In the Medieval Period, the South Asian world was divided between the Hindu and Muslim constructs of gods or God. Guru Nanak Sahib addressed IkOankar, the One, beyond geography or gender. The revelations of the Gurus show us how to transcend particularisms and creeds that continue to entangle and divide the globe.

In the 17th century, Guru Arjan Sahib gifted the Sikh community and humanity with one of its greatest treasures: the compilation of these revelations, of this Wisdom, in the Adi Granth. On September 1, 1604, the Adi Granth was ceremoniously installed for the first time at Sri Harimandar Sahib, the theo-political center of the Sikhs.

In accordance with Guru Arjan Sahib’s instruction, Baba Buddha Ji, the first granthi (caretaker of the Granth), opened the Granth Sahib and shared the first Hukam (Command) with the Sikh sangat (congregation).

This day marked a defining moment in the journey of the Sikh community, as it decisively moved towards the Guruship of the Granth Sahib.

The Adi Granth contained the revealed wisdom of the first five Gurus, three Sikhs, fifteen Bhagats (devotees), and eleven Bhats (court poets, bards). Guru Arjan Sahib personally compiled the scripture, while Bhai Gurdas meticulously scribed it. Tradition holds that this work was completed beside the sacred Ramsar pool in Amritsar, before the Adi Granth was installed at Sri Harimandar Sahib.

The first Hukam received that day was by 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 complete the saints’ task.
Body and heart have been blessed, filled with immortal Life.
With immortal Life flowing within, the form gained its completion, and all the goals have been met.
In this celebration, the world admired, and all the anxieties gave in.
The Complete, Pervasive, Everlasting, and Indestructible One, whose praises the scriptures sing.
The Sovereign has kept the benevolent nature, O Nanak, one has become attuned to the Nam.

     Guru Granth Sahib, M5, 783

A century later, at Damdama Sahib in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib added the revelations of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, with Bhai Mani Singh serving as the scribe. He then bestowed Guruship upon the completed volume, affirming the Guru Granth Sahib as 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—an occasion of profound historical significance that continues to illuminate, inspire, and guide us.