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Adi Granth (or Aad Granth, literally "the first book") is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century The history of Sikhism is closely associated with the History of Punjab, the socio-political situation in medieval India, and the social structures and Simran and Seva: These are the Foundation of Sikhism. It is the duty of every Sikh to practise Naam Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak over the period of 1469 to 1708. Sikh Bhagats (ਭਗਤ from Sanskrit भक्त) refers to the saints and holy men of various faiths whose teachings are included in the Sikh holy book This article lists historical personalities who are important to the Sikh religion Mai Bhago (http//www The Sikh religious philosophy is covered in great detail in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text Ek On Kar Sikhs believe there is only one God who has infinite qualities and names The Sikhs must believe in the following values Equality All humans are equal before God – No discrimination is allowed on the basis of caste race sex creed There are a number of religious prohibitions in Sikhism Cutting Hair Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism Naam: Or Naam Japo. Free service ( Seva) meditation and prayer ( Simran) sacred music ( Kirtan) prod concern = This is not an encyclopedic topic This is a list of random unrelated facts about Sikhism Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to any compositions of the Gurus Sikh practices are simple precise and practical guidelines laid out by the Gurus for the practice of the "Sikh way of life" The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth (First Scripture) more commonly called the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the The Dasven Patshah Da Granth (ਦਸਵੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦਾ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ (book of the Tenth Emperor popularly known as Dasam Granth(ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ This list is of topics related to Sikhs and Sikhism. Sikhism:CategorySikhism Sikhism Sikh Amritsar The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth (First Scripture) more commonly called the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak over the period of 1469 to 1708. This Granth ("book") is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh added further holy Shabads to this Granth during the period 1704 to 1706. Guru Gobind Singh (ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ gʊɾu gobɪn̪d̪ sɪ́ŋg ( December 22, 1666 &ndash 7 October, 1708) was Then in 1708, before his death, Guru Gobind Singh affirmed the Adi Granth as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and the Granth then became known as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the

Timeline

• 30 August 1604: Completion of Adi Granth

• 1 September 1604: Adi Granth installed for the first time at Harmandar Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev ji

• 1705: The Damdama Sahib Bir was completed by Guru Gobind Singh from memory. Guru Arjan Dev Ji or Guru Arjun Dev Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਦੇਵ (born in Amritsar, Punjab, India on 15 April, Guru Gobind Singh (ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ gʊɾu gobɪn̪d̪ sɪ́ŋg ( December 22, 1666 &ndash 7 October, 1708) was

• 20 October 1708: Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru

See also: Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The original copy of the scripture, called Adi Granth, compiled and authenticated by Guru Arjan Dev still exists today and is kept at Kartarpur which is a town about 15 km. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the Guru Arjan Dev Ji or Guru Arjun Dev Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਦੇਵ (born in Amritsar, Punjab, India on 15 April, Kartarpur may refer to Kartarpur India, a town Kartarpur Pakistan, a village north west of the city of Jalandhar, Punjab, India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Jalandhar (ਜਲੰਧਰ Hindi:) previously known as Jullundur, is an ancient Punjab (ਪੰਜਾਬ पंजाब pəɲdʒaːb is a state in northwest India. It contains the hymns of both Hindu and Muslim saints. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion

Compilation

One of the classic simplifications of Sikh history pertains to the preparation of the sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the The event is generally described in the briefest terms. The Holy Volume was compiled by Guru Arjan (AD 1563-1606) and the first copy was calligraphed by Bhai Gurdas at his dictation — this is all we learn from most of the sources. Guru Arjan Dev Ji or Guru Arjun Dev Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਦੇਵ (born in Amritsar, Punjab, India on 15 April, Bhai Gurdas ( 1551 - 25 August 1636) was a Punjabi Sikh writer historian missionary and religious figure What amount of planning, minute attention to detail and went into this work is slurred over.

