Philosophy Of Sri Guru Grantha Sahib Ji

Dr. Arvind Godbole (1933-2011): MD (Med), FRCP (Edin), FRFPS (Glasgow), FAIID was a Mumbai-based physician, honorary professor of medicine and writer. Besides nine books on medical topics, he wrote another nine books on life and philosophy of Veer Savarkar, Hindutva, history of the Sikh Gurus, philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Christianity. He was President of Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Mumbai and of the Mumbai units of Vishwa Sanwad Kendra and Vivekananda Kendra. He served as personal physician to Veer Savarkar.

Bharat is a spiritual Rashtra which has given birth to many Panthas and philosophical traditions. 'Gurmat Parampra' is also born out of this spiritual chain that originated from the Vedic period. This book is not a history of the Sikh gurus or a compilation of its traditions. This book aims at presenting the salient philosophy of Sikh Gurus and other contemporary Bhaktas of our country.

Introducing with the Nanak-bani, it concludes with the concept of God in Chapter 16. The book is studded with references from primary sources. It is thus a masterpiece of original book writing.

Sri Guru Grantha Sahibji is the 11th Guru of Sikhs, as before passing away Guru Gobind Singh Ji decreed that the Sikhs were to regard Sri Guru Grantha Sahibji as their next and everlasting Guru. This work aims to explain philosophy in the Sri Guru Grantha Sahibji and its commonality with our ancient philosophical traditions. The scope of the present book is necessarily conditioned by its purpose and a systematic account of Gurus' Gurbani, teachings, ideologies and philosophy. The present book shows a mirror to the intellectual and ethical climate around the Sikh Gurus and Bhaktas which is quite vivid in their writings. Revered as it as the 11th Guru by Sikhs, the Sri Guru Grantha Sahibji is an embodiment of divine wisdom. The message of Gurbani is universal and logical. So its learning should not be limited to one language. This book is an attempt to make readers feel the philosophy of Sri Guru Grantha Sahibji that is based on the path of illumination by adopting right way of living, I appreciate the efforts of the writer Dr. Arvind S. Godbole ji for writing about Bharatiya Bhakti Parampara and Samvit Prakashan for publishing this book.

This monograph discusses the philosophy of Sri Guru Grantha Sähibji (Grantha). This is not a treatise on Sikhism. I have not discussed Sikh doctrines like Miīrī and Pīrī, which emerged due to historical forces, or the Sikh institutions and practices. I have cited quotations from the scripture (Grantha) to illustrate the points made in this monograph. It is not necessary to cite all possible quotations to bring out a particular point. I have not aimed at a compendium of quotations from the Grantha or Bhai Gurudasa ki bir or the Janamasakhī literature, from the discussion.

I have profound regard for the Sikh Gurus and the Bhaktas whose hymns were incorporated in the Grantha. However, I have avoided prefixing the name of the bhaktas by the term, 'santa' or 'bhakta'. Although, I have prefixed the names of Sikh Gurūs, by the term 'Guru' throughout the text, I have omitted the term, within a bracketed quotation, for the sake of brevity. I have avoided suffixing the names of the Sikh Gurus and Bhaktas, by honorifics viz., 'Deva', 'Maharaj', 'ji' etc. Such honorifics are out of place in an academic discussion.

The Sikhs regard the Grantha Sahib as the last Gurû for all times. to come or a visible Guru. Millions of Sanatani Hindus recite the hymns of the Grantha with reverence. While presenting the subject objectively, I am sensitive to their sentiments.