
will give him gold equal to his weight. But Bhagat Namdev Ji refused this offer.
Bhagat Namdev Ji worshipped God with such determination that every time God
Almighty reached to save him. The king asked Bhagat Namdev Ji to revive to life a
dead cow otherwise he will kill him. The king got his feet tied with rope. Bhagat
Namdev Ji successfully revived the cow to life. Seeing this the king, Kazis and many
other Muslims bowed before him.
Another anecdote mentioned by Bhagat Namdev Ji which occurs on page 657 of Sri
Guru Granth Sahib is that some persons of so called high castes due of enemity
demolished his jhugee. Because of poverty Bhagat Namdev Ji did not afford to
construct a new jhugee. The God Almighty got a new jhugee constructed which was
very beautiful and firm. The people were very much impressed by the beauty of this
new house. One neighbouring woman came to him and asked him about the name
of the worker who had constructed such a beautiful home. Bhagat Namdev Ji
praised God Almighty for this. She said that I shall pray him double wages. Tell me
who is your carpenter? He replied 'O sister, I cannot give this carpenter to you.
Behold my carpenter is pervading everywhere. He worshipped God Almighty with
such determination that God Almighty came to his help every time.
As the above discussion shows Bhagat Namdev Ji in his hymns has described many
incidents of his life. He tells about serving milk to Thakur Ji (SGGS, Page 1163), how
God Almighty rotated the Dehura (SGGS, Page 1164 and Pages 1292), how the
jhuggi which was demolishing by his enemies was turned into a new jhuggi (657)
and how the Muslim king gave him tortures (SGGS, Page 1165-66).
Talking about God Almighty Bhagat Namdev Ji says (SGGS, Page 485) God is
present here and there and everywhere. There is no place in the world where he is
not present. In water and on earth You are present everywhere.
Bhagat Namdev Ji (SGGS, Page 973) says that the Guru has shown me the sixty-
eight places of pilgrimage within my own heart, where I now take my cleansing bath.
Bhagat Namdev Ji says that while doing the daily chores, our mind should be
focused on the Lord. He says (SGGS, Page 972):
One Universal Creator God. By the Grace of the True Guru: The boy takes paper,
cuts it and makes a kite and flies it in the sky. Talking with his friends, he still keeps
his attention on the kite string. My mind has been pierced by the name of the Lord
like the goldsmith whose attention is held by his work. The young girl in the city takes
a pitcher, fills it with water and puts it on her head. She laughs, and plays and talks
with her friends but she keeps her attention focused on the pitcher of water. The cow
is let loose, out of the mansion of the ten gates to graze in the field. She grazes upto
five miles away, but keeps her attention focused on her calf. Bhagat Namdev Ji says,
listen O Trilochan: the child is laid down in the cradle and the mother is at work,
inside and outside, but she holds her child in her thoughts.
Describing his love for God Almighty Bhagat Namdev Ji (SGGS, Page 693) says:
As water is precious in the desert, and the creeper weeds are dear to the camel and
the tune of hunter's bell at night is enticing to the deer, so is the Lord to my mind.
Your name is so beautiful Your form is so beautiful, Your love is so very beautiful, O
my Lord! as rain is dear to the earth and the flower's fragrance is dear to the bumble
bee and the mango is dear to the cuckoo, so is the Lord to my mind. As the sun is
dear to the chakvi duck, and the lake of mansarovar is dear to the swan and
husband is dear to his wife, so is the Lord to my mind, as the raindrop is dear to the
mouth of the rain bird and as water is dear to the fish, so is the Lord to my mind.
Many seekers, Siddhas and silent sages seek Him, but only a rare few behold him.
Just as your name is dear to all the universe, so is the Lord dear to Namdev's mind.
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in his hymn which appears on Page 733 of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib talking about Bhagat Namdev Ji says that God turned his back on the persons
of high classes such as Kshaatriyas and Brahmins and showed his face to Namdev
which means that God Almighty blessed Bhagat Namdev Ji. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
(SGGS, Page 733) says that Namdev loved God Almighty whom people called
calico-printer. But God Almighty turning his back on Kashaatriyas and Brahmins
blessed Namdev. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in this hymn (SGGS, Page 451) has stated
that Namdev loved the Lord, the people called him a fabric dyer. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
says that God Almighty turned his back on the egoists and slanderers and blessed
Bhagat Namdev Ji.
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (SGGS, Page 487) says that by worshipping God the low caste
person Namdev became a high ranking saint.
