Guru Granth literally means the Holy Book that is the Guru. Guru Arjan, collected all the hymns composed by his four predecessors, added a large number of his own and also included some composed by about two dozen other holy men. Belonging to different faiths, compiled and edited them. This Jong and laborious work lasted ten years. In this long drawn arduous task of exceptional value he was assisted by Bhai Gurdas who was a very learned and devoted Sikh of the time; he acted as the scribe. The work was completed in 1604 AD and was called “Granth” or “Pothi” Sahib. From the onwards Guru Arjan and his successors always occupied a lower seat in the presence of the Granth Sahib.

In 1706 AD. the tenth and the last Guru in human form Guru Gobind Singh reedited the Granth. It was before this volume that he bowed his head in reverence and thus terminated human succession to Guru ship. Along with this, he also authorized the Order of the Khalsa Brotherhood the corporate body of the Sikhs or the Khalsa panth to perform the human functions of the Guru under strict obedience to and in strict accordance with the Word contained in Guru Granth. From then onwards, Sikhs have not recognized any human to be their Guru and they “speak of Guru Panth and Guru Granth in the same breath, in which the joint sovereignty of this as well as the other world rests till the end of time.”

The fact that the Guru Granth was compiled and finalized by the Guru himself makes the scripture an outstandingly unique in the world’s religious history. Its contents are statements and expositions of God, the Truth and necessity of achieving human accord with the Truth and how this accord could be achieved through the ever abiding holy NAM with the Grace of the Guru. Unlike scriptures of most other religions, the Guru Granth does not contain any historic narrative of the Guru’s lives or about the creation and origin of the universe etc. Hence, one can start reading it from anywhere at random and enjoy the Divine Bliss without any risk of discontinuity from the previous pages. All the hymns contained in it imbibe in the reader the spirit of devotion and dedication to the Eternal Truth and help in the ultimate merger of the individual soul (Atma) with the Super Soul (Parm Atma).

The Sikh Temple

The temple of the Sikhs is called Gurdwara, the House of the Guru. Any building or a room facing any direction becomes a Gurdwara when a volume of Guru Granthis placed initon an elevated platform (called the throne) under a canopy. Guru Granth Sahib is usually wrapped in beautiful brocades, silk or other precious clothes; symbolizing royalty. (The Sikhs refer to the Guru Granth as “Sacha Padsha” the True King). One of the Sikhs usually sits or stands behind the throne in attendance with a “chowri” (fly whisk) in his hand. Anyone belonging to any trace, creed, color, nationality or religion can enter the Gurdwara provided he does not carry anything which is forbidden in Sikhism. For example tobacco, alcohol, etc. They have to remove their shoes outside and also have to cover their heads. Usually all the incoming devotees present some offering in the form of money, flowers etc. though it is not obligatory. At the time of entrance everyone makes obeisance by bowing or prostrating before the Guru Granth, and then sits cross legged, usually men on one side and women on the other. All present listen to the discourses on the teachings of the great Masters and to the hymns from the Guru Granth. No chairs, cushions or Special seats are allowed in congregation except in the case of the handicapped.

Most Sikh families, who can afford, set aside an extra room in their homes wherein Guru Granth Sahib is installed in the same way as in the public Gurdwaras. This room thus serves the purpose of a family temple.

All Are Equal; Share Same Food

Another important feature of a public Gurdwara is the Presence of a kitchen and some place for the accommodation of the visitors who might need to stay for a while, Usually every temple provides free accommodation and food, of whatever type is available according to resources, to anyone in need. It is a tradition in the Sikh temples that at the close of the service, all sit together and eat from the common kitchen, This is meant to create a spirit of equality and social, material or religious status. All who are present, irrespective of their status, faith, color, nationality and sex etc., shares the same food in the same way at the same place.

Singing of hymns from the Guru Granth and exposition of the same to the audience is the main activity in the Gurdwaras. This work is however not necessarily to be done only by the accredited priests. In fact, the institution of priesthood does not exist in Sikhism. The responsibility of singing the hymns and exposition of the same is undertaken by anyone best equipped to do so. However, some people are hired in the establishment as priests and caretakers. The main reason for this is the adequate maintenance of the temple and to insure that competent people are always available to perform various services, there is no special sanctity attached to this office as the duties can be performed by any other person competent enough. At the close of each service, the Commandment of the Guru is read which the first hymn on the left page Opened is usually at random.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 24, 1989