Author: Guru Nanak Dev and other Sikh Gurus
Translator: Khushwant Singh
Published: 2003
Publisher: Penguin Books, India
Hardcover: 250 pages
This book presents a selection of hymns of the Sikh Gurus from the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib and couple of other sacred books.
The introductory chapter provides brief life-sketches of the Sikh Gurus, explains the fundamental tenets of Sikhism and gives an overview of the contents of the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib.
Hymns of Guru Nanak Dev accounts for almost two-thirds of this book. They include Japji the most important prayer of the Sikhs and Bara Maha which is believed to be the last of Guru Nanak Dev's composition. The other six Gurus whose hymns have been included in this selection are Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh.
All the verses in this selection bring forth the essence of Sikh philosophy viz; unity, simplicity, equality and surrender to God.
These verses are translations of the original verses in Punjabi, Old Hindi, Persian. What is surprising is that the translator Khushwant Singh is a self-confessed agnostic. Yet he is able to successfully get into the psyche of a pious devotee and pen down beautiful and moving translations close to the original verses.
This book is a very good introduction to Sikh religious literature . A must read for pious, spiritually inclined readers.
A Sample Verse from the book:
(Original verse by Guru Nanak: Jog na khintha, jog na dandey, jog na bhasam chadhaeeai )
Religion lieth not in the patched coat the Yogi wears
Not in the staff he bears
Nor in the ashes on his body.
Religion lieth not in rings in the ears,
Not in a shaven head,
Nor in the blowing of conch shells.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.
Not by talk can you achieve union
He who sees all mankind as equals
Can be deemed to be a yogi.
Religion lieth not in visiting tombs
Nor in visiting places where they burn the dead
Not in sitting entranced in contemplation
Nor in wandering in the countryside or foreign lands
Nor in bathing at places of pilgrimage.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.
When a man meets the true guru
His doubts are dispelled
And his mind ceases its wanderings;
Drops of nectar pour down on him like rain.
His ears catch strains of sahaj's celestial music
And his mind is lit up with knowledge divine.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.
Sayeth Nanak, if though must be a real yogi,
Be in the world but be dead to its tinsel values.
When the lute strikes notes without being touched
Know then that thou hast conquered fear.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.
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