Under the influence of saints Jnanadeva Ji Bhagat Namdev Ji was converted to the
path of Bhakti. As such Vithala of Pandharpur became the object of his devotion and
he spent much of his time in worship and kirtan and chanting hymns mostly
composed by himself. Bhagat Namdev Ji composed poetry in Hindi as well as in
Marathi.
Earlier he believed in idolatry and sarguna Bhakti but later on he became a devotee
of the attributeless (nirguna) Absolute.
Bhagat Namdev Ji's songs have been collected in 'Namdevachi Gatha' which
includes a long autobiographical poem 'Tirathavali'. Dharampal Single and Baldev
Singh Baddan in their list of 67 Saint poets have put Bhagat Namdev Ji's name at
number one. As per tradition more than 2000 hymns have been ascribed to him, but
the actual number does not seem to exceed to 156, counting those preserved in Sri
Guru Granth Sahib.
In the company of Jnanadeva Ji and other saints Bhagat Namdev Ji roamed about in
the country and later came to village Ghuman in Tehsil Batala, District Gurdaspur of
Punjab. He lived in this village for about 18 years. Presently S. Tarsem Singh
(Mobile No. 94177-36233) is President of this Gurdwara.
In Bhagat Namdev Ji's sacred memory in village Bhattiwal, Tehsil Batala of District
Gurdaspur, Punjab Gurdwara Nameana Sahib has been established. In this village
two more Gurdwaras (i) Gurdwara Khoohi Sahib and (ii) Gurdwara Khundi Sahib
have been established.
This year the Sikh Community all over the world will celebrate Bhagat Namdev Ji's 753rd Birth Anniversary on Nov 23. DHAN DHAN BHAGAT NAMDEV JI!
Life and teaching of Bhagat Namdev ji on
HIS 754th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY (NOV. 12, 2024)
Bhagat Namdev Ji also spelled as Nam Dev Ji, his full name being Namdev Damaji
Relekar is one of the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri
Adi Granth Sahib. In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in
addition to the hymns of his predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included
the hymns of 15 Bhagats, 11 Bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh
Gurus. These 15 Bhagats include (i) Bhagat Jaidev Ji (ii) Sheikh Farid Ji (iii) Bhagat
Trilochan Ji (iv) Bhagat Namdev Ji (v) Bhagat Sadhna Ji (vi) Bhagat Ramanand Ji
(vii) Bhagat Ravidas Ji (viii) Bhagat Kabir Ji (ix) Bhagat Sain Ji (x) Bhagat Dhanna Ji
(xi) Bhagat Pipa Ji (xii) Bhagat Beni Ji (xiii) Bhagat Bhikhan Ji (xiv) Bhagat Sur Das
Ji and (xv) Bhagat Parmanand Ji. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) gave this
Holy Scripture the final form by including the hymns of the ninth prophet-teacher of
the Sikhs Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and thereby gave this Holy Scripture the
name Sri Guru Grath Sahib which is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This Holy
Scripture is unique in the sense that it includes the hymns of Hindu as well as
Muslim saints belonging to various castes and creeds which include Muslim, Rajput
Brahman, Jat, washerman, calico-printer, chamar, kasaee, weaver and barber born
in different parts of India.
In Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji's 61 hymns in 18 Ragaas have been
included. He was born on October 29th (October 26th according to some
scholars) in 1270 AD in the village Narsi Bamni also spelled as Narasi-Vamani,
District Himgoli of Maharashra. His parents were Sri Dam Sheti Ji also spelled as
Damsheti Ji and Shrimati Gonabai Ji. His caste was chheemba (calico-printer).
Janabai the family's maid servant and a Bhakta and poetess in her own right has
recorded the tradition that Namdev Ji was born to Gonabai Ji as a result of her
worship of Vithala in Pandharpur District Sholapur of Maharashtra. In two of his
hymns he has mentioned that he was a chheemba. It is worth mentioning that Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji while visiting Maharashtra visited all the key religious places and
also visited Narsi Bamni. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji also visited the Naag Naath Temple
which is also called Aundha Naag Naath Temple in Hingoli District of Maharashtra.
In his hymn which exists on Page 1164 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji
has said: I am of a low social class, O Lord, why was I born into a family of fabric
dyers?
When his age was less than 11 years he got married to Rajabai Ji also called Rajai
Ji daughter of Gobind Shetti Ji also spelled as Govindasheti Sadovarte. He had four
sons Narayan, Mahandev, Gobind and Vithaal and one daughter named Limba Bai.
