Back to Articles

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the central religious scripture of Sikhism, revered by Sikhs globally not merely as a holy book, but as the final, sovereign and eternal living Guru. Following the lineage of the ten human Gurus, the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, formally passed the spiritual authority of the Sikh Panth (community) to this sacred text in 1708, ensuring that the divine wisdom would guide humanity forever.

The Compilation and Origins

The journey of this monumental scripture began with the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. In 1604, he compiled the first rendition, known as the Adi Granth and installed it at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev Ji undertook this massive project to establish a definitive and authentic collection of the Gurus' teachings, protecting the spiritual heritage from being distorted by imposters or misguided individuals.

Later, Guru Gobind Singh Ji added the hymns of the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, finalizing the compilation as we know it today. The scripture was then elevated to the status of the eternal Guru.

A Universal Message of Oneness

What makes the Guru Granth Sahib uniquely profound among world scriptures is its radically inclusive nature. It contains not only the divine poetry (Gurbani) of six Sikh Gurus but also the writings of fifteen Bhagats (saints from diverse backgrounds), such as Kabir Ji, Sheikh Farid Ji, Namdev Ji and Ravidas Ji, as well as eleven Bhatts (bards) and other devoted Gursikhs.

This inclusion was entirely intentional. It serves as a permanent testament to the Sikh belief in universal brotherhood and the idea that the divine truth is not the monopoly of any single religion, caste or creed. The central message running through its 1,430 pages (Angs) is the oneness of the Creator (Ik Onkar), the importance of truthful living, equality, selfless service and the rejection of empty rituals.

The Living Embodiment of the Gurus

For a Sikh, the Guru Granth Sahib is the living embodiment of the Gurus' teachings and spiritual essence. It is treated with the utmost reverence and protocol. In every Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship), the Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially placed on a raised platform known as the Manji Sahib (or Palki Sahib), beneath a canopy (Chanani). It is draped in beautiful fabrics (Rumalas) and attended to with a Chaur Sahib (a ceremonial whisk) as a mark of sovereignty and respect.

When Sikhs enter a Gurdwara, they bow their heads to the floor before the Guru Granth Sahib, submitting their ego to the divine wisdom contained within. The scripture is never worshipped as an idol; rather, it is the Shabad (the divine word) within the physical text that is revered as the ultimate guide.

Daily Life and Guidance

The Guru Granth Sahib plays a central role in the daily lives of Sikhs. All Sikh ceremonies—from birth and marriage (Anand Karaj) to death—are conducted in its presence. Every morning in Gurdwaras around the world, the scripture is opened at random to receive the Hukamnama (the daily order or command), which serves as a guiding thought for the community for that day.

By enshrining the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru, the Sikh faith ensured that its followers would forever be guided by the pure, unadulterated wisdom of the divine word, free from the corruptions of human ego and changing times.

References & Historical Sources

To ensure historical accuracy and respect for Sikh sentiments, the information in this article is based on recognized and authoritative sources:

  • Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC): Official historical accounts regarding the compilation in 1604 and the Guruship in 1708.
  • Mahan Kosh (Encyclopedia of Sikh Literature): By Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, detailing the inclusion of the Bhagats and Bhatts.
  • Sikh Rehat Maryada (The Official Sikh Code of Conduct): Outlining the protocol and reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru.