Prof. Karamjeet Singh
On the 15th Day of Bhadon (Full moon), 1604, that falls on 7 September this year, the Granth Sahib was ceremonially installed in the centre of the inner sanctuary at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.
Baba Buddha ji opened it with reverence to obtain from it the Hukamnama (Divine command) as Guru Arjun stood in attendance behind.
The hukamanma was “Santa Ke Karaj Aap Khaloiya Har Kam Karavan Aaya Raam” (Waheguru ji Himself come to see task of HIS disciples fulfilled).
Guru Granth Sahib, also called Adi Granth or Adi Guru Darbar, is the holy book or scripture of the Sikhs and is looked upon as a perpetual, ultimate and eternal Guru of the religion.
It has the status of a living Guru of the Sikhs, a spiritual guide for mankind that plays a central role in “guiding” the “Sikh” way of life. Its place in Sikh devotional life is based on two fundamental principles:
- The text is a divine revelation
- All answers regarding religion and morality can be discovered within it.
Guru Granth Sahib comprises of 1430 Angs (pages) and 6000 hymns or verses called Shabads. Its contents are preaching’s of the Gurus and are referred to as Gurbani (holy words of the Guru).
Guru Nanak Dev, composed many holy hymns for the Sikhs to recite in their morning and evening prayers.
His successor Guru Angad Dev continued the tradition. Sri Guru Granth Sahib consists of this divine Bani of six Gurus of the faith and renditions from many more saints both Hindu and Muslim..
Sri Guru Granth Sahib reflects the universality of thought, which underlies the Sikh belief in One God, and the one family of humanity as children of God. Guru Ji gave us divine light, a treasure in the form of Shri Guru Granth Sahib, each divine word is capable of changing anybody’s life.
Let us Introspect
Are we following what our Guru Granth Sahib dictates
Are we not behaving as if:
(a) We are hungry and sumptuous food in a plate is served to us. We are keeping food plate in a centre and having rounds and not eating anything. Can this behaviour satiate our hunger?
(b) We are suffering from deadly disease and we have medicine before us to get cured immediately, but despite of knowing, we don’t take medicine, Can we be cured?
The solution lies in understanding the teaching of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and try to live our life as per teaching, so Let us pledge today that we’ll love our GURU and try to follow (implement) what HE directs us in Shri Guru Granth Sahib. Remember also that this is possible only If “HIS” grace (bakhshish) is on you and for this perform ARDAS.
(Prof Karamjit Singh is Vice Chancellor, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University)
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