Sri
Guru Granth Sahib or
Adi Granth, is the
religious textReligious texts, also known as scripture, scriptures, holy writ, or holy books, are the texts which various religious traditions consider to be sacred, or of central importance to their religious tradition...
of
SikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
. It is the final and eternal guru of the
SikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of
Sikh gurusThe Sikh Gurus established Sikhism from over the centuries beginning in the year 1469. Sikhism was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak, and subsequently, all in order were referred to as "Nanak", and as "Lights", making their teachings in the holy scriptures, equivalent...
, from 1469 to 1708. It is a collection of hymns (shabda) or
baani describing the qualities of God and why one should meditate on God's name.
Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
(1666–1708), the tenth guru, affirmed the sacred text
Adi GranthAdi Granth is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. This Granth is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh added further holy Shabads to this Granth during the period 1704 to 1706...
as his successor, elevating it to
Guru Granth Sahib. The text remains the holy scripture of the Sikhs, regarded as the teachings of the Ten Gurus. The role of Adi Granth, as a source or guide of prayer, is pivotal in worship in
SikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
.
The Adi Granth was first compiled by the fifth Sikh guru,
Guru Arjan DevGuru Arjan Dev Ji was the fifth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism. He was born in Goindval, Punjab, India, the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das. He became the Guru of the Sikhs on 1 September 1581 after the death of his father Guru Ram Das. Guru Arjan died in...
(1563–1606), from hymns of the first five Sikh gurus and other great saints, or
bhagatFor the Sindhi performance art see Sindhi bhagatIn Sikhism, the Sikh Bhagats were holy men of various sects whose teachings are included in the Sikh holy book the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The word "Bhagat" means devotee, and comes from the Sanskrit word Bhakti, which means devotion and love...
s, including those of the Hindu and Muslim faith. After the demise of the tenth Sikh guru many edited copies were prepared for distribution by
Baba Deep SinghBaba Deep Singh is revered among Sikhs as one of the most hallowed martyrs in Sikhism and as a highly religious person. He is remembered for his sacrifice and devotion to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus....
.
It is written in the
Gurmukhī scriptGurmukhi is the most common script used for writing the Punjabi language. An abugida derived from the Laṇḍā script and ultimately descended from Brahmi, Gurmukhi was standardized by the second Sikh guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji, in the 16th century. The whole of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's 1430...
, in melange of various dialects – including Lehndi
PunjabiPunjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
, Braj Bhasha,
KhariboliKhariboli , also Khari Boli, Khadiboli, Khadi Boli or simply Khari, is a Western Hindi dialect spoken mainly in the rural surroundings of Delhi, the northern areas of Western Uttar Pradesh and the southern areas of Uttarakhand in India...
,
SanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and
PersianPersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
– often coalesced under the generic title of
Sant BhashaSant Bhasha is a scriptural language related to both Punjabi and Hindi. It was used extensively across medieval northern India by proponents of popular devotional religion, esp. Sikhism....
.
Meaning and role in Sikhism
Sikhs consider the Granth to be a spiritual guide for mankind, and it plays a central role in "guiding" the Sikhs' way of life. Its place in Sikh devotional life is based on two fundamental principles: that the text is divine revelation, and that all answers regarding religion and morality can be discovered within it. Its hymns and teachings are called
Gurbani or "Word of the guru" and sometimes
Guru ki bani or "Word of God". Thus, in Sikh theology, the revealed divine word is written by the past Gurus.
The numerous holy men other than the Sikh Gurus whose writing were included in the Adi Granth are collectively referred to as
Bhagats, "devotees", and their writings are referred to as
Bhagat bani, "Word of Devotees". These saints belonged to different social and religious backgrounds, including Hindus and Muslims, cobblers and untouchables. Guru Granth Sahib is said to be the sole and final successor of the line of gurus.
History
The work of transcribing the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the first guru and founder of
SikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
, began in his lifetime. Guru Angad Dev ji, the second Sikh guru, received Guru Nanak's collection of songs and words in manuscript form: he added sixty-three of his own compositions. The third guru,
Guru Amar DasGuru Amar Das was the third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 26 March 1552.-His life:...
, prepared a number of manuscripts, supplemented with 974 of his own compositions as well as the works of various Bhagats. These manuscripts, known as
Goindwal pothis, mention the message of Guru Amar Das as to why the
Bhagat Bani was included and how the Bhagats were influenced by Guru Nanak.
