The Guru for the Planet or Just a Few?
It seems that one of the side-effects of having my family out of town is that I have a little bit more time to write on MrSikhNet.com. Recently I was talking to an older friend of mine who is a very servicefull "Khalsa Auntie". Over the years she has spent countless hours answering questions to hundreds of youth on SikhNet on all topics related to Sikhi. Recently she has been planning a new project. As many of you might know, there are many more people in the past 30 years that have started to adopt the Sikh lifestyle. Most of these people are not from Punjabi speaking countries so rely on translations of Gurbani since they know little or no punjabi.
In most of the Gurdwaras where I grew up in there has always been a regular weekly akandh path that would go on. Various sevadhars go around during the week with a sign up sheet inviting those people who wished to have the blessing of participating in the continuous reading of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. There was never any restrictions as to who could partake.There was no question about whether you were a "Sikh" or not, or could read fast, or even read Gurmukhi. Really anyone could take part that was called to do so. You didn’t have to be a "Sikhi Expert" or even a Sikh, so long as you covered your head, remoded your shoes and followed the guidelines for the Akandh Path.
My office SikhNet is right next to where the Akandh Path goes on, so I see and hear all the different types of people that participate in the Akandh path. I end up being the "first responder" most of the time when someone rings the bell during the day if they need assistance (normally if their replacement reader hasn’t shown up). It’s quite a blessing! (though with the new cameras in the Gurdwara, Mataji Gurumeher Kaur keeps a close eye on things :)
Normally for an Akandh Path it would be completed in 48 hours (when done in Gurmukhi), however because of the diverse backgrounds of the readers the Akandh Path takes typically 72 hours. In our Gurdwara the Akand Path is read using 5 volume set (?) of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, which contains the Gurmukhi and English translation. So, normally reading the English translation might be the most read, and the base language, and those that can read the Gurmukhi can read that way (or go back and forth from the English to Gurmukhi). This is one of the many differences that has taken place to accommodate the growing number of "Sikhers" who are new to this lifestyle and from very different religious and cultural backgrounds.
Ok, so back to my friend and her project. If any of you have read some of the English translations that were done in these older multi-volume sets of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, you would see that they are quite cryptic, old style english in their wording, and not very easy to understand. You almost need someone to translate the translations! There have been some newer English translations that are much more understandable and current with modern language, but they are currently only available in digital form.
So, a few Gursikhs have been discussing the plan of creating a new single volume of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib that would have the original Gurmukhi along with the newer and more understandable English translation. This would also make it much easier for people to read from the Guru without having to change volumes (which is particularly important in Akhand paths because it is a continuous reading.
What’s the problem with doing this? I think it is an awesome project because it makes the Guru much more accessible and understandable to people, but people tell me that the current "rules" set by SGPC say that only THEY can print and distribute Siri Guru Granth Sahib’s. In addition to that rule, that it could not be a single volume of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib if it included English Translation. Don’t get me wrong, I understand where some of this is coming from, and have read about some of the mis-use and disrpect that some publishers have done. HOWEVER, I think many of the so called rules that come out of SGPC are very reactive in nature and don’t always address the big picture, or the needs of the times.
As we talked about this project many questions came into our minds about what is right and wrong. I quite frequently have people email me asking where they can purchase a Siri Guru Granth Sahib, so that they can have the Guru in their home. For the most part the only choice for people is to get multi volume sets (apparently there are different "rules" for those). If you can only get Siri Guru Granth Sahib’s from Punjab, what about the rest of the world? Do you have to have a rich person charter a whole whole airplane to bring many volumes of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib to other parts of the world? What is the respectful way to bring the Siri Guru Granths to places far away? Is there any difference when having the granth in different sizes? Is it ok to "purchase" a Siri Guru Granth Sahib? It’s the Guru right…and one doesn’t "buy" the Guru? Do you get where I am coming from? There are so many contradictions and perspectives on this issue.
So many questions like these come to mind and there are no easy answers. As time passes the world changes and we have to figure out some of these answers as things change. 150 years ago we didn’t have Sikhs spread so far around the world or airplanes to travel. Just as the digital age brought Gurbani online in the internet form, we have had to figure out things along the way of what is respectful and proper. This will continue and we will have to figure out the answers along the way.
The issue with the current "system" is that it limits the accessibility of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. If I can only get the Guru in India, then how am I supposed to bring it back? In what way? If I printed copies of the Siri Guru Granth what would be right ways to do so? Does it have to be printed in a special facility? Does it have to be printed by Sikhs? One could potentially take this process to quite extremes, all the way to where tree for the paper comes from. I’m all for respect for the Guru, but many of these questions come into my mind in the search for a balanced approach. I don’t have the answer, but I do feel that the Guru should not be limited to certain locations and people. Every humble Gursikh who would like to have a small Gurdwara in their home should be able to.
The last time I was in Amritsar I was able to see some extremely old hand written Siri Guru Granth Sahibs in one of the buildings around the Golden Temple. There must have been over fifty or more of them, and they were stored in makeshift cabinets, wrapped up in cloth/ramalla. In general I have seen many places where the granth is brought in the Gurdwara in prakash, that that is sort of the "initiation" of the Guru in a whole different way then when it was stored elsewhere. There is a certain preferential treatment to the specific Guru that is in prakash in the Gurdwara. At what point does it become the "Guru" that we all bow down to? As soon as the last page was bound when it was printed? When it is the "chosen" one and brought out in the Gurdwara? Also, what makes a five volume set of the Siri Guru Granth that is kept together different than a single volume? They are definitely treated differently (at least in terms of the printing/transporting).
I ask all these questions because they are important for us all to think about and consider. Last year a Spanish translation of Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji completed by Babaji Singh Khalsa from Mexico. His life mission was completing this, and right before he passed away it was bound and printed into a single volume with Gurmukhi, Spanish Translation and Transliteration. This new Granth is very important to the growing sangat of Spanish speaking Sikhs who wish to read the original Gurmukhi and understand it in their own language. I remember when I posted some pictures of the Granth from Summer Solstice and getting a few emails from people saying that this was against the SGPC hukamnama.
Obviously the SGPC and most Sikhs are not aware of the needs of the growing Sikh community who are of non-punjabi origin, but they should know about the growing numbers of Sikhs that live outside India (many of whom grew up in western countries and don’t speak punjab). So not only do we have barriers of location, but of language and culture. We have to ensure that we go forward with this growing world in mind and adjust consciously to meet the needs of the times. Luckily most of us at least have the internet where we can read digital versions of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, however there is something very special and different about the physical form of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib that should be available to any Sikh.
As far as my friend is concerned regarding creating this new Siri Guru Granth Sahib volume with newer English translation, I suggested that it would be a better first step to print it in a two volume set (rather than one) to avoid some of the objections that might come up otherwise from some in Sikh community. In the end, whether it is one volume of the Granth or five, online in digital form, or recited from memory, the Guru is formless and beyond time and space. Guruka Singh explained it perfectly in his video titled "The Living Guru" where he answers some questions about the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.
This year we celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and I think it is a perfect time to start a dialog about these issues. I would love to hear ideas and comments on this topic! Please do share!
In the mean time I still have to deal with criticism about people’s opinions about whether a picture/painting representing the Siri Guru Granth Sahib that is posted on SikhNet is proper or not. Overall in all these situations it’s a matter of opinion and perspective, and these vary wildly! People see what they want to see and sometimes get caught up in that and loose the spirit of what the Guru is for us. This is how Sikh can go from a very open spiritual path to a judgmental critical rule book.
For those of you who stuck with me reading all the way to the bottom, here is a small gift for your listening and meditative pleasure (which you can listen to while thinking and writing your comments!). This is an updated more finished version of an audio track by Balvinder Singh (Australia wale) which is titled "Light". The actual words are from the shabad by Guru Arjan Dev Ji: "Jo Mangeh Thakur Apne Thae". The vocals are by Harinder Kaur. You can hear some other music by Balvinder Singh that I have posted in the past.
[Audio:http://www.mrsikhnet.com/mp3player/western%20-%20non%20traditional/balvinder%20singh/Balvinder%20Singh%20-%20Light.mp3|autostart=yes|loop=yes] Download
50 Responses to “The Guru for the Planet or Just a Few?”
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waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh
firstly that audio is soo lovely! thank u !
i fully agree with this project i think ur rite about the transalations, i normally have to keep an english dictionary with me for some words wen i read gurbani transalations in english.
it would be great to have transalations which are simple and easier to understand; even though im 15 wen i do paath with my lil couzin i read the transalations to him and help hi understand and he dont understand then i have to explain it in my words according to my understanding of the transalation and then sometimes i would come across some transalatioins which i understand but dont fully get, and i would go to the nexyt line coz i can’t explain it. So i think this project would be very helpful to the sikh panth in the west aswell as the east. It would definatlly help and im sure.
i dunno about the sgpc, but if they go against this project for some rules they made, i would change my point of view that i c them from. the results of this project would all be positive and they should understand that. i think u and ur friend should get togather and do ardas for this project hoping u will suceed.
Good luck=D to u and ur friend and those other gurmukhs who will be helping u.
waheguru ji ka khalsa waaheguru ji ki fateh
Gurmustuk ji
I feel this is a fantastic idea,there is a need for this in my opinion.
Some people will have some hang ups, but this is down to their ignorance.
 I was born in uk and brought up in western society, I would love to have this volume of the GGSJ with the english translation. This would help the younger generation in my family for the future.It would also benefit other people I know in the western hemisphere.
I have alot of young people saying we don’t understand , well this won’t be an excuse any further.
 A few days a go I was trying to find the version with english translation its funny how with guru’s grace  I got my answer!!!.
As long the respect is given to the GGSJ, does it matter what language is in?
At the end of the day we should be following the guru’s message fromt he GGSJ and that is all that matters.
May guru’s blessings be with you always
Hi Gurmustuk,
Good question. My different friends who brought GuruJi ( new printed one, a small Guru Granth Sahib ji) , Guruji was dressed in a ramala)from India, they carried Guruji  on their palms ( hand), since it was new, and all the way in the plane, they rested Guruji on a pillow and the pillow was on thier laps. They informed the immigration officers and the flight attendants in advance that they are bringing Guruji , and were keeping Guruji with them all the way. Once Guruji is in the home ( the whole will be ready to rec Guruji), after perfoming Ardas, the prakash of Guruji and then the recitation of paath will begin, as the paath is being recited , a new clean cloth is used to clean each page of Guruji over a few days(while paath is being recited) until the last page…Follwed by ARdas etc…that’s waht i had seen being done, maybe there is some other way to perform prakash of Guru Granth Sahib Ji… ( i am not sure if there is a standard way of doing it).
But with the security problems now, I am not sure if there will be any problem bringing
Guruji from India and carry Guruji thru immigration without letting anyone touch
Guruji or any security check. Need to clarify this. I am keen to know too.
As for other matters with regards to printing, volumes etc…I dont know. Hope this can be discussed amicably with Sikhs who are very familiar with the proper way of bringing
Guruji, printing, etc I feel every Sikh is able to follow a standard form of doing as mentioned in your write. And if there is any? I would like to know too.
pritamKaur
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh Gurmustuk Singh Ji
I havent commented on your blog properly for a while as so busy with family life but on this post I must comment as I want to share my own thoughts.
I cannot give an answer to your questions, but let me share an experience my husband and I have gone through and my thoughts on it which are along similar issues.
Last year, my husband found a copy of Dasam Granth Sahib in our Gurdwara, left on a shelf, unloved and unattended to. My husband resonates with the Nihang warriors of the Sikh faith and is a firm believer in Parkash of Dasam Granth Sahib (this is a contraversial issue and each to their own right?) Anyway, he was upset at the way Dasam Granth was left in Gurdwara and brought the Granth to our home, we have a spare room so we did Parkash and looked after the Granth as much as we could, however I am faced with the difficulty of not being able to read proper Gumukhi and so I was unable to do Parkash when he was unable, which meant on occassion, due to his working schedule, we missed Parkash, however the Granth was loved and very well taken care of in our home with as much respect as we could give.
We had guests last week who felt that we werent taking enough care of Dasam Granth Sahib, which deeply hurt myself and my husband as we had given love and care towards Dasam Granth, providing a Palki Sahib and proper resting place for Sukhasan of Dasam Granth Sahib. There were other concerns that our neighbours smoke, and this smoke was affecting the spiritual space around Dasam Granth. The decision was made by our guest that our home was not suitable for Dasam Granth and arrangements were made to return Dasam Granth back to Gurdwara where the Granth will remain in Sukhasan.
To me it seems a waste of knowledge as in our home Dasam Granth was being studied and read and loved, and if this is the Gurbani of Guru Gobind Singh, and the soul of Guru Gobind Singh, isnt it better in a family household where the Granth will be studied and looked after rather than sitting in silence in a Gurdwara?? The Shabad Guru is to be read, recited, studied and enjoyed, that is the only way people will understand The Guru.
As you said in yout post, if people want to have a Gurdwara in their home why cant they? I think as long as the home is of a spiritual nature and is free from intoxicants etc, well all the things you expect in a Gurdwara Sahib, then my opinion is it is okay, but others have different views and approaches. I feel slightly that these fanatical and eastern views of Sikhi are robbing people of Guru Sahib.
As a western Sikh, I feel that my relationship with Guru and my learning process with Guru is personal and direct with my Guru, maybe i make mistakes on day to day life and I have MANY areas where I could improve myself, maybe I dont do enough for my Guru and my Panth but I only do what think is right with the knowledge that I have, so to me it is not disrespect when one is doing something out of True Love for their Guru.Â
If Sikhi is to flourish, Guru must speak to us and We as the Panth must speak to Guru wether this is in English, Spanish, Punjabi or whatever language. There are references in Gurbani that Akal Purakh, Vaheguru, created many languages, so God will understand us no matter which tongue we speak in or what language we recite in, it is our intention that must be pure and truthful.
I agree we should ALL make an effort to learn Gurmukhi as it is Shabad Guru, it is the language of our Gurus, but translations are a wonderful way to connect to the Guru and at least to try and understand the essence of the Gurbani.Â
Another problem is Indian politics and sects which are breaking that personal relationship with The Guru.   When we start seeing that God is One, We are One with God and there is no “I AM ness” and that there is, was and will only ever be One… Vaheguru this will be when the Khalsa Raj, when those who are pure of heart and pure of intent will rise. Rituals and traditions althought playing a role in our identity and respect, are not what merges us with the One, they are our guidelines, not our rules. Noone wants to change Sikhi or disrespect Guru Granth Sahib, but also, Guru Granth Sahib was not only writtien for Nihangs, or AKJ’s or Jatts, the Guru was for humanity, and for Guru Granth Sahib to have a demand in other translations is a thing we should ALL be celebrating rather that making dogmatic judgements about. The Guru belongs to all as we all belong to the Guru.
Apologies for long post
DHAN DHAN GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI MAHARAJ
Gurdev Kaur
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Ek Ong Kaar Sat Naam
I completely agree with you.
Yes, the message of Nanak is Universal. But it seems that Sikhs have hijacked this message with the idea that it is their sole property. The rules and regulations concerning the printing and use of the Adi Granth have all but cut off access to the message. The best quote I have read about this is ‘Sikhs are guilty of keeping the Granth hidden under ramallas.’
I use a one volume Granth that contains the English translation. It is a page for page translation. I know a number of people that have taken their five volume sets and rebound them into one volume. I see no problems with having one volume sets with both English or any other language and Gurmukhi.
Thanks for bringing up this topic. It is something that needs to be discussed.
Chardi Kalaa
Amar Prakash Singh
Austin, Texas
I would like to share my experience on this issue. There is no substitute for original form of Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Gurmukhi. Everything in Sikhism is new including language of the Guru ie. Gurmukhi. Its the original form of Guru with whom a Sikh can be one. Unless a Sikh chants the Gurmukhi words, he cannot drink the nector in it.
Waheguru v/s Wondrous God
We chant the word “Waheguru” which means “Wondrous God”. We cannot get the same experience by chanting “Wondrous God”. Â
3 Steps to reading Gurbani : Advice for Non-Punjabi Sikhs (or even Punjabi Sikhs)
Step 1: Learn concepts in Sikhism
Study important concepts covered in Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji eg Naam, Kirpa, Guru, Sharan, Bhao Bhagti, Devotion, Sidak, etc. This can be achieved by reading English translation of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other books, video or audio material.  To understand the concepts of Sikhi, one can study life of Gurus, various Gursikhs,  books of Bhai Gurdas Ji, Bhai Nand Singh Ji, Bhai Randhir Singh JI, Bhai Raghbir Singh Ji, etc.
Step 2 : Learn Gurmukhi
Non-Punjabi Sikhs should learn Gurmukhi/Punjabi with particular emphasis on developing vocabulary of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. You can develop good vocabulary of Siri Guru Granth Sahib JI if you develop Vocabulary of 5 Banis, Rahras Sahib, Kirtan Sohila, Asa Di Vaar, Bhagat Bani, etc. Its easy than you think. We all learn new languages. I have put a lot of effot to learn English in my school days and after. I tried to learn French as well. We all do that in our life. And learning Gurmukhi is the best thing you can do in your life. The reason is Gurmukhi has precious treature for you. All the good literature of life is in Gurmukhi. If you learn it, you can enrich your life with divine wisdom
Step 3 : Jaap of Gurbani
Its the continous Jaap of Gurbani which will bring sea change in your life. When you read Gurbani, just read it from your heart. As you already has the vocabulary to understand, with continuous and repeated reading, you will understand the hidden meaning of Gurbani. Whatever is written in Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is true – so you don’t have to think about it, what you want to think about when everything is truth. Its an amazing experience.
Public Akhand Path v/s Personal Reading of Gurbani
Its only the Gurmukhi form of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which is acceptable in public. You cannot install English version in public. So Akhand Path in Sangat should be done only if you know Gurmukhi. Yes, if you want to read Siri Guru Granth Sahib JI to understand it (The first step above), you can do it personally in English or Gurmukhi at home. Never never instal other version of Guru Granth Sahib Ji except Gurmukhi one.
