Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the eternal, living Guru of the Sikhs — a unique phenomenon in world religion where a scripture holds the status of a spiritual master. First compiled in 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev Ji as the Adi Granth, it was elevated to the status of the eternal Guru by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708 before his passing. It is not merely a book to be read but a living Guru to be experienced, consulted, and revered.

The Guru Granth Sahib contains 1,430 pages (Angs, meaning "limbs") and includes the compositions of six Sikh Gurus (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji), along with the writings of 15 Bhagats (saints) from diverse religious traditions including Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Sheikh Farid, and others. This inclusion of Hindu and Muslim saints makes it one of the most pluralistic scriptures in the world, united by the theme of devotion to the One God.

The entire scripture is composed in a musical framework of 31 Raags (musical modes), meant to be sung rather than merely recited. It is written in the Gurmukhi script but includes multiple languages including Punjabi, Braj, Sanskrit, Persian, and others. In Sikh practice, the Guru Granth Sahib is treated with the highest reverence — it is housed in every Gurdwara on a throne (Palki Sahib), attended by a Granthi, and put to rest each night (Sukhasan) and awakened each morning (Prakash). Sikhs consult it through Hukamnama (a random reading taken as divine guidance) and perform Akhand Path (continuous 48-hour reading) for special occasions.