The fourth guru also composed hymns. The fifth guru, Guru Arjan, in order to consolidate the
bani "[divine] word" of earlier gurus and to prevent spurious compositions creeping in, began early in 1599 to compile the
Adi Granth according to the plan laid out by Guru Nanak. The
Tawarikh Guru Khalsa mentions that he issued a
Hukamnama (official order), asking anyone who could contribute to do so. All of the sourcing and content was reviewed in order to ensure the authenticity of the existing revelation.
The final prepared volume, written by
Bhai GurdasBhai Gurdas was a Punjabi Sikh writer, historian, preacher and religious figure. He was the original scribe of the Guru Granth Sahib and a companion of four of the Sikh Gurus.-Early life:...
, under the direct supervision of Guru Arjan, included the compositions of the first five Sikh Gurus and the ninth Guru and of fifteen bhagats, eleven
bhatts ("bards", or traditional composers) and three others. The Adi Granth took five years to complete and was installed in
Harmandir SahibThe Harmandir Sahib also Darbar Sahib , also referred to as the Golden Temple, is a prominent Sikh gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab . Construction of the gurdwara was begun by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, and completed by his successor, Guru Arjan Dev...
"the Abode of God"), popularly known as the Golden Temple, on September 1, 1604, with
Baba Budha JiBaba Buddha Ji is recognized as one of the great Sikhs of the Guru period. He had the privilege of being blessed by the first six Gurus. He led an ideal Sikh life for more than a hundred years. He was one of closest companions of the guru Nanak and is one of the most revered and sacred saints...
as the first
GranthiGranthi is any person of either gender, who performs the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib at congregational occasions, however this task can be performed by any individual who is part of the congregation...
. This original volume is presently in
KartarpurKartarpur , was established by Guru Nanak in 1522. When Guru Nanak died, Hindus and Muslims disagreed on how to perform his last rites. A samadh lies in the Gurudwara and a grave lies on the premises as a reminder of this discord...
and bears the signature of Guru Arjan.
This master copy was initially in the possession of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru, but was stolen by one of his grandsons, Dhir Mal, who wanted to lay claim to the title of guru. The Sikhs recovered it forcibly about 30 years later and were made to return it on the order of the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Even though this master copy was improperly wrested from the community, its return underscored the message that no particular copy of the Adi Granth was more divine than another. This master copy of the Adi Granth, known as the "Kartarpur Pothi", which is of significant historical value, is displayed every year on the occasion of
VaisakhiVaisakhi is an ancient harvest festival celebrated across North Indian states, especially Punjab by all Punjabis regardless of religion. In Sikhism the Khalsa was founded on same day as the Vaisakhi festival, so Sikhs celebrate twice as much....
by the descendants of Dhir Mal in
KartarpurKartarpur , was established by Guru Nanak in 1522. When Guru Nanak died, Hindus and Muslims disagreed on how to perform his last rites. A samadh lies in the Gurudwara and a grave lies on the premises as a reminder of this discord...
.
The final redaction of the Adi Granth was prepared by Guru Gobind Singh with Bhai Mani Singh as the scribe at
Talwandi Sabo (renamed as Damdama Sahib). Guru Gobind Singh added the hymns composed by Guru Tegh Bahadur but excluded his own. There is mention of Guru Gobind Singh's holding an "Akhand Path" (continued recital of Guru Granth Sahib). From Talwandi Sabo, Guru Gobind Singh went to Deccan. While at
NandedNanded is the second largest city in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India. It is also headquarters of Nanded district in the Marathwada Division of the state. It is an important holy place for the Sikh faith and is famous for the Hazur Sahib Gurudwara. It is the district headquarters once...
, Guru Gobind Singh installed the final version prepared by him as the perpetual Guru of Sikhs in 1708.
The hymns in Guru Granth Sahib are grouped under
ragaA raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
s or classical musical compositions. The chronological arrangement is on the basis of ragas and not on the order of succession of the ten Gurus. As with the Adi Granth, Sikhs do not lay emphasis on any particular copy of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru.
The
Supreme Court of IndiaThe Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
holds that the Guru Granth Sahib should be, for historic and legal reasons, considered a 'Juristic person': "The Granth replaces the Guru after the tenth Guru. We unhesitatingly hold Guru Granth Sahib to be a juristic person." The court articulated this finding in the context of a case pertaining to a property dispute.
