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Glite Dictionary
Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib

9.6
A holy book of Sikhism that contains songs, poems, and teachings
  • proper noun
  • /ˈɡʊruː ˈɡrʌnθ sɑːhɪb/
translation icon : Guru Granth Sahib
  • Devotees gather to read from the Guru Granth Sahib during religious ceremonies and gatherings.

Examples

  • The Guru Granth Sahib was compiled by Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh guru, in 1604.

  • The Guru Granth Sahib is revered by millions of Sikhs worldwide.

  • During important ceremonies, passages from the Guru Granth Sahib are read aloud to the congregation.

  • Sikhs treat the Guru Granth Sahib with great reverence in their places of worship.

  • Many people visit the gurdwara to read the Guru Granth Sahib.

  • The Guru Granth Sahib is considered the Eternal Guru by Sikhs, guiding their spiritual practices.

  • Sri Guru Granth Sahib contains the teachings and hymns of the first five Sikh gurus.

Synonyms

Granth Sahib
vsGuru Granth Sahib
1 9.9

The holy book of Sikhism containing religious songs, poems, and teachings of the Sikh Gurus

focuses on the first five gurus and includes additional saints
Granth
vsGuru Granth Sahib
9.9

A holy book of Sikhism containing hymns and teachings

includes those hymns but also contains teachings from other saints
Adi Granth
vsGuru Granth Sahib
9.9

The main holy book of Sikhism with hymns and teachings by early Sikh leaders

also covers teachings by other holy figures beyond those first five

Surface Forms

Guru Granth Sahib main

Morphology

Guru + Granth + Sahib

The meaning is directly compositional: 'Guru' (spiritual teacher) + 'Granth' (sacred text) + 'Sahib' (honorific) together indicate an honored scripture associated with the Gurus. Given those constituent meanings, a B1 learner can infer it refers to a revered religious book, so the expression is transparently built from its parts.

Etymology

Guru Granth Sahib is named from three words: Guru ('teacher'), Granth ('book') and Sahib ('respected'). It brings together hymns by Sikh teachers and, after the tenth human guru, was made the 'living teacher', so Sikhs treat the book itself as their guide and read it aloud at ceremonies.