Restrictions by SGPC
Instead of so many restrictions, there should be guidelines to follow for printing and carrying of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I guess the real motive of these restrictions by SGPC is inspired by fundamental hindu forces, which don’t want Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to spread in the world. What is the guarantee that SGPC is printing correct copies of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and it won’t change Gurbani in future , mixing it for benefit of Brahmins – you never know !!! IÂ would say we should not stop printing but should follow the Maryada.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Balbir Singh Khalsa
http://GuruKhalsa.org
WaheGuru Ji ka Khalsa…
WaheGuru ji ke Fateh…
You have touched upon a very sensitive topic. I would like to write trying to put what the philosphy of Guru Nanak has been as I have understood by his grace.
Sikhism is not a religion but a way of life. Guru nanak sahib taught how to lead a good and happy life, whats right to do and what is wrong, to take the God’s naam and meditate. For all the these teaching we call Nanak as our Guru, our teacher, although most of us including me believe that Sr Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj was God himself who for our benefit took the form of Guru…down the ages Guru Nanak came back in 10 different bodily forms and hence names and now is in his eternal form Guru Granth Sahib. Sri Guru Nanak in his different forms has said that the Shabad inside him his our guru and thus his tenth form Guru Gobind Singh gave the Guru Gaddi to Sr Guru Granth Sahib–The Shabad of the gurus , bhagats and saints. By reading understanding and then implementing the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in our lives we truly follow our Guru and thus can lead a happy life and attain salvation
As you know Guru sahib also has bani of differnt hindu and muslims saints and hence thier Bani is in different Indian Languages like Sanskrit, awdi, hindi etc. Correct if i am wrong. But what i want ot say here is that the Bani contains many languages but it was written in Gurmukhi script. Why..?? Because Guru Arjan Sahib and then Guru Gobind Singh Sahib wanted it to be in Gurmukhi script and not in Hindi or Sansrkit or any other language even if it contains hymns in other languages.
To take the Guru’s message to all the people of this world BANI , the teachings have to converted to differnt languages so that the people can understand and relate to.So that they can understand the Guru’s philosphy For this the guru’s teachings may it be Japji sahib, Sukhmani sahib or the whole Granth Sahib are translated to different languages and are in a number of volumes and not one. Guru Granth Sahib’s bani in Hindi or English or Spanish in two volumes is also our Guru. There isnt and should not be any doubt about this in the minds of Gur sikhs because as said Shabad is the guru and not the paper, the cover board of Guru Granth Sahib and going further neither was the earthly body of Guru Nanak and Guru Ramdas Maharaj. It was the shabad in them who is and will always be our guru. So the Guru Granth Sahib’s bani in two or three or N volumes, or in audio form in CDs DVDs is our guru, we must use it for spiritual guidance and living in this world.This is from an individual’s perpespective
Now lets look at it from the Panth’s, Sikh Sangat and Sikh religion’s perspective.
Guru Granth Sahib is our living Guru and he treated as same. So we have the prakash, the darbar of the guru. Whenever Guru Granth Sahib is in one form prakash has to be done. Prakash as Guru who got the guruship from Guru Gobind Singh ji, becuase this is the identity of Sikh religion. Satguruj in gurumukhi script. We cannot have Satguru ji in different scripts as prakash maan  becuase it makes a different community alltogether which Sikhs are not a part of…Â
Gurmaustak Singhji I want ot write more on this topic. I got to go but will surley write more tomorrow. I really need to explain many more things.
Think like this….. Gur Granth Sahib…as your individual’s Guru and Guru Granth Sahib as the whole Sikh Nation’s Guru….In the former it can take many differnt forms ( hence translations in different languages and in different volumes) but in later it is one form for the whole Panth. Just like each Chritian cannot have Jesus according to his culture, country, his way of living but can have his teachings in his language, his culture.
If you have read till now THANKS A lot .I would appreciate your response but still have to complete it including answer to SGPC rules and what can be done so that Sikhs around the world can darshan didaar of Sahb Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Gurumustuk, you just keep flowing on your path. A more accessible English version of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, one we non-Gurmukhi speaking, non-Sikh, lovers of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib could read faster and understand easier, is something the Guru Sikh Saints would love to see. This music is just the best, by the way. Thank you for it all. Sat Shabd
Balbir Singh Ji, I appreciate what you have written and agree with most of it. However, it seems that you are unable to understand this issue from the perspective of people who are not Punjabi Sikhs.
The reason I say this is that your “solutions” cannot work effectively for ALL people.
They work for me, because I am a Sikh who only speaks English (and a little Spanish) and I read Gurmukhi and practice Naam Japna and study concepts of Sikh Dharma so that my understanding is better. Still I have a LONG way to go. I agree that reading and writing Gurmukhi is very easy, but understanding Gurbani and trying to learn another language is difficult and a life long process.
Now from another perspective, I’m speaking about a friend of mine. He has a learning disability and I have sat down with him on several occasions to teach him Gurmukhi. I learned to read in 20 minutes and practiced on my own for a few months after that. That’s all I needed. However with my friend after several lessons we barely got anywhere. This friend loves the Guru and he reads 12+ hours in the Akhand Path every week. This has healed him and continues to heal him in untold ways. I don’t need to get into the kind of abuse that he has faced in his life, but it suffices to say that he has gone through more than most humans have to endure. For whatever reason he cannot wrap his brain around Gurmukhi, which other people like myself find easy, yet he has more devotion and understanding of the Guru than many Sikhs that I’ve met in my life. If we were to do what you suggest, this friend of mine would be robbed of the very thing that keeps his life on track, gives him mental and spiritual balance. That is so unfair.
Furthermore, these solutions don’t work for non-Sikhs. Some people will never be Sikhs, but wish to learn from the Guru despite. If there are no translations available to them, they will be denied access to the Guru, which is a stain on us.
We all seem to forget that during the time of the Guru, the adi granth was translated to other languages and taken with missionaries to other areas. When Guru Nanak went on his udaasis he spoke the language of the people he encountered.
The power of the original Gurmukhi is that the very naad (sound current) of the words themselves have a powerful affect. This cannot be achieved in any other language. However, some people do not have the good karma of tapping into that and never will. Those people should not be denied the Guru, if anything they need it more than those of us who have such easy access to the Guru. I don’t think it takes non-Punjabi, non-Sikh people to understand this, it just requires us to see from another perspective the needs and limitations of others and to be compassionate and generous with the beautiful gift of Gurbani that the Guru has compassionately and generously shared with us.
someone was printing Savrups of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib with Gurmukhi, transliteration and translation on each page. the Angs are huge, and this is a 1 volume SGGS. i heard they stopped printing them. i’m not sure why. Even my step-father who can’t read Gurmukhi could read the Roman, and join in the Naad. We have this Savrup in our house. what i don’t get is how the SGPC can inforce their restriction that no one can print SGGS except them. i think thats a reaction to what happened in Punjab with some printer. What are they going to say about this Savrup with the transliteration and updated translation? how are they going to inforce it? also what about the Spanish SGGS that is being distributed now? the SGPC didn’t create a translation, so are they going to stop this one from being distributed? i don’t see why we should take them so seriously. as long as we are doing seva for the Guru with an open heart who cares what management says?
i am a 3ho gora sikh, and i have to say when i’ve been to India or England and seen the respect that is formally given to the SGGS, it is really nice. SGGS is never to be brought anywhere without the presence of 5 singhs. the place where SGGS resides should be a proper room with a bed, and prakash and sukhasan should be done every day. these are respects which we should give to create grandeur in our minds. without treating the body of the Guru like a king it is easy to be too casual with the Guru. i’ve seen people who never do prakash… maybe once in a year. people keep the Guru in a dresser or closet, and then feel very good to have the Guru in their house. it bothers me, and i’m not comfortable with it. i think there is a certain amount of respect that should be given. the best approach is through inspiration and not obligation!
The brother who has compiled this article has asked some beautiful questions. Allow me to share some thoughts with you too:
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One of the biggest contradictions with regards to the treatment of the Guru Granth Sahib is the idea that it is acceptable to treat a Guru split up into volumes differently to one that is bound up as one volume. This highlights the misunderstanding in the community regarding what the Guru actually is because some Sikhs must obviously be regarding the bindings and the actual book body of the Guru as the Guru when in actual fact it is the sound vibration as Guruka Ji points out which is the eternal Guru.
http://www.projectnaad.com/wp-content/uploads/tools/workshop_1_2_3_answers.pdf
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This same theme of respect for the Guru in different forms is extended when we consider that Sikhs give no where near the amount of respect to the complete Guru when it is in the body of a CD or a flash drive or even a laptop when compared to the body of a one volume book!
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Many Gurdwara also have countless volumes of the Guru which sit on shelves wrapped in Rumalas and the only one which gets the real respect is just one of the copies of the Guru.
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So from the above one absolute logical conclusion which we can deduce is that it is appropriate to give the full Guru as much respect as reasonably possible under the circumstances which prevail. This would be make it acceptable to keep a spare copy of the Guru in a Rumala and to give less respect to a Guru in the form of a CD or a laptop etc which is how all Sikhs in today’s world treat the Guru.
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There is an advantage and a space created with the difference in treatment of the complete Guru in different forms (even though it is illogical) which is that it enables more people to access the Guru. For example it is possible to find the Guru split as volumes in libraries on a shelf and this makes the Guru accessible to people who may otherwise not get an opportunity to read the Guru or have even ever heard of it….i.e. some random person browsing the religious books section.
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There are many other examples of respect vs disrespect which existed in the past and even today and some of these include:
1)Â Â Â Â Â Printing the Guru Granth Sahib Vs hand writing the Guru Granth Sahib
2)Â Â Â Â Â Wearing shoes while holding the Guru Granth Sahib
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In point one there was a time when Sikhs would not allow printing of the Guru because it was felt that the love with which the Guru is compiled would be lost. However this thinking simply gave way to the demand for volumes of the Guru which were required. This is same situation which we have today with the difference that the demand is spread over a wider geographic distance and there is also the other element of diverse language requirements.
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In point two we had a very publicised debate between the Delhi Gurdwara Prabanthak Committee and the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabanthak Committee, where the DGPC argued that it was appropriate to serve the Guru in some instances wearing shoes such as in a march or a parade outside such as those which happen during Vaisakhi. The DGPC did indeed have a valid point because the armies of Guru Gobind Singh and even the British Indian armies did carry the Guru whilst wearing full soldier bana and that included shoes (obviously!)
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/graphics/gurugranthsahib.jpg
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Yogi Bhajan clearly said that Religion is a technology which we use to build a relationship with our soul and that everything else is politics….the SGPC is a perfect example of a British institution which has become less and less about dharma and more about Control, Money, Politics and Power. An example of a “hukamnama†which is not followed and which was created by the SGPC was the insistence of eating Langar on the floor. The arguments for this have been given as maintaining equality amongst the Pangat in a Gurdwara yet virtually every British Gurdwara has gone against this hukamnama. This highlights that people will and should do what they think is right and most suitable for their geography and cultural backgrounds. So if the people who “lead†our institutions have created another “hukamnama†banning people from printing the Guru then its just another unsuitable hukamnama created by people who lack world vision and are only interested in control and power.
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The Guru does not belong to the Sikh community or any other community….it belongs to humanity. The Sikhs have simply been given the privilege of sharing this treasure with the world.
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The necessity of having printing machines in the West to create copies of the Guru Granth Sahib are very high now. I feel it is an unacceptable waste of resources and unnecessary cost to the environment to fly a charter plane of Guru Granth Sahibs to the West. Yes there is a society that performs this seva but it is not something which is sustainable and definitely not something which is economical. Also the Guru Granth Sahib’s in foreign languages should naturally be managed by those who are efficient in those languages and I don’t think the SGPC is going to be much use in creating foreign translation Granths.
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Here is one more thing to think about. If you are what I call a “religious†sikh i.e. someone who accepts that the institutions created after the Gurus like the British SGPC are all wonderful spiritual establishments and that everything they say and publish is completely in tune with original Sikh thought then take a minute to read the entire “Sikh Rehat Maryada†which was published by the SGPC (no surprise)…this is what it says:
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Article VI
a)Â Â Â Â Â Â Only a Sikh may perform Kirtan in a congregation.
b)     c) In the congragation, Kirtan only of Gurbani (Guru Granth’s or Guru Gobind Singh’s  hymns) and, for its elaboration, of the compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal, may  be performed.
c)      It is improper, while singing hymns to rhythmic folk tunes or to traditional musical  measures, or in team singing, to induct into them improvised and extraneous refrains. Only a  line from the hymn should be made a refrain.
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Article VII
d)     Only a Sikh, man  or woman, is entitled to be in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib  during the congregational session.
e)      Only a Sikh may read out from the Guru Granth Sahib for others. However, even a  non- Sikh may read from it for himself/herself.
http://www.sgpc.net/sikhism/sikh-dharma-manual.html
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Now you may be interested to note that before the SGPC Rehat Maryada was created it was Sikh tradition to have Muslims do Keertan in the Harimander Sahib! A Muslim saint even laid the foundation stone of the Harmander Sahib! So do you choose to follow Guru Nanak’s Sikhi or the SGPC British Sikhi?
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As our Indian Sikhs (inspired by the understanding of the religion of their British Masters) started making the Universal Sikh Lifestyle into a “religion†they created some of the above rules. So What would a “religious†Sikh say about singing the Song of the Khalsa in the saad sangat? According to the SGPC Rehat Maryada it is against Sikhi! What about singing to Dya Singh’s fusion style music and his band of sikh and non-sikh musician’s? Our current Rehat Maryada would not allow Guru Nanak’s life long Muslim companion Bhai Mardana to play in a Gurdwara.
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Also what do we make of article VII? All these “codes of conduct†in my opinion BREAK the backbone of sikh philosophy and are NOT accepted by the traditional orders of sikh dharma (Udasis, Nirmalas, SevaPanthis, Nihangs etc) who have been teaching the art of the dharma since the time of Guru Nanak / Guru Gobind Singh….sikh dharma is an open philosophy where the Guru is open to all and these types of restrictions have not existed historically because the definition of a sikh has always been much broader.
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The point being made here is that there are always people who will hold back positive progress…The Project Naad Group would suggest you progress on with a single volume of the Guru in understandable English. It can only create benefit for the world. Let the small minority of (Indian) Sikhs keep doing what they do and you keep up with the seva that Guru Ji has given you!
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A famous Buddhist saying teaches that if you are walking in the right direction then keep on walking!
Blessings
http://www.ProjectNaad.com
As I understand it, the origin of gurbani lay in the Guru’s wish that the scripture be as accessible as possible to those who needed it the most at that time. Thus the traditional use of sanskrit for spiritual material was rejected and gurbani was created because it was the most efficient way to spread the message of Sikhism. If the Guru valued traditional practice over the spread of the Sikh faith then gurbani would never have been created and the SGGS would be in Sanskrit today. So why don’t we think progressively for the needs of our day as the Guru did to meet the needs of his day.
…oops I meant to say ” Gurmuki text would never have created…
The SGGS is universal and it is indeed meant for everyone, a Sikh or none Sikhs.
The SGGS comes with it’s rich heritage and history of language and grammar which i am afraid will be lost as it is translated to English. As a person who wants to read the SGGS to their minds and hearts, it should be read the way it is, in full Gurmukhi. It is an absolute responsibility of every Sikh to read the SGGS the way it is.
Just like using modern musical intruments to play the kirtan, we are loosing on using out traditional instruments.
My $0.02 point of view.
Dear Sat Sangat and Veer Prabhu Singh
Thanks for reading my comments. I would like to clarify some more points.
– We can do parkash of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Gurmukhi script. Once we do parkash of Gurmukhi script Guru Ji, we should follow full mardaya whether the parkash is in GuruGhar or at a house.
– Personally we can have Sanchees (Two part book version of Guru Sahib) , which we can use for Sehaj Path. This is again in Gurmukhi. We can keep these Sanchees without Parkash in a closet respectfully covered in Rumalas. But we should not keep one sanchee on the top of other, this again becomes one saroop.
– Copies of Guru Sahib with translation are acceptable for personal advancements and for learning.
– Those who cannot read Gurmukhi, they can listen to the Shabad. In “Glimbles of Harmander Sahib”, I read about a white person in England, who could listen to live Kirtan of Harmader Sahib in London. He said he don’t understand the meaning, but he can write what is being sung. And Non-Punjabi Sikhs can do Jaap of Gurmatra “Waheguru” and Moolmantra. My mother practices only Moolmantra and listens to live Kirtan from Harmander Sahib. She is very satisfied with that. Even if you don’t understand Gurbani, it satisfies you. You need devotion for Guru and little patience to experience the results.Â
– Veer Prabhu Ji, you have given example of your friend who could not learn Gurbani. There is no problem.
Guru Sahib says
“Jo Prani Gobind dheaave, pareya an-pareya paramgat paave”- one who remembers God by heart get salvation and high spiritual stage – it does not make any difference if that person is educated or uneducated.
Illitrate Sikhs in India do path and do sewa in GuruGhar. Sewa with Simran of Gurmatra and MoonMantra is very powerful.Â
With my 8 years experience of Sikhi, I have learned that there is no substitute of reading and listening to Gurbani. Just keep on doing it. I tried to listen to Katha of various Saints. Katha is Okay but it cannot take place of pratice of Gurbani. All the Katha (Translation)  is for inspiring you to practice Naam and Gurbani. The purpose of translation is understand the Hukam of Guru. In every verse of Guru Granth Sahib, He is tell us to Chant the Naam. Chanting the Name of Lord is the main Hukam. If we just keep on reading the Hukam but don’t pratice it, then we cannot achieve anything. Read transation but your main objective should be to practice Naam and Gurbani. After practice of Naam and Gurbai, all your questions will get answered and there will be no question, you will be satisfied.
Leaning Gurmukhi
We all do lot of effort to learn new things. I have recently taken Advanced Canadian Tax course which was so tough. Canada has one of the tough tax system. But i prepared for that. I tool extra coaching. I attended lectured and I did it with the grace of Waheguru. You know why I did it ? Because I want to be a tax pro and make money out of that. I needed it. Similarly, if you make your life rich and add value to it, you should work hard and learn the language. Believe me its an easy language. The example of your friend is an exceptional case but any normal person can do that. I pray to Waheguru for his well being.