Elevation of Adi Granth to Guru Granth Sahib
The Adi Granth was conferred the title of "Guru of the Sikhs" by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, 1708. The event, when Guru Gobind Singh installed Adi Granth as the Guru of Sikhism, was recorded in a
Bhatt Vahi (a bard's scroll) by an eyewitness, Narbud Singh, who was a bard at the Guru's court. There are a variety of other documents attesting to this proclamation by the tenth Guru.
Thus, despite some aberrations, the Sikhs overwhelmingly accept that the Guru Granth is their eternal Guru. This has been the understanding and conviction of the Sikhs, since that October day of 1708.
Guru's commandment
A close associate of Guru Gobind Singh and author of
Rehit-nama, Prahlad Singh, recorded the Guru's commandment saying "With the order of the Eternal Lord has been established [Sikh] Panth: all the Sikhs hereby are commanded to obey the Granth as their Guru".(
Rehat-nama, Bhai Prahlad Singh) Similarly Chaupa Singh, another associate of Guru Gobind Singh, has mentioned this commandment in his
Rehat-nama.
Composition
The Sikh Gurus developed a new writing system, Gurmukhī, for writing their sacred literature. Although the exact origins of the script are unknown, it is believed to have existed in an elementary form during the time of Guru Nanak. According to Sikh tradition, Guru Angad is said to have invented the script, and popularised its use among the Sikhs. It is stated in
Mahman Prakash, an early Sikh manuscript, that the script was invented by Guru Angad at the suggestion of Guru Nanak during the lifetime of the founder. The word Gurmukhī translates as "from the mouth of the Guru". The script was used, from the outset, for compiling Sikh scriptures. The Sikhs assign a high degree of sanctity to the Gurmukhī language script; it is also the official script for the Indian State of Punjab.
The
Guru Granth Sahib is divided into fourteen hundred and thirty pages known as
Angs (limbs) in Sikh tradition. It can be divided into three different sections:
- Introductory section consisting of the Mul Mantra
The Mul Mantar is the first composition in the Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth. It is a series of affirmations and is the basis of Sikh theology. The Mul Mantar is the first composition of Guru Nanak and the origin of the Adi Granth. The Adi Granth begins with the Mul Mantar and it occurs more than...
, Japji and SohilaThe collection of hymns called Sohila is repeated at bedtime by Sikhs. It consists of three hymns of Guru Nanak, one of Guru Ram Das, and one of Guru Arjan. The word Sohila is derived from sowam wela or saana-na-wela' meaning in the Punjabi and pothwari language: the time for sleep....
composed by Guru Nanak
- Compositions of Sikh Gurus followed by those of Different Bhagats who just know Only the God, collected according to chronology of Ragas or musical notes (see below).
- Compositions of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
The poems are divided on the basis of their musical setting in different
ragaA raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
s.
A raga is a series of melodic motifs, based upon a definite scale or
modeIn the theory of Western music since the ninth century, mode generally refers to a type of scale. This usage, still the most common in recent years, reflects a tradition dating to the middle ages, itself inspired by the theory of ancient Greek music.The word encompasses several additional...
, that provide a basic structure around which the musician performs. The
ragas are associated with different moods and times of the day and year. The total number of ragas in the Sikh system is thirty one, divided into fourteen ragas and seventeen
raginis (less important or less definite ragas). Within the raga division, the songs are arranged in order of the Sikh gurus and Sikh bhagats with whom they are associated.
The various ragas are, in order:
Raga SriShree is a very old North Indian raga of the Purvi thaat said to have been related to Lord Shiva: it also appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India and is part of the Guru Granth Sahib. In the Guru Granth Sahib composition appear in 31 ragas and this is the first raga to appear in the series...
, Manjh, Gauri,
Asa-People:* Aṣa , Paris-born Nigerian singer-songwriter* Asa of Judah , son of Abijam, King of Judah* Asa Dotzler , Mozilla contributor and blogger*Asa Kasher , Israeli philosopher and linguist-Places:...
, Gujri,
DevagandhariDevagandhari is a raga in Indian classical music. It is used in the Sikh tradition of northern India and is part of the Guru Granth Sahib...
,
BihagaraBihagara is an Indian musical raga that appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India and is part of the Guru Granth Sahib. Every raga has a strict set of rules which govern the number of notes and their interplay that has to be adhered to for the composition of a tune. The Guru Granth Sahib...
, Wadahans,
SorathSorath is an India musical raga that appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India and is part of the Sikh holy scripture called Sri Guru Granth Sahib Every raga has a strict set of rules which govern the number of notes that can be used; which notes can be used; and their interplay that has...
