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.
The essence of this composition is revealed in the stanza of rahau (pause). In it, worldly accounting (entanglements) is described as useless.
Patti is a poetic form based on the Gurmukhi alphabet. Historically, students used a wooden tablet, known as patti in Panjabi, to practice writing the alphabet. The Guru Granth Sahib includes many compositions based on the alphabet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Under Rag Asa, Guru Teghbahadar Sahib has revealed one Sabad, which is recorded on page 411 of the Guru Granth Sahib. This Sabad comprises of two stanzas. The stanza of rahau is separate from these stanzas.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of three Sabads, Infinite-Wisdom, of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib in Rag (musical mode) Jaitsari. This ancient rag evokes a mood of happiness and bliss.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of six Sabads, (Infinite-Wisdom) of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib. Three Sabads are in Rag (musical mode) Tilang, and three are in Rag Bilaval.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of six Sabads, (Infinite-Wisdom) of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib. Three Sabads are in Rag (musical mode) Ramkali, and three are in Rag Maru.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of eight Sabads, (Infinite-Wisdom) of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib. Four Sabads are in Rag Dhanasari (a musical mode), and four are in Rag Sarang.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of nine Sabads (Infinite-Wisdom) of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib. Four Sabads are in Rag Jaijavanti (a musical mode), and five are in Rag Basant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In these savaiyas, Bhatt Kalya Ji draws us into a praise that transcends time, social status, caste, and religious identity. The virtues and persona of Guru Nanak Sahib are described as ever-new and eternal—worthy of remembrance in every age and...
In the second set of savaiays, Guru Arjan Sahib gently awakens us to a difficult truth: our own forgetfulness. Caught in the waves of worldly attachments, we lose sight of our true purpose: the remembrance of the Nam of IkOankar.
Saviye Sri Mukhbakya (Mahala 5) I explores a kind of devotion that arises intuitively from love, awe, and lived experience—not from rigid intellectualism or empty ritualisms.
In the Guru Granth Sahib, Din Raini is a poetic form, like Barah Maha, Ruti, Thiti, and Var Sat, structured around traditional Indic units of time.
In this Thiti, Bhagat Kabir Ji uses the lunar fortnight calendar to guide us through an inner journey of remembrance, awareness, and transformation.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to announce the annotation of two Sabads by Bhagat Jaidev Ji, one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib.
In saloks ninety-three through one hundred thirty, Sheikh Farid Ji reminds us that the entire world remains under the sway of death. Even the most well-nourished bodies cannot escape it; when old age arrives, even the once strong become weak.
Within the Guru Granth Sahib, the term 'mudavani' or 'mundavani' appears in two saloks: one by Guru Amardas Sahib and one by Guru Arjan Sahib. Collectively, these saloks serve as a key to understanding the core message of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539 CE) witnessed the destruction caused by Babur with his own eyes and vividly depicted the scenes of destruction in his Bani. These revolutionary Sabads revealed by the Guru that depict pain and empathy are known as ‘Babarvani’.
The word ‘birhare’ comes from ‘birha,’ meaning separation, or the pain of separation. ‘Birhare,’ meaning ‘songs of separation,’ is a poetic form that gives voice to this pain of separation.
The word ‘anjuli’ refers to the gesture of cupping or folding the hands. It can signify prayer, supplication, seeking blessings, acceptance of the Divine will, or a gesture of salutation.
The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to announce the annotation of two Sabads by Bhagat Jaidev Ji, one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib.