Gurbani Santhiya is important as it helps people understand and correctly pronounce the sacred verses of Gurbani, promoting a deeper connection with Sikhi. Pronouncing the words correctly is a sign of respect and devotion to the divine teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

KEY ASPECTS OF GURBANI SANTHIYA
Reading and Pronunciation: Gurbani Santhiya begins with learning the Gurmukhi script and correct pronunciation. Individuals aim to recite the verses with precision and clarity.

Understanding Meanings: Beyond the surface reading, Gurbani Santhiya involves understanding the meanings of the verses. This often requires delving into the historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts to grasp the intended message.

Memorization: Many individuals engaged in Gurbani Santhiya aim to memorize significant portions of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This practice is considered a way of internalizing the teachings and carrying them within oneself.

Community Learning: Gurbani Santhiya is often done in a communal setting, where individuals come together to study and discuss the scriptures. Group study sessions, known as Santhiya classes, create a supportive environment for learning and sharing insights.

Application in Life: The ultimate goal of Gurbani Santhiya is to apply the teachings in one’s daily life. It is not just an academic pursuit but a journey towards leading a righteous, compassionate, and spiritually fulfilling life based on Sikh principles.

Language Preservation: Gurbani is written in the Gurmukhi script, and studying it contributes to the preservation of the Gurmukhi. This is significant for maintaining cultural and linguistic traditions within the Sikh community.

Gurbani Santhiya is considered a lifelong process, and individuals may continue to study and deepen their understanding of the scriptures throughout their lives. It is a central practice for Sikhs aiming to live in accordance with the values and teachings laid out in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

A LESSON FROM GURU GOBIND SINGH JI
Once, a Sikh was reciting Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Bani, specifically the verse from Dakhnee Oangkaar. The particular line (Pangti) in Gurbani he came across was:

ਕਰਤੇ ਕੀ ਮਿਤਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੈ ਜਾਣੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੂਰਾ ॥੩॥

However, instead of reading “Kai” (ਕੈ with Dulavaa), the Sikh unintentionally read “Ke” (ਕੇ with Lavaa). Upon hearing this, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, instructed another Sikh to give him a slap.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji then explained, “You were reciting Gurbani without understanding its meaning.” The Guru proceeded to teach the correct pronunciation of the Pangti and shared its accurate interpretation. Guru Sahib emphasized, “The correct meaning of this verse is, ‘the greatness of the Creator, the Creator knows, and the True Guru knows. The Sikhs learn about the greatness of the Creator from the True Guru.’ By mispronouncing ‘Kai’ to ‘Ke,’ the meaning changes to ‘The greatness of the Creator only the Creator knows, what does the True Guru know?’ If this were the case, then what is the point of going to the True Guru?”

Guru Sahib continued, “O’ Gursikhs, recite Gurbani with the correct pronunciations, and you shall attain liberation. If you have mispronounced Gurbani, then re-read it correctly. One must have a true desire to recite Gurbani; only then can one grasp the essence of Gurbani.” This incident highlights the significance of correct pronunciation in preserving the true meaning and essence of Gurbani.

WHY READING TRANSLITERATIONS ISN’T IDEAL
Transliterations can be tricky because some Gurmukhi letters don’t have a direct match in the Roman alphabet. For example, letters like ਝ, ਛ, ਧ, ੜ, ਘ, ਣ, ਢ, sound different in Gurmukhi than when written in Roman letters. Try reading a Gurmukhi Pangti and its transliteration, and you’ll notice the sounds don’t quite match up. It’s not easy to find Roman letters that sound just right for every Gurmukhi letter.

Let’s all try to learn Gurbani Santhiya together. Taking this step will bring us closer to understanding and cherishing our Guru.