Universal teachings

"Sab Sikhan ko hukam hai, Guru maneyo Granth"-all Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. These were the parting instructions of Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh Guru, as he codified the Sikh law and ended the line of human Gurus. It was the fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan Dev, who had compiled its first version: The Adi Granth, and installed it inside the Golden Temple on September 1, 1604. Guru Gobind Singh subsequently added hymns of later gurus making it final, sovereign and eternal Guru of Sikhs.

Guru Granth Sahib starts with Japuji Sahib, Guru Nanak's first proclamation after attaining Self-realisation. Its opening words, Ek Omkar, signify oneness of the universe; rest of the Granth simply elaborates its essence. In addition to hymns of Sikh gurus, it contains teachings of 30 other saints of different Indic religions, castes and regions. Their teachings are poetically rendered and set to rhythmic music based on 31 different ragas in this 1,430-page voluminous scripture.

The underlying theme of the Granth is that of universal brotherhood emphasising equality, justice and compassion. While Guru Nanak said, "Na koi Hindu na Mussalman" -Hindus and Muslims are not dissimilar.


To attain inner peace, it asks us to align with the 'hukam', a word derived from Arabic, meaning 'divine order'.

Guru Granth Sahib does not belong to any particular faith as its compositions have a universal approach. It is a source of ethical guidance to entire humankind, especially those on a spiritual journey.