Gems of Gurbani

Guru Granth Sahib – 5

 The literary contribution of Gurus and other authors of Guru Granth sahib are remarkable because the prose forms used in the writing of Granth are more than 52 and the span of this literary variety is around 1000 years. The Gurus have not only elevated the literary standard of common people’s languages but enriched it by using so many literary forms, ragas and a unique system of grammar. The construction of granth has another unique feature that it cannot be pilfered. The prose forms used in Guru Granth Sahib are as follows: Arti, Alahani, Anand, Anjuli, Ashtapadi, Ikk tuka, Sodar, Sou Purukh, sohila, Solha, suchaji, sadu, Sidh gosht, shabad, sukhmani, shlok, shlok sahas krti, sawaiyye, kuchaji, kafi, karhala, gatha, ghori, chaupada, chaubola, chautuka, chhipda, chhinj, chant, chhaka, jap, dhakhna, tipda, titka, thiti, dupda, dutka, din raein, pauri, panchpada, pahira, pati, pada, phunha,bawan akhri, birhara, barah mah, mangal, mundawani, ruti, lavan, waran.

The northern Indian languages have developed from Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and Apabhransh. Aryans who came to India from Caspean Sea area spoke Vedic. The oldest book Rigveda is written in Vedic. But mixed with languages of indigeneous people many languages develop according to the geographical area. Sanskrit is one such language that developed in northern India around 1500 BC and has most developed grammar and excellent literature. It became the language of the elite. With the development of brahminical traditions the language was reserved for high caste Hindus only and others were prohibited to speak or learn it. Around 500 BC Pali and later Prakrit languages were spoken in India. This was period of Budhism and Jainism in India and most religious literature of these two religions was written in these two languages. Around 1000 AD the language spoken was Apabhransh and from here onwards the development of modern Indian languages like Punjabi, Sindhi, Marathi, Bengali and others takes place. Gurbani has been written in many languages. Though its prominent language is Punjabi but it has used other languages like Sadhu bhasha or santukdi. This has Hindi background with words coming from many languages as it was used by Bhagtas of the Bhakti movement who were for unity of people and against caste system. Guru Nanak and Sheikh Farid have used Lehndi that is derived from Multani. Guru Teg Bahadur ji has used Brij Bhasha as that was language of literary world in his times. Guru Granth was written in that time period when the development of modern languages was taking place but it contains Bani of bhaktas who had started their movement around 12^th century so many prose structure of languages used in the Gurbani are from ancient times. Though majority of language and prose form is that of medieval period the impression of ancient grammar and prose cannot be ignored. Guru Granth Sahib is a treasure house for the students of languages, literature, grammar and prose forms.