SIRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI

The Guru Granth Sahib Ji What is Sri Guru Granth Sahib? It is a religious scripture A compilation of spiritual/mystical hymns with a common philosophy, written by different spiritual masters, prominent saints (Bhagats) and some other spiritual poets from the Indian subcontinent. The authors lived between the twelfth and seventeenth century and belonged to different faiths, religions and classes/strata of society.

What is the Adi Granth The scripture was first called the Adi Granth. The name changed to Guru Granth Sahib Ji when the 10th Guru declared it be seen as a GURU henceforth From 1708 onwards it became known as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji ‘Adi’ means original (or first) and ‘Granth’ means scripture The names also differentiate it from another Scripture which was written by the tenth Guru called the Dasam Granth. (Dasam means 10th)

What is unique about Sri Guru Granth Sahib? It is the latest of the principal religious scriptures from the Indian subcontinent It contains the original writings from the masters of Sikhism. The compilation of the original scripture was completed by the fifth Sikh Guru, Arjan Dev in 1604. The most unique feature of this scripture is that it contains a universal message of spiritual living for the whole human race.

Brief History The fifth Sikh Guru, Arjan Dev complied Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Amritsar, the spiritual centre of Sikhi Besides the hymns that he wrote himself, he collected the hymns of the first four Sikh Gurus and a number of other saints/spiritualists with similar philosophy and thus compiled the Adi Granth. The volume was written by Bhai Gurdas under the direction of Guru Arjan Dev. Guru Arjan Dev installed the original Holy Book in 1604 at the Sikh Gurdwara (Harmandir Sahib) at Amritsar.

A famous Sikh follower by the name Baba Buddha was appointed as the first Granthi or keeper of the scripture. Guru Gobind gave direction to his followers to consider the scripture as the eternal Guru. Hence the scripture is called Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Guru means teacher or guide, Granth means a holy book, whereas Sri & Sahib are respectful adjectives).

Who's hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib? The scripture contains compositions of 6 Sikh Gurus (the first five Gurus and the ninth Guru), seventeen saints/Bhagats (Kabir, Farid, Namdev, Ravidas, Beni, Trilochan,  Jaidev, Sundar, Parmanand, Sadna, Ramanand, Dhanna, Pipa, Sain, Soorday, Bhikhan, Mardana); poets Balwand & Sata and eleven Bhattas or poets of the Sikh Gurus (Mathra, Jalap, Harbans, Talya, Salya, Bhal, Kulh Sahar, Nal, Kirat, Gayand, Sadrang). Guru Granth Sahib contains 5894 hymns. 974 hymns are written by the first Guru, 62 by the second Guru, 907 by the third, 679 by the fourth, 2218 by the fifth, and 115 by the ninth Guru. 541 hymns are by Bhagat Kabir. The remaining 381 hymns are by others saints/Bhagats and poets listed above.

Composition (internal structure) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib? The scripture in its customary form has 1430 pages. The allocation of pages is like this: 1. Japji 1-8. 2. Musical hymns 8-1351. 3. Salok Sahskriti 1352-1359. 4. Gatha 1359-1361. 5. Funhe l36l-1362. 6. Chaubole 1363-1364. 7. Saloks of Kabir and Farid 1364-1384. 8. Swa-ee-ay (poetry of praise) of the Gurus by the Bhattas 1384-1408. 9. Saloks of the Gurus 1409-1428. 10. Rag Mala, the index of musical measures 1429-1430.

RAAGS Most of the hymns in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are classified according to musical forms called Raags. Under each Raag, the hymns are further arranged in the following order : 1. Chaupadas, hymns of four verses. 2. Ashtapadas, hymns of eight verses. 3. Long poems. 4. Chhants, Verses of six lines. 5. Short poems. 6. Vars, consisting of two or more Saloks and a Pauri. 7. Poems of Bhagats in the same order. The hymns are further classified according to the musical clef (Ghar) in which each is to be sung. Although according to the index of Raags in Ragmala, the total number of Raags and Raginis is 84, but only 31 have been used in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. So the Granth is arranged firstly according to the Raag, secondly, according to the nature or meter of the poem, thirdly by authorship, and fourthly the clef. End of brief history

The Verses The Guru Granth verses are often sung in a process known as kirtan. The sound and voice aids absorption of the meaning of the verses As the verses are chanted one can build up metaphoric images The physical body of the singer experiences the essence of each word creating calmness of the mind. They help keep the mind to stay focused on the Word. They heal the physical body and cleanse inner thoughts. The sound waves of the Gurmat Raags connect the mind, body, and spirit by alignment of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual part of a person. They implant in the psyche the basis for both spiritual and mental growth. To see a Sikh congregation chant the sacred hymns in unison is to see massed spiritual energy bubble before the eyes.

