It is Contents are spiritual poetry the Vision of the cosmic order costing to the higher life-a unique scripture among the source books of religions. It remain unique in consisting solely of the meditations of God-inspired men who have communicated the Divine Word in a spirit of deep humility and compassion of mankind.
In the religious assemblies of the Sikhs the Holy Guru Granth is the Presiding: Presence all who enter bow before it and make offerings. These offerings are used for religious objectives and philanthropic purposes.
The abode of Guru Granth Sahib is called gurdwara (Guru’s Portal) The ‘Guru Granth is attended by a devote ‘waving the My whisk (chaur) over it. At night Gura Granth is taken to duly appointed place for retirement treating it has a sacred person the Guru Over it is spread a canopy to mark its sacred ‘character extends the ceremonial due to royalty.
All must sit with folded hands and in a playful attitude no casualness is per mitted. ATI squat on the same platform extent the Kirtani Jatha which is in between Sangat and the Guru’s elevation
All prayers for joy or sorrow are offered standing before the Granth Sahib with folded hands No Sikh marriage can be sanctified without the presence of Guru Granth Sahib are held sacred and binding on the faithful ‘The Granth Sahib consists of hymns of devotion to God the vision of higher ‘fife and for the attainment of liberation (Mukti). The composition of tie Granth: Sahib is in 32 musical mimics.
The language of Granth Sahibjit medieval Hindi of the Braj variety with Variation of Panjabi-akin to popular spoken forms: including a fair deal of Persian and Arabic emphasizing the Universal character of the Granth directing messages to Muslim and Hindus alike.
Guru Nanak Dev in the course of his holy ministry poured forth 947 hymns in 19 musical meters (Ragas) which are devotional deeply reflective and morally inspiring. Guru Angad Day added in his 13 years’ apostleship 63 hymns amplifying the deeper meaning and significance of the teachings of the Master Guru Amar Das in his period of holy ministry of 22 years with the fervor of inspired devotion added a large volume of sacred pastry of 869 hymns giving an expression to deep devotion philosophy and the higher moral vision
Guru Ram Das wrote 638 hymns in 15 musical meters. Guru Arjan Dev composed 2312 hynan in all the 20 meters Guru Teg Bahadur wrote in 313. Guru Gobind Singh s one Sloka in Damdami Bir; Baba Sunder 6 units The Bards Satta and Balvan 8. Gum Arjan Dev with an exceptional divine gift of devotional poetry and music endowed the Sikh Church # sable and enduring forms that should become the nucleus of a new order-a new society. Guru Arjan Dev. composed himself large Volume of sacred verse re-conceiting the teachings of his predecessors elucidating and amplifying them and adding vision and insight of his own. Guru Arjan Dev decided to ‘include the authentic text of the compositions of Saints and Bhagats who preached worship of the Sole Un attributed The Formless Supreme Being (Ek Qankar Nirguna Nirankar Braham).
Thus the accepted contributions of various saints and Bhagals one verse ‘of sudhna 2 of Surdas 1 of Sain 534 of Kabir 2 of Jaidev 5 of Trilochan 4 of Dhunna 62 of Namdev each of Parnan and & Pipa 123 of Sikh Farid 3 of Beni 2 of Bhikhan 3 of Mardana 40 of Ravi Das 2 of Raman and and 123 ‘of Bhatts (Swaiyas). The Sways flock the deep insights into the teachings of the holy Gurus. ‘The sacred volume was compiled in 1604. The hymns are arranged in accordance with the order of the Gurus in the Sikh tradition followed by Bhagats with Kabir being given the principal place. Al the close is the Madani (the closing to mark the close of the Book so that no spurious composition thereafter can be added followed by a hymn of a hanks giving at the successful completion of the great task by Divine Grace As an appendix is added raga-mala a catalogue of musical measures.
Thus Guru Arjan Dev completed two monumental projects of New Faith-the Guru Granth Sahib and the Abode of lord (Harmandir). The Sacred Volume ‘was installed in the Holy Temple with joyous fanfare in a reverent procession ‘with Guru himself walking besides waving the fly which over the sacred pages. The sacred music was played in its presence except for a few hours proceeding and following mid-night. At the installation the Guru asked Bhai Gurdas to make the recitation from the Holy Book Later he ordained Bhai Budha to be the first to hold the sacred office of Granth} (custodian of the Book) while the Guru’ Granth Sahib was retiring Guru slept by its side on the floor At the installation the Guru thus addressed the congregation that it is visible form of the Divine Essence. Guru Gobind Singh conferred Guru Ship to Guru Granth Sahib the overwhelming majority of Sikhs hold firmly to the belief in Guru ship of Granth Sahib
Gurbani is a source of faith inspiration enlightenment and meditation.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 6, 1994
