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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Sikh hymns}}<br />
[[Image:Gutka7.JPG|thumb| Gurbani from [[Nitnem]] Pothi Sahib|right]]<br />
{{Sikh scriptures}}<br />
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'''Gurbani''' ({{langx|pa|ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ}}, pronunciation: {{IPA|pa|ɡɝbaːɳiː|}}, lit. the Guru's words) is a Sikh term, very commonly used by [[Sikh]]s to refer to various compositions by the [[Sikh Gurus]] and other [[writers of Guru Granth Sahib]]. In general, hymns in the central text of the Sikhs, the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], are called ''Gurbani''. Among [[Amritdhari]] Sikhs, a few texts from [[Dasam Granth]] which are read as [[Nitnem]], like ''Tav-Prasad Savaiye'' and ''Chaupai'', are also considered ''Gurbani''. In Adi Granth, Gurbani is a sound which comes directly from the Supreme and the text is a written form of the same in worldly language and scripts. It is also called ''Guru’s Bani''.<ref>''ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੇ ਗੁਣ ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੫॥''<br> Servant Nanak chants the Glorious Words of the Guru's Bani; through them, one is absorbed into the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||4||5||: Page 494, M5</ref> <br />
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Prior to reading Gurbani or [[Naam Japo|meditating]], it is compulsory to cover the head with a [[turban]], [[dupatta]] or other cloth, as well as removing shoes, performing at least the ''Panj Ishnan''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kainth |first1=Gursharan Singh |title=Festivals of Sikhs |date=2024 |publisher=Booksclinic Publishing |location=Bilaspur, India |isbn=978-93-5823-642-2 |page=101 |edition=First}}</ref> (washing of the 5 main parts of the body), and if possible using a [[teeth-cleaning twig]].<ref>{{cite book |translator1=Harjinder Singh |translator2=Sukha Singh |translator3=Jaskeerth Singh |title=Sikh Code of Conduct |date=December 2020 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |location=Walsall, England |isbn=978-1-9996052-4-7 |page=108 |edition=6th}}</ref> Gurbani are explanations of qualities of the Primal Lord and Soul which a Sikh should comprehend and with which they can attain the supreme state. Sikh historical writings, unauthentic writings or apocryphal compositions written under the names of Sikh Gurus and other writings by [[Sikh]]s are not considered Gurbani and are referred to as ''Kachi Bani'' (ਕੱਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ; meaning ''adulterated verses'').<ref>[http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/bhai-gurdas-and-the-early-sikh-literature/apocryphal-compositions "Apocryphal Compositions"]. ''The Sikh Encyclopedia''.</ref><br />
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==Etymology==<br />
'''Gurbani''' is composed of two words: 'Gur' and 'Bani'. Gur has multiple meanings depending on context. In [[Guru Granth Sahib]], ''Gur'' is used for multiple meanings, as per context of hymn. The common use of ''Gur'' is either for wisdom and internal conscious mind (referred to as Chitta or Antar Atma).<ref>ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ,Mahankosh, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha</ref><br />
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According to Pashaura Singh, compositions found in the Guru Granth Sahib are referred to either as ''bani'' ("utterances") or ''gurbani'' ("utterance of the guru").<ref>{{Cite book |title=Literary Cultures in Early Modern North India: Current Research |date=Jun 11, 2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780192889362 |editor-last=Bangha |editor-first=Imre |pages=175–176 |editor-last2=Stasik |editor-first2=Danuta}}</ref><br />
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Thereby Gurbani either means ''the speech of wisdom'' or ''the speech of conscious mind''.<br />
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Gurbani is directly received from inside after attaining a Supreme state, whereas the Granth or textual form is worldly language of the same. Gurbani is also referred to as ''Dhur Ki Bani'' (ਧੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ; meaning ''the speech from the Supreme house''). In the Adi Granth, it is considered a source of spiritual knowledge which illuminates the mind and gives internal bliss. The one who comprehends Gurbani is also described as an Amritdhari. Gurbani is a source of truth with which the internal filth and sins get eradicated and one who find Gurbani sweet is in supreme state.<br />
