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<p class="C1">&#65279BIHA&#7748GAM, from Sanskrit <i>viha&#7749g</i> which means a bird, is a term applied to wandering ascetics who lead a life of complete detachment. A Biha&#7749gam is a celibate who lives in poverty renouncing all worldly ties and follows the path of holiness. In the Hindu tradition, he, abjuring religious dogma, worships &#346iva, R&#257ma and other incarnations. Biha&#7749gams, among Sikhs, are likewise holy men who do not marry and who shun worldly ambition and temptation. The object of their devotion is the One Supreme Being. They recite <i>gurb&#257&#7751&#299</i> the Sikh canon, and devote themselves to <i>n&#257m</i> and <i>sev&#257</i>. They do not form any separate sect; in fact, the most unworldly of the followers of different orders give themselves this name. For instance, several of the Nirmal&#257 Sikhs take pride in calling themselves Biha&#7749gams. They wear white and, instead of learned study of the holy texts which is customary with the Nirmal&#257s, they occupy themselves with humbler deeds of service. Their most popular centre is at Mast&#363&#257&#7751&#257, near Sa&#7749gr&#363r, in the Punjab. They interpret the word <i>biha&#7749gam</i> as a construction from <i>ha&#7751gat&#257</i>, Skt. <i>aham</i> = <i>ahant&#257</i>, meaning egoity or pride, a Biha&#7749gam being one who discarding these takes to the path of humility.</p>
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BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> Rose, H. A. , <i>A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province</i>. Patiala, 1970<BR>
<li class="C1"><i>The Census Reports</i>.<BR>
</ol><p class="CONT">B. S. Nijjar<br></p><BR>
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