Bhagat Namdev Ji received the gurhati (the first food ritually given to a new-born
baby) from his father. He spent the early years of his life in worshipping Shiv Ji and
Vishnu Ji. But later on in the company of Vishobha Khechar Ji and Gyandev Ji he
attained spiritual knowledge and changed his views. He adopted Vishobha Khechar
Ji as his Guru. Out of his life span of 80 years he spent a large part in Pandharpur
also called Pundrikpur in District Sholapur of Maharashtra. At Pandharpur several
persons became his disciples.
The anecdote which is very commonly narrated about Bhagat Namdev Ji is related
to his worship of Thakur Ji (idol). His father was a worshipper of Thakur Ji. One day
his father had to go to some place and he instructed Bhagat Namdev Ji to serve milk
to Thakur Ji. Like his father he gave a bath to Thakur Ji and also put a tilak (saffron
mark) on the forehead of Thakur Ji. Then he put milk in front of Thakur Ji and
requested with folded hands that Thakur Ji should drink that milk. Bhagat Namdev Ji
has narrated this incident in his hymn which appears on page 1163-64 of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. In this hymn Bhagat Namdev Ji has stated that taking the golden cup
he filled it with the ambrosial milk and placed it before the Lord. He requested Thakur
Ji saying that: 'Please drink this milk, O my Sovereign Lord God drink this milk and
that will make my mind happy. Otherwise, my father will be angry with me. The Lord
looked upon Namdev and smiled. Viewing his prayer and his dedication and
determination Thakur Ji blessed him and drank that milk. The God Almighty said that
this one devotee abides within my heart. The Lord drank the milk and the devotee
returned home. In this way Bhagat Namdev Ji was blessed with the Blessed Vission
of the Lord's Darshan.
Bhai Gurdas Ji (Vaar 10, Pauri 11) has narrated this incident as follows:-
One day his father who used to serve milk to Thakur Ji had to go away on some
errand. He instructed Namdev Ji to serve Thakur Ji and also serve milk to Thakur Ji.
Namdev Ji gave a bath to Thakur Ji and brought milk of Kapil (brown) cow. He also a
put a Tilak on Thakur Ji's forehead and then he prayed whole heartedly with folded
hands that Thakur Ji should drink that milk. In view of Namdev Ji's dedication and
determination Thakur Ji became kind and blessed him with His Darshan (holy
glimpse) and also drank that milk.
There is another famous anecdote about Bhagat Namdev Ji and Aundha Nagnaath
Temple in District Hingoli of Maharashtra which appears on Page of 1164 of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. Once when he was chanting Bhajans in front of this temple with his
senior Gurus like Jnanadeva Ji and Vishobha Khechar Ji and few more Varkaris, the
temple pujari told them that their singing in front of the temple was disturbing their
routine pooja and prayer and asked them to go away from the temple. The temple
pujari insulted Bhagat Namdev Ji and said that he was of a lower caste why he had
come to the temple. The pujari asked Bhagat Namdev Ji to go away. He says that I
picked up my blanket and went back, to sit behind the temple. As he uttered Glorious
praises of the Lord the temple turned around to face the Lord's humble devotee.
Here but God Almighty in order to be in the sight of the pinning devotee and listen to
his Bhajans, revolved the temple. It is testimonial to that miracle why Nandi is
located on the back-side of the temple. Now the devotees who go to visit that temple
enter the main entry and then go to back-side of the temple to have a holy glimpse of
Shivling.
In his hymn which appears on Page 1164 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev
Ji says:
Laughing and playing I came to your temple, O Lord, while I was worshipping I was
grabbed and driven out. I am of a low social class, O Lord why was I born into a
family of fabric dyers. In his hymn which appears on page 1292 of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji says calling me low caste and untouchable, they beat me
and drove me out, what should I do now, O Beloved Father Lord? The Lord turned
the temple around to face Bhagat Namdev Ji. He turned his back on the Brahmans.
As mentioned earlier Bhagat Namdev Ji adopted Vishobha Khechar Ji as his Guru.
