Bhagat Trilochan

Trilochan, a name which literally means three-eyed, that is, seer of the present, past and future, was a celebrated saint of the Vaishya caste. His birth is said to have taken place in the year 1267. He either lived at or visited Pandharpur in the Sholapur district of the Bombay presidency, and was a contemporary of Namdev, who mentioned or addressed him in his hymns. Inquiries at Pandharpur and the neighbouring city of Barsi have, however, failed to furnish any information regarding Trilochan. The following legend passes for history among his admirers.

He had a perfect faith in and love for saints, but they visited him in inconveniently large numbers, and there were only he and his wife to attend and wait on them. He thought that they were not served as he could have wished, so he resolved on engaging a servant if he could find one who was accustomed to minister holy men. He continued to search for such an attendant, but not finding one became sad at heart. It is said that God was not pleased at the sorrow of his saint, and sent him a candidate for service. Trilochan asked the candidate who he was, whence he had come, and whether he had parents and a house and a home. The man replied that he had no parents and no home. He had merely come to be engaged as a servant. He could wait on the saints of God without assistance from others, as his life had been spent in such service. He gave his name as Antarjami, which interpreted means Searcher of hearts. Trilochan was highly pleased and ordered his wife to engage him and cheerfully supply all his wants. She was cautioned to consider his pleasure as her first duty.

Antarjami performed menial services for the saints, such as cooking, drawing water, washing their feet, shampooing and bathing them, in such a manner that Trilochan’s house became famous for its hospitality; and a large crowd of saints began to live with him and consume his substance. Thirteen months passed in this way, until one day Trilochan’s wife went to visit a female neighbour. The latter inquired why she was so dirty and looked so miserable. She replied that her lord had taken into his employ a servant who required so much attention that she had to spend all her days grinding corn and cooking for him. This was reported to Antarjami and he promptly disappeared.

When the time came to wait on the saints, Antarjami could not be found. Trilochan became very much grieved, and, rebuking his wife, told her that it was through her indiscretion Antarjami had left their service. When Trilochan’s grief has lasted for three days it is said that he was comforted by divine interposition. He consequently applied himself to the praise and contemplation of the one true God. His sorrow was then dispelled.

There are 4 shabads by Bhagat Tirlochan in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In these he has condemned superficial rituals and pretentious renunciation and stressed the holiness of the heart.^[1]

The following hymns of Trilochan are found in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

Sri Raag, Trilochan p.92 SGGS Read at SikhiToTheMax

Bhagat Trilochan admonishes mortals:

The mind is totally attached to Maya; the mortal has forgotten his fear of old age and death.
Gazing upon his family, he blossoms forth like the lotus flower; the deceitful person watches and covets the homes of others. (1)
When the powerful Messenger of Death comes, no one can stand against his awesome power.
Rare, very rare, is that friend who comes and says,
"O my Beloved, take me into Your Embrace! O my Lord, please save me!"(1)Pause. Continued...

— Sri Raag, Trilochan p.92 SGGS

Raag Gujari, Padas of Trilochan Jee, Ghar 1 p.525 SGGS Read at SikhiToTheMax

A Hermit, a Sanyasi, a Brahmin called Jai Chand, a Jogi, and a Kapria held a religious discussion in which each maintained the superiority of his own sect. they came in the heat of their arguments to Trilochan, and he, knowing that they were all hypocrites, addressed them each in turn as follows:

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

You have not cleansed the filth from within yourself, although outwardly, you wear the dress of a renunciate.

In the heart-lotus of your self, you have not recognized God - why have you become a Sannyaasee? ||1||

Deluded by doubt, O Jai Chand,

you have not realized the Lord, the embodiment of supreme bliss. ||1||Pause|| Continued...

Raag Dhanasari, Trilochan p.695 SGGS Read at SikhiToTheMax

Trilochan, engaged in his devotions, neglected his worldly calling, and this led to his straitened domestic circumstances. Thereupon his wife became discontented and upbraided God. The following is Trilochan’s remonstrance. He endeavoured to console her by telling her that her distress was the result of her sins.

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

Why do you slander the Lord? You are ignorant and deluded.

Pain and pleasure are the result of your own actions. ||1||Pause||

The moon dwells in Shiva's forehead; it takes its cleansing bath in the Ganges.

Among the men of the moon's family, Krishna was born; even so, the stains from its past actions remain on the moon's face. ||1||

Continued..

References

• Macauliffe, M.A The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus Sacred Writings and Authors Low Price Publications,1909, ISBN 81-7536-132-8