Mai Bhago And Suraj Parkash?

[SikhKhoj 500]

Can someone tell me what Ain/Asoo talks about Mai Bhago (that Guru Ji tied Keski on her head etc)

[amardeep 3,474]

Probably a chapter after the Chamkaur battle

[SikhKhoj 500]

That was so insightful lol still thanks

[amardeep 3,474]

indeedos

[amardeep 3,474]

Sri Gur Partap Suraj - Ayan 1st here is the story of Mai bhago according to the ik13 website

http://www.ik13.net/PDFS/Ayan1.pdf

[amardeep 3,474]

And story of panj pyare can be found on page 202 (pdf document) here

http://www.ik13.net/PDFS/Rut3.pdf

[chatanga1 2,676]

There has been a lot of discussion over Mai Bhago and her story in Suraj Parkash Granth over the last few days. Some people are of the opinion that it is a false story, and are using it as a weapon to demonise Suraj Parkash Granth. 

What are your opinions on it?

I personally don't think that there is anything out of line with the story. I think that peoples awastha (spiritual state) can change sometimes rapidly where it cannot be controlled in conforms with perceived current practices. Essentially in the end of the story Guru Sahib has said that she is not to carry on with her state of nakedness but to cover her body. I want to add the gurmukhi text here first :

 

http://sikh-reality.blogspot.com/2013/03/mai-bhago-passage-gurpratap-suraj.html

 

The following is a short passage from Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth [1843], written by Kavi Santhok Singh Ji. This section is found several sections after the Battle of Khindrana [December 1705], where Mai Bhago lost her husband and two brothers. 


ਮਿਲੀ ਮੁਕਤਿਸਰ ਭਾਗੋ ਮਾਈ । ਵਧੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਮਹਿਂ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ । 
ਰਹਿਬੇ ਲਗੀ ਦਿਗੰਬਰ ਸੋਈ । ਲਾਜ ਕਾਨ ਲੋਕਨ ਕੀ ਖੋਈ ।36।
Upon meeting [Guru Gobind Singh Ji] at Mukhstar, Mai Bhago's love for the Guru increased greatly, [to the extent that she] began living naked paying no attention to the publics [thoughts of] modesty and honour. 

ਕਥਾ ਬੇਦ ਮਹਿਂ ਜਿਸ ਕੀ ਅਹੈ । ਨਾਮ ਗਾਰਗੀ ਨਗਨ ਸੁ ਰਹੈ ।
ਪਰਮਹੰਸਨੀ ਬਡ ਅਵਧੂਤਾ । ਤਿਮ ਭਾਗੋ ਗੁਰ ਢਿਗ ਅਵਧੂਤਾ ।37।
In the Vedas there is a story of [an asetic] named Gargee who lived naked. She was known as a Paramhansni [Brahmgyani - but term also used for a section of the Sanyasi order], in this same way [Mai] Bhago was a great ascetic of the Guru. 

ਗਰਵੀ ਸਾਂਗ ਹਾਥ ਮਹਿਂ ਧਰੈ । ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦ ਏਕ ਰਸ ਥਿਰੈ ।
ਕੇਤਿਕ ਮਾਸ ਨਗਨ ਜਬਿ ਰਹੀ । ਇਕ ਦਿਨ ਦੇਖਿ ਨਿਕਟ ਗੁਰ ਕਹੀ ।38।
While always remaining intoxicated in the flavour of the One Blissful Essence she would carry along with her a spear and a small metal pot in her hands. She remained naked for many months and one day when seeing the Guru, the Guru remarked: 


'ਸੁਨਿ ਮਾਈ ਭਾਗੋ ਸਚਿਆਰੀ । ਕੁਲ ਨੈਹਰਿ ਸਸੁਰਾਰਿ ਉਬਾਰੀ ।
ਪਰਮਹੰਸ ਆਵਸਥਾ ਪਾਈ । ਤੁਝ ਕੋ ਦੋਸ਼ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਕਦਾਈ ।39।
"Listen oh truthful Mai Bhago, do not destroy your lineage and the [honour] of your In-Laws. [However] You have obtained the state of Paramhans [Brahmgyani] and you will not be blamed for anything. 

