GURU GRANTH SAHIB
The Living, Eternal Guru of SikhismSri Guru Granth Sahib Ji — the Eleventh and Eternal Guru of the Sikhs
quick facts
| Also known as | Adi Granth, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Eleventh Guru |
| First compiled by | Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Guru) in 1604 |
| Final form declared by | Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru) in 1708 — declared the eternal Guru of the Sikhs |
| Pages | 1,430 pages (Angs — meaning “limbs”) |
| Script | Gurmukhi — developed by Guru Angad Dev Ji |
| Language | Multiple — Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Marathi and others |
| Structure | 31 Ragas (musical settings) — compositions arranged by melody, not chronology |
| Contributors | 6 Sikh Gurus and over 20 Hindu and Muslim saints (Bhagats) |
| Unique distinction | The only world scripture compiled during the lifetime of its founders |
| Translations | Available in English, Punjabi and Hindi |
| Status in Sikhism | The living, eternal Guru — treated with the same reverence as a human Guru |
WHAT IS THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the central and eternal scripture of Sikhism. Originally compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (the fifth Guru) in 1604 and named the Adi Granth, it was later expanded by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the tenth Guru) to include his father’s hymns. Before his passing in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared it the Eleventh and Eternal Guru of the Sikhs — a living Guru that would guide the Sikh community for all time. The holy scripture has 1,430 pages of text in poetic form. It is filled with devotion, meditation, and the grace of the Guru and God. It includes hymns of more than 20 Hindu and Muslim saints of India. Uniquely in world religion, it is the only holy book written by the founders of its own religion — the Bible was not written by Christ, nor the Quran by the Prophet Mohammed, but the Guru Granth Sahib was written by the Sikh Gurus themselves from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh.
📖 KEY FACT: The name Granth consists of two words: Gur and Ant — meaning ‘Eternal Guru’. Guru Gobind Singh Ji affirmed: ‘In the future, whoever wishes to seek enlightenment, guidance and solace, let him read the holy Granth. This is your Guru forever and ever till eternity.’
THE DECLARATION OF ETERNAL GURUSHIP
According to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s poet Sainapat, Bhai Nand Lal and Dhadi Nath Mal — all present at Nanded on the day before the Guru’s passing — the Sikhs asked him to whom he was entrusting the Khalsa. The Guru replied that he existed in three forms: the invisible (nirgun), his word, and the visible (sargun). After his physical death his soul would be invisible; his second form would be the Granth; and his third form, the visible, would be the Khalsa.
The Guru accompanied by Khalsa went to the place where Adi Granth had been installed. He opened the holy book, placed five paise and a coconut before it, bowed before it, then went around the sacred scripture five times, bowed every time, and declared it as the Guru for all times to come. Up until this time, the holy book was called Pothi Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji named it Granth, consisting of two words, Gur and Ant meaning eternal Guru. He asserted: “In the future, whoever wishes to seek enlightenment, guidance and solace, let him read the holy granth. This is your Guru forever and ever till eternity. ” The Guru said that he was entrusting the Khalsa to the care of Akal Purukh (God). He affirmed:
Jo Sikh Gur Darshan Kee Chah, Darshan Karo Granth Ji Aah
Jo Mam Sath Chaho Kar Bat, Granth ji Parhe Bichare Sath.
Jo Muj Bachan Sunan kee Chah, Granth ji Parhe Sune Chit Lahe
Me Mero Rup Granth Ji Jan, Is Men Bhed Nahin Kuchh Man
The Granth is second myself (Guru Granth, not Dasam Granth, which was compiled later by Bhai Mani Singh). It should be taken for me. A Sikh who wants to see me, should have a look at the Granth. One who wishes to talk to me, should read the Granth and think over it. One who is anxious to listen to my talk, he should read the Granth and listen to its recitation with attention. Consider the Granth as my own self. Have not the least doubt about it.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s last sermon, which is now a part of the Sikh daily prayer after Ardaas:
Aagya Bhai Akal Ki Tabhi Chalayo Panth,
Sab Sikhan Ko Hukum Hai Guru Manyo Granth.
Guru Granth Ji Manyo Pargat Guran Ki Deh.
Jo Prabh Ko Milbo Chahe Khoj Shabad Men Leh
Under orders of the Immortal Being, the Panth was started. All Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. Consider the Guru Granth as a representation of the Guru’s body. Those who wish to meet God can find the way in its hymns.
mool mantar
Akaal Moorat · Ajooni · Saibhang · Gur Prasaad
Ik – There is ONE (Ik) reality, the origin and the source of everything. The creation did not come out of nothing. When there was nothing, there was ONE, Ik.
Onkaar – When Ik becomes the creative principal it becomes Onkaar. Onkaar manifests as a visible and invisible phenomenon. The creative principle is not separated from the created. It is present throughout the creation in an unbroken form, ‘kaar’.
Satnaam – The sustaining principle of Ik is Satnaam, the True Name, True Name.
Kartaa Purakh – Ik Onkaar is the Creator and Doer (Kartaa) of everything, all the seen and unseen phenomenon. It is not just a law or a system; it is a Purakh, a Person.
Nirbhau – That Ik Onkaar is devoid of any fear, because there is nothing but itself.
Nirvair – That Ik Onkaar is devoid of any enmity because there is nothing but itself.
Akaal Moorat – That Ik Onkaar is beyond time (Akaal) and yet it exists. It is a form (Moorat), which does not exist in time.
