Dear Editor,

Tam pleased that S. Jaspinder Singh, Ontario, Canada, and S, Satwant Singh, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, have promptly responded to the baseless opinion of Dr. D.S. Chahal on differentiating the Gurbani, WSN January 9, 1996, I wish to elaborate on the integrity of the holy scripture. Guru Nanak was meticulous and precise in composing and collecting writings that were consistent with his message. The Bani of Bhagat as did not come to him easy, For example, he personally” went to obtain the writings of Sheikh Fareed from his successor Sheikh Abraham (Braham). Sheikh Fareed passed away in 1266, over 200 years. before Guru Nanak could contact Sheikh Braham, Not only did the Guru carefully read the writings of the Sheikh but also elaborated on some of his slokas and provided another aspect on them (S.G.G.S. 1377).

In the S.G.G.S. there are 130 slokas ascribed to Sheikh Fareed. Interestingly 18 of them were written by the Guru; 4 by Guru Nanak, 5 by Guru Amar Dass, 1 by Guru Ram Dass, and 8 by Guru Arjan Dev. Of course, all of these bear the name of Nanak. Guru Nanak was an absolute authority to decide as to what should become a part of his message. Although four gurus elaborated on his slokas, the Sheikh’s message was approved and kept intact, Was there a difference in the quality of Sheikh’s message, the Guru had no obligation to Incorporate it in the S.G.G.S.. Similar stringent scrutiny was applied to that of the other Bhagat as. Guru Nanak has given us an unadulterated message which came directly from the creator, Instead of wasting our time and energy on peripheral issues; we should better concentrate on understanding the Holy Scripture. Guru Granth Sahib provides the Bani that our guru took great pains to save for us, while he traveled through the harshest of climates and conditions. In my opinion all the Bani in the S.G.G.S. is Gurbani for us. We must accept it without question, as Gur has said: Bani and Guru are the same. Within Bani are contained all the blessings. Guru says the Bani and the faithful complies with it. Guru positively rescues him (the faithful), S.G.G.S, 982.

Dr. Balkar S. Husson Duarte, CA.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 24, 1996