The Guru Granth Sahib Project

The Guru Granth Sahib Project

In an era filled with desecration, distortion, and disconnection, this project was initiated to provide a greater opportunity for everyone to develop a personal relationship with the Guru Granth Sahib. SikhRI recruited an international team of specialists and subject matter experts to begin a process of "transcreation," composition by composition, beginning with Asa Ki Var. Transcreation is the process of developing meaningful interpretation, while providing content in both modern Panjabi and English. SikhRI's transcreation process is meant to generate a rich context to illuminate the language, aesthetics, musicology, history, culture, and philosophy contained within the Guru Granth Sahib.

Videos

Thursday
,
19
September
2024

Explore Bani Bhagat Sain Ji

In this Sabad, Bhagat Sain Ji sings the ‘Arti’ of the transcendent Supreme Being, IkOankar (the Divine). He emphasizes that the true 'Arti' of IkOankar is not a ritualistic act of adorning a platter with incense, lamps, and ghee.

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Thursday
,
22
August
2024

Explore Chaubole

Chaubole is typically described as a poetic form governed primarily by meter and lines, usually four, as a song with four segments, or as a verse containing four languages.The theme of the Chaubole composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is love.

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Thursday
,
18
July
2024

Explore Karhale

The term 'karhale' is derived from the Rajasthani and Sindhi word 'karhal,' which means camel. Historically, traders loaded their goods on camels to sell in distant lands, enduring long, arduous journeys.

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Thursday
,
20
June
2024

Explore Vanjara

This composition is revealed by Guru Ramdas Sahib (1534-1581 CE) in Rag Sirirag and is recorded on pages 81-82 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It has six stanzas of five lines each. With every stanza, there is an additional stanza of rahau of two lines.

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Thursday
,
16
May
2024

Explore Antam Sanskar (Funeral Ceremony)

Funeral ceremonies are significant in human culture and differ significantly across regions and religions. In the Sikh culture, the funeral ceremony emphasizes the belief in life's impermanence, the significance of commemorating the departed...

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Thursday
,
25
April
2024

Explore Alahania (Mahala 3)

Just like the Alahania revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib, this composition revealed by Guru Amards Sahib also illustrates the impermanence of the material world and inspires the mind towards a perpetual connection with IkOankar (the Divine).

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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
,
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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Thursday
,
22
May
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 2/2

In this composition, Guru Amardas Sahib emphasizes that IkOankar (the Divine) is the Creator of the entire creation. It illustrates how beings attached to transient things and relationships remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death.

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Thursday
,
19
June
2025

Explore Bani Bhagat Beni Ji

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of three Sabads (compositions) by Bhagat Beni Ji, one each in Rag (musical mode) Srirag, Ramkali, and Prabhati.

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Thursday
,
17
July
2025

Explore Bani Sheikh Farid Ji

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of four Sabads (compositions) by Sheikh Farid Ji, two each in Rag (musical mode) Asa and Suhi. While Rag Asa is devotional in nature, Rag Suhi is associated with deep love and devotion.

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Thursday
,
28
August
2025

Explore Salok Sheikh Farid Ji (Saloks 1-15)

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of the first fifteen saloks by Sheikh Farid Ji, one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib. Saloks traditionally do not have a prescribed rag (musical mode).

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Articles

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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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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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
,
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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Podcasts

Thursday
,
4
September
2025

Explore Salok Sheikh Farid Ji (Saloks 1-15)

The first fifteen saloks by Sheikh Farid Ji convey that the span of every being’s life is predetermined and finite. The being has come into this world to engage in devotion of IkOankar (the Divine) and to live a life of humility and non-attachment.

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Wednesday
,
13
August
2025

Explore Bani Bhagat Sadhna

Bhagat Sadhna is one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib and one of the saint-poets of the Medieval period in South Asia. He was a butcher by profession whose life and behavior changed when he became a devotee after realizing...

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Thursday
,
24
July
2025

Explore Bani Sheikh Farid Ji

Sheikh Farid Ji is one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib contains four Sabads and one hundred and twelve saloks by him.

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Wednesday
,
9
July
2025

Explore Rag Asa

Rag Asa is a musical mode that evokes hope, yearning, and the desire to move from darkness toward light. In this composition, our attention is turned inwards, and we are offered not just a moment for reflection but the possibility of transcendence.

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Thursday
,
26
June
2025

Explore Bani Bhagat Beni Ji

The Guru Granth Sahib Project has released annotations on all three Sabads (compositions) by Bhagat Beni Ji, one each set in Rags Srirag, Ramkali, and Prabhati. Each composition reflects unique emotions—serious reflection, compassion, and deep devotion.

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Wednesday
,
11
June
2025

Explore Rag Ramkali & Rag Maru

Rag Ramkali evokes compassion, and Rag Maru is associated with enthusiasm and zeal.

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Monday
,
30
October
2017

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

The imagery of "Be-gam-pura" conveys a city free from grief, fear, and oppression—a place of eternal sovereignty and stability. This vision is not of a distant afterlife but a present reality available through inner realization.

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Friday
,
30
October
2020

The Guru Granth Sahib Project — Live Webinar

Our panel discusses the newly launched Guru Granth Sahib Project. The Project states that, although there are Gurbani translations available in Panjabi text belonging to the early twentieth century by many celebrated Sikh giants, and some in English from recent times, there is a need for a fresh perspective for contemporary audiences. The project aims to make the Guru Granth Sahib accessible to English speakers globally via technology. Our lead Researchers discuss the challenges in creating this work, their transcreation process, and how these translations may differ from others.

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Thursday
,
7
December
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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Friday
,
15
December
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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Tuesday
,
9
January
2024

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 all...

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Sunday
,
14
January
2024

Explore Rag Gauri

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of nine Sabads (Infinite-Wisdom) of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib in Rag Gauri. Gauri is a Rag (musical mode) of serious nature, which evokes a thoughtful and reflective mood.

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