Jump to content

Guru Granth Sahib

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 90.196.3.244 (talk) at 22:56, 7 April 2008 (Bhagats were not 'Sikh' as Sikhism arrived well after after the Bhagats era). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:IndicText

Guru Granth Sahib
Personal
ReligionSikhism
Other namesTemplate:Lang-pa
Guru Granth Sahib
Adi Granth[1][2]
The Head of the Sikh religion[3]
The Eternal Guru of the Sikhs[4][5]
Religious career
Based inInitially Punjab, India
Period in office7th October, 1708 - Eternal
PredecessorGuru Gobind Singh 10th Guru of the Eleven Gurus of Sikhism
SuccessorNone
PostGuru of Sikhs

The Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Template:Lang-pa, gurū granth sāhib), or Guru Grantha, is the holy book, or scriptures, of the Sikhs.[6] It is revered as an eternal Guru, a sacred conduit for wisdom and guidance. Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), the tenth Guru in Sikh tradition, affirmed the sacred text Adi Granth as his successor, terminating the line of human Gurus, and elevating the text to Guru Granth Sahib.[7] From that point on, the text remained not only the holy scripture of the Sikhs, but also their living Guru.[8] The role of Guru Granth Sahib, as a source or guide of prayer,[9] is pivotal in worship in Sikhism.

The Adi Granth was first compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606), from hymns of the first five Sikh Gurus and other great saints of the Hindu and Sufi traditions.[10] The original scribe of the Adi Granth was Bhai Gurdas and later Bhai Mani Singh. After the demise of the tenth Sikh Guru many handwritten copies were prepared for distribution by Baba Deep Singh.

The Guru Grantha is a voluminous text of 1430 pages, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh Gurus, from 1469 to 1708.[6] The Guru Grantha is compiled in the form of hymns written in praise of God, which describe what God is like[10] and the right way to live. The Guru Granth Sahib is written in the Gurmukhi script and contains many languages including Braj, Old Punjabi, Khariboli, Sanskrit and Persian.

Meaning and role in Sikhism

Sikhs consider the Guru Granth Sahib to be the highest authority within the community, and it plays a central role in Sikh devotional and ritual life. The place of the Guru Grantha in Sikh devotional life is based on two fundamental principles or beliefs. The first is that the text within the Adi Granth is divine revelation,[11] hence it cannot be changed, and the second is that all answers regarding religion and morality can be discovered within the text. The hymns and teachings contained in the Sikh holy book are called Gurbani or "Word of the Guru" and sometimes Dhurbani or "Word of God". Thus, in Sikh theology, the revealed divine word is the Guru.[12] Because the scripture inherited this authority from Sikh Gurus, it is called Guru Grantha, meaning "Guru Book".

The work of the numerous holy men who contributed to the Guru Granth Sahib is collectively referred to as Bhagat Bani or "Word of Saints". These saints belonged to different social and religious backgrounds, including Hindus and Muslims, cobblers and even untouchables. Although, the Sikh Bhagats are not accorded the status of Guru in Sikhism, their work is equally revered as that of Sikh Gurus and no distinction is made between the work of a Bhagat and a Sikh Guru.The essence of these doctrines is that Adi Granth, containing the teachings of Sikh Gurus, was their sole successor. Anybody claiming the status of a living Guru is considered a heretic.[13]

History

The Adi Granth was first installed in Golden Temple

When Guru Angad became the second Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak gave him his collection of hymns and teachings in the form of a "pothi" or small volume. Guru Angad made additions to it and subsequently handed it to the third Guru. The fourth Guru also composed hymns and preserved them in a pothi.

The fifth Guru, Arjan Dev, with the intention of preserving the hymns of the preceding Gurus, decided to compose a single volume containing them. He also added hymns he had composed and those of some fifteen bhakats or saints of the Bhakti Movement, such as Kabir, Ravidas, Trilochan, Farid and Namdev. Although he added the hymns of other saints, only those hymns which were similar to the teachings of Sikh Gurus or whose message was similar to them were added. He rejected many hymns which were not similar to the teachings of the Gurus or were opposed in their message. The compositions of the bhagats or saints make up about 10% of the Granth.

The Adi Granth was completed in 1604. It was installed in Harmandir Sahib (the temple of God), popularly known as the Golden Temple, on September 01, 1604. It was written down on paper by a disciple of Guru Arjan known as Bhai Gurdas, under the direct supervision of the fifth Guru. The original volume of this Granth is still in Kartarpur and bears the signature of the Fifth Guru.[14]

Illuminated Guru Granth folio with nisan (Mool Mantar) of Guru Gobind Singh. Collection of Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib, Patna.

The master copy was initially in the possession of Guru Hargobind, but was stolen by one of his grandsons, Dhir Mal, who wanted to lay claim to the title of Guru of Sikhs. The Sikhs, about 30 years later, recovered it forcibly and were made to return it on the order of the ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur.

Every year on the occasion of Vaisakhi the original Adi Granth is displayed by the descendants of Dhir Mal in Kartarpur. This original is not accorded the title of Guru of Sikhs, as it is incomplete, differing from the final volume prepared by Guru Gobind Singh at Dam Dama Sahib in 1705, which was subsequently installed as the final Guru. The text was not elevated to Guru Granth Sahib until after the additions of the last Gurus, which were not yet in place in this earlier Adi Granth text.

