Pehla Prakash Purab Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji*

Ad Granth Sahib was compiled by Guru Arjan Dev ji, taking the compositions of the first four Guru Sahibs+ Guru Sahibs own compositions and bhagats

, bhatts and gursikhs. This day marked the beginning a lot of important practices that have become inseparable from a Sikh’s life today.
The First ever Prakash took place in Harmindar Sahib. The first Granthi sahib was Baba Buddha Ji, who also took the first hukamnama.

The hukamnama on this occasion was
Soohi M:5 “santa ke kaaraj aap khaloya har kam karaavan aaya ram||”
The Lord himself stands by his saints and helps them with their tasks.

Kavi Santokh Singh ji writes as Guru Sahib said,
“Budha sahib kholo Granth lehe awaaz sune sab panth
Adab sangh Granth tab kholo
Leh awaaz budha tab bola
Soohi M:5 Santa ke kaaraj aap khaloya...”

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ad Granth Saroop was compiled by Guru Arjan Dev ji, who recited the Baani and Bhai Gurdas ji was the likhaari, who penned down the Baani. This compilation started in 1601 and ended in 1604, at Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib, Amritsar.

Ad Granth Sahib Ji comprised of the compositions of the first 5 Guru Sahibs, the Bani of 15 Bhagats and verses of 11 Bhatts (bards/poets) and 3 Guriskhs (Baba Sundar ji and Bhai Satta and Balwand ji)

The Ad Granth Sahib Ji comprised of a total of 5,779 shabads, in a total of 30 raags. The Baani started with compositions in Sriraag and ending with those in Raag Prabhati(presently it is Raaj Jaijawanti, composed by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji) after which came the baani w/o any Raag/

‘Raag Mukt’ Baani (eg. sloks)
It should be pointed out that as stated in Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there is no differences between the guru and the bani.
“Baani guru guru hai baani vich baani amrit saare”

Also, that the Baani are the words of the Akal Purakh, that is why it remains immortal, as does the Akal Purakh.
The one who seeks guidance from Baani, is ought to become one with the Akal.
“Jaisi mein aave khasam ki baani tesrha kari gyaan ve laalo”

After the Prakash, Guru Arjan Dev ji’s place of rest became the place of rest of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. (Guru sahib ordained a greater significance to Gurbani.)
Guru Sahib chose his place of rest, underneath the Sukhaasan asthan of SGGSji.

This practice is still continued in Darbar sahib as a mark of remembrance and respect. At the Sukhaasanasthan (in Akal Takht sahib) one would find a white sheet,placed underneath the asthan of SGGS ji (representing the place of rest of Guru Arjan Dev ji)

Even though, Guruship was still in the body form and as mentioned in Bhai Gurdas ji’s varaan, it was already known to the Guru Sahibs that it will continue for 5 more forms (after Guru Arjan Dev ji)still Guru sahib decided to go ahead with the Prakash of Ad Granth Sahib Ji due to

2 reasons:

1. That a lot of attempts by those resentful of the Panth and of the Guru Sahibs(eg Prithi Chand) were being made at composing false baani and circulating it under the banner of

Guru Sahibs. So, it was understood that it’s important for the Bani of Guru Sahibs and bhagats to be compiled together; so that there is no confusion.

2. While different religious places in the country were dedicated to different deities and prophets, Guru Sahibs constructed..

Harmandir Sahib, the house of the Supreme itself and therefore the Supreme must be seated over there and no one else.
“Pothi parmeshwar ka thaan”

*Guru Gobind Singh ji later added the compositions of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, and bestowed Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru sahib it the Sikhs.

For Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, the Panth collectively celebrates the Pehla Prakash Purab, because it marks the first ever prakash and installation of SGGS ji, but never has and never will the Panth mark the joti jot, because Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj remains “Jugo Jug Atal

ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅਟੱਲ।

Throughout time and ages, Guru Granth Sahib Ji has and will remain constant.

ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਜ।।