{"id":92060,"date":"2019-11-05T19:31:10","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T14:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/?p=92060"},"modified":"2019-11-10T11:03:57","modified_gmt":"2019-11-10T05:33:57","slug":"the-guru-and-sri-guru-granth-sahib","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/history\/the-guru-and-sri-guru-granth-sahib","title":{"rendered":"The Guru and Sri Guru Granth Sahib – 4\/11 Series on Guru Nanak Dev Ji"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"550<\/a>
550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru will be celebrated on November 12, 2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guru Nanak Dev Ji<\/span><\/strong>, the first Guru and founder of\u00a0<\/span>Sikhism,<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0was born in 1439 in Nankana Sahib in present-day Pakistan.<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is the\u00a0<\/span>Holy Book<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0that captures and defines the principles of the\u00a0<\/span>Sikhi<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0way of life \u2013 a path of truth, righteousness, and spirituality. It remains the guiding light and source of inspiration for all followers of the Sikh faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is the Guru Granth Sahib a Book or a living Guru?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is both.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such is the reverence for the holy book, the 10th and last Sikh Guru,\u00a0<\/span>Sri Guru Gobind Singh<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0in 1708, ordained that the Guru Granth Sahib be looked upon as the last living Guru and continue to live in perpetuity. While there are only\u00a0<\/span>10 Gurus<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0in the human form in Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib is viewed as the\u00a0<\/span>11th living Guru<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is inside the Guru Granth Sahib?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Guru Granth Sahib is a compilation of prayers and hymns called\u00a0<\/span>Shabads<\/span><\/strong>. Spread over\u00a0<\/span>1430 Angs<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(pages), the script is\u00a0<\/span>Gurumukhi<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 derived from Sanskrit, the ancient language of the Indian sub-continent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gurumukhi means \u201c<\/span>Word of God,<\/span><\/strong>\u201d and reading and reciting the Shabads of the Guru Granth Sahib is repeating the divine message of the Almighty. A reminder to oneself to follow the teachings of the 10 Gurus.<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Shabads,<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0spread over 1430 pages, are arranged in\u00a0<\/span>31 Ragas<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the melodic framework for composition and improvisation in Indian classical music.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bhai Mardana<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Bhai Bala<\/span><\/strong>, Guru Nanak\u2019s first two disciples, would sing these Shabads and be soon joined by the congregation called\u00a0<\/span>Sangats<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

After 20 years of extensive travelling, Guru Nanak settled down in Kartarpur in present-day Pakistan. Soon a pattern of the singing of hymns evolved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japji Sahib<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is the\u00a0<\/span>first prayer\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>in the Guru Granth Sahib and refers to\u00a0<\/span>Jap<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 to chant or recite. Composed by\u00a0<\/span>Guru Nanak Dev<\/span><\/strong>, it captures the essence of the\u00a0<\/span>Sikhi<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0philosophy. It is considered the most sacred\u00a0<\/span>Bani<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the divine word, among all verses in the Holy Book and sung in the mornings.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Opening words of Japji Sahib begins with:<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cIk\u00adoa\u0149k\u0101r sa\u1e6f n\u0101m kar\u1e6f\u0101 purak\u1e96 nirb\u1e96a\u00ado nirvair ak\u0101l m\u016bra\u1e6f aj\u016bn\u012b saib\u1e96a\u0149 gur pars\u0101\u1e0f.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Ik Onkar<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>There is but One God<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Satnaam<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>True is HIS name<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Karta Purakh<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 God is the creator<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Nirbhau<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 God is without fear<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Nirvair<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 God is without enmity<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Akal Moorat<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 God is immortal<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Ajoonee<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 God is beyond birth<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Saibhun(g)<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 God is from Himself, self-existent, and self-sufficient<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Gur Prasaad Jap<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 HE is attained by the grace of true Guru. Recite HIS name<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Guru Nanak emphasized the existence of One God. Through Japji Sahib, spread over 40 sections, Guru Nanak teaches the Supreme One is omnipresent and formless; holding infinite powers which are not seen, only felt. Guru Nanak shows the devout how to attain the highest levels of consciousness by reaching within one\u2019s innermost consciousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

By chanting HIS name and through sincere worship from within, as guided by the Guru, it is possible to connect with God.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evening prayers<\/span><\/h3>\n

So Dar<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0along with\u00a0<\/span>So Purakh<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0are part of the\u00a0<\/span>Rehras<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and sung in the evenings.<\/span><\/p>\n

So Dar<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>So Daru\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>(compilation of 5 Shabads)\u00a0<\/span><\/em>is the\u00a0<\/span>second<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0composition in the Guru Granth Sahib.\u00a0<\/span>So Purakh<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>(collection of 4 Shabads)\u00a0<\/span><\/em>is the\u00a0<\/span>third<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did Guru Nanak write the Guru Granth Sahib?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, but not entirely. Guru Nanak wrote\u00a0<\/span>974 Shabads,<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0which form part of the Guru Granth Sahib. The first word of the Guru Granth Sahib is \u201c<\/span>Ik Onkar<\/span><\/strong>\u201d \u2013 one and only Supreme Power and written by Guru Nanak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Ik Onkar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Besides the teachings, how is the Guru Granth Sahib unique?<\/h2>\n