Languages/themes used in the Granth Arabic, Sanskrit, Persian, Punjabi, Hindi, Sindhi, Lehndi, Dakhni, Apabhramsa, Bengali Marathi and Gujrati The main theme of Guru Granth Sahib is:   a. Search of God b. Means to communicate with God c. Methods to realise God d. Religious commandments e. Rules of morality f. The Sikh theology Guru Granth Sahib is a literary classic and a spiritual treasure. The Granth contains the eternal Truth, proclaims God and shows the way of His realisation. It lays down moral and ethical rules for the development of the soul and religious commandments for the progress of morality and attainment of salvation.

Gurbani paath Reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, known as Gurbani paath, Continuous reading (i.e Akand paath) is more than a simple ritual or a complex scholarly endeavor; the intellect is engaged to seek wisdom and faith is cultivated. Reading the rhythmic poetry of Guru Granth is considered by some as healing in itself. Its chant is frequently prescribed to patients for relief of their symptoms and to reduce/cope with illnesses. It seems to facilitate understanding of pain and pleasure by “mindfulness” or “being in the moment”.  The hymns of the Guru Granth show imagery taken from everyday life to simplify subtle thoughts and profound concepts. The Gurus were keen lovers of nature and as such, have written glowing descriptions of panoramic environmental beauty, changes in the times of day, and the changes of seasons to show love for the One Creator. Thus they made Guru Granth poetry an extraordinary example of divinity, and mysticism,which it touches the human heart.

What kind of philosophy do the hymns in Sri Guru Granth Sahib reveal? Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a treasure of divine knowledge, mysticism and a guide to a spiritual living for anyone who ventures to find instruction from it and live by it. The hymns help us with unwavering belief in God. A description of God is given in the very opening sentence of Guru Granth Sahib, which is called Mool-Mantar (basic creed), and is a Preamble of the first section called Japji: There is One God, He is the Eternal Truth, the Creator, Without Fear, Hate or Enmity, All-Pervading & Everlasting Divine Spirit, Self-Existent, and He is realized by Guru's Grace. We are guided to live a family life and make a truthful living and share the earning with the less fortunate.

Lord's praise and meditation upon God's name is emphasised as a way to spirituality. According to the hymns 'spirituality' means love for God and his creation, humility/sweetness, empathy/compassion for others, a feeling of brotherhood with all mankind, contentment, forgiveness, devotion to selfless service of others, sharing resources with those in need, truthful & honest living, to be thankful of Gods gifts, doing one's best, staying on the right spiritual path and leaving the result to Him and accepting of His will.

Hymns tell us that the following human attributes take us away from the path of spirituality: Anger, arrogance, self-righteousness, hate/animosity, bigotry, apathy/unconcern for others, being punitive, greed, attachment with worldly goods or beings, lust and falsehood/corruption. Hymns give us a direction not to treat women as inferior and to shed barriers that divide human race, such as racism and the caste system.

The Sikh philosophy as embodied in the Guru Granth Sahib is chiefly a philosophy of action, deed and consequence. Though in its essentials, it is completely in tune with the ancient Indian thought regarding the genesis of the world and the ultimate nature of reality, it moves away from queitism, passivity and abstractions. The emphasis is on shared communal experience, and on purposive and idealistic involvement.

The extinction of the ego or self is the corner-stone of Sikhism. A person, we learn, finds fulfilment only by immersion in the sea of life. Thus, the path of renunciation, abdication, aloofness, flagellation etc., so typical of Hindu thought is condemned. Man has a role to play, the artefact of the stage or the theatre has to be taken for granted. For, it has thus pleased the Creator to bring about the world and people it with multiples of His self. And the whole creation moves according to a predestined plan. Many a time has the grand show on earth been mounted and dismantled. It is not given to creature man to fully comprehend the essence of reality.

QUESTIONS What is the difference between the Adi Granth, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and the Dasam Granth? 3 marks What does the Guru Granth Sahib Ji say about the oneness of God? 2 marks Explain the key messages contained within the Guru Granth Sahib Ji? 8 marks What does the Guru Granth Sahib Ji say about human spirituality? 3 marks

Research/art task Find 1 – 2 metaphors in the GGS, what sort of imagery/symbolism is presented, if any. Explain briefly. Try and draw the imagery/story presented Useful websites: www.searchsikhism.com www.sikhphilosophy.net