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Extracts from [[Guru Granth Sahib]] are called Gutkas (ਗੁਟਕਾ; meaning ''small books'') containing sections of Gurbani. These Gutkas can vary from just a few pages to hundreds of pages and are used by the Sikhs to read these Banis on a daily basis.<br />
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== Compilation ==<br />
[[File:Historical painting of Bhai Mani Singh (left) scribing a manuscript alongside Guru Gobind Singh dictating (right), artwork kept at Takht Damdama Sahib.jpg|thumb|Painting of [[Bhai Mani Singh]] (left) scribing ''Gurbani'' alongside [[Guru Gobind Singh]] dictating (right), artwork kept at [[Takht Sri Damdama Sahib|Takht Damdama Sahib]]]]<br />
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Gurbani is not seen as mere intellectual, spiritual writings conjured by the [[Sikh gurus]], [[Bhagat|bhagats]], [[Bhatra Sikhs|bhatts]], and [[Gursikh|gursikhs]], but rather as divine word revealed by the creator itself.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Nayar |first=Kamala Elizabeth |title=The Sikh View on Happiness: Guru Arjan’s Sukhmani |last2=Sandhu |first2=Jaswinder Singh |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2020 |isbn=9781350139886 |pages=36}}</ref> As per Guru Arjan regarding the origin of gurbani:<ref name=":0" /><br />
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{{Blockquote|text=Bani originated from the [[Akal Purakh|Primordial One]] (''dhurki bani''), and removes all anxiety.|author=Guru Arjan|title=''The Sikh View on Happiness: Guru Arjan’s Sukhmani'' (2020)|source=page 36}}<br />
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==Nitnem compositions==<br />
{{Main|Nitnem}}<br />
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The hymns of the [[Japji Sahib]], [[Jaap Sahib]], [[Tav-Prasad Savaiye]], [[Chaupai (Sikhism)|Chaupai Sahib]] and [[Anand Sahib]] should be read before sunrise daily according to the [[Sikh Rehat Maryada]]. These are recited by initiated Sikhs at [[Amritvela]] (before 6 a.m.). [[Rehras]] is read in the evening around sunset or after a day's work and finally [[Kirtan Sohila]] is read before going to bed. Doing ''Nitnem'' is also commonly referred as doing ''paath''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singha |first=Harbhajan |first2=Satwant |last2=Kaur |date=2008 |title=Sikhism: A Complete Introduction |series=Sikh Studies, Book V |location=New Delhi |publisher=Hemkunt Press |edition=Fifth impression |page=88 |isbn=9788170102458}}</ref><br />
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[[Japji Sahib]], [[Anand Sahib]], and [[Kirtan Sohila]] are a part of [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. [[Jaap Sahib]], [[Tav-Prasad Savaiye]], and [[Chaupai (Sikhism)|Chaupai Sahib]] were all compiled by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] and found in the ''[[Dasam Granth]]''. [[Rehras]] is a mix with hymns from both Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth. A Sikh may add more ''Gurbani'' to their Nitnem and if done frequently that ''Gurbani'' becomes a part of their ''Nitnem''.<br />
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<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px"><br />
File:Gutka8.JPG|A ''Pothi Sahib'' (Nitnem prayerbook) is commonly wrapped in a similar cloth as a mark of respect<br />
File:Historical 'gutka' manuscript of the Dasam Granth from the 18th century.jpg|Historical ''gutka'' manuscript of the [[Dasam Granth]] from the 18th century<br />
File:Sikh gutka from early 18th century.jpg|Sikh ''gutka'' from early 18th century<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Anand Sahib]]<br />
* [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib|Guru Granth Sahib]]<br />
* [[Panj Granthi]]<br />
* [[Japji Sahib]]<br />
* [[Nitnem]]<br />
* [[Sikh scriptures]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Sikhism}}<br />
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[[Category:Sikh scripture]]</div>User987delhi