Er Satbir Singh
Sikhism is world’s fifth largest religion with about 30 million followers worldwide. Sikhs believe in one God, who is formless and eternal and who guides and protects them. Core belief in Sikhism includes selfless service (SEWA), remembrance of God’s name (SIMRAN) and living on rational life rejecting superstition, casteism, oppression of women etc. Sikhs believe in Holy Scripture called Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). This sacred text is regarded by Sikhs as final, sovereign and eternal.
In Sanskrit ‘GURU’ signifies a teacher or guide who imparts knowledge, fosters positive character traits and encourages personal growth to spiritual enlightenment. Granth means a collection of sacred writing texts etc. ‘SAHIB’ is an Urdu term used as a mark of respect, similar to lord or master.
Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 15th century as a spiritual path rooted in devotion to one God, equality truth and service. He was followed by nine successive Gurus. Each not only provided spiritual guidance but also addressed social, political needs of their time. The Guruship was passed not by linage, but by divine will and spiritual merit carrying forward or transferring the JOT (Divine Light) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj.
The tenth Sikh Guru ended the tradition of human Guru and declared the Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru of Sikhs. By giving Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru marked the end of lineage of human Gurus in Sikhism with Guru Granth Sahib becoming final spiritual authority to be treated not just a scripture but as a living Guru for spiritual guidance, teachings as truth is not bound to a person but resides in eternal wisdom and is universal, free from human limitations. Guru Gobind Singh ji declared ‘SABH SIKHAN KO HUKAM HAI, GURU MANIYO GRANTH, GURU GRANTH JIMANYO PRAGAT GURAAN KI DEH’ (“To all Sikhs, it is command: accept the Granth Sahib as your Guru. The reverend Guru Ji is the visible body of the Gurus”). This signifies that the holy scripture embodies the spirit and wisdom of Sikh Gurus.
After this HUKAM (order) of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji onwards, SGGS is regarded as central religious scripture of Sikhs as final sovereign and eternal living Guru. The “living” aspect of SGGS stems from its roles as an active spiritual authority unlike a static text, it is believed to offer timeless wisdom applicable to all contexts of life and after life. Sikhs turn to it for guidance through the HUKAMNAMA where a ramdomly selected verse is read and interpreted as divine instruction for the day or situation. Sikhs treat the SGGS with the utmost reverence as if it were a living being. Its is housed in Gurudwaras (Sikh place of worship) where it is ceremonially opened each morning and closed at night with full respect. It is recited during morning and evening prayers in life events like wedding, naming ceremonies, funerals etc.
SGGS is the only scripture of its kind in the world which not only contains the works of its own religion founders but also writings of people from other faiths. SGGS consists of 1430 ANGS (pages) and 5894 SHABADS (compositions).
It is written in Gurmukhi script and in various languages including Punjabi. Lahnda, regional Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Sanskrit, Hindi, braj bhasha, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Sindhi, Marathi, Marwari, Bengali, Persian and Arabic. It contains teachings of fourteen Hindu bhakti movement saints such as Ramananda ji, Kabir ji, Namdev ji and one Muslim saint Sheikh Farid ji.
SGGS embraces territorially the whole of India and people of all castes and creeds. The Gurus themselves and Farid; a Muslim saint belonged to Punjab, Surdas ji to Haryana, Kabir ji, Ramanand ji and Ravidas ji to Uttar Pradesh, Jaidev ji to Bengal, Nandev ji and Trilochan ji to Maharastra, Sai ji to Madhya Pradesh, Dhanna ji to Rajasthan, Sadhna ji to Sind. As regards religion Farid, Kabir and Mardana were Muslims. Of the Hindu castes Jaidev, Ramanand and Surdas were brahmins. The Gurus were Kshatriyas, Trilochan was Vaish, Ravidas, Sadhna and Sain were Shudras and Dhanna was a Jat. SGGSinclude hymns from saints who came from diverse backgrounds and different occupations notable examples include Kabir, a weaver, Namdev a Calio printer; Ravidas a shoemaker, Dhanna a farmer, Sain a barber, Sadhna a butcher and Jaidev a poet. Bhatts, a group of Hindu brahmins became followers of Guru Nanak and contributed to Guru Granth Sahib as bards. The writings of saints who did consider women equal to men were not included in SGGS. Everybody irrespective of caste, colour, creed, religion, men, women rich, poor, can have dip in SGGS by reciting hyms and can stimulate heart and mind with the purification of soul.
SGGS is revered not only by Sikhs but many inter faith groups praise the Guru Granth Sahib for promoting universal brotherhood, equality of all human beings, service, humility, devotion to God, truth and unity. These teachings influence people of other faiths as these are sources of perennial ethical guidance.
The divine teachings and universal values of SGGS transcend cultural and geographical boundaries across the world and continue to inspire and guide people offering valuable insights into living a meaningful and purposeful life. Let us conclude with one of hymns of SGGS Ang 1349 which teaches that the World has been created by divine light of the God and all living creatures are equal and lovable to Almighty, nobody is superior or inferior.
(Awwal Allah Noor Upaya, Kudrat Ke Sab Bandey Ek Noor Te Sab Jag Upajya, Koun Bhalley Koun Mandey)
(The author is Asstt.Executive Engineer)
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