Understanding Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, is considered the living guru. When the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh declared that after him there will be no human guru, he instructed his followers to seek guidance from the eleventh and eternal guru, the Guru Granth Sahib.

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.

This book presents interpretation of Jap-u, reverently called Japji Sahib, the first composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It is in two parts, the first containing short essays on the main themes and the second stanza-wise interpretation with original Punjabi and English transliteration. The book brings out the principles of a spirituality based practical life. It brings out need for ethical living with faith in God.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib plays a very important part in the life of the Sikh Community. It is read regularly in Gurdwaras and occasionally in homes on happy or sad occasions. The reading of the whole Granth is called Akhand-paath (non stop recitation or reading). Selections for morning and evening prayers are taken from the Granth and read daily by Sikhs. The whole life of a Sikh revolves around this book.Despite being such an important book for the whole Sikh Community it is also true that the Granth is a closed book for many Sikhs born outside India, as well as for the majority of other people both Asians and Westerners, who simply cannot read the original Gurumukhi script of the Granth or understand it meaning.

This textbook gives an overview of the languages of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Gurmukhi script, its pronunciation, and grammar. Since grammar serves as an important tool for producing meaningful interpretations of Gurbani, this textbook seeks to introduce a basic approach for accessing the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib.

This book is meant to reinvigorate your thought process and give your life a new vision and perspective. This book is a spiritual journey with the teachings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The approach is not to be religious or dogmatic but spiritual and liberal. the book contains the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which contains the teachings of Sikh Gurus, other saints, and words of eternal wisdom.Each chapter is like peeling a layer of an onion, intended to step by step, on a daily basis, unclutter your mind and sharpen your vision. This book is meant for those who are searching for or are at the edge of a new direction, a new beginning in their life but are unsure whether or not to take the plunge. This may also be helpful to those who have a deep-seated unfulfilled purpose in their life but are just unsure whether or not to do what they would be happy to do in their lives.Modern day youth often finds themselves at cross roads because they find a sea of difference in the value system that they have grown up in and the value system that contemporary society demands. The correct way would be to have a strong value system so that one is unmoved by the conflicting thought processes that one comes across on a daily basis. This book is intended to give that strength and robustness of thought process to those who are always in two minds in choosing what's right for them and what is in front of them.

Contains 125 questions about Sikh religion. This book also features quotations from Guru Granth Sahib.