, Dhanasri, Jaitsri,
TodiTodi is a town and comune of the province of Perugia in central Italy. It is perched on a tall two-crested hill overlooking the east bank of the river Tiber, commanding distant views in every direction.In the 1990s, Richard S...
,
BairariThis is an India musical raga that appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India and is part of the Sikh holy scripture called Sri Guru Granth Sahib or Guru Granth Sahib for short...
, Tilang, Suhi,
BilavalBilawal is a raga and basic thaat in Hindustani classical music. It is equivalent to the Western Ionian mode and contains the notes S R G m P D N S' . The pitches of Bilawal thaat are all shuddha, or natural...
,
GondThe Gondi, Goindi or Gond people are people in central India, spread over the states of Madhya Pradesh, eastern Maharashtra , Chhattisgarh, northern Andhra Pradesh, and Western Orissa. With over four million people, they are the largest tribe in Central India.The Gondi language is related to...
(Gaund),
RamkaliRamkali is a raga from Hindusthani classical music which originated from Bhairav Thaat. In the raga, as like bhairav, second tune and sixth tune are flat. Flat nishad and sharp madhyama are used often....
, Nut-Narayan, Mali-Gaura,
MaruMaru can refer toNames* Maru - surname found in people of Kutch & Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, mainly found in Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas & Kadia Kshatriyas communities. The surname is also found in Rajput community of Rajasthan....
, Tukhari, Kedara, Bhairav (Bhairo), Basant, Sarang,
MalarMalar may refer to:* Malar, Iran, a city in Iran* Malar, Pakistan, a town in Pakistan* Malar , a deity in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons* Relating to the cheek...
, Kanra, Kalyan, Prabhati and Jaijawanti. In addition there are twenty-two compositions of
Vars (Traditional ballads). Nine of these have specific tunes and the rest can be sung to any tune.
Sanctity among Sikhs
Sikhs observe total sanctity of the text in the Guru Granth Sahib. No one can change or alter any of the writings of the Sikh Gurus written in Adi Granth. This includes sentences, words, structure, grammar, meanings etc. This total sanctity was observed by the Gurus themselves.
Guru Har RaiGuru Har Rai was the seventh of ten living Gurus of the Sikhs who became Guru on 8 March 1644 following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Guru Har Gobind, who was the sixth guru. Before he died, he nominated five year old Har Krishan, his youngest son as the next Guru of the Sikhs...
had disowned his elder son, Ram Rai, because he had attempted to alter the wording of one of Guru Nanak's hymn.
Ram Rai had been sent to Delhi, by Guru Har Rai, to explain
Gurbani to Mughal Emperor
AurangzebAbul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
. To please the Emperor he altered the wording of some hymns of Guru Nanak. The matter was reported to the Guru, who was displeased with his son and disowned him. Later when aged, Ram Rai was forgiven by Guru Gobind Singh.
Translations
Edited translations of the Guru Granth Sahib are available. However, Sikhs believe that it is necessary to learn Gurmukhī, designed and used by the Sikh Gurus, to fully understand and appreciate the message. They also believe that
English translations of the Guru Granth Sahib only give a preliminary understanding of the Guru Granth Sahib. A Sikh is encouraged to learn Gurmukhi to fully experience and understand the Guru Granth Sahib.
Recitation
The Adi Granth is always placed in the centre of a Gurudwara and placed on a raised platform, known as
Takht (throne). The Guru Granth is given the greatest respect and honour. Sikhs cover their heads and remove their shoes while in the presence of Guru Granth. Before coming into its presence, they bow before the Granth. The Guru Granth is normally carried on the head and as a sign of respect not touched with unwashed hands or put on the floor.
The Guru Granth Sahib is always the focal point in any Gurudwara. It is attended with all signs of royalty, as was the custom with Sikh Gurus, and is placed upon a throne, and the congregation sits on the floor. It is waved upon by a
chaur (sort of fan) which is made of fine material and a canopy is always placed over it. The devotees bow before the Guru as a sign of respect.
The Guru Granth Sahib is taken care of by a
GranthiGranthi is any person of either gender, who performs the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib at congregational occasions, however this task can be performed by any individual who is part of the congregation...
. He is responsible for reciting from Guru Granth and leading the Sikh prayer. The Granthi also acts as the caretaker of Guru Granth and collector of the devotees' money. This function may not be performed by any other person. Guru Granth Sahib is kept covered in silken cloths, known as
Rumala, to protect from heat, dust, pollution etc. Guru Granth Sahib rests on a
manji sahib under a
rumala until brought out again.
