GEMS OF GURBANI

Guru Granth Sahib ji – 1

For a complete understanding of Gurbani the structure of compilation, its spiritual contents, the literary usage and the art of compositions are some of the important features Of Guru Granth Sahib ji that young people will be interested to know. We shall undertake this in chapters that will follow so that the greatness of not only the Gurbani becomes easy to understand but the greatness of its compiler is known to everyone. Guru Arjun Dev ji himself was a great composer and music exponent and well versed with the prose and literary structure of not only Punjabi but many languages that are represented in the Granth Sahib. One can only imagine the depth of his knowledge and intelligence to strike a master stroke in compilation of this unique art work. The uniqueness of it lies in that no one can ever make any changes or alterations to it. I do not like to make any comparison but this is the only Holy Scripture that has been documented by the writers themselves. This means the Anahad Bani’s contents have come as enlightenment to the writers themselves and there was no via media or it was not re-written or corrected by centuries later by like minded people. Most of the contents are compilation collected by Guru Nanak, written by him and other Gurus themselves and they have never claimed to be prophets. They remained on this earth as human beings and as householders thus fulfilling the Will or Hukam of the Akal Purakh and tried to spread their light that the Almighty bestowed on them as Gurbani. Anahad Bani means a sound that comes without touch. To explain further a sound is usually created by friction of two metallic or even non metallic materials. Anahad is a sound that is creation of The Almighty that comes without friction. Gurbani is called Anahad Bani because it came as enlightenment to the writers themselves. Guru Arjun Ji has documented the greatness of Guru Granth sahib ji in Mundawani raag as follows:

Thaal wich tin vastu paiyo, sat santokh vicharo II

Amrit naam thakhur ka paiyo, jis ka sabas adharo II

Je ko khave je ko bhunche, tis ka hove udharo II

Eh vast taji nahin jayi, nit nit rakh uri dhare II

Tam sansar charan lagi tariye, sab nanak brahm pasaro II 1II GG ang 1429

Meaning: Three things – truth, contentment and meditation are served in a platter. The Nectar Name of the Lord who is the support of all is also put in there. If someone partakes this fare and if someone relishes it, he is emancipated. This cannot be forsaken never ever so keep it enshrined in your mind. All that spread is His Creation so at His Feet you shall get the salvation and this dark world ocean is crossed. O Nanak ,everything is extension of the Lord.