Please ignore any spelling mistakes because I am writing very fast.
Balbir Singh Khalsa
http://gurukhalsa.org
One more thing i would like to add, many SIkhs have taken to worshiping/ idolizing the SGGS, instead of respecting it. In reality is it meant to be read and abosorbed into ones mind and heart. Remember we are trying to remove our ego and bring peace and happiness to our mind, which forever not satisfied and wondering around like a mad elephant rampaging thru a banana plantation.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Sarbjit SIngh Gill
Wahe Guruji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guruji Ki Fateh
" There is only one religion, the religion of Love"
" There is only one Language, the language of the heart"
Dear sikhs (the gursikhs/manmukhs)…you guys can take this discussion till the end of time, in the meantime people who want to know the GURU, will find a way to reach him whether they read in gurumukhi or not.
Few e.g.
When Guru Angad came over to Guru Nanak, he followed his heart..eventually accepting Gurumukhi and leading the sikh sangat
When Guru Amar Das came over to Guru Angad, he followed his heart..eventually accepting gurumukhi and leading the sikh sangat. I can go on and on and give here endless examples of Sikh Gurus on why they wanted the sikh religion based on Gurumukhi (Please reflect).
Nowhere in Sikh history, The GURU'S have NEVER ever forced or implied to anyone to read or write Gurumukhi, people followed their hearts and eventually became devoted sikhs accepting to read and write Gurumukhi on their own free will.
The translations are stepping stones, eventually as sikh history as shown over and over again, people looking to find God and Guru will end up writing and speaking Gurumukhi.
The Sikh Guru's over and over again, time after time, have greatly emphasized the importance of reciting Gurbanee the way it was intended to.
I'm pretty sure, back in the day they had all sorts of translations of the SGGS in Sanskrit, Hindi, Brij, Urdu, arabic, persian….what makes you think that the Guru's went out and spoke only in Gurumukhi and every one understood it without the help of translations.
When Guru Gobind Singh travelled all the way from Panjab to Maharashtra, what language do you guys think Banda Bhahdur was fluent in? People in that part of the country speak Marathi or Urdu/Persian back then. (Please think about it).
"Guru is Bani and Bani is Guru"… These are Guru's words, end of story… print as many translations as you want to, they are good as ladders to reach the final step.
Every sikh knows that when we recite Banis, we say the exact words our Guru's did. we become one with Guru, word by word, line by line, page by page, we speak exactly the way our Guru's did. Please tell me what translation in this world will give me this blessing of talking in my Guru's tongue? NONE.
When I say "EK ONG KAR" I say it the way Guru Nanak said it the very first time, maybe I will need translations of it to understand what it means, but at the end of day I will be reciting it the way my Nanak said it.
so my dear Gora and not so Gora and kala and not so kala sikhs, read and recite SGGS the way it was intended, but use as many translations as you can to understand it, but please stop creating confusion. Follow your heart, do some soul searching, know what's good for you, that will lead you on the path of self reliazation.
"JAP"
AAD SACH
JUGAD SACH
HAPPY SACH
NANAK HO SO BHI SACH
It’s easy for people to talk about access to Guru ji being restricted by too much red tape, but there are reasons for this. Well known booksellers who used to print Guru ji’s saroops were caught printing saroops filled with mistakes. Many wrongly printed angs were thrown in waste bins rather than properly respectfully being disposed of. That is why only sgpc is allowed to print saroops.
As for transliteration, it is very very very inaccurate. You simply cannot pronounce accurately using romanised transliteration. For public akaand paaths it is very wrong to use transliteration. It is beadbi. Only people who actually know proper pronounciation should do paath in public. In your own home that’s your business. As you can see, nobody is being deprived with this approach, and the sangat is not deprived of the experience of listening to properly pronounced Gurbani, sangat is also not deprived of the huge phall(spiritual benefit) that comes from proper prnounciation. For people to want to get in on the seva of doing akhaand paath readings (in public) when they haven’t taken santhya (pronounciation lessons) is very selfish. Those who truly have love for the Guru will take santhya, understanding that they may not have time at present and can do it later.
In the meantime, here are some resources for people to use:
1) on srigranth.org click on page by page translation. Here you can choose whose english translation to use, can have gurmukhi with bishrams (pauses) noted, can have access to 2 different tikas (in depth explanations) of Gurbani as well.
http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=1&g=2&h=1&r=1&t=2&p=0&k=2
2) Santhya of ALL of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji: http://gurmatveechar.org/audio/Gurbani_Ucharan/gurbani.php?q=f&f=%2FBhindran_Taksal_Santhya
3) Santhya of Nitnem banis: http://gurmatveechar.org/audio/Gurbani_Ucharan/gurbani.php?q=f&f=%2FBhindran_Taksal_Santhya%2FNitnem
Learning proper santhya is very important, the Guru emphasized this by creating a taksaal (school) to teach proper paath. There is also the sakhi of bhai Gopala ji, who was about to be offered Guruship as a reward for his amazingly accurate paath. When his attention drifted onto a horse he was just given a horse. To do paath with improper pronounciations not only decreases the benefit from doing paath, but can also change the meanings of the Bani itself! For example, an improperly placed pause in the Japji Sahib line – Nanak hukmai jai bujai ta haumai kahai na koi (excuse my quick transliteration) –> would change the meaning to those who erase god’s hukam don’t have ego.
Gurbani in it’s present form is quite accessible to all. However, as with all good things, we must make the effort to understand it. English translations (particularly the somewhat archaic but more accurate than most bhai Manmohan Singh translation) have been a real help. But in the end, translations are extremely limiting, and English and other non-indic languages lack the structure to acccurately convey the complexity of Gurbani. IT is a real challenge for me to learn punjabi and other languages, but to educate ourselvse in this way is also Guru’s hukam and kirpa for us.
I think its a very good idea to print the Guru Granth Sahib in a single volume and including its english translation as well.
Its a shame that SGPC holds the rights to print this holy book.Its a God’s work and no one has the right to claim this. For the past few years SGPC has been nothing but a money minting organisation in the hands of few corrupt people lead by politicians.I dont think people should be denied access to printing guru granth sahib in their native language.Not everyone understands gurmukhi. This would encourage more and more people to read the holy book and enlighten their life. Despite being a sikh myself, I face problems understanding gurmukhi.
I think its an excellent project and this must be implemented.
Dear Gurumustuk Singh Ji,
 You have really touched a very sensitive topic here, and as long as it is a healthy discussion i am sure everybody will have their respective inputs into it.
 I personally think it is solely upto you Gurumustuk Ji, whatever makes you feel good and happy while remembering ” Waheguruji ” so only you can feel it for yourself, and you should do whatever makes you connect best to him/her.
 And ofcourse as Balbir Singh ji added if possible it would be good if we all as Sikhs can learn our Gurmukhi, as it kind of completes the whole package. Otherwise as i feel ,continue to do whatever makes us connects best with Waheguruji.
 Happy
Respected Sadh Sangat Jeo
It is very noble work and word of Guru must reach all, Gurbani has message for the entire univerese. However, why restrictions regarding printing are there by SGPC, because in the past, carelessness was shown by some publishers (they are concerned with monetary profits only) and may not have desired level of faith and respect.
The other very good point is to make SGGS available in other languages of the world. This is a dire need because they need it in their own language/script/pronounciation. HOWEVER, the point to be taken UTMOST care of,  is,  that this does not give slip to the spirit of Gurbani Shabads while translating or transliterating. The Shabads of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are DHUR KEE BANI (Words of Lord)
Chardi Kala
Raja Singh
91-9815979958
[email protected]
[email protected]
well , it is alright to to transslate in any language, and read. But will be great to also, along the way, learn gurmukhi ( it takes 3-6 months to learn Gurmukhi , and read it in gurmukhi is so nice..it takes effort and dsicpline to learn a language…)
I love hearing paath in /gurmukhi…it is so touches my heart though i may not know most meanings of the tuk or bani being recited) :)
Sat nam. In response to a number of the above comments, I think it is important to realize that none of us think anything can REPLACE Gurbani in its original form. In all its aspects of sound, poetry, teachings, etc, it is Perfect. No translation can begin to achieve this.
That said, people need something to work with in order to understand Guru. Yes, one can study Gurbani like a scholar; how many of us are, realistically, in a position to do this???? Anyone can meditate on the sound and learn and feel Guru’s love. Still, many of us need some kind of translation that helps the Sikher get their mind and soul around what Guru is saying. I have met educated Punjabis who use a Punjabi or English translation to help them understand Gurbani. So to Balbir Singh, I ask you to consider this.
