Guru Granth Sahib

Subject: Arts and culture

Context:

Prime Minister has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of the first Parkash Purab of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Concept:

• The Guru Granth Sahib is a collation of many hymns, poems, shabadsand other writings from many different scholars, including the Gurus and Hindu and Muslim writers.
• The Guru Granth Sahib is not just the holy scripture of Sikhism. It is also considered as the living Guru.
• Before Guru Gobind Singh died, he declared that there would be no more human Gurus and that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the Eternal Guru

Significance of the Guru Granth Sahib

• It contains the words spoken by the Gurus. This is known as Gurbani, which means ‘from the Guru’s mouth’.
• It is believed to be the word of God and is therefore infallible.
• It is written in Gurmukhi. This is the script the Punjabi language is written in.
• Many of Guru Nanak’s hymns and prayers were preserved and complied by Guru Angad and Guru Arjan. This collection became known as the Adi Granth.
• The Adi Granth also included writings from Hindu and Muslim writers who believed in the oneness of God. Some of these writers were from lower castes, which show the inclusiveness of Sikhism.
• The Guru Granth Sahib was completed in 1604 and installed in the Golden Temple. This original copy is written in many different languages, reflecting its many different authors.