ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>BHOG </TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="BHOG"> <META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279BHOG (which by literal etymology, from Sanskrit, signifies "pleasure, " "delight") is the name used in the Sikh tradition for the group of observances which accompany the reading of the concluding parts of Scripture, the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib. This conclusion may be reached as part of the normal and routine reading in the day-to-day lectionary of a major centre of worship with a staff of readers. But in the mind of the community the word is very deeply associated with a complete, end-to-end, reading of the Holy Book without interruption which is called <i>akha&#7751&#7693 p&#257&#7789h</i> This usually takes two twenty-four-hour days of non-stop reading by a relay of readers. This type of <i>p&#257&#7789h</i>, and hence the <i>bhog</i> which comes at its end, can be performed in conjunction with weddings, obsequies, anniversaries and other occasions when a family or a worshipping community may consider such a reading appropriate.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Similarly, a <i>bhog</i> takes place at the end of the slower reading (<i>sahaj p&#257&#7789h</i>) when, for instance, a family decides to read the entire book as continuously as circumstances permit. For such a reading no time limit applies. Of course, the <i>bhog</i> comes at its end, and it must be recited entire in a single service, without a break.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another variation on <i>p&#257th</i> is the <i>sapt&#257hik p&#257&#7789h</i> in which case the reading of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is completed within one week (<i>saptah</i>). The recital of the text is taken in parts and completed within the seven day span. The <i>sahaj</i> or slow reading <i>p&#257&#7789h</i> may continue for a longer time, even for months.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The verb form <i>bhog pau&#7751&#257</i> simply means to end or conclude. In Punjabi idiom it may mean to end or conclude an argument or discussion. <i>Bhog</i> especially stands for funeral service. In a derivative use of the term, sacramental <i>ka&#7771&#257hpras&#257d</i> distributed at the end of any congregational service is also sometimes called <i>bhog</i>. Any occasion whether of joy or sorrow, wish fulfilment, or trial would usually prompt a Sikh householder to have a <i>p&#257&#7789h</i> of the holy book said, preferably by himself and/or jointly by members of the family. If however this is not possible, <i>p&#257&#7789h&#299s</i> or Scripture readers will be invited or hired for the purpose. Date and time of <i>bhog</i> are notified in advance by word of mouth, through an announcement in <i>sa&#7749gat</i> during routine service in the local <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> (almost every Sikh hamlet has a <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i>), or through written letters to friends and relations. Coming into vogue is the custom of placing notices in newspaper. In the case of <i>s&#257dh&#257ran</i> and <i>sapt&#257hik p&#257&#7789hs</i>, the reader would have already completed the reading of the Holy Book except for the last five pages. While the <i>sa&#7749gat</i> is gathering at the appointed time, the officiant will be preparing <i>ka&#7771&#257hpras&#257d</i> in a steel cauldron over burning logs, coal or in an electric oven. When ready, it is respectfully lifted and carried overhead to the site of the congregation and placed on the right side of where the Holy Book rests. If a choir is on hand, some scriptural hymns appropriate to the occasion will be sung. The <i>granth&#299</i> (officiant) will then read from the Holy Book what may be called the inaugural Hymn. Thereafter he will turn over reverently the pages of the holy Volume to arrive at the unread portion. He will start reading slowly and in a singing tone the <i>&#347lokas</i> of Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur (couplets, 57 in number, popularly called <i>bhog de &#347lokas), Mund&#257va&#7751&#299</i> and a <i>&#347lok&#257</i> by Gur&#363 Arjan. Then follows the last composition, <i>R&#257gam&#257l&#257</i>.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The <i>bhog</i> must in all cases include the reading of the end of the Holy Book. That is, the recitation of the last five pages, pages 1426 onwards. This begins with the reading of 57 <i>&#347lokas</i> by Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur and continues to the end of the Book. The music, cadences and imagery of these verses have a unique and exquisite beauty of their own.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After these <i>&#347lokas, Mund&#257va&#7751&#299</i> by Gur&#363 Arjan, is recited. This is a kind of seal to the Scripture. It reiterates the essentials of the teaching of the Book--<i>sat</i> (truth), <i>santokh</i> (contentment; rejoicing in one's lot), <i>v&#299ch&#257r</i> (wisdom) and the remembrance of the Holy Name (<i>n&#257m</i>). It is essentially a word to all humankind .</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After the Granth reading has been completed, <i>ard&#257s</i> is recited by the entire congregation. In it a special blessing is called for the purpose for which the <i>p&#257&#7789h</i> was held. <i>Ard&#257s</i> has its own powerful associations which are now brought into <i>bhog</i>. These include the recalling to mind of past Sikh heroism, devotion and martyrdom and the marking present of the <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> in all its venerable might.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After <i>ard&#257s</i>, the Hukam or command for the day is obtained by reading out the hymn offered by the text which is naturally interpreted in the context of the intention of the <i>p&#257&#7789h</i>, that is, as the word of the Gur&#363 to those receiving it at that point with their purposes particularly in mind, be it a family event, a funeral, a wedding, or invocation for blessing on a new venture.</p> </ol><p class="CONT">Noel Q. King<br></p><BR> </font> <img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""> </HTML></BODY>