When we Americans use the Manmohan Singh 8-volume set as our Guru in order to hold an Akhand Paath, it is so we can give everyone access to Guru. Some of us older Sikh converts simply are not able to learn Gurmukhi in order to read in an Akand Paath. Should we be denied this seva and blessing? Though it is not 1 roop on the physical plane, Guru is still present through the 8 volumes. The English is next to the Gurmukhi, and the Gurmukhi is present in all volumes. On any plane but the physical, Guru is 1 roop. I believe we are splitting hairs to consider that Guru is NOT Guru unless it’s one roop. It’s not ideal, but we all work with what we have available and with our skill sets. And there is no question from what I have seen here that people who are curious but not committed Sikhs need something that can bring them to a relationship with Guru. Would you tell these people “sorry, we cannot share Sikh scripture with you because you don’t read Gurmukhi.”
guru ang sang
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
wow a pretty intense discussion, lol being a “punjabi Sikh” i was never brought up speaking punjabi and english was my fisrt language, when Guru Ji blessed me with amrit, i still was very happy reading the english translations because i was rely enjoying understanding the bani and the anand was amazing……….but Guru Ji had other ideas and enrolled me into a santheeya class, where i began to learn Gurmukhi and correct bani pronounciations,
Im simply sharing my experience from this point forward and i dont believe in a “right-wrong” answer, i believe in the way Guru brings you closer to His Charan is ultimatly the best way, but each experience is right for that particular person………
When i began to learn the deeper meanings and the began understanding the Gurbani, the knowledge and closeness i found recieved was nothing compared to the English translations………..it got me thinking as to why Guru i had make such a beuatiful script for pen His pavitar bani………and i guess i found a new-based admiration for gurmukhi………Im still doing santhea, and believe me it is hard, at times i feel like giving up, i feel stupid because im behind all the other in my class…………..but this is how Guru Ji wanted me to become closer to Him……….and His way, His Hukam is ultimatly the correct way………
Please forgive my mistakes and shortcomings
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Bani hain guru Guru hain Bani…therefore any Bani should be treated the same as you would a complete saroop of Sri Guru Granth sahib Ji…like the King of all Kings…therefore senchis (volumes), entire saroops, translations, w/e should all be treated with the greatest respect possible.
SGPC is a self-proclaimed organisation as far as I’m concerned. What right do they have to charge money for Guru Ji? (but that’s a whole other conversation). If they cared about guru Ji and the panth so much they would have set up publishing and printing outside of Punjab for those of us who cannot afford trips to India or aren’t even Indian etc.
Dear Sadh Sangat Jeo and Brother 1Beloved
                                  <<<<Thanks for your time to read >>>>
First of all, please let me tell you that I have so much love and respect for Non-Punjabi/Western Sikhs. Theys are jewels of Khalsa Panth. I consider you following Guru’s Rehat to its fullest. But I think you need clarification on this issue. So Let discuss.
I think this could be the solution for Western Sikhs.
– Do Parkash of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Gurmukhi script and do Nitnem Bani, Asa Di Vaar and Rehras , as we usually do in GuruGhars. Non-Sikhs or Non-Gurmukhi Sikhs can listen to the Paath and Kirtan. Parkash of transalation is not acceptable in Gurmat.
–In addition to it, you can read Translations/Do Akhand Path on a side, as we do Katha of Suraj Parkash. This is on a lower stage than Guru Sahib Ji. This transalation can be in any language. And use this translation to understand Gurmat. Saroop of these books can be more than one. Infact it does not matter how many volumes we have for translations. Guru Granth Sahib Darpan is in 10 volumes. Only the ogininal Gurmukhi Bir of Guru Sahib has standard form.
-Make Gurmukhi the connecting language of Sikhs around the world, as we have English as the international language. We should make effort to open Gurmukhi Academies. This is very important. If we ignore it we will remain divided and can never fully undertstand Gurmat. Gurmukhi is langauge of the Guru, if we don’t know the language of Guru, how we can communicate with Him. Reading and understanding Gurbani is a conversation with Guru. Gurmukhi is just like another language we can easily learn it. I don’t understand why you guys are so reluctant to try. We all make so much efforts to get education. Gurmukhi is much easier than Math, Science, Programming, Engineering or Medicine. Its just learning the alphabets, basic sentence structure and developing the vocabulary, thats it. And please remember Gurbani has very concise structure. I think if you learn a few word of a verse, you can understand it, even if you don’t know the grammer. eg.  read this
Sukhmani Sukh Amrit Prabh Naam                  Â
Bhagat Janaa Ke Mann Vishraam.
Vocabulary
Sukhmani – Name of Gurbani
Sukh – Enjoyment
Amrit – Nector
Prabh – God
Naam – Name of God
Bhagat Janaa – Saints
Ke – In
Mann – MInd
Vishraam – Rests
These are only 10 words. There is no grammer. If you learn meaning of these words as part of your vocabulary, you will understand the meaning. Its easy. Give it a try.
And we can make dictioneries of these words in English and other languages for reference.
Please do understand my point is to help you understand Sikhi in its purest form. In an ideal form, Gurbani lives in the heart of a Sikh as-it-is and there is no other thought thereafter. A translation cannot work that way. So just start with translation but meantime, work towards the original form.
Note : The words of the original form of Siri Guru Granth Sahib JI are connected together without the space. Then we started seperating the words by giving space just for our convenience. This is the biggest mistake of the Sikhs.  Now we are removing the Gurbani and replacing it with translations. Give me a break ! Are we wiser that Guru ? We say we want Guru. But which Guru ? Without obeying the Guru How can we get Guru. The solution is work hard. Let get training. Lets educate ourselves. Let change ourselves not the Guru. Lets not repeat the same mistake. Let go back to oriniginal script of Guru Sahib Ji without spaces. We can learn to read it. We can do it my brothers. Let give it a try.
Dear Gurumustuk Ji, please summarise the discussion to key points for further discussion.
Balbir Singh Khalsa
http://gurukhalsa.org
Gurumustuk Singh ji, and Pyari Khalsa Sadh Sangat ji,
The Gurmukhi script was started by Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji, formalized by Guru Angad Dev Sahib ji, and taught by all 10 forms of the Divine True Guru Light. The Gurmukhi version of Aad Granth Sahib ji was compiled by Guru Arjun Dev Sahib ji with the service and penmanship of Baba Buddha Ji and Bhai Gurdas Ji. Then the final compilation of Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj was done by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji with the service and penmanship of Baba Deep Singh Ji and Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
All translations will come from the human mind. None of them can be equivalent to the Gurmukhi suroop of Aad Guru Granth Sahib Ji. If a translation contains both English and Gurmukhi, it is still a suroop of Aad Guru Granth Sahib Ji. When you bow to Aad Guru Granth Sahib ji presently printed suroops, unfortunately they have printed stamps and information about the publisher. You are not bowing to this. Likewise, you would be bowing to the source – Gurmukhi source – in a translation that contains both. So something like this, if it is in one volume like the Spanish one – should be on a takht, with chandoa and chaur sahib. It is not correct how the picture is shown by Gurumustuk Singh ji – the Sikh woman is reading from the single-volume Spanish and Gurmukhi version which is placed on a table. This is not right because that version contains all of the Gurmukhi in one volume. Therefore it is to be respected as a suroop of the Guru.
The complete full and untouched suroop of the Guru is of course a lareevaar (continuous) Gurmukhi suroop with absolutely no writing, printing, labels, marks, stamps other than the contents of Guru Granth Sahib Ji from the start to finish. However, unfortunately, these types of suroops (like the one at Harimandir Sahib) are very rare.
If you have a suroop that has ONLY the English translation and does not have any Gurmukhi, then it is not a suroop but only a translation. It should not be on the takhat sahib or have a chaur sahib, because it is one individual’s interpretation of the True Guru, not the original form of the True Guru themselves.
PLEASE DON'T EVER WRITE – they can PURCHASE Siri Guru Granth Sahib. No one can ever purchase 'Guru Granth Sahib'. We can humbly offer something to the Guru but can never have the ability to even think of purchasing or buying Him. I request you with folded hands that before writing any other article, do consult a Senior Sikh to understand the usage of the word 'BHETA' instead of 'purchase'.
Thanks.
surjeet singh you ar rite about “purchase”….would anyone want to buy a pitaa/maata ji..
Our Living Guru Granth Sahib Ji …….why do anyone “sell” in the first place? Let me relfect on it.
The internet is the place where fanatics, “freaks”, loners, socially-inept, etc. people gather on a common platform. Look at the popular Sikh youth forums, they’re filled with intolerant, hate-filled, and ignorant youth, who constantly force their viewpoints on others and declare those viewpoints as the “only” “Sikh” way. Clearly there is spill-over onto Sikhnet and MrSikhnet.
People go so far as to nitpick the word purchase. Look at how many people here have told Gurumustuk Singh Ji and other people that what they do is “wrong.” Isn’t that unbelievable!
Sikhs of the Guru have always been tolerant, compassionate, serviceful people. Now we have a bunch of people going around telling everybody what’s right and wrong, as if God wasn’t in charge, as if God assigned each of them as the protector of “the right way.”
What most idiots don’t understand is that the Guru is our protector, not the other way around. If Guru Ji’s modern saroop (form) is being disrespected, trust me, Guru Ji will correct it. We can lovingly share our opinion on what we believe is respectful and or disrespectful, but if that doesn’t change anything, we should leave it in Guru Ji’s hands, those are more powerful hands than ours.
When we read Chaupi Sahib every day, who’s “haath” (hand) are we referring to? Who is doing the protecting?