Printing
The editing of Guru Granth Sahib is done by the official religious body of Sikhs based in
AmritsarAmritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
. It is the sole worldwide publisher of Guru Granth Sahib. Great care is taken while making printed copies and strict code of conduct is observed during the task of printing.
Before the late nineteenth century, only hand written copies of Guru Granth Sahib were prepared. The first printed copy of Guru Granth Sahib was made in 1864. Since the early 20th century Guru Granth Sahib has been printed in a standard 1430 pages.
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is currently printed in an authorized
printing pressA printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
in the basement of the Gurdwara Ramsar in
AmritsarAmritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
; any resulting printer's "waste" that has any of the sacred text on, is cremated at
GoindvalGoindval is a place in Amritsar district in the states of Punjab in India about 23 km. from Tarn Taran. It became an important center for the Sikh religion, during the Guruship of the Guru Amar Das...
. However, unauthorised copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji have also been printed.
Treatment of damaged copies
Any copies of Guru Granth Sahib which are too badly damaged to be used, and any printer's waste which has any of its text on, are cremated with a similar ceremony as cremating a deceased person. Such burning is called Agan Bhet.
Digitization of Guru Granth Sahib manuscripts
Panjab Digital LibraryThe Panjab Digital Library is a NGO that is digitizing and preserving cultural heritage of Panjab since 2003. There are many historically significant documents stored and made available online. Its scope covers Sikh and Punjabi culture. The library funded by The Nanakshahi Trust was finally...
(PDL) in collaboration with the Nanakshahi Trust has taken up digitization of centuries old manuscripts in year 2003.
Quotes on Guru Granth Sahib
Max Arthur MacauliffeMichael MacAuliffe, also known as Max Arthur Macauliffe , was a senior British administrator, prolific scholar and author. Macauliffe is renowned for his translation of Sikh scripture and history into English....
writes about the authenticity of the scriptures:
- The Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
religion differs as regards the authenticity of its dogmaDogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, or a particular group or organization. It is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted, or diverged from, by the practitioners or believers...
s from most other theological systems. Many of the great teachers the world has known, have not left a line of their own composition and we only know what they taught through tradition or second-hand information. If PythagorasPythagoras of Samos was an Ionian Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. Most of the information about Pythagoras was written down centuries after he lived, so very little reliable information is known about him...
wrote of his tenets, his writings have not descended to us. We know the teachings of Socrates Socrates was a classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon, and the plays of his contemporary ...
only through the writings of PlatoPlato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
and XenophonXenophon , son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, also known as Xenophon of Athens, was a Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, philosopher and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates...
. BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
has left no written memorial of his teaching. Kungfu-tze, known to Europeans as ConfuciusConfucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
, left no documents in which he detailed the principles of his moral and social system. The founder of ChristianityChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
did not reduce his doctrines to writing and for them we are obliged to trust to the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The MuhammadMuhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
did not himself reduce to writing the chapters of the Quran. They were written or compiled by his adherents and followers. But the compositions of Sikh Gurus are preserved and we know at first hand what they taught.
Pearl BuckPearl Sydenstricker Buck also known by her Chinese name Sai Zhenzhu , was an American writer who spent most of her time until 1934 in China. Her novel The Good Earth was the best-selling fiction book in the U.S. in 1931 and 1932, and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932...
, a
NobelThe Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
laureateIn English, the word laureate has come to signify eminence or association with literary or military glory. It is also used for winners of the Nobel Prize.-History:...
, gives the following comment on receiving the First English translation of the Guru Granth Sahib:
- I have studied the scriptures of the great religions, but I do not find elsewhere the same power of appeal to the heart and mind as I find here in these volumes. They are compact in spite of their length, and are a revelation of the vast reach of the human heart, varying from the most noble concept of God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, to the recognition and indeed the insistence upon the practical needs of the human body. There is something strangely modern about these scriptures and this puzzles me until I learned that they are in fact comparatively modern, compiled as late as the 16th century, when explorers were beginning to discover that the globe upon which we all live is a single entity divided only by arbitrary lines of our own making. Perhaps this sense of unity is the source of power I find in these volumes. They speak to a person of any religion or of none. They speak for the human heart and the searching mind.
Message of Guru Granth Sahib
Some of the major messages can be summarized as follows: -
- All people of the world are equal
- Women are equal to men
- One God for all
- Speak and live truthfully
- Control the five vices
- Live in God's hukam (will/order)
- Practice Humility, Kindness, Compassion, Love, etc.
