GURU GRANTH SAHIB
The Living, Eternal Guru of SikhismSri Guru Granth Sahib Ji — the Eleventh and Eternal Guru of the Sikhs
quick facts
| Also known as | Adi Granth, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Eleventh Guru |
| First compiled by | Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Guru) in 1604 |
| Final form declared by | Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru) in 1708 — declared the eternal Guru of the Sikhs |
| Pages | 1,430 pages (Angs — meaning “limbs”) |
| Script | Gurmukhi — developed by Guru Angad Dev Ji |
| Language | Multiple — Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Marathi and others |
| Structure | 31 Ragas (musical settings) — compositions arranged by melody, not chronology |
| Contributors | 6 Sikh Gurus and over 20 Hindu and Muslim saints (Bhagats) |
| Unique distinction | The only world scripture compiled during the lifetime of its founders |
| Translations | Available in English, Punjabi and Hindi |
| Status in Sikhism | The living, eternal Guru — treated with the same reverence as a human Guru |
WHAT IS THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the central and eternal scripture of Sikhism. Guru Arjan Dev Ji — the fifth Guru — compiled it in 1604 under the name Adi Granth. Guru Gobind Singh Ji — the tenth Guru — later expanded it to include his father’s hymns. Before his passing in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared it the Eleventh and Eternal Guru of the Sikhs — a living Guru who would guide the Sikh community for all time.
The Guru Granth Sahib contains 1,430 pages of text in poetic form, filled with devotion, meditation and the grace of God. It includes the hymns of more than twenty Hindu and Muslim saints of India. Notably, it is the only holy scripture in the world that the founders of its own religion wrote themselves — unlike the Bible, which Christ did not write, or the Quran, which the Prophet Mohammed did not write. The Sikh Gurus composed and compiled the Guru Granth Sahib directly, from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
📖 KEY FACT: The name Granth consists of two words: Gur and Ant — meaning ‘Eternal Guru’. Guru Gobind Singh Ji affirmed: ‘In the future, whoever wishes to seek enlightenment, guidance and solace, let him read the holy Granth. This is your Guru forever and ever till eternity.’
THE DECLARATION OF ETERNAL GURUSHIP
According to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s poet Sainapat and close associates Bhai Nand Lal and Dhadi Nath Mal — all present at Nanded the day before the Guru’s passing — the Sikhs asked him to whom he was entrusting the Khalsa. The Guru replied that he existed in three forms: the invisible (nirgun), his word, and the visible (sargun). After his physical passing, his invisible form would live on; his second form would be the Granth; and his third, visible form would be the Khalsa.
The Guru then led the Khalsa to where the Adi Granth was installed. He opened the holy book, placed five paise and a coconut before it, bowed five times, and declared it the Guru for all time. He named it Granth — combining Gur and Ant, meaning ‘Eternal Guru’ — and affirmed: ‘Whoever wishes to seek enlightenment, guidance and solace, let them read the holy Granth. This is your Guru forever and ever till eternity.’ He then entrusted the Khalsa to the care of Akal Purukh — God.
Jo Sikh Gur Darshan Kee Chah, Darshan Karo Granth Ji Aah
Jo Mam Sath Chaho Kar Bat, Granth ji Parhe Bichare Sath.
Jo Muj Bachan Sunan kee Chah, Granth ji Parhe Sune Chit Lahe
Me Mero Rup Granth Ji Jan, Is Men Bhed Nahin Kuchh Man
The Granth is second myself (Guru Granth, not Dasam Granth, which was compiled later by Bhai Mani Singh). It should be taken for me. A Sikh who wants to see me, should have a look at the Granth. One who wishes to talk to me, should read the Granth and think over it. One who is anxious to listen to my talk, he should read the Granth and listen to its recitation with attention. Consider the Granth as my own self. Have not the least doubt about it.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s last sermon, which is now a part of the Sikh daily prayer after Ardaas:
Aagya Bhai Akal Ki Tabhi Chalayo Panth,
Sab Sikhan Ko Hukum Hai Guru Manyo Granth.
Guru Granth Ji Manyo Pargat Guran Ki Deh.
Jo Prabh Ko Milbo Chahe Khoj Shabad Men Leh
Under orders of the Immortal Being, the Panth was started. All Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. Consider the Guru Granth as a representation of the Guru’s body. Those who wish to meet God can find the way in its hymns.
mool mantar
Akaal Moorat · Ajooni · Saibhang · Gur Prasaad
Ik – There is ONE (Ik) reality, the origin and the source of everything. The creation did not come out of nothing. When there was nothing, there was ONE, Ik.
Onkaar – When Ik becomes the creative principal it becomes Onkaar. Onkaar manifests as a visible and invisible phenomenon. The creative principle is not separated from the created. It is present throughout the creation in an unbroken form, ‘kaar’.
Satnaam – The sustaining principle of Ik is Satnaam, the True Name, True Name.
Kartaa Purakh – Ik Onkaar is the Creator and Doer (Kartaa) of everything, all the seen and unseen phenomenon. It is not just a law or a system; it is a Purakh, a Person.
Nirbhau – That Ik Onkaar is devoid of any fear, because there is nothing but itself.
Nirvair – That Ik Onkaar is devoid of any enmity because there is nothing but itself.
Akaal Moorat – That Ik Onkaar is beyond time (Akaal) and yet it exists. It is a form (Moorat), which does not exist in time.
