Guru Granth Sahib Ji

2.  There are two holy-scriptures of
Sikhism: Guru Granth Sahib or Adi
Granth and Dasam Granth.
 The Guru Granth Sahib was compiled by
the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in
1604 AD

3. “Guru” means “Spiritual teacher” who dispels
the ignorance.
“Granth” implies a „Scripture containing
divine knowledge’.
“Sahib” is added as a mark of respect, which
literally means “The Master” or “The Lord”.

4. Guru Granth Sahib Ji
• Compiled by the Sikh Guru’s themselves
• Revered as living Master
• Any member, male or female, of the congregation can read
from Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
• All religious activity of the Sikhs are focused upon and
revolves around the Spiritual Scripture.
• Contains teachings of the Gurus and also other Muslim and
Hindu saints

5. Guru Granth Sahib exalts the True Name of ‘ek-Omkar’,
and prays for the welfare of the humanity as a whole.”
The Holy Granth Sahib starts with the Moolmantra, before
‘jap’:
“Ik Onkar, sat nam, karta purakh,
nirbhao, nirvair, akal murat,
ajuni, saibhang, gur prasad”
Moolmantra is the essence of the Sikh Philosophy

6. Mool Mantra – Basic Tenet(s)
There is but one God
True is his name
The Creator, without fear, without enmity
Timeless, Without birth i.e. unborn and Self
illumined
The entire Moolmantra is repeated 33 times in the
Granth, and is repeated 524 times in its short form.

7. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru declared
Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru and
ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs.
Guru Granth Sahib –
The Sikh Scripture is purely monotheistic
1430 pages, 5894 hymns, the total number
of Ragas is 31.
The Gurus‟ Experience of the Divine

8. It says:
“A man or woman without true love is an empty shell,
which soon crumbles and is reduced to dust.”
“A resting place at the Divine Portal can be found only
through the devoted service of mankind”
He emphasized that “he who enshrines the
Name of God in his heart, is emancipated while living”. This
is the way to reach the state of enlightenment or „Jeevan
Mukti’.
APPROACH

9. Teachings : God and GURU
“The body is the palace, the temple, and the house of God, in
which He has placed His infinite Light” says Guru Nanak.
Dependence on „Guru‟ or teacher is essential to understand
the reality of God. “Such is the distinctive greatness of the
True Guru, that through His grace and guidance one can
attain salvation, even while living a normal domestic life”
“Cultivating a real personal devotion to God, fostering
compassion and service for people who are poor or suffering,
and promoting equality and seeking harmony among all
human beings”

10. “Every one is answerable to God, no one is saved but for his good deeds”
“Greed ruins mankind as moss spoils water.”
“Whatever pleases God is the best of all things and actions”
“Gather good qualities and thereby get rid of evil from the heart”
About God, the Guru Granth Sahib says: “What pervades the universe
also dwells in the human body; he who searches for Him shall find Him
there.”
Teachings:-

11. Ego must be gotten rid of, if God is to be realized. “Man
degrades himself in human order because of his egotism”
Bhagat Surdas says in Guru Granth Sahib says – “O! Mind!
Leave the company of those who have turned away from God”
Guru Ramdas says - “keep away from association with lust,
wrath, greed, attachment, pride and vicious taste of evil
deeds.”
The central theme of the Guru Granth Sahib is concerned with
the creation of a just social order and the commitment to
social and gender equality and peaceful coexistence
Teachings:-

12. Practices & Dress Code
 No magic: antidote for evil is to remember God (recite His name)
 No rituals.
 No superstitions.
 No statues or idol worship
 Sikh men and women keep uncut hair
 Dress code given by tenth Guru: Guru Gobind Singh, as a form of
identity and uniqueness.
 Sikhs wear the five K‟s: Kesh (unshorn hair) Kanga (small comb) Kara
(iron bangle) Kirpaan (symbolic sword) Kachera (underpants)
 Color of turban is personal preference

13. Values & Practices
 Sarbat da bhala : Welfare unto all
 Seva: Daily selfless service to humanity
 Service to god through selfless service to humanity
and Gods creation.
 Vand Chakna: sharing with the needy
 Kirat Karniyee: Honest Labor
 Honest earnings by hard work
 Do not become burden on the society
 Daily Prayers & Meditation

14. Sikhism and Women Rights
• Spiritual scripture ( Guru Granth Sahib ) mandate
women must be respected and treated as equal to
man
• Sikh Gurus rejected the old myth of females being
inferior to men.
• Sikh followers are instructed not to associate with
those who discriminate against Women
• Sikh Women can do everything
• Both men and women are considered capable of
reaching the highest levels of spirituality

15. ONE GOD IN ALL