Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Fifth Patshah, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, undertook the monumental task of compiling the authentic spiritual scripture for humanity at Ramsar Sahib, Amritsar. The Guru gathered the sacred hymns (Pothis) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, and Guru Amar Das Ji from Baba Mohan Ji, combined them with the compositions of his father Guru Ram Das Ji, his own extensive divine poetry, and the selected hymns of prominent egalitarian saints across South Asia.

The master scribe was the revered scholar Bhai Gurdas Ji, who inscribed the sacred volume under the direct dictation and supervision of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. In August 1604 CE (Bhadon Sudi Ekam, Samvat 1661), the Adi Granth was ceremonially installed inside Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). The venerable Baba Buddha Ji was anointed as its first Head Granthi.

Later in 1706 CE at Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Tenth Patshah Guru Gobind Singh Ji recited the entire scripture from memory to master scribe Bhai Mani Singh Ji, incorporating the divine hymns of Ninth Patshah Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji to establish the final, authenticated Damdami Bir.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji represents a unique, unprecedented monument of universal brotherhood. Guru Arjan Dev Ji included verses not only of the Sikh Gurus, but also of saints and mystics from across diverse geographic regions, social backgrounds, and faith traditions who shared the unwavering vision of One Creator (Ik Onkar) and the absolute equality of all human beings.

Hymns of weavers (Bhagat Kabir Ji), cobblers (Bhagat Ravidas Ji), farmers (Bhagat Dhanna Ji), tailors (Bhagat Namdev Ji), and Sufi Muslim dervishes (Sheikh Farid Ji) sit upon the exact same throne of divine reverence as the hymns of the Gurus themselves.

Unlike scriptures organized by historical chronology or subject matter, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is structured according to Indian classical music (Ragas). Each Raga evokes a distinct state of consciousness, seasonal atmosphere, and emotional resonance.

The opening section contains daily liturgies: Japji Sahib (unbound by Raga), Sodar Rehras Sahib, and Kirtan Sohila. The main body opens with Raag Asa and spans 31 distinct Ragas:

Under each Raga, hymns are systematically organized by poetic meter: Chaupadas (four-verse hymns), Ashtapadas (eight-verse hymns), Chhants (six-line poetic meters), Vars (spiritual ballads with Saloks and Pauris), and concluding Bhagat Bani.

In October 1708 CE at Nanded, Maharashtra (now Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib), Tenth Patshah Guru Gobind Singh Ji formally brought the lineage of personal physical Gurus to a culmination. The Guru placed five paise and a coconut before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, bowed in profound reverence, and decreed:

Since that historic day, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is venerated as the eternal, living Guru of the Sikhs — enthroned with royal chaur sahib, palki sahib, and rumalas in every Gurdwara worldwide.