Ajooni – That Ik Onkaar does not condense and come into any birth. All the phenomenon of birth and death of forms are within it.
Saibhang – That Ik Onkaar exists on its own, by its own. It is not caused by anything before it or beyond it.
Gurprasaad – That Ik Onkaar expresses itself through a channel known as Guru, and it is through its own Grace and Mercy (Prasaad) that this happens.
COMPOSITION & STRUCTURE
◆ The Gurmukhi Script
The Sikh Gurus spoke Punjabi and developed the Gurmukhi script to record their sacred hymns. The word Gurmukhi translates as 'from the mouth of the Guru'. According to Sikh tradition, Guru Angad Dev Ji standardised the script at Guru Nanak Dev Ji's suggestion. Furthermore, Gurmukhi holds a high degree of sanctity in Sikh tradition — it is the official script of the Indian state of Punjab.
◆ Two Main Sections
- Introductory section — comprising the Mool Mantar, Japji Sahib and Sohila, all composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Main section — compositions of the Sikh Gurus followed by those of the Bhagats (saints), arranged according to 31 Ragas (musical settings)
◆ The 31 Ragas
The word raga refers to the ‘colour’ — specifically the emotion or mood produced by a combination of pitches. A raga is composed of melodic motifs based on a definite scale, providing a structure within which the musician performs. Some ragas are associated with specific times of day or year. There are 31 ragas in the Sikh system, divided into 14 ragas and 17 raginis (minor ragas).
The 31 ragas, in order: Sri, Manjh, Gauri, Asa, Gujri, Devagandhari, Bihagara, Wadahans, Sorath, Dhanasri, Jaitsri, Todi, Bairari, Tilang, Suhi, Bilaval, Gond, Ramkali, Nut-Narayan, Mali-Gaura, Maru, Tukhari, Kedara, Bhairav, Basant, Sarang, Malar, Kanra, Kalyan, Prabhati and Jaijawanti. In addition there are 22 Vars (traditional ballads).
◆ Contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib
| Sikh Gurus | Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (6 of the 10 Gurus) |
| Hindu Bhagats | Kabir, Ravidas, Namdev, Trilochan, Dhanna, Sain, Sadhna, Pipa, Surdas, Parmanand, Ramanand |
| Muslim Saints | Sheikh Farid (Baba Farid), Bhikhan |
| Bhatts (Bards) | 11 bards whose eulogies of the Gurus are included in the scripture |
| Other Gursikhs | Bhai Mardana, Satta, Balwand and others |
RECITATION & REVERENCE
In every Gurdwara, the Guru Granth Sahib holds the central place of honour. It rests on a raised platform called the Takht (throne) while the congregation sits on the floor below, bowing in reverence as they would before a living Guru. Sikhs cover their heads and remove their shoes in its presence. They carry it on the head as a mark of respect, never touch it with unwashed hands, and never place it on the floor.
Additionally, a canopy (Palki or Chanani) rests over it and a Chaur Sahib — a ceremonial fan — is waved above it. These are marks of royalty: historically, peacock-feather fans were waved over kings and saints. In this way, the Guru Granth Sahib receives the full honours of a living sovereign.
◆ The Daily Practices
- Parkash — The Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially opened (Parkash) each morning and carried in procession to the main hall
- Hukamnama — Each day a random page is opened and the hymn at the top of the left page is read as the Guru’s directive for the day
- Sukhasan — Each evening the Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially closed (Sukhasan) and taken to rest in a room of its own
- Akhand Path — A continuous, unbroken reading of the entire 1,430 pages, completed in approximately 48 hours by a relay of readers
- Sehaj Path — A non-continuous reading of the entire scripture, completed at one’s own pace
📖 UNIQUE IN WORLD RELIGION: The Guru Granth Sahib is the only world scripture compiled and authenticated by the founders of its own religion during their lifetime. Guru Arjan Dev Ji personally oversaw its compilation in 1604, ensuring authenticity. No other world scripture — Bible, Quran, Vedas — can make this claim.
THE LIVING GURU
The Guru Granth Sahib is not a historical text or a reference book — it is the living presence of the Guru in every Sikh home and Gurdwara. When a Sikh bows before the Guru Granth Sahib, they bow before the accumulated wisdom, love, sacrifice and divine guidance of all ten Gurus and the thirty-six saints whose words it contains.
Consequently, Sikhs consult the Guru Granth Sahib at every major moment of life — birth, naming, marriage and death. Its words serve as the compass by which a Sikh navigates the world. Moreover, wherever five Sikhs gather with the Guru Granth Sahib present, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s own declaration holds: the Guru himself is there.
TRANSLATIONS & ACCESSIBILITY
Sikhs reject the idea of a single sacred language — they believe the Guru Granth Sahib can and should reach people in many languages. Unlike some traditions that hold their scripture's original language to be uniquely sacred, Sikhism teaches that God's word belongs to all humanity and everyone should understand it. Full translations are available in English, Punjabi and Hindi, and Gurbani audio is accessible for all major banis.
English
Full translation accessible to Sikhs and non-Sikhs worldwide who do not read Gurmukhi or Punjabi.
Download PDFPunjabi
Original Gurmukhi script with Punjabi translation — the primary language of the Sikh Gurus and of the Punjab region.
Download PDFHindi
Hindi translation with Devanagari script — for readers across the Hindi belt of India.
Download PDFAudio
Listen to the Guru Granth Sahib recited — Gurbani audio available for all major banis.
Listen Now