Adi Granth (The Holy Scriptures of the Sikhs)

The "Adi Granth," also known as the "Guru Granth Sahib," is the central religious scripture of Sikhism, a faith that originated in India. Compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in 1604 CE, this sacred text is a collection of nearly 6,000 hymns composed by the Sikh Gurus and various early and medieval saints from different religions and castes. The hymns are written in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, Marathi, Persian, and Arabic, reflecting the diverse cultural and spiritual heritage of the region. The Adi Granth is revered as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs and is the central object of worship in all gurdwaras (Sikh temples). It is ritually opened in the morning and wrapped up and put away for the night. On special occasions, continuous readings of the scripture are held, which can last from 2 to 15 days. The text opens with the Mul Mantra ("Basic Prayer"), a declaration of the nature of God as Truth, followed by the Japji ("Recital"), the most important Sikh scripture written by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The English translation by Dr. Ernest Trumpp, first published in 1970 and reprinted in 2018, makes this profound spiritual work accessible to a global audience. The translation includes introductory essays that provide valuable context and insights into the life of the Sikh Gurus, the composition of the Granth, and the linguistic and metrical aspects of the hymns. For those unfamiliar with the Adi Granth, this text offers a deep dive into the spiritual and ethical teachings of Sikhism. It emphasizes the union of the human soul with its Maker, achieved through high ethical standards and the renunciation of egoism, while still engaging in worldly activities. The Adi Granth is not only a religious text but also a historical document that provides insights into the social and religious conditions of India during the early and late medieval periods.