When he went to Naagnaath Temple to meet Vishobha Khechar Ji for the first time
Vishobha Khechar had turned himself in the form of a leper and was sitting with his
wounded foot on the Shivling i.e. stone image representing Lord Shiva. Bhagat
Namdev Ji was very much upset to see this. Vishobha Khechar Ji asked him to place
his foot where Shiv Ji is not present. Wherever Bhagat Namdev Ji placed his foot he
found that Shivling was present under it. Bhagat Namdev Ji understood that God is
not only present in Pandharpur. He is all-pervasive. Vishobha Khechar Ji asked him
to lift him and take him outside. Bhagat Namdev Ji did this inspite of the fact that his
clothes got stained with blood. Vishobha Khechar Ji became happy and turned
himself into his real form. Thus Bhagat Namdev Ji adopted him as his Guru.
In his hymn which appears on Page 1165-66 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat
Namdev Ji says that Kazi's and other Muslims did not like Bhagat Namdev Ji's
worship of Ram. They complained to the Muslim King that he worships Ram and not
Khuda. The king called him and appealed to him to worship Khuda instead of Ram.
When Bhagat Namdev Ji refused to obey the order of the king even though he found
no difference in 'Ram' and 'Khuda' and also that he did not like that anyone who
does not believe in this should force someone to have a different view. Thus the king
gave him many tortures. The king tried to get him trampled by an elephant. Laying
Bhagat Namdev Ji in front of an elephant the Mahaut started beating the elephant to
make him step forward to trample Bhagat Namdev Ji. But the elephant ran away.
The king tried to bribe him by saying that if he starts taking the name of Khuda, he
will give him gold equal to his weight. But Bhagat Namdev Ji refused this offer.
Bhagat Namdev Ji worshipped God with such determination that every time God
Almighty reached to save him. The king asked Bhagat Namdev Ji to revive to life a
dead cow otherwise he will kill him. The king got his feet tied with rope. Bhagat
Namdev Ji successfully revived the cow to life. Seeing this the king, Kazis and many
other Muslims bowed before him.
Another anecdote mentioned by Bhagat Namdev Ji which occurs on page 657 of Sri
Guru Granth Sahib is that some persons of so called high castes due of enemity
demolished his jhugee. Because of poverty Bhagat Namdev Ji did not afford to
construct a new jhugee. The God Almighty got a new jhugee constructed which was
very beautiful and firm. The people were very much impressed by the beauty of this
new house. One neighbouring woman came to him and asked him about the name
of the worker who had constructed such a beautiful home. Bhagat Namdev Ji
praised God Almighty for this. She said that I shall pray him double wages. Tell me
who is your carpenter? He replied 'O sister, I cannot give this carpenter to you.
Behold my carpenter is pervading everywhere. He worshipped God Almighty with
such determination that God Almighty came to his help every time.
As the above discussion shows Bhagat Namdev Ji in his hymns has described many
incidents of his life. He tells about serving milk to Thakur Ji (SGGS, Page 1163), how
God Almighty rotated the Dehura (SGGS, Page 1164 and Pages 1292), how the
jhuggi which was demolishing by his enemies was turned into a new jhuggi (657)
and how the Muslim king gave him tortures (SGGS, Page 1165-66).
Talking about God Almighty Bhagat Namdev Ji says (SGGS, Page 485) God is
present here and there and everywhere. There is no place in the world where he is
not present. In water and on earth You are present everywhere.
Bhagat Namdev Ji (SGGS, Page 973) says that the Guru has shown me the sixty-
eight places of pilgrimage within my own heart, where I now take my cleansing bath.
Bhagat Namdev Ji says that while doing the daily chores, our mind should be
focused on the Lord. He says (SGGS, Page 972):
One Universal Creator God. By the Grace of the True Guru: The boy takes paper,
cuts it and makes a kite and flies it in the sky. Talking with his friends, he still keeps
his attention on the kite string. My mind has been pierced by the name of the Lord
like the goldsmith whose attention is held by his work. The young girl in the city takes
a pitcher, fills it with water and puts it on her head. She laughs, and plays and talks
with her friends but she keeps her attention focused on the pitcher of water. The cow
is let loose, out of the mansion of the ten gates to graze in the field. She grazes upto
five miles away, but keeps her attention focused on her calf. Bhagat Namdev Ji says,
listen O Trilochan: the child is laid down in the cradle and the mother is at work,
inside and outside, but she holds her child in her thoughts.
Describing his love for God Almighty Bhagat Namdev Ji (SGGS, Page 693) says:
As water is precious in the desert, and the creeper weeds are dear to the camel and
the tune of hunter's bell at night is enticing to the deer, so is the Lord to my mind.
