ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੫॥
“The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani all the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him.”
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji: Ang 982

ਜਿਨ ਭੈ ਅਦਬ ਨ ਬਾਨੀ ਧਾਰਾ ॥ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਸੋ ਸਿਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੨੦॥
“That person who does not respect and fear Gurbani is not a Sikh.”
Gurpartap Suraj Granth

Satguru Ji gave the highest respect to Gurbani. In the same way, we too must strive to uphold that same standard of reverence. The following guidelines help maintain proper Maryada:

Personal cleanliness and preparation

• No one should sit in Guru Sahib’s tabiyaa without bathing or at least washing their feet. Socks and gloves must not be worn while sitting there.
• A person who has had sexual relations or a nightly emission should take full Ishnaan from head to toe, including washing the hair, wash their clothes, recite Japji Sahib, and perform Ardaas before sitting in Guru Sahib’s tabiyaa.
• After using the toilet, hands must be thoroughly washed with soap. Clothing worn during that time should not be worn in Guru Sahib’s Hazoori until washed again.

Clean hands and physical conduct

• If hands have touched your own or someone else’s feet, face, Kachhera, or if they are wet or dirty, they must not touch Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Pothi Sahibs, or Gutka Sahibs.
• While performing sewa or reciting Paath in Guru Sahib’s tabiyaa, nothing should be eaten or placed in the mouth, such as sweets or cardamom.
• Always sit cross-legged in Guru Sahib’s Hazoori without leaning against anything.
• Do not sit on cushions while in Hazoori.
• Never place your feet in the direction of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
• Do not put your feet under the Manjee Sahib or lean against it in any way.

Proper placement and environment

• Guru Sahib must never be placed in a closet or cupboard. Maharaj should be respectfully installed on a beautifully decorated throne in a clean and well-ventilated room.
• Clothing appropriate to the season must be placed on Guru Sahib’s throne. In summer, use lighter coverings. In winter, use warm coverings such as thick blankets. Extreme heat or cold can damage the saroop.
• If Maharaj is placed in a palki, a small canopy should be hung inside and a larger canopy above it as a mark of respect.
• The cloth placed under the palki and Manjee Sahib should be of higher quality and separate from that used by the Granthi Singh.
• The Manjee Sahib should be well-built and dignified in appearance.

Conduct when Guru Sahib is brought somewhere

• The Sangat should remove their shoes.
• When Guru Sahib passes by, one should stand, fold both hands, bow humbly, and remain standing with folded hands for as long as Guru Sahib is visible.
• While Guru Sahib is being carried, one Singh should perform Chaur Sahib seva and another should walk ahead, sprinkling water when outdoors.

Reciting Paath from Pothi or Gutka

• Sit on a clean cloth placed on the floor.
• If furniture is on a higher platform, sit on that furniture rather than sitting lower while someone else is higher.
• Do not recite Gurbani sitting directly behind someone who is on a bed with their back towards you.
• Do not sit on the floor reciting Gurbani while someone else sits higher than you in the same room.
• A person giving Santhiya should not sit higher than those being taught.

Respect for Gutka Sahibs and other Gurbani writings

• Pothis, Gutka Sahibs, Dasam Bani, Bhai Gurdas Ji’s writings, and any texts containing Gurbani or Gurmat writings must be treated with the utmost respect.
• Do not store normal books together with scriptures containing Gurbani.
• Paath from Gutka Sahib must not be read with the head uncovered or while wearing shoes.
• Do not place bookmarks or markers inside Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
• Gutka Sahibs and Pothis should be stored in a clean, elevated place where your feet do not point toward them and your back is not turned against them.
• Rumalas with printed images should not be placed on Guru Sahib. Clean, beautiful, and respectful Rumalas should be offered.
• Do not light paraffin or white spirit candles in Guru Sahib’s presence.

Listening to Gurbani

• When listening to Gurbani through a radio, cassette, CD, or video device, the device should be placed on a higher platform than the listener as a sign of respect.

Disposal of materials containing Gurbani

• Newspapers, magazines, or books containing Gurbani must not be thrown away or allowed to lie on the ground. After use, they should be respectfully burnt.