Sikhism; Its Origins and Fundamental Beliefs (Part 9)
Sacred Texts of Sikhism
Every religion—whether divine or non-divine—possesses a special book through which its followers uphold their faith and adhere to its rulings.
Sikhism is one such religion that has provided its followers with sacred texts. These texts contain poems, hymns, and teachings specific to the Sikh tradition.
Sikhs have two sacred books: Adi Granth and Dasam Granth.
1. Adi Granth
This book is the most important scripture of the Sikhs. “Adi” means “great” and “Granth” means “book.” Another name for this book is Guru Granth Sahib (The Noble Book of the Guru), a title that became common after the last Guru declared the Adi Granth as his successor.
This book was compiled and composed in 1604 by the fifth Sikh Guru from the teachings and writings left by Guru Nanak and other Gurus of that era. Later, the ninth and tenth Gurus also added short passages to it.
The Adi Granth is composed in verse and contains approximately 29,500 lines, comprising 5,894 hymns or sabhad. It includes works by 37 individuals, of whom seven were among the ten Sikh Gurus, while the rest were other mystics and thinkers like Kabir, Farid, and Ramananda.
The portions of the Adi Granth composed by non-Sikhs (including Hindus and Muslims) are called Bhagat Bani (“words of the wise”), whereas the sections composed by the Gurus are referred to as Gurbani (“words of the Gurus”). The Bhagat Bani, which comes after the Gurbani, comprises about 938 hymns, making up roughly one-sixth of the Adi Granth.
The number of hymns attributed to each contributor varies:
• Guru Nanak: 974 hymns
• Guru Arjan: 2,218 hymns
• Kabir: 541 hymns
• Farid: 116 hymns
The Granth incorporates six primary languages: Punjabi, Multani, Persian, Prakrit, Hindi, and Marathi, in addition to some regional dialects.
For this reason, the Sikh scripture is notably diverse in linguistic composition compared to most other religious texts, which are typically limited to one or two languages.
The Guru Granth Sahib is considered one of the most difficult religious books in the world. Very few people are capable of reading and understanding it. A translator of this book into English once remarked, “There are not even ten people in the world who can read and comprehend the original text correctly.”
Thus, the Guru Granth Sahib is regarded as one of the most complex religious texts in the world. Anyone wishing to read or understand it must consult a learned and well-versed scholar of Sikhism.
A. Reverence for the Adi Granth
Sikh followers show profound reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib, to the point that it resembles a kind of idolatry. They take great care in its cleanliness and preservation. Every morning, the book is wrapped in a fine and expensive cloth and placed with utmost respect on a short throne under a jeweled canopy.
In the evening, it is ceremoniously transferred to a golden bed in a sacred room, securely protected from all worldly disturbances by locks and guards.
Sikhs regard this book with absolute reverence. However, in practice, the majority of Sikhs have neglected the book. At least ninety percent of Sikhs are unaware of the actual content of their sacred scripture.
At the main Sikh temple in Amritsar, although the temple is devoid of images and idols and is entirely devoted to the worship of the One God, there is a belief that a visible manifestation of the invisible God is present in the sacred scripture. In fact, the Guru Granth Sahib is treated as the real deity of the temple and is approached as if it were a personified divine presence.
Just as Sikhs once exalted Guru Nanak to near-divine status, revering him excessively, they now demonstrate similar—if not greater—veneration toward their sacred scripture, to the extent that it surpasses idol worship.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a prominent Hindu reformer and founder of the Arya Samaj, one of the most influential religious reform movements of 19th-century India, strongly criticized this aspect of Sikhism.
He particularly targeted the Sikh question: “Why worship someone who is born and dies? Worship the One God who encompasses the seas and the earth.” He replied:
“Although Sikhs do not worship idols, they revere their sacred book—the Granth—even more than idols. Is this not idolatry?
Idolatry means showing reverence to or worshipping any material object.
They are doing exactly what other idol worshippers do: turning their scripture into a profitable enterprise.
Just as idolaters display their deities to large crowds and seek offerings, the followers of Nanak worship the Granth and permit its veneration, accepting gifts from followers in return.”
B. Reading and Recitation of the Adi Granth
There is another copy of the Adi Granth in the temple specifically designated for recitation. It is continuously read by designated readers in shifts throughout the day and night. This recitation is often accompanied by music and is practiced during celebrations, weddings, and even funerals.
Traditionally, Sikhs also perform divination (istikhārah) using the Adi Granth and seek omens (tafa’ul) from it.
Certain etiquettes are observed during its recitation:
The Guru Granth Sahib must always be placed on a high platform known as the Takht (throne).
Sikhs must cover their heads and remove their shoes in its presence.
Before touching the Granth Sahib, one must bathe and wash hands.
Communal recitation is also practiced, during which all Sikhs are required to sit on the floor and bow in reverence.
In the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the Guru Granth Sahib is brought in every morning with special rituals and returned to its designated resting place at night.
