The Guru Granth Sahib: Sacred Scripture of Sikhism

The Guru Granth Sahib (also spelled Guru Granth Sahib) is the central religious scripture and eternal living Guru of Sikhism, a monotheistic faith founded in the Punjab region (15th century) by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Key Facts

• Compiled by: 5th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1604), as Adi Granth
• Finalized by: 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1708), who added hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur and declared it the eternal Guru
• Script: Gurmukhi
• Content: 1,430 pages (Angs); 5,894 hymns (Shabads) by 6 Sikh Gurus + 15 Hindu/Muslim saints (Bhagats) + 11 Bhatts (bards)
• Core themes: One God (Ik Onkar), honest living, equality, service (seva), remembrance (simran), justice

Unique Status

Unlike other scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib is not just a book—it is the living Guru. It is enthroned on a takht (canopied seat) in every Gurdwara, fanned with a chaur, and treated with supreme reverence. Sikhs bow before it, listen to its continuous reading (Akhand Path), and seek guidance (Hukamnama) by opening it at random.

It embodies the Sikh ideal: scripture as sovereign, not a person.