Your name is so beautiful Your form is so beautiful, Your love is so very beautiful, O
my Lord! as rain is dear to the earth and the flower's fragrance is dear to the bumble
bee and the mango is dear to the cuckoo, so is the Lord to my mind. As the sun is
dear to the chakvi duck, and the lake of mansarovar is dear to the swan and
husband is dear to his wife, so is the Lord to my mind, as the raindrop is dear to the
mouth of the rain bird and as water is dear to the fish, so is the Lord to my mind.
Many seekers, Siddhas and silent sages seek Him, but only a rare few behold him.
Just as your name is dear to all the universe, so is the Lord dear to Namdev's mind.
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in his hymn which appears on Page 733 of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib talking about Bhagat Namdev Ji says that God turned his back on the persons
of high classes such as Kshaatriyas and Brahmins and showed his face to Namdev
which means that God Almighty blessed Bhagat Namdev Ji. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
(SGGS, Page 733) says that Namdev loved God Almighty whom people called
calico-printer. But God Almighty turning his back on Kashaatriyas and Brahmins
blessed Namdev. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in this hymn (SGGS, Page 451) has stated
that Namdev loved the Lord, the people called him a fabric dyer. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
says that God Almighty turned his back on the egoists and slanderers and blessed
Bhagat Namdev Ji.
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (SGGS, Page 487) says that by worshipping God the low caste
person Namdev became a high ranking saint.
Under the influence of saints Jnanadeva Ji Bhagat Namdev Ji was converted to the
path of Bhakti. As such Vithala of Pandharpur became the object of his devotion and
he spent much of his time in worship and kirtan and chanting hymns mostly
composed by himself. Bhagat Namdev Ji composed poetry in Hindi as well as in
Marathi.
Earlier he believed in idolatry and sarguna Bhakti but later on he became a devotee
of the attributeless (nirguna) Absolute.
Bhagat Namdev Ji's songs have been collected in 'Namdevachi Gatha' which
includes a long autobiographical poem 'Tirathavali'. Dharampal Single and Baldev
Singh Baddan in their list of 67 Saint poets have put Bhagat Namdev Ji's name at
number one. As per tradition more than 2000 hymns have been ascribed to him, but
the actual number does not seem to exceed to 156, counting those preserved in Sri
Guru Granth Sahib.
In the company of Jnanadeva Ji and other saints Bhagat Namdev Ji roamed about in
the country and later came to village Ghuman in Tehsil Batala, District Gurdaspur of
Punjab. He lived in this village for about 18 years. Presently S. Tarsem Singh
(Mobile No. 94177-36233) is President of this Gurdwara.
In Bhagat Namdev Ji's sacred memory in village Bhattiwal, Tehsil Batala of District
Gurdaspur, Punjab Gurdwara Nameana Sahib has been established. In this village
two more Gurdwaras (i) Gurdwara Khoohi Sahib and (ii) Gurdwara Khundi Sahib
have been established.
This year the Sikh Community all over the world will celebrate Bhagat Namdev Ji's 753rd Birth Anniversary on Nov 23. DHAN DHAN BHAGAT NAMDEV JI!
Life and teaching of Bhagat Namdev ji on
HIS 754th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY (NOV. 12, 2024)
Bhagat Namdev Ji also spelled as Nam Dev Ji, his full name being Namdev Damaji
Relekar is one of the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri
Adi Granth Sahib. In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in
addition to the hymns of his predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included
the hymns of 15 Bhagats, 11 Bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh
Gurus. These 15 Bhagats include (i) Bhagat Jaidev Ji (ii) Sheikh Farid Ji (iii) Bhagat
Trilochan Ji (iv) Bhagat Namdev Ji (v) Bhagat Sadhna Ji (vi) Bhagat Ramanand Ji
(vii) Bhagat Ravidas Ji (viii) Bhagat Kabir Ji (ix) Bhagat Sain Ji (x) Bhagat Dhanna Ji
(xi) Bhagat Pipa Ji (xii) Bhagat Beni Ji (xiii) Bhagat Bhikhan Ji (xiv) Bhagat Sur Das
Ji and (xv) Bhagat Parmanand Ji. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) gave this
Holy Scripture the final form by including the hymns of the ninth prophet-teacher of
the Sikhs Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and thereby gave this Holy Scripture the
name Sri Guru Grath Sahib which is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This Holy
Scripture is unique in the sense that it includes the hymns of Hindu as well as
Muslim saints belonging to various castes and creeds which include Muslim, Rajput
Brahman, Jat, washerman, calico-printer, chamar, kasaee, weaver and barber born
in different parts of India.
In Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji's 61 hymns in 18 Ragaas have been
included. He was born on October 29th (October 26th according to some
scholars) in 1270 AD in the village Narsi Bamni also spelled as Narasi-Vamani,
District Himgoli of Maharashra. His parents were Sri Dam Sheti Ji also spelled as
Damsheti Ji and Shrimati Gonabai Ji. His caste was chheemba (calico-printer).
Janabai the family's maid servant and a Bhakta and poetess in her own right has
recorded the tradition that Namdev Ji was born to Gonabai Ji as a result of her
worship of Vithala in Pandharpur District Sholapur of Maharashtra. In two of his
hymns he has mentioned that he was a chheemba. It is worth mentioning that Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji while visiting Maharashtra visited all the key religious places and
also visited Narsi Bamni. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji also visited the Naag Naath Temple
which is also called Aundha Naag Naath Temple in Hingoli District of Maharashtra.
In his hymn which exists on Page 1164 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji
has said: I am of a low social class, O Lord, why was I born into a family of fabric
dyers?
When his age was less than 11 years he got married to Rajabai Ji also called Rajai
Ji daughter of Gobind Shetti Ji also spelled as Govindasheti Sadovarte. He had four
sons Narayan, Mahandev, Gobind and Vithaal and one daughter named Limba Bai.
Bhagat Namdev Ji received the gurhati (the first food ritually given to a new-born
baby) from his father. He spent the early years of his life in worshipping Shiv Ji and
Vishnu Ji. But later on in the company of Vishobha Khechar Ji and Gyandev Ji he
attained spiritual knowledge and changed his views. He adopted Vishobha Khechar
Ji as his Guru. Out of his life span of 80 years he spent a large part in Pandharpur
also called Pundrikpur in District Sholapur of Maharashtra. At Pandharpur several
persons became his disciples.
The anecdote which is very commonly narrated about Bhagat Namdev Ji is related
to his worship of Thakur Ji (idol). His father was a worshipper of Thakur Ji. One day
his father had to go to some place and he instructed Bhagat Namdev Ji to serve milk
to Thakur Ji. Like his father he gave a bath to Thakur Ji and also put a tilak (saffron
mark) on the forehead of Thakur Ji. Then he put milk in front of Thakur Ji and
requested with folded hands that Thakur Ji should drink that milk. Bhagat Namdev Ji
has narrated this incident in his hymn which appears on page 1163-64 of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. In this hymn Bhagat Namdev Ji has stated that taking the golden cup
he filled it with the ambrosial milk and placed it before the Lord. He requested Thakur
Ji saying that: 'Please drink this milk, O my Sovereign Lord God drink this milk and
that will make my mind happy. Otherwise, my father will be angry with me. The Lord
looked upon Namdev and smiled. Viewing his prayer and his dedication and
determination Thakur Ji blessed him and drank that milk. The God Almighty said that
this one devotee abides within my heart. The Lord drank the milk and the devotee
returned home. In this way Bhagat Namdev Ji was blessed with the Blessed Vission
of the Lord's Darshan.
Bhai Gurdas Ji (Vaar 10, Pauri 11) has narrated this incident as follows:-
One day his father who used to serve milk to Thakur Ji had to go away on some
errand. He instructed Namdev Ji to serve Thakur Ji and also serve milk to Thakur Ji.
Namdev Ji gave a bath to Thakur Ji and brought milk of Kapil (brown) cow. He also a
put a Tilak on Thakur Ji's forehead and then he prayed whole heartedly with folded
hands that Thakur Ji should drink that milk. In view of Namdev Ji's dedication and
determination Thakur Ji became kind and blessed him with His Darshan (holy
glimpse) and also drank that milk.
There is another famous anecdote about Bhagat Namdev Ji and Aundha Nagnaath
Temple in District Hingoli of Maharashtra which appears on Page of 1164 of Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. Once when he was chanting Bhajans in front of this temple with his
senior Gurus like Jnanadeva Ji and Vishobha Khechar Ji and few more Varkaris, the
temple pujari told them that their singing in front of the temple was disturbing their
routine pooja and prayer and asked them to go away from the temple. The temple
pujari insulted Bhagat Namdev Ji and said that he was of a lower caste why he had
come to the temple. The pujari asked Bhagat Namdev Ji to go away. He says that I
picked up my blanket and went back, to sit behind the temple. As he uttered Glorious
praises of the Lord the temple turned around to face the Lord's humble devotee.
