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Guru Arjan Dev Ji , the Vth Guru of the Sikhs composed Guru Granth Sahib in the year 1603-4 AD and Bhai Gurdaas, a learned devoted sikh penned it down.
People wonder - a holy book of the Sikhs, and it does not mention about the Sikh Gurus. Yes - It is not a history book of the Sikh Gurus. Though the Sikhs treat their Gurus as immortals but the Gurus treated themselves as mortals and the Guru Granth Sahib does not talk about mortals. The Gurus did not praise themselves. They called themselves as humble servants of God and worked in the service of mankind. It were only the successive Gurus who praised and appreciated the works of the predecessor Gurus. It were the Bhutts (singers) in the time of Guru Arjan Dev who praised the Gurus. While writing about the Guru's greatness, one "Bhatt" (singer) by name "Mathura" wrote in the praise of Guru Arjan Dev : "Whoever meditates on Guru Arjun Dev, shall not have to pass through the painful womb of reincarnation ever again. || 6 ||" (Sri Guru Granth Sahib -page 1409).
It was a praise for a living Guru, perhaps it is for this reason that the Guru gave up his mortal life in sacrifice to become Immortal.
1. Guru Granth Sahib praises only God. It praises the true holy actions and virtues of different personalities as manifestations of God, irrespective of to what religion they belonged. It explains to mankind that Truth is Eternal and from whichever source it comes, it is acceptable. It is on this principle that along with the words of Sikh Gurus, Guru Arjan selectively accepted, according to the Sikh doctrine, bani (writings) of 19 other blessed saints from Hindus and Muslims and the Bhatts who were singing in the praises of God in Guru Darbaar(court) at the times of Guru Arjan Dev. The Guru Granth Sahib is composed of 5867 hymns (Shabads) in 31 musical notes (Ragaas).
2. Guru Granth Sahib is a living Treasure. It tells us about :
1. How to be True?
2. How to attain God?
3. How to pray?
4. How to get rid of all the sufferings and live?
5. How to realize God?
6. How to see God in the whole universe?
7. How to serve all creatures in the universe?
8. How to love all?
9. How to be simple, real and un-hypocrite?
10. How to get rid of the superstitious, meaningless customs which wasted man's energy, money, time and still kept the man always worried and depressed ?
This is not the least. It teaches many virtues of life. It teaches that 'truthful living is higher than truth." It is an ocean. One can only feel and realize while going through this holy book. It is a religious book of the whole world. Science cannot contradict it and science learns from it.
In the words of famous writer and Noble Laureate Miss Purl Buck: "I have studied religious books of almost all the religions of the world. The comfort, peace and solace available here is not available anywhere else. It gives the way for better living to all, believers or non-believers."
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