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Guru Granth Sahib (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ — The Guru's Book)
Overview
The Guru Granth Sahib is the central sacred scripture of Sikhism — and uniquely among world religions, it is treated as the living, eternal Guru of the Sikh community. Sikhs do not merely read it; they bow to it, rise when it is carried in procession, and treat it with the same respect they would give a human Guru.
The Guru Granth Sahib contains the spiritual teachings of six Sikh Gurus (Nanak through Tegh Bahadur) and also includes compositions from Hindu and Muslim saints — Kabir, Ravidas, Namdev, Farid, and others — demonstrating that truth is not limited to one tradition or time.
The text is written in Gurmukhi script, set to 31 classical Indian ragas (musical modes), and structured as a liturgical anthology. It is read continuously in gurdwaras worldwide — an unbroken reading (akhand pothi) takes 48 hours.
Textual Information
Original Title: Adi Granth ("First Book") — compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604 CE. After Guru Gobind Singh added Guru Tegh Bahadur's hymns, it became the Guru Granth Sahib ("Guru, the Book of Psalms").
Language: Gurmukhi (Punjabi written in Gurmukhi script), with some Persian and Hindi words
Estimated Date of Composition:
- Guru Nanak's hymns: c. 1469–1539 CE
- Subsequent Gurus: 1539–1666 CE
- Compiled by Guru Arjan: 1604 CE
- Final additions by Guru Gobind Singh: 1708 CE
Structure:
- 1,430 pages (standard printed edition)
- 5,894 shabads (hymns)
- 31 ragas (musical modes)
- 10 major sections (mandatories len: 1)
The text is organized by:
- Japji Sahib (premier morning prayer) — at the opening
- Ragas — hymns organized by musical mode
- Sohila and Kirtan Sohila — evening hymns
Central Themes
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The One God (Ek Onkar): There is one universal creator — beyond Hindu and Muslim categories
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Naam Japna: Remembering God's name through repetition and meditation
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Honest Living (Kirat Karna): Earning livelihood through honest work is itself spiritual practice
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Sharing (Vand Chakna): Giving to others, especially the poor and vulnerable
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Equality (Sarbat da bhala): No caste, no gender, no religious discrimination
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Guru's Grace (Gur Prasaad): Liberation comes through the Guru's grace, not merely human effort
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Sewa (Service): Selfless service to others is service to God
Famous Verses
1. The Mul Mantra (Opening Verse)
ਇੱਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਾਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ॥
Ik Onkar Sat Nam Karta Purkh Nirbhau Nirvair Akaal Murat Ajuni Saibhan Gur Prasad
Translation: "One Universal Creator God, Truth/Inherent Being, Name, Creator, Reality/Dominant, Without Fear, Without Enmity, Timeless Form, Unborn, Self-Existent, By Grace (Guru's Grace)"
Significance: This opens the Guru Granth Sahib and defines Sikh theology — one God, creator, without fear, without enmity, beyond time.
2. From Japji Sahib, Pauri 1
ਸੋਚ ਕੈ ਸੋਚ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਸੋਚਿ ਕੂਟ ਮਲਿਆਲ॥ ਸੋਚਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੋਚੀਆਰਾ ਸੋਚਿ ਘਾਲੀਆ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਾਉਆਲ॥
Soch kai soch na hovei sochi koot maliaal Socha amrit socheeara sochi ghalia tera bhaoaal
Translation: "Thinking, yet thought cannot comprehend Him. Through thinking, the mind is soiled and confused. Meditate on the Ambrosial Word; by meditating, you shall know the Lord's Will."
Significance: The Mul Mantra's "thought" (soch) themes; meditation on God's name (Naam) purifies the mind.
3. From Asa di Var
ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਹਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਕਮਲ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ। ਧਨੁ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਤੇ ਜਿਤ ਸੁਖੀ ਹੋਈਅਹਿ ਪਾਪੀ ਪਾਪੁ ਕਮਾਈਅਹਿ॥
Kabeer jihavaa ke tarai gun Kamal paaeeah Dhan santoKH te jit sukhee hoehi paapee paap kamaaeeah
Translation: "O Kabeer, the lotus of the tongue has three qualities: contentment is its stem, by which happiness is obtained; the sinner sins by the tongue."
Significance: Kabir's teachings on the tongue as both source of spiritual knowledge and spiritual danger.
Principal Sections
Japji Sahib
The opening section of the Guru Granth Sahib, composed by Guru Nanak. It is:
- Recited daily by initiated Sikhs
- Read at gurdwaras each morning
- 38 pauris (stanzas) plus the Mul Mantra
- A complete summary of Sikh theology and practice
The Bani (Hymns)
Organized by raga (musical mode):
- Asa: Morning, related to the earth
- Gauri: Evening, peace
- Raga: Specific emotional states
Sohila (Evening Prayers)
Recited before sleep; includes Guru Nanak'sSidh Ghorashtak.
Principal Commentators
- Bhai Gurdas (1551–1636): Early commentator; his hymns explain Guru Nanak's teachings
- Guru Arjan (1563–1606): Compiler of the Adi Granth; arranged text
- Bhagat Bani (not a person): The writings of the bhagats (saints) included in the text
- Modern commentators: Several academic and devotional commentaries exist
Major Translations
| Translator | Year | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gopal Singh | 1951–1960 | First complete English translation |
| Khushwant Singh | 1966 | Penguin translation; popular |
| Sant Singh Khalsa | 1993 | Standard transliteration edition |
| SS Johar | 1970s | Scholarly with commentary |
Position in Sikh Tradition
The Guru Granth Sahib holds a unique position:
- It is the eternal Guru — not merely a book but the living teacher
- It is installed on a throne (palki) in gurdwaras
- It is risen in the morning and put to bed at night
- It is the final authority in Sikh law and practice
- It is treated with the same respect as a human guru
The Guru Granth Sahib represents the culmination of the Sikh Guru tradition. After Guru Gobind Singh, no more human Gurus were appointed; the scripture itself became the Guru.
How to Engage Respectfully
- Remove shoes before entering a space where the Guru Granth Sahib is present
- Cover your head
- Bow (if comfortable) when entering or exiting
- Do not point feet at the Guru Granth Sahib
- Listen when it is being read (akhand pothi or individual paath)
- Receive prasad (karah prasad) after the reading
DivineLens presents perspectives from within this tradition, curated for authenticity. For personal spiritual direction, advanced study, or questions about tradition-specific practice, we recommend finding a qualified teacher in Sikhism. Our Advisory Council reviews all content for theological accuracy.
Known Limitations
- Citations require verification.
- The Dasam Granth question (is it also scripture?) is not addressed.
- The musical (raga) dimension is understated.
- The relationship between the Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh practice (especially the nitnem) requires more detail.
Recommended reviewers: A Sikh scholar, a practicing Khalsa Sikh, a historian of Sikh scripture.