Here but God Almighty in order to be in the sight of the pinning devotee and listen to
his Bhajans, revolved the temple. It is testimonial to that miracle why Nandi is
located on the back-side of the temple. Now the devotees who go to visit that temple
enter the main entry and then go to back-side of the temple to have a holy glimpse of
Shivling.
In his hymn which appears on Page 1164 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat Namdev
Ji says:
Laughing and playing I came to your temple, O Lord, while I was worshipping I was
grabbed and driven out. I am of a low social class, O Lord why was I born into a
family of fabric dyers. In his hymn which appears on page 1292 of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Bhagat Namdev Ji says calling me low caste and untouchable, they beat me
and drove me out, what should I do now, O Beloved Father Lord? The Lord turned
the temple around to face Bhagat Namdev Ji. He turned his back on the Brahmans.
As mentioned earlier Bhagat Namdev Ji adopted Vishobha Khechar Ji as his Guru.
When he went to Naagnaath Temple to meet Vishobha Khechar Ji for the first time
Vishobha Khechar had turned himself in the form of a leper and was sitting with his
wounded foot on the Shivling i.e. stone image representing Lord Shiva. Bhagat
Namdev Ji was very much upset to see this. Vishobha Khechar Ji asked him to place
his foot where Shiv Ji is not present. Wherever Bhagat Namdev Ji placed his foot he
found that Shivling was present under it. Bhagat Namdev Ji understood that God is
not only present in Pandharpur. He is all-pervasive. Vishobha Khechar Ji asked him
to lift him and take him outside. Bhagat Namdev Ji did this inspite of the fact that his
clothes got stained with blood. Vishobha Khechar Ji became happy and turned
himself into his real form. Thus Bhagat Namdev Ji adopted him as his Guru.
In his hymn which appears on Page 1165-66 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhagat
Namdev Ji says that Kazi's and other Muslims did not like Bhagat Namdev Ji's
worship of Ram. They complained to the Muslim King that he worships Ram and not
Khuda. The king called him and appealed to him to worship Khuda instead of Ram.
When Bhagat Namdev Ji refused to obey the order of the king even though he found
no difference in 'Ram' and 'Khuda' and also that he did not like that anyone who
does not believe in this should force someone to have a different view. Thus the king
gave him many tortures. The king tried to get him trampled by an elephant. Laying
Bhagat Namdev Ji in front of an elephant the Mahaut started beating the elephant to
make him step forward to trample Bhagat Namdev Ji. But the elephant ran away.
The king tried to bribe him by saying that if he starts taking the name of Khuda, he
will give him gold equal to his weight. But Bhagat Namdev Ji refused this offer.
Bhagat Namdev Ji worshipped God with such determination that every time God
Almighty reached to save him. The king asked Bhagat Namdev Ji to revive to life a
dead cow otherwise he will kill him. The king got his feet tied with rope. Bhagat
Namdev Ji successfully revived the cow to life. Seeing this the king, Kazis and many
other Muslims bowed before him.
Another anecdote mentioned by Bhagat Namdev Ji which occurs on page 657 of Sri
Guru Granth Sahib is that some persons of so called high castes due of enemity
demolished his jhugee. Because of poverty Bhagat Namdev Ji did not afford to
construct a new jhugee. The God Almighty got a new jhugee constructed which was
very beautiful and firm. The people were very much impressed by the beauty of this
new house. One neighbouring woman came to him and asked him about the name
of the worker who had constructed such a beautiful home. Bhagat Namdev Ji
praised God Almighty for this. She said that I shall pray him double wages. Tell me
who is your carpenter? He replied 'O sister, I cannot give this carpenter to you.
Behold my carpenter is pervading everywhere. He worshipped God Almighty with
such determination that God Almighty came to his help every time.
As the above discussion shows Bhagat Namdev Ji in his hymns has described many
incidents of his life. He tells about serving milk to Thakur Ji (SGGS, Page 1163), how
God Almighty rotated the Dehura (SGGS, Page 1164 and Pages 1292), how the
jhuggi which was demolishing by his enemies was turned into a new jhuggi (657)
and how the Muslim king gave him tortures (SGGS, Page 1165-66).
Talking about God Almighty Bhagat Namdev Ji says (SGGS, Page 485) God is
present here and there and everywhere. There is no place in the world where he is
not present. In water and on earth You are present everywhere.
