Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, stands as a unique and unparalleled religious text. Unlike many other religious scriptures that were compiled after their prophets had passed away, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was compiled by the Sikh Gurus themselves.
A common misconception is that Guru Sahib borrowed from Hindu and Islamic texts when compiling Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This notion is fundamentally flawed. Guru Sahib consistently rejected other religious texts and emphasized that their revelations were direct communications from God. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, personally overlooked all aspects of the compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is unique in being directly written by the prophets, the Sikh Gurus themselves. In contrast, other major religious texts were compiled long after their prophets had passed away. For instance:
One of the most significant aspects of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is its strict adherence to authenticity. The Gurus ensured that no alterations could be made to the scripture. When Baba Ram Rai, the son of the seventh Guru, changed a single verse to appease the Emperor Aurangzeb, he was excommunicated. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining the scripture’s integrity.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s numerical structure acts as a safeguard against unauthorized additions. This system, combined with its poetic beauty, ensures that no one can insert or alter the text without disrupting its flow and structure.
Max Arthur Macauliffe, an English writer, highlighted the unique nature of Sikhism in a speech at Akaal Bunga, Amritsar in 1899. He noted that the founders of other major religions did not write their scriptures. Instead, their teachings were documented by their followers. In contrast, the Sikh Gurus personally dictated and compiled Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, setting Sikhism apart in terms of religious scripture authenticity.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is dedicated to the glory of the Almighty Divine Being. It does not narrate the life story of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji or any other Guru but focuses solely on the divine teachings and the Word of God. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji emphasized that the teachings were not his philosophy but direct messages from God.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is special because it was compiled directly by the Sikh Gurus themselves, ensuring its authenticity. Unlike other religious books written after their founders’ deaths, this scripture was carefully put together while the Gurus were alive. It’s important to clarify that it didn’t borrow from other religions as some think. Words of Gurbani are direct revelations of God.