An old text which gives some detailed information is the "Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi". Written in A. D. 1718, this, in fact, is the oldest source. Although it does not go into the technical and literary minutiae, it narrates the entire process from the beginning of the transcription of the Holy Volume to its installation in the newly built Harimandir Sahib at Amritsar. Sri Harmandir Sahib ( Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God, He himself was decapitated Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state

Why Guru Arjan undertook the task is variously explained. One commonly accepted assumption is that the codification of the Gurus' compositions into authorized volume was begun by him with a view to preserving them from garbling by schismatic groups and others. According to the Mahima Prakash (A. D. 1776), he set to work with the announcement: "As the Panth (Community) has been revealed unto the world, so there must be the Granth (Book), too. "

Bani included in the Granth

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The "Bani", Gurus inspired utterance, had always been the object of highest reverence for the Sikhs as well as for the Gurus themselves. Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to any compositions of the Gurus Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. It was equated with the Guru himself. "The bani is the Guru and the Guru bani" sang Guru Ram Das in measure Nat Narain. Guru Ram Das (ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ (Born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan on 24 September, 1534 &ndash 1 September By accumulating the canon, Guru Arjan wished to affix the seal on the sacred word. It was also to be the perennial fountain of inspiration and the means of self-perpetuation for the community.

Guru Arjan called Bhai Gurdas to his presence and expressed to him the wish that the compositions of the Gurus as well as those of some of the saints and sufis be collected. Bhai Gurdas ( 1551 - 25 August 1636) was a Punjabi Sikh writer historian missionary and religious figure Massages were sent to the disciples to gather and transmit to him the hymns of his predecessors. Baba Mohan, son of Guru Amar Das, Nanak III, had two manuscript collections of the Gurus' hymns inherited from his father. Guru Amar Das ( Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰ ਦਾਸ ( 5 May 1479 - 1 September 1574) was the third of The

Bhai Gurdas travelled to Goindwal to bring these pothis but the owner refused to see him. Bhai Gurdas ( 1551 - 25 August 1636) was a Punjabi Sikh writer historian missionary and religious figure Goindval (also known as Goindwal Sahib is a place in Amritsar district in the states of Punjab in India about 22 km Bhai Buddha, one of the oldest Sikhs from Guru Nanak's days, was similarly turned away from his door. Then Guru Arjan went himself. He sat ha the street below Mohan's attic serenading him on his tambura. Mohan was disarmed to hear the hymn. He came downstairs with the pothis and presented these to the Guru. As says the Gurbilas, the pothis were placed on a palanquin bedecked with precious stones. The Sikhs carried it on their shoulders and Guru Arjan walked behind barefoot. He refused to ride his horse, saying that the pothis were the very spirit of the four Gurus — his predecessors.

The journey with the pothis

The cavalcade broke journey at Khadur Sahib to make obeisance at shrines sacred to Guru Angad. Guru Angad Dev Ji was the second of the eleven Sikh Gurus. Lehna was born in the village of Sarae Naga in Muktsar district in Punjab, on March 31, Two kos from Amritsar, it was received by Hargobind, Guru Arjan's young son, accompanied by a large number of Sikhs. Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state He bowed at his father's feet and showered petals in front of the pothis. Guru Arjan, Hargobind, Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Buddha now bore the palanquin on their shoulders and marched towards Amritsar, led by musicians, with flutes and drums.

In Amritsar, Guru Arjan first went to the Harimandir Sahib to offer karah prasad in gratefulness. Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state Sri Harmandir Sahib ( Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God, He himself was decapitated To quote the Gurbilas again, an attractive spot in the thick of a forest on the outskirts of Amritsar was marked out by Guru Arjan. So dense was the foliage that not even a moonbeam could pray into it. It was like Panchbati itself, peaceful and picturesque. A tent was hoisted in this idyllic setting. Here Guru Arjan and Bhai Gurdas started work on the sacred volume.

