Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is the holy book of the Sikhs, followers of Sikhism, and was written in Gurmukhi script.
SGGS was compiled by Shri Guru Arjan Dev, who invited saints and Sufis from different parts of the India to contribute. They recited the hymns revealed to them. The hymns which contained the voice and spirit of god were chosen to be included in SGGS. Chosen hymns were dictated to Bhai Gurdas Ji, who ultimately wrote the SGGS.
After it was compiled, the SGGS was installed in the newly built Golden Temple (also known as Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar, India ), in 1604. SGGS is a holy collection of words that god revealed to the Guru and Saints. They carry a message which go beyond rites and rituals bit are firm in its faith. They believe in meditation in the name of god. Hymns carry the spirit, are aspirational and represent a yearning to be with the god.
SGGS teaches the spirit of universality - "none is our enemy, none is stranger to us, we are in accord with one and all." The teachings reflected in SGGS stress creating a peaceful, liberal, free, fearless society across the world.
Pearl S. Buck, the Nobel Laureate says that the “SGGS is a source book”. Likewise Dr J. C. Archer professor of comparative religion at the Yale University, Princeton (USA) describes it as: "the religion of Guru Granth is a universal and practical religion, the world needs today its message of peace and love.
SGGS is divided into 31 ragas (musical measures) within its 1430 pages. Shabad (an individual hymn is shabad) are arranged in 31 ragas (ragas are traditional music measure and scales). Hymns being raga based can be sung in appropriate raga, fully commensurate and consistent with traditional Indian music. They are meant to be sung with respect to the season and the appropriate time of the day, making the spiritual mood fully consistent and in rhythm with the nature.
The highest numbers of shabads are written by Guru Nanak followed by Bhagat Kabir. The contents of Gurbani encourages to followers to refrain from unwanted desires and teach peace. Ultimately SGGS gives a wondrous call for removing discrimination based upon religion.
A unique feature of the SGGS is that at the time - when casteism and the feeling of untouchabilty was prevailing at the peak in the society and low castes were being denied entry into holy places - Sikh Gurus not only invited these low cast saints but respectfully heard them. They identified the hidden voice and message of god, and finally gave their voice a respectful place in the holy book.
As such, the Golden Temple s visited by all Indians and visitors and it welcomes all, irrespective of cast, creed or belief.
Man Mohan Singh - A Civil Engineering graduate, pass out of university of Allahabad, India. Working as Deputy Executive Engineer in Water Resources Dept of ...