The final composition of Guru Granth Sahib was prepared by Guru Gobind Singh with the scribe Bhai Mani Singh. This final version does not contain any hymns of the sixth, seventh, or eighth Gurus, as they did not compose any. Guru Gobind Singh added the hymns composed by Guru Tegh Bahadur but excluded his own. While at Nanded, Guru Gobind Singh installed the final version prepared by him as the perpetual Guru of Sikhs on October 20, 1708.

The Guru Granth Sahib is divided into ragas or classical musical notes. The chronological division is on the basis of ragas and not on the order of succession of Gurus. The Sikhs do not lay emphasis on any particular volume of Guru Granth Sahib as a Guru.

The Supreme Court 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.

Language and structure

Main article: Gurmukhī
Main article: Ragas in the Guru Granth Sahib

Gurmukhī was a new language Script invented and designed by the 2nd Guru of Sikhism Guru Angad Dev specifically for the task of the construction, compilation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib. The holiness of Gurmukhī language is only fully understood, when understanding its meaning (Gurmukhī: from the mouth of the Gurus). The Guru Granth Sahib is the only holy scripture of any major world religion that has had a completely new language script invented and designed specifically for the construction and compilation of holy text. Moreover, the Gurmukhī language Script has become the official script for the Indian State of Punjab.

File:Guru Granth Sahib By Bhai Pratap Singh Giani.jpg
The last page from the bir of Guru Granth Sahib handwritten by Pratap Singh Giani, located on the first floor of Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar.

The Guru Granth Sahib is divided into 1430 Angs (limbs), the shabads (hymns) are arranged in 31 ragas, the traditional Indian musical measures and scales. Within the ragas, they are arranged by order of the Sikh Gurus, with the shabads of the various saints following. The shabads are written in various meters and rhythms, and are organized accordingly. For instance, Ashtapadi - eight steps, or Panch-padi - five steps.

The Adi Granth starts with a non-raga section with Japji as the first entry. This is followed by 31 ragas in this serial order: Raga Sri, Manjh, Gauri, Asa, Gujri, Devagandhari, Bihagara, Wadahans, Sorath, Dhanasri, Jaitsri, Todi, Bairari, Tilang, Suhi, Bilaval, Gond (Gaund), Ramkali, Nut-Narayan, Mali-Gaura, Maru, Tukhari, Kedara, Bhairav (Bhairo), Basant, Sarang, Malar, Kanra, Kalyan, Prabhati and Jaijawanti. Then come saloks, swayas and the scriptures that could not be indexed in the other raga categories (such as salok vaaraan te vadheek.) The final sections are Mundavani, a salok and Raag Maala.

Translations

Other language translations of the Guru Granth Sahib are available such as English. However, Translation fallacy means that a complete accurate translation from the language designed & used by the Sikh Gurus of Gurmukhī (from the mouth of the Gurus) is not possible. Other language translations gives entry level understanding to the Guru Granth Sahib to who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to experience Gurmukhī (literally "from the mouth of the Gurus"). However, only a Granth Sahib that is written in the language designed & used by the Sikh Gurus Gurmukhi script is considered to be the Guru Granth Sahib.

A Sikh is encouraged to learn Gurmukhi to fully experience & understand the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs believe that it is necessary to learn the language designed & used by the Sikh Gurus of Gurmukhī to fully understand and appreciate the Sikh texts, due to Translation fallacy that may occur in other Language translations.

Sanctity among Sikhs

The Mool Mantar in the handwriting of Guru Har Rai
Main article: Guru_Har_Rai § Ram_Rai

A fundamental principle of Sikhism is the total sanctity of the text in the Guru Granth Sahib. No one is allowed to change any of the Sikh Gurus teachings that they wrote in Guru Granth Sahib. This includes sentences, words, structure, grammar and etc. The strong importance the Sikh Gurus felt in preserving the sanctity of their text in the Guru Granth Sahib is highlighted by the story of Ram Rai. Ram Rai in order to please the emperor and gain his approval (see intro) distorted Gurbani. When Guru Har Rai was informed about this incident, he immediately excommunicated Ram Rai from the Sikh Panth and never met with him again, though he later pleaded repeatedly for forgiveness. Thus Guru Sahib established a strict property for the Sikhs against any alteration of original verse in Guru Granth Sahib and the basic conventions set up by Guru Nanak. An aged Ram Rai was later forgiven by Guru Gobind Singh.

Printing

File:Dictation of the Guru Granth Saheb.jpg
Guru Arjan dictating the Adi Granth to Bhai Gurdas.

The first printed copy of Guru Granth Sahib was made in 1864. Since the early 20th century Guru Granth Sahib has a standard 1430 pages; thus a text can be easily referred to by page number.

The printing is done in an authorized printing press in the basement of the Gurdwara Ramsar in Amritsar.