Hamree karo haath day rachhaa
Please, be my support and protect me .
Pooran ho-ay chitt kee ichhaa
This will fulfill my desire,
I’m sorry to break any illusions the sangat has, but the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is simply a book until we read, understand, live-by, and embody the bani contained within. That is what we’re bowing to, not paper and ink. Our love for the Guru should extend to a deep reverence and respect of the physical form of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and that will guide us individually to do what we think is right.
I’m sick of people calling themselves Sikh and then going around hurting the religious and devoted feelings of others. It’s the biggest shame we can do to the Guru.
Guru Rakha!
WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa, WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!
Hey Prabhu Singh Ji,’
hmmmmmmmmmmmm…now you are speaking negative on this forum..The word “purchase” has nothing to do with Gurmustukh. I am curious to know if we do”purchase” Or”sell” Guru Granth Sahib Ji because I always thought we are given Guruji wihout “purchasing” it. Just like nitnem gutka, some Sikhs give it to me when i asked, they feel happier giving as a gift.
I hope this will give you a better understanding on “purchase”. It is teh word we are talking about, not Gurmustuk ji.
Well, please dont feel ‘sick” of Sikhs and I wished your “negative” thoughts on some Sikhs had not been published. Please read with an open mind. Some will never take Guruji as a “book” because the moment once eyes is fix on Guru Granth Sahib ji , whether in the mind it is there or infront of us, we see Guruji. So i hope this explain why some of us think differently from you but are not negative ‘sick’ Sikhs. If you are sikh and call some of us ‘sick” sikhs, then it is really not nice these words coming from a great Sikh as you, then you are no differnt to ‘sick’ sikhs or those who want to say negative on the forum. you just did it. read it yourself your own thoughts. take care. pritamk
sori, apology..u say u are sick of the …..not sick sikhs…….but still lone,. fanatic..is still..not good to call all of us whom u may not agree with….take care
ANSWER TO PRABHU SINGH JI who just overreacted.
“Hamree karo haath day rachhaa”
Please, be my support and protect me .
“Pooran ho-ay chitt kee ichhaa”
This will fulfill my desire, (taken from from Prabhu Singh ji’s response)
Prabhu Singh ji, do u really believe that by those sacred verses of gurbani Guru Gobind Singh means that a real kind of hand, 100 feet long and wide or something like that would hang from the clouds to save us in the times calamities and as sikhs we have no duty to perform.
I don’t agree, because if that was the case then Guru Gobind Singh would not have ordered us to take up arms (as the last resort) to fight the highly immoral and tyrannic mughal rulers, for the welfare of mankind. If what you think is to be believed that everything wrong would get rectified on its own and we have no duty to perform then Guru Gobind Singh would have told his sikhs to sit in a corner and wait till everything wrong gets rectified on its own. As you think – that any disrespect shown to the Guru Granth Sahib would be taken care own its own and we shouldn’t say a word against it, we have no duty to perform.
But it wasn’t His philosphy. Because contrary to that, He ordered the sikhs to PERFORM THEIR DUTIES as a true soldier of the God (Khalsa). Because usually its through His (God’s) true followers, His (God’s) interventions are carried out. As He (God) is so polite that most of the times He(God) avoids a show-down of His strength by doing miracles in front of our eyes.
I request you to take my reply with an open mind. We are here for the love of the Panth. We have differences because HALLE ASI POORE NHI HOYE (We are not complete human yet). POORA (when used for someone) in Punjabi means- the complete Human ie. is A SAINT , BRAHMGYANI, POORAN GURMUKH. Though thats an irony that most of the people like us who die incomplete are tagged POORE HO GAYE by the society ( society does that out of its way of showing respect).
Waheguru ji da Khalsa Waheguru ji di Fateh.
ECK ONG KAR SAT NAM SIRI WAHE GURU!
The Words of God are Eternal and for All and at all TIMES.
It would be in the BEST interest of Humanity to have the Guru available to Everyone, in all lands, in all Languages.
The Guru is not the physical bound book, it is not the visual on the computer screen,
but it is the living Word, that illuminates the heart, brings right understanding,
and ferries us across the vast ocean of illusive matter.
There is so many considerations to take into effect, but in doing so, we continually limit God to the physical. Â Let us show our respect by the LIFE we embody.
Treat it with the most respect you can physically, but the physical is the lowest plane of existence.
Bow your head again and again to Guru by being the Teaching. Â Living the Word.
It is a Divine Sound Pattern that attaches us to God, so we may love in the perfect image of God: with respect, tolerance, compassion, service, humility, etc.
God is my Glory, God is my all. I owe everything to He who is the Most High.
Let us give respect to all, through our thoughts, word, and deed.
IT is God who sits at the Tip of our tongue.
This is the most respectful way to the Guru: Live life as the Guru outlines for us.
ECK ONG KAR SAT NAM SIRI WAHE GURU!
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Unfortunately we have to think in terms of millenias not just what is good for now. We could get to the situation, which other religions had been through during its early history (which Sikhi is still in) where translated texts are then taken as literal over a long period of time. No translated text can be taken as a literal translation of Gurbani. Simply because there is no literal translation (in my opinion). Many words in gurbani have no translation because they represent very complicated or simple untangible subtle concepts (depending on how you see it). If not over the next couple of hundred years, certainly in terms of millenias, there could and probably would be a situation where translated texts are taken as literal translations. As I have explained before, unfortunately there is no literal translation. Gurbani is very personal and we understand it as to how Waheguru wants us to understand his gift. It is good to have translations, and indeed I have done sehaj paaths with them. But they do not carry the naad of gurmukhi. Because Gurbani is also set in raags and is what is understood as poetry, the same poetic flow is not represented in translations (in my opinion). But translations are crucial, though I believe it shouldn’t be merged into the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. If Gurmukhi with a translation in it is called Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, today; in the future just the translation may be called the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and over hundreds of years or millenias the Gurmukhi may be forgotten. There have been similar situations in the early histories in other religions. So I believe we should be careful. Many would say, alot of Sikhs (including myself) have done a very bad job representing our Guru’s shabad/Guru’s mat. Though atleast today we have the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, accurate as to how the Guru’s wrote and spoke them. I think in volumes, translations are more than ok (I would call them crucial). But my current thinking tells me, translations are veechar (trying to understand) of the Guru, and not the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji itself. Merging the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with Translations in one volume, may confuse future generations as to which is Guru. In my opinion a translation is kind of a personal view point which has been very generalized. Katha is also a personal point of view which we learn from.
I hope I have explained what I mean, well enough. I apologize if my logic is wrong and especially if my logic is against the Guru Ji’s will. I recognize a precious gift and I hope that gift continues forever. I just hope the best for Sikhi and everyone. Sarbat da bhalla.
Sat Nam
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
I understand the concern very much. SGPC has to work something out. It would not be bad to open a printing location in North America. SGPC is a business oriented organization so not much is expected from them. They want control over everything. However, an organization is also needed to control things because there are countless enemies of religion who are waiting for a chance to misuse and abuse priviledges.
Something has to be worked out and will be worked out slowly.
Gyani Gurbachan Singh (Akal Takhat, Amritsar)visited the sangat here in Espanola, New Mexico in June with Jathedhar Vedanti, and apparently he did discuss some of the questions related to the Spanish Single volume of Siri Guru Granth Sahib (which contains full Gurmukhi along with Spanish Translation and Transliteration). From what little I heard they had said that it must be split into multiple volumes.
They also mentioned that they did have plans for setting up printing of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in North America. So….you never know when/if this will happen. At least they are thinking about it though.
Someone also forwarded me a link to what appears to be a new FOUR volume set of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib with English Translation (by S. Pritam S. Chahil) and Transliteration. This is available through the Sikh Foundation Website:
http://sikhfoundation-store.org/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Guru+Granth&x=0&y=0
It seems that you really have to know who and where…to get the Siri Guru Granth.
Just to reply to Surjeet Singh Ji,
No offense intended and no offense taken on my part. I believe the hand is metaphorical, that is why the “hand” of God is so powerful, it’s beyond what we generally consider to be in our hands. You really read my post incorrectly however, because no where did I say that Sikhs shouldn’t say or do anything. I clearly wrote that Sikhs should lovingly state their opinions and share their viewpoints, but should never resort to force just to make a point.
If somebody lovingly takes care of the Guru differently then myself, I hope that I can recognize the love in it and not consider the differences as wrong or offensive.
My point about the word purchase, was that it was just another comment criticizing a truly minor point. Furthermore, he didn’t humbly mention his feeling about the word purchase, he used the equivalent of shouting on internet forums (capitalization) and he told Gurumustuk Singh Ji to talk to a “Senior Sikh” as if Gurumustuk Ji himself wasn’t a great Sikh with great respect for the Guru. I can’t appreciate that kind of arrogance.
To all people on this forum:
If you really think that you absolutely must share an opposing viewpoint with other people, then try to find a loving way to do so, and do it from a standpoint of service, and thus honor all of us Sikhs, when doing so.
