Theme for the Week:
The first version of Guru Granth Sahib (called Pothi Sahib or Adi Granth) was compiled by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Sahib in 1604.
Guru Gobind Singh added hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur and affirmed this final version as his spiritual successor (physical successor being the Panth that follows the teachings of the latter – “My soul is in the Granth and my body is in the Panth”).
In conjunction with the First Installation Day (Prakash Divas) of Guru Granth Sahib, this week we’ll feature five beautiful verses shedding some light on the process of its compilation.
ਜੋਤਿ (jot)
Meaning: noun: Light, divine light or consciousness or wisdom.
Quote:
ਜੋਤਿ ਓਹਾ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਹਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਪਲਟੀਐ॥
jot ohaa jugat saai sahi kaa-i-aa pher palaṭeeai
It’s the same divine light (or wisdom of Guru Nanak illuminating in Guru Angad) and it’s the same method (of imparting wisdom to seekers). The Master has changed only the body again
– Bhai Satta and Balvand, Guru Granth Sahib, 966
Message: THE SAME DIVINE WISDOM and methodology of imparting teachings to their disciples was practised by all the Gurus. Only the physical bodies of the Gurus were different.
When Guru Nanak left the world, he handed over the collection of his compositions and that of the Bhagats to his successor, Guru Angad. In a biography of Guru Nanak(puratan janamsakhi), it is mentioned:
ਤਿਤੁ ਮਹਲਿ ਜੋ ਸਬਦ ਹੋਆ ਸੋ ਪੋਥੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਅੰਗਦ ਜੋਗ ਮਿਲੀ॥
Guru Angad received the Book of divine verses, which were revealed through Guru Nanak.
The following verse further asserts this by pointing out that the food of spiritual wisdom was served as generously during the second Guru’s period as it was served during the Guru Nanak’s period:
ਲੰਗਰੁ ਚਲੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਹਰਿ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੀ ਖਟੀਐ॥
(In the durbar of Guru Angad) the food of Divinity is served through the Word of the Guru; it never runs short, instead, it keeps on growing. -Bhai Satta and Balvand, Guru Granth Sahib, 967
Etymology: From Sanskrit jyotis (light, moonlight, star) → Pali joti (light, star, fire) → Gurbani jot (light, divine light, divine wisdom).
