Today is September 1st. On this day in 1604, the Adi Granth was first installed and ceremoniously opened in Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar. Following Guru Arjan Sahib’s instruction, Baba Buddha ji, the first granthi (one who takes care of and knows the Granth), opened the Granth Sahib and shared the first Hukam (Command) with the Sikh sangat (congregational gathering).

This occasion marked a significant moment in the evolution of the Sikh community, as it decisively moved towards the Guruship of the Granth Sahib.

The Adi Granth, the precursor to the Guru Granth Sahib, included the revelations of the first five Gurus, three Sikhs, fifteen Bhagats (devotees), and eleven Bhats (court poets/bards).

​​Guru Arjan Sahib compiled the Adi Granth, with Bhai Gurdas serving as the scribe who meticulously calligraphed the Granth. This version of the Adi Granth Sahib was ceremoniously installed at Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar. It is believed that the Adi Granth Sahib was written while sitting beside Ramsar’s pool in Amritsar.

Tradition holds that the first Hukam was received from Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Suhi:

ਸੂਹੀ  ਮਹਲਾ  ੫  ॥
ਸੰਤਾ  ਕੇ  ਕਾਰਜਿ  ਆਪਿ  ਖਲੋਇਆ  ਹਰਿ  ਕੰਮੁ  ਕਰਾਵਣਿ  ਆਇਆ  ਰਾਮ  ॥
ਧਰਤਿ  ਸੁਹਾਵੀ  ਤਾਲੁ  ਸੁਹਾਵਾ  ਵਿਚਿ  ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ  ਜਲੁ  ਛਾਇਆ  ਰਾਮ  ॥
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ  ਜਲੁ  ਛਾਇਆ  ਪੂਰਨ  ਸਾਜੁ  ਕਰਾਇਆ  ਸਗਲ  ਮਨੋਰਥ  ਪੂਰੇ  ॥
ਜੈ  ਜੈ  ਕਾਰੁ  ਭਇਆ  ਜਗ  ਅੰਤਰਿ  ਲਾਥੇ  ਸਗਲ  ਵਿਸੂਰੇ  ॥
ਪੂਰਨ  ਪੁਰਖ  ਅਚੁਤ  ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ  ਜਸੁ  ਵੇਦ  ਪੁਰਾਣੀ  ਗਾਇਆ  ॥
ਅਪਨਾ  ਬਿਰਦੁ  ਰਖਿਆ  ਪਰਮੇਸਰਿ  ਨਾਨਕ  ਨਾਮੁ  ਧਿਆਇਆ  ॥੧॥

The All-pervading has come to take care of the saints’ task.
The body and heart have been blessed, where the immortal Life is now ever-flowing.
With the immortal Life within, the form gained its completion, and all the goals were met.
In this celebration, the world admired, and all the anxieties gave in.
The Complete, Everlasting, and Indestructible One, whose praises the scriptures sing.
The Master kept its benevolent nature, O Nanak, and I attuned to the same Divine presence.”

     Guru Granth Sahib, M5, 783

At Damdama Sahib in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib added the revelation of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib to the Adi Granth, with Bhai Mani Singh serving as the scribe for this version, now known as Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib then bestowed Guruship upon it, elevating the Guru Granth Sahib to the status of the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.

On this significant day, let us invite the Sabad Guru into our lives and dwell in the Divine presence.

The SikhRI team extends heartfelt greetings on the first Prakash Purab of Guru Granth Sahib. This event holds immense significance in our history and continues to inspire and guide us.

In celebration,
The SikhRI Team