The Inscription of the Granth

The making of the Granth was not an easy task. It involved sustained labour and a rigorous intellectual discipline. Selections had to be made from a vast amount of material. Besides the compositions of the four preceding Gurus and the Guru Arjan who himself was a poet with a rare spiritual insight, there were songs and hymns by saints, both Hindu and Muslim. What was genuine had to be sifted from what was counterfeit. Then the selected material had to be assigned to appropriate musical measures and transcribed in a minutely laid out order.

Guru Arjan carried out the work with extraordinary exactness. He arranged the hymns in thirty different ragas, or musical patterns. A precise method was followed in setting down the compositions. First came shabads by the Gurus in the order of their succession. Then came hands, vars, and other poetic forms in a set order. The compositions of the Gurus in each raga were followed by those of the Bhaktas in the same format. Gurmukhi was the script used for the transcription. Gurmukhī (ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ Shahmukhi:) is the most common script used for writing the Punjabi language.

A genius, unique in spiritual insight and not unconcerned with methodological design, had created a scripture with an exalted mystical tone and a high degree of organization. It was large in size—nearly 7,000 hymns, comprising compositions of the first five Sikhs Gurus and fifteen Bhaktas and sufis from different parts of India, including Shaikh Farid, Kabir and Ravidas. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Al-Kabir "the Great" is also one of the 99 names of God in Islam Indian Hindu religious leader and founder Satguru of the " Ravidasi " beliefs revered by most Hindus as a Sant, by

The Granth completed

The Sacred Volume consisted of 974 leaves, or 1948 pages, 12" X 8", with several blank ones at the end of a raga when there were not shabads enough to fill the section assigned to it. Rāga ( Sanskrit, lit "colour" or "mood" or rāgam in Carnatic music) refers to melodic modes used The site of these marvellous labours is now marked by a shrine called Gurdwara Ramsar.

The completion of the Granth Sahib was, says the "Gurbilas", celebrated with much jubilation. In thanksgiving, karah prasad was prepared in huge quantities. Sikhs came in large numbers to see the Holy Book. They rejoiced in their hearts by a sight of it and bowed before it in veneration. Among the visitors was Bhai Banno, who had led a group of Sikhs from Mangat, in western Punjab. Punjab ( ਪੰਜਾਬ پنجاب, पंजाब پنجاب also Panjab (پنجاب meaning "Land of the Five Rivers") (c

Binding the Granth

Guru Arjan, who knew him as a devoted Sikh, instructed him to go to Lahore and have the Book bound. ( lahor is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. Banno sought the Guru's permission to be allowed to take the Granth Sahib first to Mangat for the Sikhs there to see it. The Guru allowed this, but enjoined him not to carry at Mangat, or at any other place, more than a night.

As Bhai Banno left Amritsar with his sacred charge, it occurred to him to have a second copy transcribed. Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state The first copy, he argued, would remain with the Guru. There must be an additional one for the sangat. Sangat may refer to Sangat, the Punjabi form of the Sanskrit term sangti means company fellowship and association Places The Guru's direction was that he should not stay longer than one night at a place, but he had said nothing about the time to be spent on the journey. So he proceeded with his plans and sent a Sikh to purchase paper.

He proposed to his companions that they should travel by easy marches of five miles a day. The time thus saved was utilized in transcribing the holy text. Sikhs wrote with love and devotion and nobody shirked his duty whether it was day or night. By the time they reached Lahore, the second copy was ready. ( lahor is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. But Banno had added to it some apocryphal texts. He had both volumes bound and returned to Amritsar as fast as he could.

