Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib

The Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal Guru and the supreme guiding authority for the Sikhs in every aspect of life. It is accorded utmost respect whenever Sikhs handle it or discuss its text. It is not only the scriptural canon of the Sikhs that offers wisdom, grace, and freedom to all, but it also personifies perfection, and the Divine instituted Sovereignty. The Guru Granth Sahib includes utterances of six Gurus, three Sikhs, fifteen saints of various religious traditions, and eleven bards from the Gurus’ courts. The Guru Granth Sahib is written in Gurmukhi, a script institutionalized by Guru Angad Sahib. It was Guru Arjan Sahib, who compiled the utterances of the previous Gurus, Sikhs and saints, into the Adi Granth, and placed it in Sri Harimandar Sahib, in 1604. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib added the utterances of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, in the Adi Granth, and raised the scripture to the status of perpetual Guru, ordaining it as the Guru Granth Sahib in 1708. The Guru Granth Sahib should not be viewed as a law book of “dos and don’ts.” It contains a timeless and unique value system for ethical and moral living based on the love of the one Divine.

Videos

Thursday
,
17
April
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 1/2

Var Sat, commonly known as ‘Satvar’ or ‘Satvara,’ is an old and popular poetic form based on the seven days of the week. In it, each stanza begins with a particular day of the week and describes an idea, sentiment, or belief associated with that day.

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Monday
,
7
April
2025

Explore So Purakhu

“So Purakhu” means “That Being,” “That Supreme Being,” IkOankar who is without form, is all-pervasive, beyond gender, existing in all and beyond.

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Thursday
,
13
March
2025

Explore Barah Maha (Mahala 5)

In celebration of the Nanakshahi Sikh New Year, The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of Barah Maha, a composition revealed by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Majh.

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Thursday
,
20
February
2025

Explore Thiti (Mahala 1)

Thiti refers to a lunar calendar day—a count from the first to the fifteenth day based on the moon's phases. As a poetic form, Thiti is based on the fifteen lunar days of the Indic calendar months.

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Thursday
,
16
January
2025

Explore Bani Bhagat Surdas Ji

Bhagat Surdas Ji is one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib, whose composition is recorded on page 1253. The line urges the mind to forsake the company of those who have turned away from IkOankar (the Divine).

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Thursday
,
19
December
2024

Explore Var Sat (Kabir Ji)

The poetic form ‘Var Sat’ (a composition based on the seven days of the week) is commonly called ‘Satvar’ or ‘Satvara.’ It is a unique literary style that connects each day of the week with a specific idea, emotion, teaching, or reflection.

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Thursday
,
26
October
2023

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 1-10)

Delve into the profound wisdom behind the word 'anand,' as the Guru emphasizes that genuine bliss originates from eternal Wisdom, guiding seekers toward a joyful transformation.

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Thursday
,
23
November
2023

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 11-20)

Stanzas eleven to twenty of Anand Sahib by Guru Amardas Sahib delve into the pursuit of bliss, a concept of great significance in the Sikh tradition. Discover the joy within and experience the resonance of Rag Ramkali. Embrace the journey towards bliss...

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Thursday
,
21
December
2023

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 21-30)

This composition explores the idea of bliss and how to achieve it. In the Sikh tradition, Anand Sahib is of such great significance that the entire composition or a portion (first five pauris and last pauri) is recited or sung to conclude...

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Friday
,
5
January
2024

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Introduction

This video serves as an introduction to the series, offering a conversation between Harinder Singh, the Innovation Director, and Jasleen Kaur, a Research Associate.

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Thursday
,
18
January
2024

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 31-40)

This composition explores the idea of bliss and how to achieve it. In the Sikh tradition, Anand Sahib is of such great significance that the entire composition or a portion (first five pauris and last pauri) is recited or sung to conclude all...

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Thursday
,
15
February
2024

Explore Sadd

Revealed to Baba Sundar, the great-grandson of Guru Amardas Sahib, Sadd holds great significance in the Sikh funeral ceremony and is recited during final rites.

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Articles

Monday
,
17
March
2025

On Performing Piety

Jasleen Kaur reflects on Guru Nanak Sahib’s sabad, exploring the question of what is genuine within us, and what elements of ego we must navigate.

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Tuesday
,
29
October
2024

Guru Amardas Sahib: The Essence of Giving

This essay reflects on the sacred nature of giving, inspired by Guru Amardas Sahib's and Baba Mohri ji's narrative. It explores the importance of honoring the trust placed in us when we receive resources meant for the greater good.

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Tuesday
,
10
October
2023

Stanza Structure in a Sabad

While reading the Guru Granth Sahib, we encounter various stanza structures within a Sabad, often indicated through corresponding titles on the Sabad. This diversity in stanza structures arises due to variations in the number of lines in the stanzas.

