Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the living, eternal Guru of the Sikhs. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji was near the end of his life, Sikhs asked who would be their Guru after him. Guru Ji bowed before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and declared: from this day, the Shabad — the divine Word of Waheguru — would be the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji carries the divine word of all human Gurus, together with the Bani of fifteen beloved Bhagats, eleven Bhatts, and three devoted Gursikhs — voices from many different faiths, castes, and backgrounds. Bhagat Kabir Ji, Bhagat Namdev Ji, Bhagat Ravidas Ji, Sheikh Farid Ji, and many more. Waheguru’s truth shines in every sincere heart, regardless of caste, creed, or background — and the compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is itself that declaration.

When we come into the presence of Guru Sahib, we cover our heads as a sign of respect, do matha tek — touching our forehead to the ground in love — and listen with our whole hearts. Sikh families all around the world begin their mornings with Gurbani, celebrate births, weddings, and farewells in the presence of Guru Sahib, and take guidance from the Hukamnama — the daily message that Guru Sahib offers each day. Wherever Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed, that place becomes a Gurdwara — the Guru’s door, open to all.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji carries these words that describe the relationship between the Shabad and the Sikh:

The Eternal Shabad Guru

The story of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji begins with Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself. As he traveled through cities, forests, and distant lands on his Udasis, he recorded his divine revelations as sacred hymns. He also gathered the compositions of beloved saints — including the sacred hymns of Sheikh Farid Ji, which he received from Sheikh Brahm, the eleventh keeper of that Sufi lineage. Guru Nanak kept this collection close throughout his life.

When Guru Nanak appointed Guru Angad Dev Ji as the next Guru, he also passed on this collection of Bani. Guru Angad Dev Ji added 63 of his own verses and passed it on to Guru Amar Das Ji. Guru Amar Das Ji added his own compositions and handed it to Guru Ram Das Ji. By the time this sacred inheritance reached Guru Arjan Dev Ji — the fifth Guru — it carried the Bani of four Gurus, fifteen beloved Bhagats, eleven Bhatts, and three devoted Gursikhs.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji recognized that the time had come to compile all of this Bani into one definitive form. He entrusted this task to the scholar Bhai Gurdas Ji — one of the most learned men of the era — and they worked at a peaceful spot near Amritsar known as Ramsar. The completed scripture was brought to Harmandir Sahib on 16 August 1604 and installed with great reverence. Baba Budha Ji, who had known every Guru from Guru Nanak onward, was appointed its first head Granthi.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji later added Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s Bani to the Granth at Damdama Sahib. On 6 October 1708 at Nanded, he bestowed eternal Guruship on this final form. From that moment, the Shabad itself — the divine Word — would be the guide forever.

The Sikh sangat around the world gathers in the presence of Guru Sahib for every moment that matters — births, weddings, and farewells. The Guru is always present, always ready to be heard.