Who is the Guru?
Who is the Guru?
There are numerous misunderstandings within the Sikh Panth concerning the 'Guru Granth Sahib Ji.' In recent times, the Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji has faced several attacks, largely due to misinterpretations propagated by uninformed individuals who have not thoroughly studied old Sikh manuscripts and scriptures. Many individuals often cite Giani Gian Singh Ji's renowned recorded Bani within the Panth Parkash:
ਆਗਿਆ ਭਈ ਅਕਾਲ ਕੀ ਤਬੈ ਚਲਾਇਓ ਪੰਥ ।।
ਸਭ ਸਿਖਨ ਕੋ ਹੁਕਮ ਹੈ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਾਨਿਓ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ।।
Agya Bhai Akaal Ki Tabeh Chalayo Panth
Sabh Sikhan Ko Hukam Hai Guru Maneyo Granth
Under the directives of the eternal being, this Panth (Sikh community) was established.
All Sikhs are instructed to embrace the Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) as their Guru.
Naveen Panth Parkash, Vol 1 p.1840
It has been a common misconception within the Sikh Panth that the term 'Granth' is singular, but in fact, it is a plural term as well. The Sri Adi Guru Granth Sahib Ji was compiled by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj, the 5th Sikh Guru. However, the original scripture was retained by Dhir Mal, a descendant of the Guru, who refused to return it.
In the era of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he had to dictate the Adi Granth to Bhai Mani Singh Ji from his memory and also included Salok Mahalla Nauva (9) within the Granth.
[Note: Some argue that there is no Bani of the 10th Guru in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. However, within Salok Mahalla Nauva, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji has placed his signature (Dohra) and included his Salok, originally named Salok Mahalla 10. This can be found on Ang 1429, Line 5, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.]
The Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji is commonly criticized on two major points. The first point raised by the attackers is that the Charitropakhyaan Bani within the Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji is invalid as it contains tales illustrating the reality of deception from historical narratives narrated by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These tales were shared with the Khalsa to outline the potential consequences of falling into traps of sexual deception. As children of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it is the duty of the father to protect his children, and the 10th Guru provides insights into what men and women are capable of when driven by lust for power or wealth. By referring to these tales, the Khalsa would be more aware of such issues.
The second point of attack is that the Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji was not compiled by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself but by Bhai Mani Singh Ji, based on a letter sent to Mata Sundari Kaur. In response to this common criticism, it should be noted that the Sri Dasam Guru Granth was previously known as the Vishav Kosh (knowledge of all Granths) and later came to be known as the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib.
Similarly, the Sri Sarabloh Guru Granth Sahib Ji was known as the Sri Manglacharan Puran. The Sri Sarabloh Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a lesser-known scripture among the Sikh community as it was preserved by the Nihangs and is located at Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib Takhat Abchal Nagar.
More about the Sri Sarabloh Granth Sahib Ji click here (Link coming soon).
In the Panth Parkash, Giani Gian Singh, who recorded the famous "Guru Maneyo Granth," also recorded Guru Gobind Singh Ji's hukam to acknowledge all three Granths as one.
Dohra: "Aad Guru te Dasam Loh Granth Panth Ki Tek. Gehe Puran Thiya Granth Yeh Daya Sarb Har Ek."
{Giani Gian Singh Panth Parkash Vol 5}
The above verse emphasizes that the Aad (Adi), Dasam, and Sarabloh Granths should be seen under the same light as one (Guru).