Bhagat Namdev Ji (SGGS, Page 973) says that the Guru has shown me the sixty-
eight places of pilgrimage within my own heart, where I now take my cleansing bath.
Bhagat Namdev Ji says that while doing the daily chores, our mind should be
focused on the Lord. He says (SGGS, Page 972):
One Universal Creator God. By the Grace of the True Guru: The boy takes paper,
cuts it and makes a kite and flies it in the sky. Talking with his friends, he still keeps
his attention on the kite string. My mind has been pierced by the name of the Lord
like the goldsmith whose attention is held by his work. The young girl in the city takes
a pitcher, fills it with water and puts it on her head. She laughs, and plays and talks
with her friends but she keeps her attention focused on the pitcher of water. The cow
is let loose, out of the mansion of the ten gates to graze in the field. She grazes upto
five miles away, but keeps her attention focused on her calf. Bhagat Namdev Ji says,
listen O Trilochan: the child is laid down in the cradle and the mother is at work,
inside and outside, but she holds her child in her thoughts.
Describing his love for God Almighty Bhagat Namdev Ji (SGGS, Page 693) says:
As water is precious in the desert, and the creeper weeds are dear to the camel and
the tune of hunter's bell at night is enticing to the deer, so is the Lord to my mind.
Your name is so beautiful Your form is so beautiful, Your love is so very beautiful, O
my Lord! as rain is dear to the earth and the flower's fragrance is dear to the bumble
bee and the mango is dear to the cuckoo, so is the Lord to my mind. As the sun is
dear to the chakvi duck, and the lake of mansarovar is dear to the swan and
husband is dear to his wife, so is the Lord to my mind, as the raindrop is dear to the
mouth of the rain bird and as water is dear to the fish, so is the Lord to my mind.
Many seekers, Siddhas and silent sages seek Him, but only a rare few behold him.
Just as your name is dear to all the universe, so is the Lord dear to Namdev's mind.
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in his hymn which appears on Page 733 of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib talking about Bhagat Namdev Ji says that God turned his back on the persons
of high classes such as Kshaatriyas and Brahmins and showed his face to Namdev
which means that God Almighty blessed Bhagat Namdev Ji. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
(SGGS, Page 733) says that Namdev loved God Almighty whom people called
calico-printer. But God Almighty turning his back on Kashaatriyas and Brahmins
blessed Namdev. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in this hymn (SGGS, Page 451) has stated
that Namdev loved the Lord, the people called him a fabric dyer. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
says that God Almighty turned his back on the egoists and slanderers and blessed
Bhagat Namdev Ji.
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (SGGS, Page 487) says that by worshipping God the low caste
person Namdev became a high ranking saint.
Under the influence of saints Jnanadeva Ji Bhagat Namdev Ji was converted to the
path of Bhakti. As such Vithala of Pandharpur became the object of his devotion and
he spent much of his time in worship and kirtan and chanting hymns mostly
composed by himself. Bhagat Namdev Ji composed poetry in Hindi as well as in
Marathi.
Earlier he believed in idolatry and sarguna Bhakti but later on he became a devotee
of the attributeless (nirguna) Absolute.
Bhagat Namdev Ji's songs have been collected in 'Namdevachi Gatha' which
includes a long autobiographical poem 'Tirathavali'. Dharampal Single and Baldev
Singh Baddan in their list of 67 Saint poets have put Bhagat Namdev Ji's name at
number one. As per tradition more than 2000 hymns have been ascribed to him, but
the actual number does not seem to exceed to 156, counting those preserved in Sri
Guru Granth Sahib.
In the company of Jnanadeva Ji and other saints Bhagat Namdev Ji roamed about in
the country and later came to village Ghuman in Tehsil Batala, District Gurdaspur of
Punjab. He lived in this village for about 18 years. Presently S. Tarsem Singh
(Mobile No. 94177-36233) is President of this Gurdwara.
In Bhagat Namdev Ji's sacred memory in village Bhattiwal, Tehsil Batala of District
Gurdaspur, Punjab Gurdwara Nameana Sahib has been established. In this village
two more Gurdwaras (i) Gurdwara Khoohi Sahib and (ii) Gurdwara Khundi Sahib
have been established.
This year the Sikh Community all over the world will celebrate Bhagat Namdev Ji's 753rd Birth Anniversary on Nov 23.
DHAN DHAN BHAGAT NAMDEV JI!