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Globalization cannot change the basic struggle for existence, instinct and aspirations. It may only make people more impatient with status quo. It is here that the gospel Guru Granth Sahib becomes relevant.
The Word Revealed, The World Revealed
The modern age is in some ways the breeding ground for alienation and anxiety. On the one hand, the elite society exploits science and technology for its own comfort and convenience, on the other hand the unlettered masses in Asia, Africa and South America struggle for bare existence and vainly hope for supernatural intervention to end their woes.
Over the years, the holy book has received the honours due to the living Guru. No Sikh assembly can, properly speaking, is so named unless the holy book is present in it. The contributors to Guru Granth Sahib came from variety of class and creed background.
In the Sikh system, as is well known, the word Guru is used for the ten prophet-perceptors, Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, and for none other. Now Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book that was apotheosized by the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, before he passed away in 1708, fulfills the office of the Guru.
In all, Sikh literature after Guru Gobind Singh, the Holy Book is universally referred to as Guru Granth. It is for the Sikhs, the perennial authority, spiritual as well as historical. The followers have and will continue to observe their faith more fully, more vividly through the Holy Granth.
It remained central to all that subsequently happened in the Sikh life. It was and shall remain source of their verbal tradition, and shape their intellectual and cultural environment. It would continue to mould the Sikh concept of life. It is Guru Granth Sahib that the community’s ideals; institutions and rituals derive their meaning.
The Bani of Guru Granth Sahib is poetry devotion. It prescribes no social code, yet it is the basis of Sikh practice as well as of Sikh devotion. It is the living source of authority, the ultimate guide to spiritual and moral path, pointed by the Gurus. Every prayer, singly or in groups, is followed by Ardas, which is followed by the recitation of these verses:
Agya bhai Akal ki tabhi chalayo panth,
Sab Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru Maneyo Granth,
Guru Granth ji maneyo, pragat Guran ki deh,,
Jo Prabhu ko millibo chahai, khoj shabd main leh.
Unlike some other scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib is neither history nor mythology nor a collection of incantations. Rather, its contents are spiritual
poetry, the vision of cosmic order and exhortation to the higher life. In that respect, it is a unique scripture among the source books of religion.
In any Gurdwara Granth Sahib is kept, brought out in state, prayers offered in its presence, at night time taken to a duly appointed place for ‘retreat’. It is thus treated as a sacred person, the Guru, rather than merely a book.
Thanksgiving for a joyous event or the prayers for the peace of the departed soul, must alike be offered in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. No Sikh marriage can be sanctified except in its presence, with the bride and bridegroom circumambulating it reverently, while the nuptial hymns from its pages are being chanted. Such a practice is resorted to all over the Sikh world. All decisions taken in its presence are held sacred and binding on all.
Compilation: The Granth Sahib consists of hymns of devotion to God and exhortation to man towards lifting himself to the state of spiritual peace and the attainment of liberation, i.e., mukti or moksha. Its form is throughout verse built on the principles of neo-classical tradition of music prevalent in northern India. Its language is predominantly medieval Hindi of the Braj variety with variation of Punjabi. In the vocabulary used, a large variety of language, traditions of India were drawn upon, including a fair deal of Persian and Arabic, which all the time of the holy Gurus, hadbecome well established in the cultural traditions, especially northern India.
The bani of several Bhakats is included - Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Bhikhan, Trilochan, Sain, Ramanand and Farid. Guru Arjun Dev set out giving to the Sikh church, by then nearly a century old, a stable and enduring form which took a new form only a century or so later a new society.
PS- This is a good article I read in World Sikh News so sharing it with you. Breaking it in different posts so that you can read in installments
The Word Revealed, The World Revealed
The modern age is in some ways the breeding ground for alienation and anxiety. On the one hand, the elite society exploits science and technology for its own comfort and convenience, on the other hand the unlettered masses in Asia, Africa and South America struggle for bare existence and vainly hope for supernatural intervention to end their woes.
Arguably, globalization cannot change the basic struggle for existence, instinct and aspirations. It may only make people more impatient with status quo. It is here that the gospel Guru Granth Sahib becomes relevant.
The holy Sikh scripture is inspiring, yet rooted in scientific thought and practical wisdom of self-reliance. It asserts the primacy of moral and spiritual principles and does not inhibit the use of rational investigation. The word of God in Gurbaniis the fount of all those values which enhance and give positive direction to life on this earth. If followed faithfully, the idea of universal peace, justice, brotherhood and freedom and happiness shall never elude mankind. Herein lies the perennial value of Guru Granth Sahib. Over the years, the holy book has received the honours due to the living Guru. No Sikh assembly can, properly speaking, is so named unless the holy book is present in it. The contributors to Guru Granth Sahib came from variety of class and creed background.
In the Sikh system, as is well known, the word Guru is used for the ten prophet-perceptors, Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, and for none other. Now Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book that was apotheosized by the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, before he passed away in 1708, fulfills the office of the Guru.
In all, Sikh literature after Guru Gobind Singh, the Holy Book is universally referred to as Guru Granth. It is for the Sikhs, the perennial authority, spiritual as well as historical. The followers have and will continue to observe their faith more fully, more vividly through the Holy Granth.
It remained central to all that subsequently happened in the Sikh life. It was and shall remain source of their verbal tradition, and shape their intellectual and cultural environment. It would continue to mould the Sikh concept of life. It is Guru Granth Sahib that the community’s ideals; institutions and rituals derive their meaning.
The Bani of Guru Granth Sahib is poetry devotion. It prescribes no social code, yet it is the basis of Sikh practice as well as of Sikh devotion. It is the living source of authority, the ultimate guide to spiritual and moral path, pointed by the Gurus. Every prayer, singly or in groups, is followed by Ardas, which is followed by the recitation of these verses:
Agya bhai Akal ki tabhi chalayo panth,
Sab Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru Maneyo Granth,
Guru Granth ji maneyo, pragat Guran ki deh,,
Jo Prabhu ko millibo chahai, khoj shabd main leh.
Unlike some other scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib is neither history nor mythology nor a collection of incantations. Rather, its contents are spiritual
poetry, the vision of cosmic order and exhortation to the higher life. In that respect, it is a unique scripture among the source books of religion.
In any Gurdwara Granth Sahib is kept, brought out in state, prayers offered in its presence, at night time taken to a duly appointed place for ‘retreat’. It is thus treated as a sacred person, the Guru, rather than merely a book.
Thanksgiving for a joyous event or the prayers for the peace of the departed soul, must alike be offered in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. No Sikh marriage can be sanctified except in its presence, with the bride and bridegroom circumambulating it reverently, while the nuptial hymns from its pages are being chanted. Such a practice is resorted to all over the Sikh world. All decisions taken in its presence are held sacred and binding on all.
Compilation: The Granth Sahib consists of hymns of devotion to God and exhortation to man towards lifting himself to the state of spiritual peace and the attainment of liberation, i.e., mukti or moksha. Its form is throughout verse built on the principles of neo-classical tradition of music prevalent in northern India. Its language is predominantly medieval Hindi of the Braj variety with variation of Punjabi. In the vocabulary used, a large variety of language, traditions of India were drawn upon, including a fair deal of Persian and Arabic, which all the time of the holy Gurus, hadbecome well established in the cultural traditions, especially northern India.
The bani of several Bhakats is included - Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Bhikhan, Trilochan, Sain, Ramanand and Farid. Guru Arjun Dev set out giving to the Sikh church, by then nearly a century old, a stable and enduring form which took a new form only a century or so later a new society.
PS- This is a good article I read in World Sikh News so sharing it with you. Breaking it in different posts so that you can read in installments
