You’ve undoubtedly heard of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, our everlasting Guru, if you’re a Sikh or even just interested in Sikhism. Sikhs regard it as a living Guru in addition to being a sacred text. It contains wisdom, hymns, and spiritual teachings gathered over many centuries. However, how did it happen? Let’s stroll through history together.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Oral Origins and Early Pothis
There were no photocopiers or printers in the 1400s. Singing and reciting helped people remember and spread lessons. The first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, spread divine teachings through his extensive travels by delivering Shabads, or hymns. Bhai Mardana and his friends would use music to sing these shabads.
These lessons were eventually recorded in tiny compilations known as Pothis (notebooks). The collection gradually began to expand as later Gurus added their own hymns.
Compilation of the Sri Guru Adi Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1604)
Let’s fast-forward to Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru. Numerous pothis and loose writings were present by this point. Guru Arjan Dev Ji made the decision to gather all genuine hymns into a single, large scripture in order to ensure that there were no counterfeits or rewritten teachings.
He designated a dependable Sikh, Bhai Gurdas Ji, as the primary author. The Adi Granth, or “First Book,” was the end result. Since truth is universal, it included the hymns of the first five Gurus as well as the works of poets and saints from various cultures, including Hindu and Muslim.
Pothis, Khari-Bir, and the Role of Bhai Banno in the History of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Here’s an interesting side story: Guru Arjan Dev Ji sent Bhai Banno to get the Adi Granth bound. On the way, Bhai Banno made a second copy (called Khari-Bir). He even added some extra hymns that Guru Ji hadn’t included. This led to some controversy, but the original stayed safe with the Guru.
Sri Guru Granth sahib ji first prakash in Harmandir Sahib and the First Granthi
Guru Arjan Dev Ji first positioned the Adi Granth in Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple, Amritsar) in 1604. The first Granthi, or person who reads from the Guru Granth Sahib, was Baba Buddha Ji. Its pivotal role in Sikh life began at this time.
Second Compilation: Damdami Bir by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1704–05)
The 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, later encountered an issue in the early 1700s. A war destroyed the original Adi Granth. He therefore recited the entire text from memory to Bhai Mani Singh at Damdama Sahib. The Damdami Bir is the name of this version.
The significant modification is that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s (the ninth Guru) hymns were also added by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This completed the collection.
Bestowal of Guruship on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (1708)
Before he passed away in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji made a significant announcement:
ਆਗਿਆ ਭਈ ਅਕਾਲ ਕੀ ਤਭੀ ਚਲਾਇਓ ਪੰਥ ਸਭ ਸਿਖਨ ਕੋ ਹੁਕਮ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਾਨਿਓ ਗਰੰਥ
“By the order of the Immortal Being, the Panth was created. All Sikhs are commanded to accept the Granth as their Guru”
As a result, Sikhs are guided forever by the Guru Granth Sahib Ji rather than a human Guru.
Structure, Contents & Languages in sri guru granth sahib ji
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is extremely well-organized and not at all random:
- 1430 pages (referred to as Angs)
- separated into musical modes, or Raags.
- Written in the script of Gurmukhi
- Sikh guru hymns and fifteen Hindu and Muslim saints
- Punjabi, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, and other languages are among them.
Bhagats and Saints Whose Hymns Appear in Guru Granth Sahib Ji
These revered spiritual figures, from diverse backgrounds and regions, contributed deeply meaningful hymns to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, reflecting the universality and inclusivity of Sikh teachings.
| Name | Background / Profession | Region | Number of Hymns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhagat Kabir Ji | Muslim weaver, spiritual reformer | Uttar Pradesh | 292 |
| Bhagat Namdev Ji | Calico printer, saint-poet | Maharashtra | 60 |
| Bhagat Ravidas Ji | Shoemaker, saint | Uttar Pradesh | 41 |
| Bhagat Trilochan Ji | Brahmin, spiritual devotee | Maharashtra | 4 |
| Bhagat Dhanna Ji | Cultivator, devotee | Rajasthan | 4 |
| Bhagat Sain Ji | Barber, saint | Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| Bhagat Jaidev Ji | Poet and devotee | Bengal | 2 |
| Bhagat Pipa Ji | Rajput King turned saint | Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| Bhagat Surdas Ji | Blind poet and saint | Possibly Uttar Pradesh | 2 |
| Baba Farid Ji | Muslim Sufi saint | Punjab | 134 |
| Bhagat Parmanand Ji | Devotee and poet | Maharashtra | 1 |
| Bhagat Sadhna Ji | Butcher, saint | Sindh | 1 |
| Bhagat Beni Ji | Devotee and poet | Unknown (North India) | 3 |
| Bhagat Ramanand Ji | Hindu saint and spiritual teacher | Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| Bhagat Bhikhan Ji | Sufi saint and poet | Uttar Pradesh | 2 |
Hymn and Author Breakdown in sri guru granth sahib ji
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- 6 Sikh Gurus
- 15 Saints (Bhagats) — like Bhagat Kabir Ji, Bhagat Ravidas Ji, and Bhagat Farid Ji
- 11 Bhatts (poets) who praised the Gurus
Script, Musical Raags & Forms included in guru granth sahib ji
It is not enough to simply read the scripture; it must be sung. It is set up in Raags, or musical patterns, for this reason. Additionally, there are various poetic forms that add depth and variation, such as Var, Swayya, and Shabad.
Structure and Contents of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Ang (Page) Numbers
| Section No. | Section Title | Ang (Page) Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japji Sahib | Ang 1–7 |
| 2 | Shabad Kirtan (Musical Hymns) | Ang 8–1351 |
| 3 | Slok Sanskriti | Ang 1352–1359 |
| 4 | Gatha | Ang 1359–1361 |
| 5 | Funhe | Ang 1361–1362 |
| 6 | Chaubole | Ang 1363–1364 |
| 7 | Sloks of Bhagat Kabir Ji & Bhagat Farid Ji | Ang 1364–1384 |
| 8 | Swayyas of the Gurus and the Bhattas | Ang 1384–1408 |
| 9 | Sloks of the Gurus | Ang 1409–1429 |
| 10 | Raag Mala (Index of Musical Measures) | Ang 1429–1430 |
Guru Granth Sahib Ji : Manuscripts, Preservation & Bir Variants
Various copies (Birs) were produced over time. Some have been conserved in old gurdwaras. These are always covered when not being read, and Sikhs treat them with the highest respect.
Historical Challenges: Guru Guru Granth sahib ji
There were wars, thefts, and attempts to destroy the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, so its path wasn’t an easy one. However, Sikhs have always given their lives to protect it.
Living Guru in Practice
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is still positioned on a throne-like platform (Takht) in every gurdwara today. Sikhs sing hymns, bow before it, and listen to the Hukamnama, a passage that is read aloud at random for guidance.
FAQ: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (11 Sikh Guru)
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