An Introduction to Sri Guru Granth Sahib

By Sarup Singh Alag

Publisher: Alag-Shabad-Yug

593 - Urban Estate -2, Focal Point, Ludhiana - 141 010

Pages: 200, Price: Free Distribution

Reviewed by Kulwant Singh

The Book contains a treasure of information about the life and biographical details of the Sikh Gurus and the saints, who composed hymns which are embodied in the Holy Guru Granth Sahib. First eight chapters are devoted to the Sikh Gurus, followed by thirty three chapters on the bhaktas and the bhats. This way the details of all Gurus, the bhaktas and the bhats, who have contributed towards the composition of hymns have been covered extensively. It will be interesting to note that more than one fourth of the book is devoted to the bhaktas and the bhats; as such this selective work is specially beneficial to the readers to know more about the little known saints who are, through the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, a part and parcel of Sikhism.

Sarup Singh, known for his recent works like ' Excellence of Sikhism ' and ' Kes Prasang ', has done a great job in writing this informatory work through a transcendental level. Each chapter covers ample information about the life and teachings of a particular Guru or a saint, and then he touches it with the higher level of scholarly wisdom by quotations from Guru Granth S ahib, well rendered in English, and is followed by an appropriate commentary. His writing style is very simple and easily understandable by common man. It is a Sikh-philosophy-made easy primer.

Another important feature of the book is that it covers an elaborate chapter on ' Musical Measures'(Ragaas) used in Guru Granth Sahib. Kirtan is an integral part of Sikh religion and all the hymns in Guru Granth Sahib are grouped under different ragaas, understandably composed in this way to convey a signal to the musicians to sing the particular hymn in its own musical measure, and not in any other measure by which the natural mood of the environment may be upset. This attempt of Sarup Singh will definitely be welcomed by the Sikh World to enlighten the community more about the classical ragaas, so that melodic errors can be corrected at earliest.

Last, but not the least, this book is distributed free. Sarup Singh has been publishing excellent literature for free distribution for the last 25 years. There is a tremendous Gursikhi-spirit behind this. Alag-Shabad-Yug, a publishing agency has been formed recently in order to convey the message of Sikhism to the masses, through the free Alag publications. This way any well-wisher can contribute generously toward a great cause.

[Courtesy: Sikh Review January, 1998]

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