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

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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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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Monday
,
5
June
2017

Guru Teghbahadur Sahib in Rag Sarang | GGS 1231 | Artist: Unknown

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

Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Bilaval | Guru Granth Sahib 795 | Artist: Ranbir Singh

Guru Nanak Sahib expresses his humility, recognizing his ignorance and inability to fully capture the Majesty of the One. The Guru then makes a heartfelt plea for the grace to understand and sing the virtues of the One, aspiring to remain connected...

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Monday
,
22
May
2017

Guru Ramdas Sahib in Rag Bairari | Guru Granth Sahib 720 | Artist: Unknown

O! My mind, utter the Charmer-Divine’s Nam for liberation. Millions upon millions of transgressions totally eliminated, All-Pervasive enables world-ocean crossing. 1. Reflect. All-Pervasive Divine abides in the body-town, All-Pervasive is fear-less, foe

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Sunday
,
14
May
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Todi | Guru Granth Sahib 713 | Artist: Bhai Avtar Singh

O! Eternal-Guru, I have come to Your sanctuary to receive the comfort and glory of All-Pervasive Nam, and to remove my anxieties. 1. Reflect. Cannot think of another abode, defeated, I fall at Your door. Ignore the record, liberate without the record, fre

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

Rang Ratta Mera Sahib in Rag Siri | Guru Granth Sahib 23

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

Bhai Avtar Singh in Tohi Mohi Mohi Tohi Antar Kaisa | Guru Granth Sahib 93

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
,
30
January
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Majh | Guru Granth Sahib 102

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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Tuesday
,
7
February
2017

Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Gauri Bairagan | Guru Granth Sahib 157

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Gauri Bairagan, a musical mode sung in the morning. It is a rag (musical measure) of sadness, separation, and longing as opposed to depression.

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Monday
,
20
February
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag Asa | Guru Granth Sahib 404

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Asa, a musical mode used to evoke a mood of hope, expectation, inspiration, and courage.

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Saturday
,
25
February
2017

Bhagat Ravidas ji in Gujri Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 525 | Artist: Bhai Harjinder Singh

Metaphors come alive, painting a vivid picture of life's complexities. The imagery of a suckling calf affecting milk, bees disrupting a flower, and fish muddying water draws attention to the innate interplay of purity and impurity.

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Articles

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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Tuesday
,
28
February
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 08: That One

In the eighth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib questions how That One can be said to be in one human form.

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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

Thursday
,
26
December
2024

Explore Var Sat (Kabir Ji)

‘Var Sat,’ commonly called 'Satvar' or 'Satvara,' is a poetic form based on the seven days of the week. 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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Wednesday
,
11
December
2024

Explore Mahala 5 Gatha

Gatha refers to a song or verse, rooted in the word gai, to speak, sing, or recite. It can also refer to a profound discourse with the self beyond simple praise or devotion.

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Thursday
,
28
November
2024

Explore Patti (Mahala 3)

The essence of this composition is revealed in the stanza of rahau (Pause). In it, worldly accounting (entanglements) is described as useless.

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Wednesday
,
20
November
2024

Explore Thiti (Mahala 5) [Part 1]

Patti is a poetic form rooted in the Gurmukhi alphabet. Traditionally, students in Punjabi culture used a wooden tablet, called a patti, to practice writing letters.

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Thursday
,
24
October
2024

Explore Patti (Mahala 1)

Patti is a poetic form rooted in the Gurmukhi alphabet. Traditionally, students in Punjabi culture used a wooden tablet, called a patti, to practice writing letters.

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Wednesday
,
9
October
2024

Explore Maru Kaphi

In Maru Kaphi, Guru Nanak Sahib reflects on the grief caused by separation from IkOankar, showing that even with worldly comforts, one remains unhappy without this connection.

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Monday
,
11
September
2017

Nothing Comes, Nothing Goes

The Sabad begins with a profound declaration— the body itself is a manifestation of the divine, a temple, and a wandering pilgrim. This poetic imagery invites reflection on the sacred nature of the physical form, transforming it into a vessel for...

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Tuesday
,
26
September
2017

Rain! O’ Revered Cloud! Delay Not Even a Bit

In this Sabad, the rain is a natural phenomenon and a metaphor for the Divine’s grace. The Guru pleads for the rain—symbolic of the Divine presence and love—to descend upon their scorched heart.

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Monday
,
2
October
2017

Remembering, My Owner Divine

The Sabad commences with a profound invocation – the cooling of body, mind, and bosom through the continuous remembrance of the Divine Owner. This remembrance transforms the very essence of the being, where beauty, color, comfort, wealth, and caste...

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Monday
,
9
October
2017

I am Nothing, I have Nothing, Nothing is Mine

The Sabad opens with a poignant tale of selflessness, where one assumes the role of a disguiser to protect the honor of the king's daughter. Despite harboring lustful and selfish desires, the individual's act preserves honor, highlighting the...

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Tuesday
,
19
December
2017

Enticer Enticed My Mind

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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Friday
,
30
November
2018

12 Gurus Series: Guru Granth Sahib

In a new podcast series The 12 Gurus: From 1469 to Infinity, SikhRI sheds light on the lives and meaning of Gurus in Sikhi. Were they spiritualists and reformers or Divine and Revolutionaries? What lessons can we draw from them?

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