The word Sampooran means “complete.” Calling any Rehraas Sampooran Rehraas can be highly disrespectful and even blasphemous toward Gurbani. Rehraas Sahib, as compiled in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is shorter and concise. Does that make it incomplete? If a longer Rehraas with additional Shabads is called Sampooran, does that imply Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji made a mistake when compiling Rehraas Sahib in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji? Absolutely not.
We must be extremely careful when speaking about Gurbani. Even when Guru Nanak Sahib Ji wrote only “Ik Oankaar,” it was complete, because nothing in Gurbani is Adhoora or lacking. Every part of Gurbani is perfect and whole in itself.
Unfortunately, some groups, whether intentionally or unintentionally, promote the idea that longer Rehraas with extra Shabads is superior. This causes unnecessary division in the Panth. Many young Sikhs, with sincere devotion, are misled into believing that only a longer Rehraas with additional Shabads and Dohiras is acceptable. In reality, all Bani is sacred. Reading more Bani is always beneficial, but it should not become a source of judgment or controversy. Many Gursikhs already recite additional Banis, like Sukhmani Sahib, in the evening after Rehraas Sahib, which is commendable for those with discipline and dedication.
Historically, there was a time when all Sikhs recited the same Rehraas. Over time, some Gursikhs added extra Shabads as part of their personal practice (abhyaas). If these individuals were prominent, their followers sometimes institutionalized these additions into a de facto tradition (maryada). Over time, this has been taken to extremes, certain Gutkas published by deras and other groups even claim that Sikhs who do not follow their specific Rehraas routine are not true Sikhs. The Nanaksar group, for example, has been summoned to Sri Akal Takht Sahib for publishing such claims.
As Sikhs, we should strive to read as much Bani as possible. We have the freedom to do so, but we should also aim for unity in the Panth, minimizing unnecessary divisions and controversies. Most importantly, we should never invent terms like “Sampooran” and attach them to a specific Rehraas, as doing so is deeply disrespectful to Gurbani.
