Sikh Literature – UPSC Notes – Art and Culture

Sikhism emerged as a modern religion in the 15th century, founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak. The sacred scripture of Sikhism is the Guru Granth Sahib, encompassing the beliefs and philosophies of the faith. Gurbani, a compilation of hymns and compositions by Sikh Gurus, forms an integral part of the Guru Granth Sahib. Read more about Sikh Literature in our comprehensive article ahead!

Sikh Literature – Background

The Punjabi language originated from Savraseni Prakrit, also known as Sauraseni Apabhransa, a broken form of Sanskrit. Punjabi shares the same grammatical foundation with languages like Brajabhasa and Rajasthani.

However, there is no recorded instance of Punjabi literature before the time of Guru Nanak (1469-1538). The earliest significant text is the ‘Adi Granth,’ completed in 1604 by Guru Arjun Dev. A crucial aspect is that altering or deleting even a single word from the original text was considered a sin. Consequently, it has been transmitted to us in its pristine, unaltered form.

Given that the Gurus predominantly delve into discussions about the nature and attributes of the creator, the text takes the form of hymns set to specific Ragas. Notably, Guru Nanak’s expressions are remarkably aphoristic, showcasing a blend of profound reflection and certain intuitive principles of self-realization.

Important Sikh Literature

Adi Granth

Compiled in 1604 by Bhai Gurdas under the guidance of the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev, the Adi Granth is written in the Gurumukhi script. It serves as the precursor to the Guru Granth Sahib. The book encapsulates the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and includes the wisdom of fifteen Bhagats from both the Bhakti and Sufi traditions.

Guru Granth Sahib

Expanded upon by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1678, the Guru Granth Sahib is highly esteemed by Sikhs. It is considered the eleventh and final spiritual authority for Sikhs and is also written in the Gurumukhi script. The language used is Sant Bhasa, which incorporates words from various languages such as Punjabi, Apabhramsa, Hindi, Braj Bhasa, Sanskrit, Khadiboli, and Persian.

This profound text includes the teachings of thirteen Bhakti saints, known as ‘Bhagats,’ including figures like Ramananda, Namadev, Ravidas, Parmanand, Sain, Surdas, and others. Additionally, it encompasses the wisdom of two Muslim Bhagats, namely Kabir and Baba Farid.

Dasam Granth

Dasam Granth is often thought to contain hymns composed by Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru. However, there is considerable disagreement on this matter. In addition to hymns, the book includes fables and stories from Puranic traditions. Some hymns from Dasam Granth are intended to be sung during daily prayers, known as “Nit-Nem.”

Janamsakhis

Janam Sakhis, meaning “birth stories,” are biographical writings about Guru Nanak. These compositions were penned at various stages after Guru Nanak’s passing. The most renowned book among them is Bhai Bala Janamsakhi. Other notable Janam Sakhis include Miharban Janam Sakhi and Adi Janam Sakhi.

Other Noteworthy Sikh Literature Works and Authors

• In the secular domain, a collection of romances known as ‘Qissa,’ primarily originating from Muslim writers, gained prominence.
• The romances of Hir and Ranjha, as well as Mirza and Sahiban, enjoyed widespread popularity.
• Waris Shah is notably the best narrator of the Hir and Ranjha story. His proficiency as a gifted poet is evident in his strong command of crafting tragic dialogues, particularly compelling in his version of the sequel where both the hero and heroine meet their tragic end.
• Peelu’s writing stands out as the premier version of the Mina-Sahiban romance. It adeptly brings to life the psychological conflict of Sahiban, caught between loyalty to her family and her love for Mirza.
• Aggara, a Hindu poet, authored the saga or Var of Haqiqat Rai, a Sikh Hindu youth martyred for his faith in Lahore during Shah Jahan’s reign.

Conclusion

In summary, the progress of Punjabi literature has been notably influenced by the noteworthy contributions of Sufi poets. The poetic works associated with the renowned Chisti Sufi teacher Baba Farid (Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj Shakar) (c. 1173-1265) are acknowledged as groundbreaking additions to Punjabi poetry.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Sikh Literature

1. What is the literature of Sikhism?
   • The literature of Sikhism includes the Guru Granth Sahib, hymns, poetry, devotional works, janam-sakhis (writings on Guru Nanak’s life), rahit-namas (manuals with the Rahit), and gur-bilas (hagiographic works on the 6th and 10th Gurus emphasizing their warrior roles).
2. What is the sacred literature of Sikhs?
   • The sacred literature of Sikhs is the Adi Granth, which is the collection of nearly 6,000 hymns of Sikh Gurus and saints from various religions and castes.
3. What are the 5Ks of Sikhism mentioned in UPSC?
   • The 5Ks that Sikh men are required to possess are Kangha (comb), Kesh (long hair), Kada (iron bracelet), Kachcha (underwear), and Kirpan (sword or dagger).
4. Who wrote Guru Granth Sahib according to UPSC?
   • Guru Granth Sahib was written by Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606), the fifth Guru of Sikhism.
5. What is the famous literary work of Guru Nanak?
   • Guru Nanak’s most important work is the Mool Mantar, written after his experience visiting God for three days and receiving enlightenment. It is found at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib.
6. What is the first Punjabi literature?
   • The Janamsakhis, stories on Guru Nanak’s life, are early examples of Punjabi prose literature. Guru Nanak himself composed Punjabi verse, incorporating vocabulary from Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and other South Asian languages as characteristic of the Gurbani tradition.