ਭੁਗਤਿ (bhugat)
Meaning: noun: Food, especially made as an offering to yogis.
Quote:
ਭੁਗਤਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਦਇਆ ਭੰਡਾਰਣਿ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਵਾਜਹਿ ਨਾਦ॥
bhugat giaan da-i-aa bhaňdaaraṇ ghaṭ ghaṭ vaajahi naad.
(For the divine-centred people) wisdom is the food, compassion is the distributor of this food, and recognition of the unstruck melody within every heart is the sound (naad). – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 06
Message: This verse from pauri 29 continues the theme we began in the previous pauri, namely, Guru Nanak’s emphasis on the importance of cultivating the qualities of inner environment. Here, the Guru picks on the ritual of bhandaaraa (container or a depository for food) practiced by the yogis. It entailed a formalized offering of food (called bhugat) by an appointed distributor called a bhandaaran (usually a woman). A sound, called naad by the yogis, made by a conch-like instrument permeated the background.
Guru Nanak uses the terminology of the yogis in making his point. Make divine knowledge your food, he advises them, and compassion the distributor of this food. Listen to the unstruck melody within every heart.
Further to this, the yogis consider Gorakh Nath as their master (Gorakh, his name, and Nath means master). They claim to possess occult powers and the ability to perform miracles which would strike awe in the minds of the people.
Guru Nanak advocates, adopt the Almighty, the controller of the entire universe, as your Supreme Master. Abandon claims of supernatural powers as these illusionary beliefs are diversions that lead one astray and away from divinity. Humans receive their shares by the cosmic order, not through any other entity.
In a nutshell, seek higher wisdom, be kind, and stay divine-centred.
Etymology: From Sanskrit bhukti (enjoyment, eating; food).
