GURU MANEYO  GRANTH

By Promod Puri

When the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, close to his death,sealed the continuity of human gurus and declared that henceforth the holy book Adi Granth would be the eternal Guru of Sikhs,the hymn composed by him for that declaration encourages a devotee to read, research and contemplate on the enlightenments contained in the sacred book.

Agya bhai Akal ki tabhi chalayo Panth

 Sabb Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru manyo Granth

Guru Granth Ji manyo pargat Guran ki deh

Jo Prabhu ko milbo chahe khoj shabad mein le

Raj karega Khalsa aqi rahei na koe

Khwar hoe sabh milange bache sharan jo hoe."

While the first three lines of the hymn translates like this: the Sikh panth (meaning a path) was created by the orders of the Supreme Being whereby all Sikhs are asked to accept the Adi Granth (Sikh holy book) as their Guru which is also an embodiment of all the gurus; the fourth line emphasizes that whosoever wishes to "milbo" (meet or seek) Him can realize Him thru "Khoj" (search) in the "shabad" (words) of wisdom explicit in the scriptures.

And the last two lines of Guru Gobind Singh's hymn mean "The pure shall rule, and the impure will be no more, Those separated will unite and all the devotees of the Guru shall be saved".

"Khoj shabad mein le" is a very rational expression conveying the message that the acceptance of the Adi Granth as Guru,involves studying and following this treasure of revelation, inspiration and consultation as well. 

As such,along the lines of the hymn,Guru Gobind Singh offers complete reasoning in his abiding declaration of "Guru Maneyo Granth".