Sandeep S. Sandhu
Guru Granth Sahib is a unique text of the spiritual quest of mankind. The Tenth Master Sri Guru Gobind Singh anointed it the “Living Guru” for eternity. The Tenth Guru had ordained that Guru Granth Sahib -- the embodiment of the teachings of Ten Gurus and other Bhakatas and Sufis of the medieval times, be revered by his disciples as a Guru, both in its spiritual essence and physical form. Guru Granth Sahib was formally compiled, edited and written by Bhai Gurdas at the dictation of Sri Guru Arjan Dev, the Fifth Master. It was enshrined at Sri Harimandir as ‘Sri Adi Granth’ for the emancipation of mankind on 1st September 1604.
It so happened that the manuscripts of the writings of earlier Gurus were in the possession of Bhai Mohan Ji, the eldest son of Guru Amar Das and an uncle of Guru Arjan Dev. Bhai Mohan Ji lived in a ‘Chaubara’ (a terraced house) at Goindwal Sahib. Guru Arjan Dev sent his emissaries to the great saint asking him to submit the original manuscripts at the ‘Seat of Guru Nanak’. Bhai Mohan Ji was so enamoured of the spiritual gems that he refused to part with them. Then the Great Master himself went to Goindwal Sahib, bathed in the Beas River and composed and sang a melodious hymn outside the residence of Bhai Mohan Ji – ‘Mohan Tere Uchhe Mandir’ (Oh Lord! High indeed are the pedestals on which Thine is ensconced). The mellifluous rendition of the hymn stirred the soul of ‘Bhai Mohan Ji’. He relented and gave the possession of manuscripts to the Guru.
Guru Arjan Dev compiled these manuscripts and on the other hand, he collected spiritual compositions from all parts of the sub-continent written in different languages by saints of various castes and creeds. Among such saints are spiritual luminaries like Kabir, Ravidass, Dhanna ji, Tirlochan, Baba Farid, Surdas, Sadhnaji, Namdev and Sain ji. For the first time in Indian history, the writings of those belonging to the so-called high and low castes were compiled together. Such was the spiritual vision of Sri Guru Arjan Dev.
There were other men of learning and divine inclination, like Shah Hussain, Chajju and Peelu, who came to Amritsar to submit their writings for the Guru’s perusal The Guru politely told them that although their writings, were par excellence, but still they lacked that spiritual insight that is required of text to be a part of Granth Sahib. The great poets humbly resigned to the Guru wishes. After completing this massive work, the Guru placed the Granth in Sri Harmandir Sahib and appointed Baba Buddha ji as its first caretaker. Subsequently, everybody including the successive Gurus reverentially bowed to the Granth Sahib ji and performed ‘Kirtan’ in its presence.
The practice continued for the next hundred till Guru Gobind Sahib got it written again by Bhai Mani Singh, by giving a verbatim dictation.
Besides, the hymns of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur were also incorporated. Finally, it was at Nanded (Maharashtra) that he bowed in reverence to the Granth Sahib and bestowed the ‘Guruship’ on the sacred word thus making it the Guru Granth Sahib. He called upon his disciples that whosoever would aspire to meet Him after he’s gone from the world, shall find Him in the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’. His message was well taken by his followers and three hundreds years on, the Sikhs devotedly seek spiritual solace and guidance from the ‘Word of Guru Nanak’. So much so that the devout Sikhs have carried the Sri Guru Granth Sahib into war zones and fought battles under its aegis.
No wonder a sea of humanity has descended upon Amritsar to participate in the historic occasion of 400th anniversary celebrations of ‘Parkash Utsav’ (enshrinement) of Guru Granth Sahib. Amongst the dignitaries slated to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple are Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr. Manmohan Singh, the President and Prime Minister of India respectively. The SantaBanta.com team too pays sacred homage to Sri Guru Granth Sahib on this historic occasion.