The Granth arrives

At Amritsar, he was received with due ceremony, though Guru Arjan was not a little surprised to see two volumes instead of one. Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state Bhai Banno spoke truthfully: "Lord, there is nothing that is hidden from you. This second copy I have had made for the sake of the sangat" But the Guru put his seal only on the volume written by Bhai Gurdas's hand. Sangat may refer to Sangat, the Punjabi form of the Sanskrit term sangti means company fellowship and association Places Bhai Gurdas ( 1551 - 25 August 1636) was a Punjabi Sikh writer historian missionary and religious figure He enjoined the Sikhs to own the Granth equal with the Guru and make no distinction between the two. "He who would wish to see the Guru, let him see the Granth. He who would seek the Guru's word, let him read the Granth with love and attention. "

Guru Arjan asked his Sikhs where the Granth Sahib be installed. Bhai Buddha said, "You are omniscient, Master! But there is no place more suitable than the Harimandir. " The Guru was happy to hear these words "like one who has sighted the new moon. " He then recited the praise of the Harimandir: "There is nothing like it in all the three worlds. Harimandir is like the ship—the means for the people to cross over the worldly ocean triumphantly. A new joy pervades here every day. A sight of it annuls all sins. "

Reverence and respect

It was decided to spend the night at Ramsar and return to Amritsar the next morning. Ramsar (in Persian: رامسر is a town in the Mazandaran province of Iran, on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state The Granth Sahib rested on a seat under the canopy, whereas the Guru and the Sikhs slept on the ground. A disciple had to be chosen to take charge of the Granth Sahib. As says the Gurbilas, Guru Arjan lay awake through the night reflecting on the question. His choice formally fell on old Bhai Buddha whose devotion was universally applauded.

As they awoke, the Guru and his Sikhs made ablutions in Ramsar. The former there upon practised his wonted meditation. At dawn, the entire sangat marched towards Harimandir. Sangat may refer to Sangat, the Punjabi form of the Sanskrit term sangti means company fellowship and association Places Sri Harmandir Sahib ( Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God, He himself was decapitated Bhai Buddha carried the Holy Book on his head and Guru Arjan walked behind swinging the whisk over it. Musicians sang shabads. Thus they reached the Harimandir. Sri Harmandir Sahib ( Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God, He himself was decapitated The Granth Sahib was ceremonially installed in the centre of the inner sanctuary on Bhadon Sudi 1, 1661 sK/September 1, 1604. Bhai Buddha opened it with reverence to obtain from it the divine command, as Guru Arjan stood in attendance behind.

The following hymn was read as God's own announcement for the occasion:

"He Himself hath succoured His saints in their work, He himself hath come to see their task fulfilled. Blessed is the earth, blessed the tank. Blessed is the tank with amrit filled. Amrit overfloweth the tank: He hath had the task completed; Eternal is the Perfect Being, His praises Vedas and Puranas sing. The Creator hath bestowed on me the nine treasures, and all the charisms, No lack do I suffer now. Enjoying His largesse, bliss have I attained, Ever-expanding is the Lord's bounty. "

The Granth installed

Guru Arjan directed that during daytime the Holy Book should remain in the Harimandir and by night, after, Sohila was read, it should be taken to the room he had built for himself. Sri Harmandir Sahib ( Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God, He himself was decapitated As evening advanced by two watches, Bhai Buddha recited Sohila and made the concluding ardas or supplication. The Granth Sahib was closed and wrapped in silks. Bhai Buddha held it on his head and marched towards the chamber indicated by Guru Arjan. The Guru led the sangat singing hymns.

The Granth Sahib was placed on the appointed seat, and the Guru slept on the ground by its side. Daily, in the small hours of the morning as the stars twinkle in the pool below, the Holy Book is taken out in state to the Harimandir and brought by night to rest in the room marked for it by Guru Arjan. The practice continues to this day. But the volume is not the same. That original copy was taken to Kartarpur when Guru Arjan's successor, Guru Hargobind, left Amritsar in 1634. There it passed into the possession of his grandson, Dhir Mall. It has since remained in that family.

• The above section with thanks to www.sikhlionz.com by Fauja Singh "The city of Amritsar"

References

External links

• The Sikhism Home Page: History of Sri Guru Granth Sahib
• BookRags.com - Ādi Granth Summary
• Year-long Adi Granth anniversary celebrations