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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Sunday
,
1
October
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Dhanasari | Guru Granth Sahib 681 | Artist: Akal Academy Baru Sahib

This Sabad invites the listener into a space of joy and spiritual contemplation, where the heart's humbleness becomes the key to unlocking the treasures of divine remembrance and protection.

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Monday
,
11
December
2017

Guru Nanak Sahib, Rag Bihagare ki Var | Guru Granth Sahib 553 | Artist: Akal Academy, Baru Sahib

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Sunday
,
17
December
2017

Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Sarang | Guru Granth Sahib 1197 | Artist: Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar)

‍The Sabad opens with the Guru's profound declaration of being a "maiden-slave" of the Divine Ruler, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication.

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Thursday
,
21
February
2019

Guru Arjan Sahib Mundavani | Guru Granth Sahib 1429 | Artist: Bhai Dya Singh (Australia)

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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Friday
,
8
May
2020

Anand Sahib: Week 1

Anand Sahib holds a special place in Sikh tradition, as it is sung in almost every congregational setup. Revealed to Guru Amardas Sahib, the bani details the human quest for bliss and the lifestyle that is necessary for leading a blissful life.

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Friday
,
15
May
2020

Anand Sahib: Week 2

Anand Sahib holds a special place in Sikh tradition, as it is sung in almost every congregational setup. Revealed to Guru Amardas Sahib, the bani details the human quest for bliss and the lifestyle that is necessary for leading a blissful life.

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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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Monday
,
5
June
2017

Who are Mother, Father, Children and Wife? Who is Whose Sibling?

Guru Teghbahadur Sahib’s Sabad, composed in Sarang Rag, offers profound wisdom on the transitory nature of the world and the importance of anchoring oneself in the All-Pervasive One.

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Monday
,
5
June
2017

If I Address You as a Leader, How is That Expressing Your Greatness?

In the joyful rhythm of Rag Bilaval, Guru Nanak Sahib's Sabad unfolds with a profound sense of humility, devotion, and recognition of the greatness of the One.

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Monday
,
12
June
2017

I Cannot Live Without All-Pervasive For Even a Moment or an Instant

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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Friday
,
30
June
2017

Brimful Immortal Nectar is Within the Home

In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

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Sunday
,
2
July
2017

Surrender Mind and Body, Forsake Societal Norms

In the vibrant rhythm of rag Suhi, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad emanates profound love and devotion, evoking a sense of reverential adoration.

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Wednesday
,
26
July
2017

I Surrender to My Own Guru

In the melodic embrace of Jaitsari rag, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds with poignant sincerity, echoing the heartfelt sentiment of dependence and longing.

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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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
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.

LISTEN NOW⟶
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.

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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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