Should I Bring the Guru Granth Into My Home?

Hardas Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 05:11 AM

I have found some english translations of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, for about $80.00 on the internet, which is great because that means I will have more access to the Guru and won't have to starve myself by relying only on the internet. My problem is that I'm unsure I'd be able to give the Guru the proper respect deserved. Aren't we supposed to bow in the presence of the Guru? That shouldn't pose too much of a problem aside for the severe criticisms I'll face from my family. I will probably keep Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji wrapped in a clean cloth on a safe shelf in my bedroom, would this be acceptable? What about when I walk into my room to get something, do I have to bow even though Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is wrapped up on my shelf? My parents refuse to let me tie a turban, so do I have to cover my head even if Sri Guru Granth Sahib is wrapped up on my shelf or do I only cover my head when I am reading? I want to be as devout a Sikh as I can possibly be, nothing makes me happier. Even if that means waiting a few more years before having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji in my house.

Hardas Singh · #2 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 05:18 AM

Does anyone even know if this is a good translation?
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (English Translation in 4 Volumes)
Author: Gurbachan Singh Talib
Publisher: Punjabi University, Patiala
Language: English
Binding: Hardbound
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/23327-should-i-bring-guru-granth-into.html
SikhLink.net

Jaspreet08 · #3 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satyadhi

I have found some english translations of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, for about $80.00 on the internet, which is great because that means I will have more access to the Guru and won't have to starve myself by relying only on the internet. My problem is that I'm unsure I'd be able to give the Guru the proper respect deserved. Aren't we supposed to bow in the presence of the Guru? That shouldn't pose too much of a problem aside for the severe criticisms I'll face from my family. I will probably keep Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji wrapped in a clean cloth on a safe shelf in my bedroom, would this be acceptable? What about when I walk into my room to get something, do I have to bow even though Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is wrapped up on my shelf? My parents refuse to let me tie a turban, so do I have to cover my head even if Sri Guru Granth Sahib is wrapped up on my shelf or do I only cover my head when I am reading? I want to be as devout a Sikh as I can possibly be, nothing makes me happier. Even if that means waiting a few more years before having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji in my house.

Those are some good questions. Want to know these myself.
Some of things will come about naturally for you as you develop more and more love for the Guruji. It is good to know some of the basic "rules" first though.

Hardas Singh · #4 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 05:52 AM

Thank you. It has been my experiance that sometimes the most basic information is the hardest to find out.

Narayanjot Kaur · #5 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 06:11 AM

Satyadi jj and Jaspreet ji

This is from the Rehat Maryada:

Article VIII

a. Every Sikh should, as far as possible, maintain a separate and exclusive place for the installation of Guru Granth Sahib, in his home.

The question asked by Satyadi ji contains two separate questions. First of all the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj is not "a book." There are specific principles and expectations surrounding keeping the Guru at home. And people violate the sanctity of the Guru all the time. I cannot remember what all the rules (rules is a bad word) are. When I find that information I will post it.

Read this article to get an idea of how loose things can get. And you will get an idea of how serious one needs to be about preserving the sanctity of the Guru.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23327

Panthic Weekly: Respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj

The second point to make is this. A translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru is written in Gurmukhi only. So it is OK to keep translations at home -- but of course these must also be treated with respect.

The Gurbachan Talib Singh translation is one of the few translationsi n English that has the official approval of the SGPC. However, it does not pair English translations with the original Gurmukhi. I have a copy of it myself. Far be it from me to enter into the debate as to whether it is a good translation. My point is that it is not Sri Guru Granth Sahib, so don't worry about having it at home as a resource for study and learning.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #6 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 06:49 AM

SIKHIS/GURMATT is NOT a "Beleif System"....ITS a PATH...a JOURNEY....
Other religions have man made rules..and a "destination" with theirs being the ONLY WAY to that particulat destination....NOT SIKHI...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23327

2. I have the Talib translation...a poor attempt at rendering Gurbani ( POETRY) into English (poems) ..as a POETRY in another langauage is very very difficult to render as poetry ina different language - even translating poetry into prose is already difficult..so how much more when one tries to RHYME and REASON from Original (Gurmukhi) into English !! MY preference is the MANMOHAN SINGH Translation of 8 Volumes - it has the Original Gurbani in Gurmukhi/English transliterated and Translated..all ON ONE PAGE (in columns). For the solely Punjabi version.PROF SAHIB SINGH beats all. Prof Harbans Singh, Bhai Vir Singh also in Punjabi..FARIDKOTEE TEEKA in Gurmukhi..sanatani sikhi viewpoint..and SANT SINGH KHALSA Western Viewpoint in ENGLISH.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23327

3. The TRUE GURU..is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (in Gurmukhi Script) bound hardcover in ONE VOLUME...BUT then again to some Sikhs (especially the Panthic weekly , AKJ and some others..the TRUE GURU is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in UNBROKEN JOINTED SCRIPT - no breaks !!)
BUT YES in ALL cases the due respect MUST be accorded to teh ONE VOLUME Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in GURMUKHI SCRIPT - that is Maryada.
4. Please treat ALL GURBANI as SACRED.
5. ALL TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE..YET there is no such thing as the ABSOLUTE TRUTH...AAD SACH..JUGAAD SACH..NAANAK HOSEE BHEE SACH MEANS THAT.
GYANI JARNAIL SINGH

Hardas Singh · #7 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 06:50 AM

Thank you, for your response. That article was very interesting, and I think that answers my first question. It would without question be inappropriate for me to bring Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi into my home at this time in my life, but I'm still unconvinced about english translations. One day though, when I move out of my parents home I will install Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji in my home according to the Rehat Maryada.

I always believed that it did not matter what translation or language Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji was in, if we must only recognize Gurmukhi only wouldn't that mean only those who are fluent in Punjabi could read Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji? What about all the people who say that someone would need to know like seven differant languages in order to fully read and understand Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji? Does Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji say that it must be in Gurmukhi? Please do not think I'm trying to dispute you, but can you prove that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji must be in Gurmukhi?

So what would constitute appropriate respect for and english translation or Gutkas? Would I still have to cover my kesh or bow?

Hardas Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 06:58 AM

Well, I'm not too concerned with how well various english translations sound poetically, I just want to find an inexpensive english translation so I can study Gurbani on a regular basis.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23327

This may seem like an odd question considering I've been a Sikh for a few years now, but how exactly does a Sikh understand Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji if it is in so many languages?

Narayanjot Kaur · #9 (**permalink**) 25-Oct-2008, 07:20 AM

Satyadi ji

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23327
Sri Guru Granth Sahib must be in Gurmukhi according to the rehat. That is one issue.

The other issue is whether translations are helpful. Translaitons are not Sri Guru Granth Sahib, but they are helpful and you should make use of them according to your needs. Gyani is saying that some translations are better than others. But they are needed for someone who cannot read Gurmukhi.