Religion & Beliefs (Q&A)

Answer: Adi Granth: literally means "the first book." It is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. This Granth (Book) is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh added further holy Shabads to this Granth during the period 1704 to 1706. Then in 1708, before taking leave for his heavenly abode, Guru Gobind Singh affirmed the Adi Granth as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and the Granth then became known as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The original copy of Adi Granth still exists today and is kept at Kartarpur which is a town about 15 km. north west of the city of Jalandhar, Panjab, India. This is the only Holy Scripture in the world which was written by the founders of the religion during their lifetime. All other holy scriptures were completed after their founders had left for their heavenly abodes. Further, this is the only holy scripture that can be considered a "universal Granth" because it contains the hymns of both Hindu and Muslim saints.

Important Milestones

• 30 August 1604: Completion of Adi Granth
• 1 September 1604: Adi Granth installed for the first time at Harimander Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev ji
• 1705: The Damdama Sahib Bir was completed by Guru Gobind Singh from memory.
• 20 October 1708: Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru

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