Life and Times of Guru Granth Sahib (adi Granth)

Guru Granth Sahib was more than just the fifth Guru or predecessor to Guru Nanak who was the founder of Sikhism and it was the main scripture of Sikhism. Guru Granth Sahib was also known as Adi Granth which the original holy book to Sikhs. Guru Granth Sahib was considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion, rather than any living person. It is also the only scripture of it's kind which not only contains the works of it's own religious founders but also writings of people from other faiths. (Singh Brar, 1998). Also those who study the Guru Granth Sahib are bound to realize that with regard to the emphasis it lays on pure and unconditional devotion to God, on a life that is dedicated completely to the remembrance of God, to the chanting of His Glory, His words and His Name, and the importance and necessity of a true Guru in ones spiritual salvation, Sikhism stands apart as a purely devotional religion and is way beyond all the known religions as an expression of pure and unconditional love to God. (Jayaram, 2000).

Guru Granth Sahib was a key start to the rise of Sikhism as a religion. With him as a Guru of Sikhism there is now a holy book that allows followers to study from in which include devotional hymns composed by Guru Nanak. (Pat Fisher, 1991). Guru Granth Sahib is very important to diverse background of an old religion, which just couldn't have been started without text to learn a practice the religion.

References

Singh Brar, S. (1998). Sri Guru Granth sahib. Retrieved Apr. 04, 2006, from The Sikhism Home Page Web site: http://www.sikhs.org/granth.htm.

Jayaram, V. (2000). Sacred scriptures of Sikhism: The Guru Granth Sahib. Retrieved Apr. 04, 2006, from Hindu Website Web site: http://hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/sikhscripts/gurugranth_index.htm.

Pat Fisher, M. (1991). Living religions. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.