ਰਹਨਿ ਦਿਗੰਬਰ ਤੁਝ ਬਨਿ ਆਈ । ਇਕ ਰਸ ਬ੍ਰਿੱਤਿ ਭਈ ਲਿਵਲਾਈ । 
ਤਨ ਹੰਤਾ ਸਭਿ ਰਿਦੇ ਬਿਨਾਸ਼ੀ । ਪਾਯੋ ਪਰਮ ਰੂਪ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ।40।
You [have become comfortable] remaining naked; your mind is continuously attached to the flavour [of Paramatmaa]. The ego of your body has been destroyed in your heart; you have obtained the Highest Indestructible form. 

ਤਊ ਸੰਗ ਤੂੰ ਰਹਤਿ ਹਮਾਰੇ । ਪਹਿਰਿ ਕਾਛੁ ਲਘੁ ਸਿਰ ਦਸਤਾਰੇ ।
ਊਪਰ ਚੀਰ ਚਾਦਰਾ ਲੀਜੈ । ਦੇਹ ਅਛਾਦਹੁ ਸਮਾ ਬਿਤੀਜੈ । ' 41।
However even then you live with us, [for this reason], put on a Kach [underwear] and on your head tie a small Dastaar [turban]. Cover your body from now on with a shawl [Chadra]." 

ਸੁਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਹੁਕਮ ਮਾਨ ਤਿਨ ਲੀਨਾ । ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਰੀਰ ਅਛਾਦਨ ਕੀਨਾ ।
ਕਰ ਮਹਿਂ ਸਾਂਗ ਸਦਾ ਗਹਿ ਰਾਖੇ । ਰਹੈ ਸੰਗ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਅਭਿਲਾਖੇ ।42।
Listening to the command of the Guru, Mai Bhago agreed and covered her body with clothing. Holding her spear always in her hand, [Mai Bhago] forever held the desire to live alongside the Guru.

 

ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਸੂਰਜ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ, ਐਨ ਪਹਿਲਾ, ਅਧਿਆਇ 22

Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth, 1st Ain, Chapter 22

 

 

 

[dalsingh101 4,355]

Could Mai Bhago's reaction be the result of severe trauma at the violence she witnessed and losses she sustained? PTSD type thing? 

[samurai2 117]

I'd tred very carefully in understanding Mai Bhago's psyche , especially in regards/comparison  to the modern day analysis of post war trauma...

[samurai2 117]

Also be a bit more respectful with the 'she' word.

[chatanga1 2,676]

20 hours ago, dalsingh101 said:

Could Mai Bhago's reaction be the result of severe trauma at the violence she witnessed and losses she sustained? PTSD type thing? 

I doubt it. By the accounts given she was an accomplished warrior and also at the forefront of the battle of Khidrana.

 

The emphasis on the passage in Suraj Parkash is that Mai Bhago was enlightened by the presence of Guru Sahib and that led to her spiritual status changing immensely in a short period of time. I think personally that the change in spiritual status was uncontrollable and that Mai Bhago managed it as best as she could, or in a manner that she thought was best. At this time Mai Bhago lost all sense of "sudh/budh." But an important factor to keep us on track is that this digambar jeevan was not accepted by Guru Sahib. 

 

I think it is the prudishness towards any mention of nakedness that has got some people's tails up. They are saying "how could a woman be naked in the camp of Guru Sahib?"

 

[dalsingh101 4,355]

12 hours ago, samurai2 said:

I'd tred very carefully in understanding Mai Bhago's psyche , especially in regards/comparison  to the modern day analysis of post war trauma...

No taboos like that for me. 

It's respectful to learn from history, explore it open mindedly. It's narrow minded approaches that shaft us. 

I don't know about Mai Bhago to any great depth. Any apna or apnee claiming to have knowledge like they were 'on the ground' and witnessed things themselves is obviously retarded as well. 

[samurai2 117]

5 hours ago, dalsingh101 said:

No taboos like that for me. 

It's respectful to learn from history, explore it open mindedly. It's narrow minded approaches that shaft us. 

I don't know about Mai Bhago to any great depth. Any apna or apnee claiming to have knowledge like they were 'on the ground' and witnessed things themselves is obviously retarded as 

Cool..

 

On 9/28/2019 at 8:43 AM, dalsingh101 said:

Could Mai Bhago's reaction be the result of severe trauma at the violence she witnessed and losses she sustained? PTSD type thing? 

I mean, a women who rallied 40 warriors ( albeit they left Guru ji.initially,  they were still hardcore yodeh- lets not forget that).. lets not just go straight into that above passage.. think about what/who Mai Bhago was (is) before??. 

Who were Mai Bhagos parents/siblings etc?... anyone care to share such info??

Its a collective movement..