Personal behaviour
Any person carrying out any Service or SewaThe Self-Employed Women's Association of India is a trade union for poor, self-employed women workers in India. SEWA was founded in 1972 by the noted Gandhian and civil rights leader Dr Ela Bhatt. SEWA's main office is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and it works in several states of India. SEWA...
must observe the following:
- Head must be covered at all times.
- Shoes and socks must be removed outside the Darbar Sahib (Guru's room).
- Basic standards of personal hygiene are to be observed especially relating to cleanliness
- Eating or drinking while in service is strictly avoided.
- Being under the influence of any intoxicant including alcohol, tobacco...etc. is strictly forbidden.
- Consuming meat before entering the Darbar Sahib is strictly forbidden.
- Complete silence is observed while in Guru's service.
- Respectful attitude towards others who are present. No Discrimination while doing Sewa
The Self-Employed Women's Association of India is a trade union for poor, self-employed women workers in India. SEWA was founded in 1972 by the noted Gandhian and civil rights leader Dr Ela Bhatt. SEWA's main office is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and it works in several states of India. SEWA...
Environment
- The room should be kept clean
- The clothes that are used to cover Guru Granth Sahib Ji are kept clean and changed daily. Some people choose to use decorated cloth, but this is not necessary.
- The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is always placed on a Manji Sahib (small handmade throne).
- A canopy is always placed over the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
- A Chaur Sahib (artificial hairs bundled together to fan over the Guru Granth Sahib) is provided besides Guru Granth Sahib Ji with a small platform to house the Karah Parshad (sacramental food) and other offerings.
- Everyone should cover their head and take off their shoes before going in the room.
On the move
While Guru Granth Sahib is on the move the following is observed:
- Five initiated Sikhs accompany Guru Granth Sahib at all times when traveling
- Another Sikh does Chaur Sahib seva
- The Main Sikh carrying Guru Granth Sahib must put a clean rumāl
A Rumāl is a piece of clothing similar to a handkerchief or bandana. It is worn by Sikh men who cut their hair and other male guests when they are in a Gurdwara...
on his or her head before carefully and respectfully placing Guru Granth Sahib on this rumāl. At all times, Guru Granth Sahib should be covered with a small rumāl so that Guru Granth Sahib's form is always fully "covered". Also the Sikh carrying Guru Granth Sahib should have "Keshi Ishnaan" or washed hair to show respect.
- There should be recitation of "Waheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
" at all times.
Other considerations
- No one sits on a higher platform than the Guru.
- No one is to come in front of guruji without his or her head covered.
Guru Granth Sahib World University
Guru Sahib World University would be formally launched in July 2009. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Fourth Centenary Memorial Trust. The meeting was chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Paraksh Singh Badal. Disclosing this, Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister said that apart from intensive work on Guru Granth Sahib studies, the University would focus on imparting education in post modern technologies such as Nano-technology, Bio-technology, Information Technology and Business Management besides comparative study of different religions. These courses would be introduced in the inaugural academic session next year.
Later, the University would also house the faculties in Emerging Technologies, Basic Sciences, Management, Social Sciences, Arts, Languages, Engineering, Architecture, Law and Social Justice. Work will soon commence on the construction of the Complex.
Other universities
Punjabi UniversityPunjabi University, located at Patiala, is one of the premier institutions of higher education in Punjab, India. Panjabi University teaches and researches in science, engineering and technology, humanities, social sciences, performing arts and sports....
,
Patiala, has established a department which provides a number of academic courses on Guru Granth Sahib. The department was established in 1962.
SikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
is a revealed religion and as such the department was established to do research in Sikhism and Sikh scriptures. The aim of the department is to study Sikhism as an academic discpline and to produce source material for students working in the field of Sikh studies. The thrust areas of the departmental research are Sikh theology and Sikh Philosophy
The university has started work on an online academic course in advanced studies of the Guru Granth sahib. This academic course would be available internationally, to any student who wants academic training in the Sikh scripture. The academic exam papers would be designed by "The Advanced Centre for Development of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture".
Further reading
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib (English Version) by Dr Gopal Singh M.A Ph.D., Published by World Book Centre in 1960
- Dilgeer, Dr Harjinder Singh (2010), Spiritual Manifesto of the World: Guru Granth Sahib, publisher Sikh University Press & Singh Brothers Amritsar, 2010.
- Dilgeer, Dr Harjinder Singh (2010), Nitnaym & Other Baanis (English translation of daily prayer of the Sikhs, publisher Sikh University Press & Singh Brothers Amritsar, 2010.
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