Anhq bwxI inrml sbdu vjwey gur sbdI sic smwvixAw ]4]
anehath baanee niramal sabadh vajaaeae gur sabadhee sach samaavaniaa ||4||
The Unstruck Melody of the Bani resounds through the Pure Word of the Shabad; through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, we are absorbed into the True One. ||4||
………………………………………………………………………………………
siqgur kI bwxI siq siq kir jwxhu gurisKhu hir krqw Awip muhhu kFwey ]
sathigur kee baanee sath sath kar jaanahu gurasikhahu har karathaa aap muhahu kadtaaeae ||
O GurSikhs, know that the Bani, the Word of the True Guru, is true, absolutely true. The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
guru bwxI khY syvku jnu mwnY prqiK gurU insqwry ]5]
gur baanee kehai saevak jan maanai parathakh guroo nisathaarae ||5||
If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru’s Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him. ||5||
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRqu swry ]
baanee guroo guroo hai baanee vich baanee a(n)mrith saarae ||
The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained.
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa! Wahe Guru ji ki Fateh!
I am, as Guru Jot Singh, a "gora" Sikh. I was raised as a Southern Baptist in a small southern town in the US where I still live. Along the way, life experiences caused me to reject the particular brand of Christianity with which I was inundated as a child. But then, my father killed himself and I was sent into a place of depression and illness. It was only through a heartfelt prayer asking God to give me a way to stay on the planet, disease-free and pain-free, that I came to the feet of the Guru. My point in this story is that the Guru will find His own no matter where they are, no matter what their life circumstance.
In response to Balbir Singh Ji, not all of us are fortunate enough to be raised in India where we are taught our banis, where we learn to read Gurmukhi, where we learn to speak Punjabi. Not all of us are fortunate enough even to be exposed to people who can teach us these things, even if we are capable of learning. Not all of us have the resources to do what you suggest. The Guru leads each of us to where we need to be according to our abilities and our desires.
In the beginning of my journey with Sikhism, there was a Gurdwara available to me, although that is not the case now. Every time I went to Gurdwara in those early years the shabd "Too Mera Pita, Too Hai Mera Mata" was sung. It was not until 5 years later, sitting in a different Gurdwara in a different place, that I suddenly and completely understood that shabd, to a far greater extent than the mere English translation would allow. Guru gives understanding when it is needed, and gives a depth of understanding that is amazing to behold whether you speak Punjabi or not. Sometimes I think we forget that.
I have been fortunate to have experiences with Dev Saroop Kaur and with Sat Kirin Kaur that taught me the value and power of the Shabd Guru, but not everyone is so fortunate. I have heard Yogi Bhajan say that the power of the Shabd Guru lies in the Gurmukhi, not the translations. I think we all understand that, and I don't think that is up for debate. For me, the Shabd Guru speaks to the heart, not the mind. And in the beginning, I needed to go with the healing and direction of my heart, not my mind. All of the arguments about translations versus transliterations versus original would have been immaterial to me at that point because these arguments seem to me to speak to the mind. It was only later that the mind cme into play for me, and the english translations became valuable to me as a ladder to understanding the concepts I needed to understand.
In saying this, I can only relate to my own experience and my own relationship with the Guru. I know that every person comes to this path in their own way with their own relationship. To each person a path is provided that makes sense to them, and I do not believe that anyone has the right to dictate to them what that path is. That is between them and Guru, not between them and me. However, I do believe that there is no greater seva than to provide people the materials they need to accomplish their own healing, to develop their own relationship with God and Guru in whatever way makes sense to them. Gurumustuk Ji has made great strides in doing just that, providing a tool that will allow people to make the most of their relationship with God and Guru. Developing an understandable english translation provides another important tool to provide people what they need to to develop their own relationship with God and Guru.
Having grown up with different translations of the Bible, and having watched those translations be considered to be "gospel truth" which was then used to hurt, not heal, I do believe some guidelines need to be laid down about how to regard different translations of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. I do not wish to see the Siri Guru Granth Sahib become a basis for arguments and judgement because different translations say different things. Someone once said that the Catholic Church lost their power when they banished latin and began doing all of their service in english. I don't know if that is true, but it is something to think about when we talk about translations of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This is especially true as I see the new generation of Punjabi Sikhs move here and have children. Often, these children can not speak Punjabi, can not read Gurmukhi, and want to be fully "American" in all that they do. This path becomes increasingly difficult for them to walk, and english translations are increasingly relied upon to teach basic concepts. The Gurdwara I attend now is fully Punjabi, and my Punjabi brothers and sisters have taught me a great deal about respect, devotion and seva, and what it means to be open-hearted and accepting of all. And still, I watch their children struggle because of a language barrier, and now an additional culture barrier. Providing translations that can be easily understood can provide a stepping stone, a place to begin discussion, a place for everyone to start, simply and honestly.
Whae Guru ji ka Khalsa! Wahe Guru ji ki Fateh!
First of all I would like to say that I love how the Lotus Word of the Guru is spreading to others and not exclusively reserved for Punjabi Sikhs. Sikhi seems like the only one of the major religions of the world which caters to one community/culture. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus have atleast some sort of missionary activity within it in which an attempt is made to let the the message of their religions be know, now why is it that Sikhs feel their household life is far to important to interrupt? can we not not dedicate our lives, atleast to an extent as we are to live life on the middle-way, for our guru. Punjabi, no matter how much we would like disagree with, is the holy language chosen for the SGGS (though others are contained). The language, the words uttered by our masters should not be changed in any way shape or form, BUT translations should be readily available for all of us who desire them… To give your life to the Guru does not necessarily mean one must die for ‘him’, to offer ‘him’ death, nobler yet is that who gives their life in service to ‘him’.
pul chuk maaf
wjkk wjkf
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji Ke Fateh
I wish to say I am one of those non punjabi Sikh. And I am very happy to have translations. But with that said I have an even deeper burning desire to learn to read Gurmukhi.
Reason :
As with any language words can have different meanings learning the original language means you understand better.
Having only skimmed through the above comments, I’m sure there are a lot of strong feelings one way and another about this.
I want to say, however, having read in Akand Paths and in other circumstances for over 30 years (but non-Punjabi Sikh), using the well-known “Manmohan Singh 8-volume set”, I would personally love to see a new translation and/or new printing that includes two columns on each page, one for the Gurmukhi and one in English (or the Spanish as noted by Gurumustuk Singh). And done in a larger font size, as this is another thing coming up for many people now – as we age, and our eyes have a harder time with the smaller fonts, it would make it much easier and more conducive to reading.
I also think that the loving work done so many decades ago by Sardar Manmohan Singh to translate needs to be updated. His usage in so many places of “thee” and “thou” is so… biblically-oriented, and I find it annoying, personally.
Thank you jio for bringing this subject to light.
Wahe Guru!
I do agree with you Anju. Though I refer to the English volume for the meaning, I still want to know it in gurmukhi …..it takes effort.
I read Malay language first, not punjabee though my parents and older siblings speak and read punjabee well. I cant write and read punjabe well, but i read and write the Malay language very well. But with effort, over months and years, i still do read in gurmukhi and try to understnad the language of my Guru as written originally , it is so touching. Do have translation, but will be great for everyone world over to read in gurmukhi too. It is very easy to learn gurmukhi, 3 months basic and the rest is history , at one own effort.cheers to gurmustuk’s project……hearing this kirtan in the language of origin is so soothing….
Sat Nam. Are there copies of the Spanish version of the Siri Guru Granith Sahib? Is it possible to get them? I live in California, speak Spanish and want to teach Kundalini Yoga bilingually.
Simple, print of a volume, get it binded, once complete do a stanging prayer, ask for any forgiveness and start reading the GGS. Dont get to bogged down with How, When, What, etc, understand and follow the teaching of the GGS. The other option is, worry about the way things should be done and you will be to worried to do anything.
Your Comment…Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji teaches us the language which unites our soul with the God and that language is above the languages used in this mortal world.Guru Sahib has written Guru Granth Sahib ji in Punjabi because at that time Punjabi was a common man language and easy to understand otherwise Guru Sahib can use any other tough language like Sanskrit or persian etc. . Still Guru Granth Sahib JI is a Guru for every human who wants to unite his/her soul with the immortal God. We should learn that what Guru Sahib wants from us as a Gursikh,we should not restrict our mind to the languages.Language of Soul can convey our message to the immortal God and we should not forget the teaching of Guru Granth Sahib JI that this is a path only by following which we can meet our supreme Lord by the grace of True Guru.
I think we should not use our intellect or arguments when we are on the Path shown by our Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
If hurting anyone , I humbly bow down .
You’re right. Our Guru is for everyone. I do understand where the SGPC comes from—didn’t they form those rules to keep publishers from “tweaking” the original text?—but their rules are starting to get WAAAYYYY too strict. I think that AT LEAST, if people want to have a gurdwara—which should be allowed, for sure—and the SGPC has a “problem”, at least have the proposers get permission. And only to clear social-official things—they HAVE to give you permission. :) Your friend’s project is GREAT! I think it’s marvelous to expand our teaching in a newer, gentler, and more understandable light! I currently read a thirty year old translation, and although I can understand Punjabi, some things can get a bit misleading…you know what I mean! :) I wish her luck! It’s a great act of sewa for our community and the world!
xoxo,
lovepreet
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