The Living Light
of Divine Spirit
More than a scripture, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the manifest body of the Gurus—a universal beacon of truth, equality, and compassion for all humanity.
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji holds a unique place in world religious history. It is the only scripture compiled by the founders of the faith themselves and accorded the status of a living spiritual master. It contains 1,430 Angs (pages) of poetic hymns that sing the glory of the One Universal Creator.
The Journey of Compilation
1. The Adi Granth (1604)
The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, undertook the monumental task of compiling the authentic writings of the preceding Gurus. He sat by the banks of Ramsar Sarovar in Amritsar and dictated the hymns to Bhai Gurdas Ji, the scribe.
This first version, known as the Adi Granth (Pothi Sahib), was completed in 1604 and installed with great ceremony at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Baba Buddha Ji was appointed the first Granthi (custodian).
2. The Damdami Bir (1705-1708)
The tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, prepared the final version at Damdama Sahib. He added the hymns of his father, the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, but famously did not include his own compositions (which are in the Dasam Granth).
In 1708, at Nanded, Guru Gobind Singh Ji bowed before this holy volume and declared:
"Sab Sikhan ko hukam hai, Guru Manyo Granth"
(All Sikhs are commanded to accept the Granth as the Guru)
Divine Music: The Raga System
The Guru Granth Sahib is arranged not by subject, but by musical mood (Raga). The Gurus understood that music bypasses the intellect and touches the soul directly. Each Raga is chosen to evoke a specific emotional state to deepen the spiritual message.
Sri Raga
Satisfaction and balance. Often sung in the evenings.
Raag Asa
Hope and anticipation. One of the most used Ragas.
Raag Sorath
Joy and motivation. Uplifting the spirit.
Raag Ramkali
Calmness and letting go. Often used for morning prayers.
A Universal Scripture
The Guru Granth Sahib is unique among world scriptures because it includes the writings of not just the Sikh Gurus, but also 30 saints and mystics (Bhagats and Bhatts) from diverse religious and social backgrounds—Hindus and Muslims, high castes and "untouchables." This reinforces the core Sikh message: Truth is universal.
Bhagat Kabir Ji
A weaver saint who challenged ritualism and caste.
Baba Farid Ji
A Sufi Muslim mystic whose verses speak of divine love and detachment.
Bhagat Ravidas Ji
A cobbler saint who preached that one is noble by deeds, not birth.
Bhagat Namdev Ji
A tailor from Maharashtra who wrote about the omnipresence of God.
Bhagat Dhanna Ji
A simple farmer whose innocent devotion won over the Divine.
Bhatts
Court poets who composed swayyas (odes) praising the Gurus.
Royal Protocol (Maryada)
In every Gurdwara, the Guru Granth Sahib is treated with the respect due to a living Emperor. It is seated on a throne (Palki Sahib) under a canopy (Chanani).
Prakash (Morning Awakening)
Before dawn, the Guru is reverently "awakened" and the Holy Book is opened (Prakash) with Ardas (prayer). A random hymn (Hukamnama) is read as the command for the day.
Sukhasan (Evening Rest)
At night, the Guru Granth Sahib is respectfully closed, wrapped in fine silks (Rumalas), and carried on the head to a special resting room (Sach Khand) for the night.
Akhand Path (Continuous Reading)
For special occasions (weddings, deaths, celebrations), the entire scripture is read continuously from start to finish without a break, taking about 48 hours.