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

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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Monday
,
2
December
2024

The Eternal Spirit of Giving

Join Harinder Singh as he delves into The Eternal Spirit of Giving, exploring timeless wisdom from the Guru Granth Sahib. This talk invites reflection on the essence of giving—not just as a responsibility but as a journey towards grace and connection.

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Friday
,
23
June
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Gujari | Guru Granth Sahib 498 | Artist: Bhai Avtar Singh

The Sabad’s progress unveils the diversity of human affection. Worldly attachments and pride entrance some, while the devotees of the Divine embrace an affection for the Freedom-state inherent in the All-Pervasive.

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Friday
,
30
June
2017

Guru Amardas Sahib in Rag Sorath | Guru Granth Sahib 644 | Artist: Bhai Sarabjeet Singh

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Sunday
,
2
July
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Suhi | Guru Granth Sahib 737 | Artist: Bhai Surjeet Singh

The Sabad extols the bride-lover (seeker), who recognizes the Divine presence and surrenders to the Divine will, shedding the ego and immersing in the Beloved's embrace. ‍Continuing, the Sabad offers guidance from one friend to another, advising on...

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Monday
,
10
July
2017

Bhagat Ravidas in Suhi Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 793 | Artist: Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi

As life progresses and the day turns to dusk, the Sabad reminds us that our lives remain incomplete without beautifying the path with devotion and remembrance. The darkness of ignorance spreads, and without the light of Nam, we remain lost.

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Wednesday
,
26
July
2017

Guru Ramdas Sahib in Rag Jaitsari | Guru Granth Sahib 740 | Artist: Manjit Singh

The Sabad begins with a profound surrender to the Guru, a heartfelt offering of praise spanning hours. This symbolizes the depth of devotion and the unyielding commitment to the Divine.

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Monday
,
31
July
2017

Guru Amardas Sahib in Rag Basant | GGS 1176 | Artist: Sikh Women Musicians Singing Gurbani

The Sabad begins by celebrating the transition from winter's harshness to spring's warmth and vitality. The joy of this connection is likened to the natural world's response to spring, where every being rejoices in the newfound warmth and light.

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Articles

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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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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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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Monday
,
11
December
2017

ਕਲਿ ਕਲਵਾਲੀ ਕਾਮੁ ਮਦੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੀਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥ Ignorance-era is the Carafe

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Monday
,
30
October
2017

"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

This Sabad, composed by Bhagat Ravidas ji in the Gauri rag, reflects a vision of a sorrowless realm, a state of being beyond pain and anxiety.

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Tuesday
,
24
October
2017

Love With My Beloved Developed

This Sabad composed by Guru Arjan Sahib in the Bilaval rag reflects the deep, unbreakable bond of love between the individual and the Divine. Bilaval evokes a sense of happiness, accomplishment, and the resolve to continue walking the spiritual path.

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Sunday
,
8
March
2009

Woman: Gateway to Freedom

“The whole Guru Grantha is the voice of a wedded women or a maiden pining in love of the Beautiful. Her nobleness in Guru Grantha is infinite, her freedom is of the highest. Both man and woman as sexes are forgotten in her voice.

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Wednesday
,
20
January
2010

Buttons, Jump Ropes, and Chocolate Cake

Every year, when December rolls around, there is much buzz about the holiday season. From Hanukah to Kwanzaa and, of course, Christmas, it is a time of gatherings, decorations and gift exchange.

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Thursday
,
14
January
2016

Tresses & I

Embark on a poignant journey with the author as she reflects on her evolving relationship with her hair, exploring the nuanced layers of Sikh identity, love for Sabad, and the profound impact of choices made during the tumultuous times of 1984.

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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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Tuesday
,
17
January
2017

How May I Visualize Guru Gobind Singh Sahib?

In current times, the world is full of abundant images, pictures, portraits, artworks, and illustrations availing stocks and libraries as well as producing films and animations. What are the most appropriate images of the Guru Sahibs?

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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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
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).

LISTEN NOW⟶
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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
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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