Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib or Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or SGGS for short, is more than just a holy book of the Sikhs. The Sikhs treat this Granth (holy book) as a living Guru. The holy text spans 1430 pages and contain the actual words spoken by the founders of the Sikh religion (the Ten Gurus of Sikhism) and various other Saints from other religions including Hinduism and Islam.
The SGGS was given the Guruship by the last of the living Sikh Masters, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. Guru Gobind Singh said before his demise that the Sikhs were to treat the SGGS as their next Guru. Guru Ji said – “Sab Sikhan ko hokam hai Guru Manyo Granth” meaning “All Sikhs are commanded to take the Granth as Guru” So today if asked, the Sikhs will tell you that they have a total of 11 Gurus. ( 10 in human form and the SGGS).
When one visits a Sikh Temple or Gurdwara the SGGS forms the Main Part of the Darbar Sahib or Main Hall. The holy Book is placed on a dominant platform and covered in very beautiful and attractive coloured fine cloth. The platform is always covered by a canopy, which is also decorated in expensive and very attractive coloured materials. The text used is a script called Gurmukhi, which is considered a modern development of the ancient language called Sanskrit.
- History of SGGS
- Sikh Religious Philosophy Advanced by SGGS
- What Everyday Guidance does the SGGS give?
- InterFaith Implications advanced by SGGS
- Meditation and Selfless Service (Nishkam Sewa}
The holy text comprises over 5000 Shabhads or hymns which are poetically construction; are designed to various different musical Ragas; can be set to predetermined musical Talas (rhythmic beats) and have a definite message for the whole of humanity.
Below is a translated quote from the SGGS - Page 15
- “O Nanak, if I had hundreds of thousands of stacks of paper, and if I were to read and recite your prises,
- ‘’and if ink were never to fail me, and if my pen were able to move like the wind -even so,
- ‘’I could not express Your Worth. How can I describe Your Greatness? ||4||2||”
See also Sikhism and Sikh Religious Philosophy
