The Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the central religious scripture of Sikhism, was meticulously compiled over several years by the Sikh Gurus. This sacred text, revered as the eternal Guru by Sikhs, embodies the spiritual, philosophical, and ethical teachings of Sikhism and includes hymns from various saints and poets, reflecting a rich diversity of spiritual thought. The process of its compilation is a testament to the dedication and spiritual vision of the Sikh Gurus.
The foundation for the Guru Granth Sahib Ji was laid by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. He composed hymns that conveyed profound spiritual insights and emphasized the oneness of God, equality, and the importance of living a truthful and righteous life. These hymns were passed down orally and through handwritten manuscripts by Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s followers.
Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Sikh Guru, played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating Guru Nanak Dev Ji's hymns by standardizing the Gurmukhi script. This script became the medium through which the hymns and teachings of the Sikh Gurus were recorded, ensuring consistency and accessibility for the Sikh community.
The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, had the visionary idea of compiling the hymns of the previous Gurus and other revered saints into a single volume. His goal was to create an authoritative scripture that would guide the Sikh community and preserve the spiritual teachings for future generations.
In 1604, Guru Arjan Dev Ji began the monumental task of compiling the Adi Granth, the first version of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He collected hymns from Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji, and Guru Ram Das Ji. Additionally, Guru Arjan Dev Ji included hymns from various Hindu and Muslim saints, such as Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Sheikh Farid, and others, who shared a similar spiritual vision. This inclusivity underscored the Sikh principle of the universality of God's message.
Bhai Gurdas Ji, a revered Sikh scholar and poet, was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the scribe for the Adi Granth. Under Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s guidance, Bhai Gurdas Ji meticulously wrote down the hymns in Gurmukhi script. The compilation took place in the town of Ramsar, near Amritsar.
The hymns in the Adi Granth were arranged according to musical measures (Ragas) and sorted by the authorship of the Gurus and other saints. The structure ensured that the scripture was not only a spiritual guide but also a musical masterpiece, facilitating the singing and recitation of the hymns during worship.
On August 31, 1604, the Adi Granth was completed and installed at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. Baba Buddha Ji, a revered Sikh elder, was appointed as the first Granthi (custodian) of the scripture. The installation of the Adi Granth marked a significant moment in Sikh history, as it provided a unified spiritual authority for the Sikh community.
The final compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji was undertaken by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In 1705, at Damdama Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji included the hymns of the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, into the Adi Granth. He also authenticated the entire text to prevent any tampering or interpolation.
In 1708, before his death, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared that the Guru Granth Sahib Ji would be the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This declaration marked the end of the line of human Gurus and established the scripture as the spiritual and temporal guide for the Sikh community. Sikhs were instructed to seek spiritual guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and regard it with the utmost reverence.
The compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a remarkable historical and spiritual endeavor that reflects the collective wisdom and divine inspiration of the Sikh Gurus. The scripture not only preserves the teachings of the Sikh faith but also embodies a universal message of love, equality, and devotion. As the eternal Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji continues to guide and inspire millions of Sikhs worldwide, fostering a deep connection with the Divine and promoting a just and compassionate way of life.