BHAGAT/ BHAGT
Bhagat has roots in the word Bhaj (another variation is Bhag from Bhaag, i.e. to divide), which means divided (into self and the ‘other’; this ‘other’ may be a god or God) or sacrificed (into pieces for some god or for God); hence, literally, Bhagat is one who is devoted to some god or God.
The word Bhagt has also been traced to the word Bhaj (to adore, honour, love, revere). It has another root: Bhagvata (devotee of Bhagwan).
According to Sikhism, a Bhagat is one who is devoted to God.
In Guru Granth Sahib poets other than Guru Sahib have been mentioned as Bhagat (e.g. Kabir, Ravidas, Ramanand, Namdev, Tirlochan, Parmanand and Jaidev etc). Some of these Bhagats were, in the beginning, the devotees of some Hindu god/gods but, later, they became devotees of God only.
In Guru Granth Sahib, the Muslim poet Farid is mentioned as Sheikh and the bards of the court of Guru Sahib are known as Bhatt. Also see: Bhagti.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)