There are two copies of Pashaura Singh’s thesis in DetroitGurdwara and we have read it very carefully. As other writers have pointed out Pashaura Singh writes in his thesis,” Examination of early manuscripts has revealed that Guru Arjan worked over a number of drafts to produce the final text in 1604 CE. He prepared the scripture primarily in response to the process of crystallization of the Sikh tradition that was taking place during that period.”
The main emphasis of Pashaura Singh’s thesis is that Guru Arjan Dev made a number of drafts before producing the final text of the Adi Granth. We feel the need to point out here that there is no such thing as ‘Adi Granth’ now as majority of the scholars are still referring to the present ‘BIR’ as Adi Granth in their writings. It is now “Guru Granth Sahib” and not Adi Granth.
There are two main points to be considered here first Faith and then clarity of the Basic Concept of Gunmat. It seems that Pashaura Singh lacks both.
FAITH: Intense devotion and unwavering faith in Guru’s Word inculcates Fear in a Gursikh. This Fear is not a fear from worldly dangers. Itis the Fear out of Love, Devotion and Honor for Him. Holding Him in such high esteem hat doing anything against His Word by word, deed or thought, would shake human mind, body and soul. Pashaura Singh claims that he is a believing Sikh. Had he this faith in Sikh Religion, he would have never dared to want that Guru Anjan Dev made number of drafts of the Adi Granth whereas Guru Arjan Dev himself calls it “Dhur Ki Bani”.
Dhur ki bani aaee tin sagli chintmitaee.
Clarity of basic concept of Gurmat: Guru Nanak was the Embodiment of divine light (Jot): Guru Nanak Dev Gobind Roop Gur Nanak Nanak Har Soi Guru Nanak Dev ji gave an unparalleled form and content to his Guruship. Transformation from one Guru to the other is recognized as one. It was a Holy transformation of the 10 Gurus since all of them came from the same Divine Jot in continuity of the same Divine Mission. This Divine status of Guru Nanak’s Guruship is a supreme and essential character of Sikh faith. Guru Arjan Dev was sitting on the Divine Throne of Guru Nanak. Under what authority Pashaura Singh theorizes that Guru Aran Dev made a few drafts before producing the final text of Adi Granth? He claims that he is basing his argument on facts which he himself contradicts in his thesis. Pashaura Singh has thus reduced Dur Ki Bani~ to a level of human poetry. Did he care to find out what Guru Anan Dev said? The fifth Nanak himself says:
“I know not how to speak,
I say what He commandeth me to Say
By writing his so-called thesis, he has not exhibited his faith in Sikh Religion. Religious teachings in schools and universities (as being taught by Pashaura Singh in University of Michigan) which do not reflect their teacher’s dedication and deep-rooted faith in that particular religion are undesirable and unwanted. A religious teacher’s faith has to be evident in his work.
Khalsa Ji who makes the drafts? Human beings prepare drafts because of imperfections inherent in human nature. Guru is Divine, Guru is perfect and Guru is Supreme authority.
God, Guru and Guru’s Word (Gurbani) all these Three are absolute and unchangeable. How could the Eternal Gur Nanak Jot (Guru Arjan Dev) change Gurbani by making draft after draft as proclaimed by Pashaura Singh when Guru Arjan Dev himself says:
- Jeso Gur updesya mai teso kaha pukar
- Jio bulavo tio Nanak das bolai
- Dhur ki bani aaec tin sagli chint mitaee
- Bolai sahib kai bhanai, das bani braham vakhanai
- Hao aapo bol na janda mai kiha sabh hukmao jio
- Nanak bolai us ka bulaya Sikhism is neither a scholarly course nor an academic procedure. Sikh faith is a total allegiance to the Guru’s Word. It is a way of life lived with complete submission and unconditional surrender to the Guru’s order where all technical and academic knowledge prove hollow and worthless. It is a way of life full of commitments to the Guru Guru Granth Sahib, Dhurki Bani Par Excellence.
To say or to conclude that it is not Dhur ki Bani’ is committing sacrilege upon Guru Nanak’s Guru ship.
Egoistic minds of the scholars prohibit them from understanding the Divinity of the Guru. As long as their minds remain under the intoxication of the so-called technical and academic knowledge, they can never perceive the power and touch of heavenly Jot and can never comprehend God and His Glory.
Khalsa ji from the very beginning there have been attacks on Sikh religion and they will continue in the future also but Eternal Truth shall always prevail which is: Aad Sach Jugad Sach Haibhee Sach Nanak Hosibhhee Sach.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 8, 1993
