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Preceptor Eternal Guru Granth Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji gives guruship to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib - October 1708 Preceptor Eternal dedicated to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Guru Eternal, and the Gursikhs who treaded the Gurmatt-path of trtruthf ul conduct, fearlessly Published in the UK in 2008 by EMG Online.co.uk. 160 Rolfe Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 2AU Copyright © EMG Online.co.uk: Jaspal Singh Bains and Gurjeet Kaur Design: Lakhvinder Baddhan +44 (0) 121 558 3020 All rights reserved. This souvenir contains Sikh scriptures, we would therefore request that it be treated with the utmost respect. Paintings of Gurus and Sants have been used for illustrative purposes, we acknowledge that the Sikh religion forbids idol worship. ý à å Ç × ° ð z ê à ŠçÍÍÇ Ã ³ ³ å Å Õ ¶ Õ Å Å ð Ç Ç Ü Á Å Å Ç Ç ê Ö ñ ñ ¯ ¯ Â Ç Ç Á Å Ô ðÇ Ç Õ ³ ³ î ¹ Õ ð Å Å ò Ç Ç ä Á Å Å Â Ç Ç Á Å ð Å Å îÍÍ (Ã È È Ô Æ î.E ê ³ ³ é é Å GHC) The Lord Himself has come to the aid His devotees (the sants) to help them in their task. (GGS p 783) Waheguru, the Wondrous Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib. extensively on Sikh issues and Enlightener, shows the way, gives supported many Sikh us the strength and guides us to As the embodiment of the Divine organisations. our destination. In humility and Message from the Almighty with a prayer in our hearts, we Waheguru, it is imperative we It is our great privilege that started the challenging task of acknowledge that Guru Granth scholars of international standing producing a memorable and Sahib is for all of humanityty. This is have contributed to this educational publication to mark a Treasure-house of knowledge commemorative publication. We the historical day in the Sikh relevant to all ages and to all hope that Sikh Sangats, students calendar places. Even with a little of Sikhi and indeed anyone who understanding of this wondrous has the good fortune to have sight As humble servants of The Sikh gift bestowed on the Sikhs, our of this iconic souvenir find this Nation, we have again been lives will be enriched. production of lasting benefit. blessed to pay homage to our history and heritage. A centennial event of this On behalf of The Sikh Times significance comes only once in management we applaud the As 300 years ago, Guru Gobind our lifetime. The Sikh Times has distinguished Sikh scholars who Singh Ji bowed before Sri Guru always aimed to address the have given us an opportunity to Granth Sahib Ji, and passed on needs of young Sikhs brought up gain wisdom from the Guru’s the bounteous Treasure of in Western countries. First and teaching. Gurbani to the Khalsa Panth as foremost is their need to their Eternal Guru. understand the universal This team has been led by S. message of Gurbani in the Gurmukh Singh, who has worked The sacrifices made by Guru language they speak. That means with admirable professionalism Gobind Singh Ji, our tenth Guru- more authentic Sikh literature in and shown immense sincerity not person, are unparalleled in the English, and in the idiom they can only to his work, but proven to the history of the world. Himself relate to. Secondly, they need to Panth that there is a need for such wounded by an assassin sent by understand and appreciate the scholars, if we as a Nation are to the Mogul rulers, Guru Sahib magnitude of their rich heritage. survive and prosper.. bowed before Guru Granth Sahib ................... Ji, the embodiment of the Once again, we are indebted to S. Jaspal Singh Revealed Word of the Timeless Gurmukh Singh for undertaking Chairman Lord, with gratitude for the the Panthic seva of collating and EMG Online.co.uk completion of Guru Nanak’s editing a memorable publication. mission over a period of over 200 After a most successful career in hundred years (from 1469 to the UK civil service, having The Sikh Times applauds the 1708). The sacrifices included his achieved the position of a policy arduous contribution of the Kar father Guru Tegh Bahadur, mother Principal, he retired in 1996. Sewa committee Sikh Gurdham Mata Gujri Ji, His four sons, the Following retirement he has been Pakistan and the Sangat who Sahibzadas. Guru Sahib himself committed to promoting Sikh have given Daswand from their left for Sach Khand, the Realm of identity in the plural British ‘Das Nauhan Dee Kirt Kmaaie’ Truth, a few hours after passing society. He has written SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JII Brief information and historical background ( ( Also see Glossar y of Sikh words at the end of this brochure) Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the full Six Gurus: is divided under 31 selected title of the Sikh Holy Scripture, First Guru, Guru Nanak Dev classical raag headings (which also referred to as Guru Granth Second Guru, Guru Angad Dev create receptive moods in the Sahib. Third Guru, Guru Amar Das listener corresponding to times of Fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das the day, seasons or occasions.) The revealed Word in Guru Granth Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev At the beginning is the Mystical Sahib is called Bani or Gurbani. Ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Formula called the Mool Mantar Bani was received by the Sikh Bahadhur as a compact statement of the Gurus and many saintly devotees essential characteristics of the (bhagats) of “Waheguru”, the Fif Fif teen: Bhagats (saints from One Creator Being and the Sikh Wondrous Dispeller of Darkness. different religions and castes) creed. The first composition Jap ji, Waheguru is the most commonly Kabir is a summary of Guru Nanak used Sikh Name for the Creator Nam Dev Sahib’s revealed message for the Being. However, other names for Ravidas benefit of humankind. Through a the One Divine Source of All Tirlochan learning approach, it shows the Creation are also acceptable, and Dhana seeker (the Sikh), the path to the many names from Hindu and Sain Creator Being. The purpose of Muslim religions are used in Guru Jai Dev human life is to follow that path Granth Sahib. That is also due to Peepa and seek Waheguru’s Grace the diverse religious backgrounds Surdas (Nadar) for ultimate union of the of the saintly beings, bhagats, Farid human soul with the Supreme whose bani is included in the Sikh Parmanand Soul (Pramatma). It is also a Scripture. Sadhna statement of Guru Nanak’s Beni mission elaborated in the Guru Granth Sahib was first Rama Nand compositions in Guru Granth compiled as the Aad Granth inin Bheekhan Sahib. 1604, by the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1563 –1606). This Eleven Bhatts There are about 5900 Shabads historical event is celebrated on 1 Kals Har (poetic hymns) in Guru Granth September each year according to Jalap Sahib. the Nanakshahi Calendar (the Kirat These may be classified into three approved Sikh calendar.) Bhikha groups according to the authors: Sal 6 Sikh Gurus: about 5,000 With further additions, the final Bhal Shabads); of these most (2,218) and updated version of the Aad Nal are by the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan. Granth was vested with the Gyand 15 Bhagats: about 800 Shabads; authority of Guruship by the Tenth Mathura of these most (541) are by Bhagat Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, Bal Kabir. before he departed for Sach Harbans 17 Bhatts (bards in the court of Khand (the Plane of Truth). Guru Arjan): about 150 Shabads Thenceforth, the Aad Granth, was Gursikhs (Sikhs of the Guru) giving much useful information instituted as Guru Granth Sahib, Baba Sundar about the first five Gurus to Guru the Shabad (Word) Guru.. Rababi Sata Doom Arjan Dev. Rababi Rai Balwand The names of the thirty-six saintly Main language medium is a beings, including 6 Sikh Gurus, Other particulars of Guru Granth mixture of Panjabi and Hindi whose bani (revealed Word) is Sahib referred to as “Sant Bhasha” or included in Guru Granth Sahib are Guru Granth Sahib is in verse and language of the saints or Bhagats. as follows: the Volume has 1,430 pages. Otherwise there is a vast diversity The main part, pages 14 to 1353,, Continues on next page Continued from previous page Gurbani (the revealed Word) of this accomplishment. of languages and dialects of the each Guru was collated and Under each raag, first came the Indian sub-continent. Many passed on from one Guru bani of the Gurus and then that of poetic forms are used and these Personality to another. Two the Bhagats. can be divided into saloks collections of hymns or pothis are Gurmukhi was the script used. (couplets), shabads (short or long still available. Gurbani was held in hymns) and vars (ballads), which great reverence even before the The site where this devine are longer and include a number Holy Volume, Aad Granth, was mission of collating the Aad of stanzas preceded by saloks. compiled. Granth was completed is marked “The Bani is the Guru and the by a shrine called Ramsar. The 36 saintly beings, who Guru is Bani” says Guru Ram Das. contributed Bani to Guru Granth “It is the Lord’s own Word” says Some of the hymns are cast in the Sahib, were from different faiths. Guru Nanak moulds of folk-poetry of the Fifteen were associated with Panjab: different religions in the Indian According to Gurbilas Chhevin Aarti, anjali, sohila, swayyas, sub-continent, four were Sikhs of Paatshahi (1718), an attractive thittin, patti, phune, bavan-akhri, the Guru, and eleven were spot in the thick of the forest on and baramaha are the titles which Brahmin Bhatts or bards of the the outskirts of Amritsar was indicate the form of poetry.
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