Gurbani & the Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the eternal, living Guru of the Sikhs — a scripture treated with the same respect as a living Guru.
A living Guru
Completed in its first form (the Adi Granth) by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1604, the scripture was declared the eternal Guru by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. It is written in the Gurmukhi script and contains over 5,800 hymns.
Radically inclusive
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji includes the writings of six Sikh Gurus alongside Hindu and Muslim saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, and Namdev — a powerful act of interfaith unity. Its hymns span many languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic.
Daily prayer and song
Kirtan — devotional singing from the scripture — is the cornerstone of Sikh worship. Sikhs also recite daily prayers (Nitnem), including Japji Sahib in the morning, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Key terms
- Gurbani
- The sacred writings and hymns of the Gurus.
- Mool Mantar
- The opening verse of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, beginning with 'Ik Onkar'.
- Kirtan
- Devotional singing of Gurbani, central to Sikh worship.
- Gurmukhi
- The script in which the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written.
These are short introductions to help you get started. For deeper study, please refer to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and speak with your local Gurdwara.