It is the only religious scripture in the world, drawing teachings from other religions including Hindu and Islam. It includes verses of divine saints from the lowest and most excluded social strata in society.<\/p>\n

It is the only Holy Book to find maximum prominence in the sanctum sanctorum of the place of worship \u2013 the Darbar Hall,<\/strong> where it sits on a special covered pedestal under a sacred canopy. All worship is carried out in front of it.<\/p>\n

Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the only Holy Book to receive recognition as a living person<\/strong> and offered obeisance.<\/p>\n

Who were the other contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib?<\/h2>\n

Guru Nanak penned 974 Shabads, <\/strong>also known as Gurbani (Guru\u2019s Divine Word)<\/strong>. After his passing away, other Gurus also wrote shabads.<\/p>\n

However, several verses written by non-Gurus were passed off as those written by Guru Nanak. There was a need to compile the authentic Gurbani<\/strong> into a standardized format, so all followers in times to come would have the opportunity to receive the authentic message of the divine Gurus.<\/p>\n

With this aim in mind, Guru Arjan Dev Ji <\/strong>(1563 \u2013 1606), the 5th<\/sup><\/strong> of the ten Gurus, took it upon himself the task of collecting and compiling all authentic divine verses of the Gurus before him, into one Adi Granth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Taking a cue for openness to wisdom and spiritual knowledge drawn from other religions by the previous Gurus, Guru Arjan<\/strong> welcomed the inclusion of divine verses composed by revered Hindu and Muslim saints.<\/p>\n

The contributors included popular saints like Kabir Ji, Ravi Das Ji, Sheikh Farid, Naam Dev Ji, Trilochan Ji<\/strong>, among many others. It included respected saints belonging to the untouchable class, a major taboo at the time. The move increased Sri Guru Granth Sahib\u2019s appeal and acceptance among members of all communities.<\/p>\n

Guru Arjan Dev himself contributed 2218 hymns<\/strong> to the Adi Granth but left pages blank for subsequent Gurus to add at the appropriate time.<\/p>\n

In its complete form, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib<\/strong> contains the teachings of 36 <\/strong>Saints, Sufis, and other mystics, including those of 6 Gurus<\/strong> of the Sikh faith, 15 Bhagats<\/strong>, 11 Bhatts<\/strong>, and 4 Gursikhs<\/strong>, all contained in 1430 Angs<\/strong> (pages).<\/p>\n

The Adi Granth,<\/strong> later known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji,<\/strong> was completed in 1604<\/strong> and installed in the Sri Harmandir Sahib<\/strong> in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It was to become the foundation of the Sikh faith.<\/p>\n

The last and 10th<\/sup> Guru Gobind Singh<\/strong> added Shabads of the 9th<\/sup> Guru Teg Bahadur <\/strong>and deemed the Sri Guru Granth Sahib<\/strong> complete.<\/p>\n

Who built Sri Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in Amritsar?<\/h2>\n

The 4th<\/sup> Guru, Sri Ram Das Ji<\/strong>, founded the city of Amritsar<\/strong> (meaning the \u201cTank of Nectar of Immortality\u201d<\/em>) in 1577. It came up around the banks of a tank known as the Amrit Sarovar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Guru Arjan<\/strong> was responsible for the design and building of Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji, <\/strong>which came up in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar. Sri Harmandir Sahib is also known as the Sri Darbar Sahib Ji<\/strong> or the Golden Temple in Amritsar<\/a><\/span>, Punjab.<\/p>\n

\"Map<\/a>
Map of Amritsar depicting the location of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the completion of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Guru Granth Sahib<\/strong> Ji<\/strong> was installed there by Guru Arjan Dev.<\/p>\n

After that, each day early in the morning, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib<\/strong> is devoutly carried by Sevadars (holy volunteers) in a procession from the Akal Takht<\/strong>, within the temple complex, to the Harmandir Sahib<\/strong> and is returned to the Akal Takht in the evening, in a similar procession.<\/p>\n

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji continues to be the source of divine inspiration to millions of followers around the world.<\/p>\n

Did you know, Guru Arjan Dev<\/strong> was the first Sikh Guru to be martyred?<\/p>\n

[Read: <\/em>The Gurus and their Divine Teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib<\/em><\/strong>]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru and founder of\u00a0Sikhism,\u00a0was born in 1439 in Nankana Sahib in present-day Pakistan. The\u00a0Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji\u00a0is the\u00a0Holy Book\u00a0that captures and defines the principles of the\u00a0Sikhi\u00a0way of life \u2013 a path of truth, righteousness, and spirituality. It remains the guiding light and source of inspiration for all followers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1316,"featured_media":91934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,11315],"tags":[11493,377,11502,7437,11496,6923,5975,87],"class_list":{"0":"post-92060","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-history","8":"category-india","9":"tag-550-years-with-guru-nanak","10":"tag-amritsar","11":"tag-essay-on-guru-nanak-dev-ji","12":"tag-golden-temple","13":"tag-guru-granth-sahib","14":"tag-guru-nanak-dev-ji","15":"tag-religion","16":"tag-sikh"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1316"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92060"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92077,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92060\/revisions\/92077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}