BHAGATI/ BHAGTI
Bhagti/Bhakti means meditation on the Name of God. In Sikhism, meditation is not mere recitation of hymns. A Sikh is supposed to recite hymns, understand the meaning and practice the same in life (live Truthful life).
For a Sikhs, simple recitation is not Bhagti. In fact there is no need of rituals for Bhagti. The repetition of merely the Name of God or some special hymns, at a particular time or a particular number of times, or at a particular place, or in a particular manner, is not Bhagti in Sikhism. In Sikhism, this type of Bhagti is rather ritualism and hypocrisy.
In Hinduism, there are four major paths of liberation: Yoga, Karma (rituals), Gyan (spiritual knowledge) and Bhagti (devotion). Sikhism rejects this classification. According to Sikhism, ablution, pilgrimage, rituals etc (Karma) are futile. Similarly, one cannot achieve liberation only by acquiring knowledge (Gyan). Bhagti, however, is recognized as an important step to achieve liberation (self-realization).
In Sikhism, Bhagti, pilgrimage, Yoga, Karam, Gyan have been re-defined. Bhagti means devotion for God [and not even of Guru Sahibs]. According to Sikhism one has to pass through the plans of Dharam (Righteousness), Gyan (Knowledge), Sharam (effort) to gain His Karam (Grace) before achieving the Sachch (Truth). This is the final stage of liberation (self-realization). (See: Japji’s Punj Khand), In Sikhism, Bhagti is not a phenomenon of isolation; it goes side by side with Parvirti (life of activity).
He is the devotee, who knows God,
And also, by the Grace of Guru, knows himself.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.88)
Some writers, out of ignorance and/or mischief, have made attempts to define Sikhism as a part of Bhagti tradition. This label has been assigned by the fundamentalist Hindu writers (who dislike distinct entity and identity of Sikhism) as well as by some Western missionaries, who have always actively collaborated with the above-mentioned Hindu fundamentalists) due to their ulterior motives.
In Sikhism, remembering God is only one part of a man’s complete religious life. In Sikhism, Truthful living is equally important. Further, it is obligatory for a Sikh to defend human rights by all means, a principle not cherished in earlier
Indian tradition as well as Bhagti tradition. Bhagti tradition recognizes the devotion of the mythical Hindu gods and Sikhism rejects them altogether. Hence, “Sikhism” and “Bhagti movement” as tradition, have little in common with each other.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)