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Friday
,
1
September
2023

Wisdom Enthroned

Embark on a transformative journey through Sikhi’s essence as we explore the Guru Granth Sahib. Beyond a conventional text, it intertwines nature, introspection, and wisdom.

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Tuesday
,
14
March
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 10: 1’s Identification  

In the tenth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib declares that identifying with the attributes and existence of the 1 eliminates fear.

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Tuesday
,
7
March
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 09: Divine Creator

In the ninth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib declares that the One Divine will remain fully capable of destroying and creating.

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Sunday
,
17
December
2017

Enticer Enticed My Mind

Guru Nanak Sahib's Sabad, set in the serene and simple Sarang Rag, beautifully captures the essence of devotion and spiritual surrender amidst the oppressive heat of a summer afternoon. Sarang, associated with the late afternoon when the...

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Wednesday
,
20
June
2018

Children's Curriculum – 2018

With summer at our doorsteps, now is a great opportunity to plan a few educational family activities for the next few months. Play is important, no doubt, but so is accepting Gurbani as part of everyday life and learning to ask the right kind of questions. Questions that are explored in Gurbani. For that to be a part of your journey, SikhRI composed a summer curriculum to engage the whole family and especially children.

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Thursday
,
21
February
2019

Reflect on the Truth and the Contentment

Guru Arjan Sahib’s Mundavani (seal) serves as a closing testament to the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, offering a metaphor that encapsulates the essence of spiritual wisdom.

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Tuesday
,
8
March
2022

Beadbi: Locating Irreverence amongst the Sikhs

In recent news and current events, “beadbi” has come to the forefront as a topic of discussion. But do we as Sikhs collectively understand what beadbi is, how it has been dealt with historically,...

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Thursday
,
1
September
2022

Sabad Structure in the Guru Granth Sahib

While reading the Guru Granth Sahib, we come across various Sabad structures and forms. Some small and others long. Some have two stanzas, others three, four, or more. What do these different stanzas tell us about a Sabad or its structure?

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Monday
,
12
September
2022

From Pothi to Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Arjan Sahib gifted the eventual Guru Granth Sahib to humanity. Why did the Guru envision it? How did the Guru compile it? What did the Guru curate?

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Podcasts

Friday
,
21
March
2025

On Performing Piety

In this podcast, Jasleen Kaur reflects on Guru Nanak Sahib’s sabad, exploring the question of what is genuine within us, and what elements of ego we must navigate.

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Thursday
,
20
March
2025

Explore Barah Maha (Mahala 5)

On 14 March, in celebration of the Nanakshahi Sikh New Year, The Guru Granth Sahib Project released the annotation of Barah Maha, a powerful composition revealed by Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Majh.

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Wednesday
,
12
March
2025

Explore Bani Bhagat Ramanand

In this Sabad, Bhagat Ramanand Ji highlights the significance of remembering the all-pervading IkOankar (the Divine) rather than worshipping the idol of any deity.

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Thursday
,
27
February
2025

Explore Thiti (Mahala 1)

Thiti refers to a lunar calendar day, counted from the first to the fifteenth day based on the moon's phases. As a poetic form, Thiti is structured around the fifteen lunar days of the Indic calendar months.

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Wednesday
,
12
February
2025

Explore Janam & Nam Sanskar

In Sikh tradition, the Birth & Naming Ceremony compositions nurture a sense of connection, love, and gratitude with IkOankar (the Divine).

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Thursday
,
23
January
2025

Explore Bani Bhagat Surdas Ji

Bhagat Surdas Ji, one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib, has a composition recorded on page 1253. This line encourages the mind to abandon the company of those who have turned away from IkOankar (the Divine).

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

My Sovereign is Dyed in Color-Love

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. The reflection: The Creator is in the creation. Everything is brimming with love, operating in love.

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

You & I, I & You; What’s the Difference?

This composition by Bhagat Ravidas is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. 

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Monday
,
23
January
2017

My Mind Pines for Guru’s Vision

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Majh. This rag (musical mode) evolved from the folk music of the Majha area of the Panjab. There is no reference to this rag in Indian music. It is only sung in Panjab and is in the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Sunday
,
29
January
2017

Slowly and Gently Rains the Immortal Stream

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Majh. This rag (musical mode) evolved from the folk music of the Majha area of the Panjab. There is no reference to this rag in Indian music. It is only sung in Panjab and is in the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Monday
,
20
February
2017

Guru Hasn’t Held It Back From the Mind

Listen as we explore the Sabad (Shabad) of Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag (raag) Asa from the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Sabad is the bond between the Guru and the Sikh. Read the translation done by Harinder Singh and Inni Kaur.

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