Online academic course

In recent developments, the world's only Punjabi and Gurmukhi University, Punjabi University, is in the process on beginning an online academic course in advanced studies of the Guru Granth sahib. This academic course would be available internationally, to any individual globally who wanted academic training in the Guru Granth Sahib. The academic exam papers will be designed by, The Advanced Centre for Development of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture.[15][16][17]

Treatment of damaged copies

Any copies of the 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.[18] Examples of the care of damaged Granth Sahibs include:

Message of Guru Granth Sahib

Main article: Message of Guru Granth Sahib

The Guru Granth Sahib is intended to lead the entire human race out of the dark age of Kali Yuga to a life in peace, tranquility and spiritual enlightenment. The main message can be summarized as:

  1. Meditate on the name of the Infinite Creator (God)
  2. God is the universal Creator of all
  3. All peoples of the world are equal
  4. Women as equal
  5. Speak and live truthfully
  6. Control the five vices
  7. Live in God's Hukam (universal laws)
  8. Practice humility, kindness, Compassion, love, etc

Care and protocol

The Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal Guru of Sikhs and is treated as such by them. It is mainly looked after by the granthi, who fans it during the day and takes it to its bedroom during the night. Sikhs bow before the Guru Granth Sahib and show utmost respect to it. While in the presence of their Guru they seat it on a place higher than where they sit. The Fifth Guru used to sleep in the presence of the Adi Granth to show it reverence.

Personal behavior

The following care is taken by Sikhs or any person who is in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib in a gurudwara:

  • The visitors to a gurudwara keep their heads covered all times and remain barefoot inside the room where Guru Granth Sahib is seated.
  • Basic standards of hygiene are observed and the person must ensure that he has bathed, especially if he or she is to recite hymns while reading from it.
  • A person must not make small talk or create noise in Guru's presence. He or she should be respectful to the Guru and others.

Environment

Great care is taken to ensure the Granth Sahib is kept in clean environments. It is not permissable to place the Granth Sahib on the floor. As such, it is maintained by placing it upon seats above this. During recitation, it is placed on a ''takht'' or throne, with a canopy always placed above it, usually hanging from the ceiling. It is accompanied by chaur sahib, used to fan the Granth, in order to treat it much the same way the living Gurus would have been. Also, beside it is the designated platform to house the Karah Parshad or holy offering and other implements.

When the daily prayer cycle has been completed, the Granth is then covered, and then encased using numerous cloths that are changed on a daily basis. The 'seat' used here to transport the Granth from the takht to its resting place at night (commonly a room containing an ornate arrangement of bedding) is the Granthi's head- atop their covered head. And then finally, with full ceremonial duties, placed for rest upon the bed. A similar cycle is then carried out only a few hours later to return the Granth to its takht for morning prayer.

Transporting

Five initiated Sikhs are to accompany the Granth at all times when traveling, with one Sikh to do Chaur Sahib Seva. The Sikh carrying the Granth must put a clean cloth (rumalla) on his or her head before carefully and with respect placing the volume on this rumalla. At all times the Granth should be covered with a small rumalla so that the the volume (called "body" or saroop) is always fully covered. There should be recitation of Waheguru at all times. A kamarkassa (waist band) is be tied around the saroop.

The Eleven Gurus of Sikhism

Template:List of Sikh Gurus Template:Sikh Gurus

References

  1. ^ The Sikhism Home Page: Sri Guru Granth Sahib "Guru Granth Sahib". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. ^ Singh, Harbans (1998). Punjabi University Encyclopedia of Sikhism. ISBN 817380530X. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ "The Sikhism Home Page: Sri Guru Granth Sahib".
  4. ^ "The Sikhism Home Page: Introduction to Sikhism".
  5. ^ Singh, Harbans (1998). Punjabi University Encyclopedia of Sikhism. ISBN 817380530X. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
  6. ^ a b Keene, Michael (2003). Online Worksheets. Nelson Thornes. p. 38. ISBN 074877159X.
  7. ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh. Introduction to World Religions. 2005, page 223.
  8. ^ Kashmir, Singh. SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB - A JURISTIC PERSON. Global Sikh Studies. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
  9. ^ Singh, Kushwant (2005). A history of the sikhs. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195673085.
  10. ^ a b Penney, Sue. Sikhism. Heinemann. p. 14. ISBN 0435304704.
  11. ^ Ganeri, Anita (2003). Guru Granth Sahib and Sikhism. Black Rabbit Books. p. 20. ISBN 1583402454.
  12. ^ foley- Garces, Kathleen (2005). Death and Religion in a changing World. M.E Sharpe. p. 180.
  13. ^ Deol, Harnik (2000). Religion and Nationalism in India. Routledge. p. 62. ISBN 041520108X.
  14. ^ "Original Text". Retrieved January 21, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ [2]
  17. ^ [3]
  18. ^ Eleanor Nesbitt, "Sikhism: a very short introduction", ISBN 0-19-280601-7, Oxford University Press, pp. 40-41
  • Sri Guru Granth Sahib (English Version) by Dr Gopal Singh M.A Ph.D., Published by World Book Centre in 1960
Wikiquote has quotations related to Guru Granth Sahib.

Videos

Translations

Audio

Text

Other

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guru_Granth_Sahib&oldid=204094181"