Bani Of Bhagats

This book offers an analysis of key issues concerning the phenomenon of scriptural adaptation. It offers a new understanding of religious pluralism, stressing the need to enter into dialogue with an 'open attitude' by honoring the individual commitments and maintaining differences in mutual respect and dignity.

This book examines three closely related questions in the process of canon formation in the Sikh tradition: how the text of the Adi Granth came into being, the meaning of gurbani, and how the Adi Granth became the Guru Granth Sahib. The censure of scholarly research on the Adi Granth was closely related to the complex political situation of Punjab and brought the whole issue of academic freedom into sharper focus. This book addresses some of these issues from an academic perspective. The Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs, means ‘first religious book’ (from the word ‘adi’ which means ‘first’ and ‘granth’ which means ‘religious book’). Sikhs normally refer to the Adi Granth as the Guru Granth Sahib to indicate a confession of faith in the scripture as Guru. The contents of the Adi Granth are commonly known as bani (utterance) or gurbani (the utterance of the Guru). The transcendental origin (or ontological status) of the hymns of the Adi Granth is termed dhur ki bani (utterance from the beginning). This particular understanding of revelation is based upon the doctrine of the sabad, or divine word, defined by Guru Nanak and the succeeding Gurus. This book also explores the revelation of the bani and its verbal expression, devotional music in the Sikh tradition, the role of the scripture in Sikh ceremonies, and the hymns of Guru Nanak and Guru Arjan.

The International Bibliography of Sikh Studies brings together all books, composite works, journal articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, project reports, and electronic resources produced in the field of Sikh Studies until June 2004, making it the most complete and up-to-date reference work in the field today. One of the youngest religions of the world, Sikhism has progressively attracted attention on a global scale in recent decades. An increasing number of scholars is exploring the culture, history, politics, and religion of the Sikhs. The growing interest in Sikh Studies has resulted in an avalanche of literature, which is now for the first time brought together in the International Bibliography of Sikh Studies. This monumental work lists over 10,000 English-language publications under almost 30 subheadings, each representing a subfield in Sikh Studies. The Bibliography contains sections on a wide variety of subjects, such as Sikh gurus, Sikh philosophy, Sikh politics and Sikh religion. Furthermore, the encyclopedia presents an annotated survey of all major scholarly work on Sikhism, and a selective listing of electronic and web-based resources in the field. Author and subject indices are appended for the reader’s convenience.

Contents Foreword vii 1. Guru Granth Sahib : A Scripture with a Difference Dr. Prithipal Singh Kapur 1 2. The Adi Guru Granth : A Vision for Universal Religion Dr. Kirpal Singh 14 3. Global Consciousness and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Sutinder Singh Noor 23 4. Interfaith Dialogue and Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Jodh Singh 30 5. The Concept of Sahaj : A Transpoetic View Dr. Gurbhagat Singh 48 6. Ethical Concepts in Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Darshan Singh 58 7. Guru Granth Sahib and Religious Pluralism Dr. Dharam Singh 73 8. Guru Granth Sahib : Repository of Universal Values Prof. Riyaz Punjabi 83 9. Guru Granth Sahib : A Common Treasure of Mankind Dr. Jaspal Singh 92 10. Compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi 112 11. Guru Granth Sahib and its Formation Dr. Gurnek Singh 128 12. The Poetics of Guru Granth Sahib Indra Nath Chaudhuri 136 13. Saint Poets in Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Maheep Singh 148 14 Bhatt Bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Wazir Singh 158 15. Editing Techniques in Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Mohinder Kaur Gill 165 16. Conserving Guru Granth Sahib Manuscripts Dr. Mohinder Singh 175 17. The Concept of Faith in Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Satnam Kaur 183 18. Sri Guru Granth Sahib : A Source of Sikh Values Dr. Harbans Kaur 193 19. Perennial Oriental Wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Anurag Singh 198 20. Communion : A Cardinal Message of Guru Granth Sahib Dr. Gurmeet Singh Maan 211