Ajooni – That Ik Onkaar does not condense and come into any birth. All the phenomenon of birth and death of forms are within it.
Saibhang – That Ik Onkaar exists on its own, by its own. It is not caused by anything before it or beyond it.
Gurprasaad – That Ik Onkaar expresses itself through a channel known as Guru, and it is through its own Grace and Mercy (Prasaad) that this happens.
COMPOSITION & STRUCTURE
◆ The Gurmukhi Script
The Sikh Gurus spoke Punjabi and developed the Gurmukhi script for writing their sacred hymns. The word Gurmukhi translates as ‘from the mouth of the Guru’. According to Sikh tradition, Guru Angad Dev Ji standardized the script at the suggestion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Sikhs assign a high degree of sanctity to Gurmukhi script — it is the official script for the Indian State of Punjab
◆ Two Main Sections
- Introductory section — comprising the Mool Mantar, Japji Sahib and Sohila, all composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Main section — compositions of the Sikh Gurus followed by those of the Bhagats (saints), arranged according to 31 Ragas (musical settings)
◆ The 31 Ragas
The word raga refers to the ‘colour’ — specifically the emotion or mood produced by a combination of pitches. A raga is composed of melodic motifs based on a definite scale, providing a structure within which the musician performs. Some ragas are associated with specific times of day or year. There are 31 ragas in the Sikh system, divided into 14 ragas and 17 raginis (minor ragas).
The 31 ragas, in order: Sri, Manjh, Gauri, Asa, Gujri, Devagandhari, Bihagara, Wadahans, Sorath, Dhanasri, Jaitsri, Todi, Bairari, Tilang, Suhi, Bilaval, Gond, Ramkali, Nut-Narayan, Mali-Gaura, Maru, Tukhari, Kedara, Bhairav, Basant, Sarang, Malar, Kanra, Kalyan, Prabhati and Jaijawanti. In addition there are 22 Vars (traditional ballads).
◆ Contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib
| Sikh Gurus | Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (6 of the 10 Gurus) |
| Hindu Bhagats | Kabir, Ravidas, Namdev, Trilochan, Dhanna, Sain, Sadhna, Pipa, Surdas, Parmanand, Ramanand |
| Muslim Saints | Sheikh Farid (Baba Farid), Bhikhan |
| Bhatts (Bards) | 11 bards whose eulogies of the Gurus are included in the scripture |
| Other Gursikhs | Bhai Mardana, Satta, Balwand and others |
RECITATION & REVERENCE
Guru Granth Sahib is always the focal point in any Gurudwara, placed in the centre on a raised platform called the Takht (throne), while the congregation sits on the floor and bows before the Guru as a sign of respect. It is given the greatest honour and reverence — treated exactly as a living Guru would be.
Sikhs cover their heads and remove their shoes in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is normally carried on the head as a sign of respect and never touched with unwashed hands or placed on the floor. A canopy (Palki or Chanani) is placed over it and a Chaur Sahib (ceremonial fan) is waved above it — marks of royalty and great spiritual status, as peacock-feather fans were historically waved over kings and saints.
◆ The Daily Practices
- Parkash — The Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially opened (Parkash) each morning and carried in procession to the main hall
- Hukamnama — Each day a random page is opened and the hymn at the top of the left page is read as the Guru’s directive for the day
- Sukhasan — Each evening the Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially closed (Sukhasan) and taken to rest in a room of its own
- Akhand Path — A continuous, unbroken reading of the entire 1,430 pages, completed in approximately 48 hours by a relay of readers
- Sehaj Path — A non-continuous reading of the entire scripture, completed at one’s own pace
📖 UNIQUE IN WORLD RELIGION: The Guru Granth Sahib is the only world scripture compiled and authenticated by the founders of its own religion during their lifetime. Guru Arjan Dev Ji personally oversaw its compilation in 1604, ensuring authenticity. No other world scripture — Bible, Quran, Vedas — can make this claim.
THE LIVING GURU
The Guru Granth Sahib is not treated as a historical text or a reference book — it is the living, breathing presence of the Guru in every Sikh home and Gurudwara. When a Sikh bows before the Guru Granth Sahib, they are bowing before the accumulated wisdom, love, sacrifice and divine guidance of all ten Gurus and the thirty-six saints whose words it contains.
For the Sikh, the Guru Granth Sahib is consulted at every major moment of life — birth, naming, marriage, death. Its words are the compass by which a Sikh navigates the world. And wherever five Sikhs are gathered with the Guru Granth Sahib present, there — according to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s own declaration — is the Guru himself.
TRANSLATIONS & ACCESSIBILITY
Sikhs reject the concept of a sacred language — they believe the Guru Granth Sahib can and should be accessed in many languages. Unlike some other religions which hold their scripture’s original language to be uniquely sacred, Sikhism teaches that God’s word is for all humanity and should be understood by all.
English
Full translation accessible to Sikhs and non-Sikhs worldwide who do not read Gurmukhi or Punjabi.
Download PDFPunjabi
Original Gurmukhi script with Punjabi translation — the primary language of the Sikh Gurus and of the Punjab region.
Download PDFHindi
Hindi translation with Devanagari script — for readers across the Hindi belt of India.
Download PDFAudio
Listen to the Guru Granth Sahib recited — Gurbani audio available for all major banis.
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