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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Guru Arjan Sahib’s Chaubole focuses on love, teaching that true devotion to IkOankar (the Divine) brings constant joy. A lover fully immersed in this love is ready to sacrifice everything for the Beloved.
These four stanzas are four stages of a seeker’s union with IkOankar (the Divine). They depict the seeker’s spiritual journey. These four stanzas are also sung when the Sikh bride and groom circumambulate four times around the Guru Granth Sahib to...
The ceremony of ‘Anand Karaj’ (blissful task) is very important in ‘Anand Sanskar’ (blissful ceremony). ‘Anand Sanskar’ is considered complete only with the ceremony of ‘Anand Karaj.’
The term 'karhale' is derived from the Rajasthani and Sindhi word 'karhal,' which means camel.
The Guru Granth Sahib contains many Sabads related to the wedding ceremony, in which themes of happiness, blessings, and teachings are conveyed through vocabulary related to the wedding.
Amrit Ceremony is a fundamental and an essential rite for a seeker to join the Khalsa Panth. Through this the seeker is given ‘amrit’ and the core principles and values of Sikhi are explained to them.
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 congregational and private ceremonies.
Revealed to Baba Sundar, the great-grandson of Guru Amardas Sahib, Sadd holds great significance in the Sikh funeral ceremony and is recited during final rites.
Revealed to Baba Sundar, the great-grandson of Guru Amardas Sahib, Sadd holds great significance in the Sikh funeral ceremony and is recited during final rites.
Alahani, a sorrowful Punjabi folk song, emphasizes the belief in IkOankar, the all-powerful force behind existence.
The Sikh funeral ceremony is crucial to Sikh culture as it emphasizes the belief in the impermanence of life, the significance of commemorating the departed with affection and admiration, and establishing a connection with IkOankar (the Divine).
In Vanjara, the seeker has been affectionately addressed as a merchant friend (vaṇjāriā mitrā). They have been made aware that they have come to this world to trade in the Nam. They are, therefore, instructed to engage in this true trade so that their fac