Adi Granth Evolution

The Sikh Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism, has a rich and profound history, evolving from early collections of hymns into the present-day Guru Granth Sahib. Here's an overview of its development:

Photograph of the Kartarpur Birkept at Kartarpur. This is the manuscript that was said to have been completed by Guru Arjanand his scribe, Bhai Gurdas, in 1604 and installed in the Golden Temple

Pothi (Early Collections)

- **Guru Nanak (1469-1539)**: The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, composed hymns and poems that conveyed his spiritual teachings. These hymns were initially memorized and passed down orally by his followers.

- **Guru Angad (1504-1552)**: The second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad, continued the tradition and encouraged the recording of Guru Nanak's hymns. He also standardized the Gurmukhi script, which facilitated the written preservation of these hymns.

Adi Granth (The First Book)

- **Guru Arjan (1563-1606)**: The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan, compiled the Adi Granth in 1604. Recognizing the need for a definitive scripture to guide the Sikh community, he collected hymns from the previous Gurus, as well as writings from various Hindu and Muslim saints (Bhagats) who shared a similar spiritual message. The Adi Granth was compiled into a single volume and installed in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. Bhai Gurdas served as the scribe for this monumental task.

- **Content and Structure**: The Adi Granth contained hymns by the first five Sikh Gurus (Guru Nanak to Guru Arjan) and compositions by various saints and bards. It emphasized monotheism, equality, and social justice.

Guru Granth Sahib (The Eternal Guru)

- **Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)**: The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, played a crucial role in finalizing the Guru Granth Sahib. He included the hymns of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru, and issued the final compilation around 1705.

- **Declaration of Guru Granth Sahib as the Eternal Guru**: In 1708, before his passing, Guru Gobind Singh declared that there would be no more human Gurus after him. He proclaimed the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, ensuring that the spiritual authority remained with the scripture itself.

The Present-Day Guru Granth Sahib

- **Canonical Text**: The Guru Granth Sahib is composed of 1,430 pages (known as Angs). It includes 5,894 hymns, predominantly in Punjabi, but also contains compositions in other languages like Hindi, Persian, and Marathi, reflecting the diverse spiritual heritage it encompasses.

- **Reverence and Rituals**: The Guru Granth Sahib is treated with the utmost reverence in Sikhism. It is enshrined in the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) and is accorded the status of a living Guru. Sikhs practice rituals such as the continuous reading of the scripture (Akhand Path) and daily recitations (Nitnem).

- **Translations and Commentaries**: Over time, the Guru Granth Sahib has been translated into numerous languages, and scholars have produced extensive commentaries to make its teachings accessible to a global audience.

Significance

The Guru Granth Sahib is not just a holy book but the spiritual and moral compass for Sikhs worldwide. It encapsulates the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other enlightened souls, emphasizing universal principles such as love, compassion, humility, and devotion to God. Its evolution from the early pothis to the Adi Granth and finally the Guru Granth Sahib underscores the dynamic and inclusive nature of Sikhism.