Selected Editorials - The Sikh Bulletin

Sikh religious scripture is unique among world’s religious Granths in more ways than one. This is the only
Granth that has the authentic, original, unadulterated writings of the authors. They were recorded by the
authors themselves. Not only that, in addition to the writings of six Gurus, it also includes the writings of
Bhagats, both Hindu and Muslim, and Bhats in its 1430 pages, including Ragmala. It goes without saying
that only those writings of Bhagats and Bhats are included that are compatible with the message of Guru
Nanak. Ragmala is a controversial entry. Yet another controversy is about some banis attributed to
Mardana by some scholars while others contend Mardana is not the author of those banis. Perhaps that
explains the discrepancy in number of banis attributed to Bhagats in various sources.
Substantial sums of money are being spent over this celebration but the celebration would be more
meaningful if at the same time attempts are made to translate SGGS into other languages of the world,
just as the Bible has been translated. This writer is familiar only with the English language and has
examined at least four different translations of SGGS in this language. They all fall short of conveying the
real meaning of Gurbani. One reason could be that they are attempts by individuals and very literal. What
is needed is a cooperative effort by several scholars expert in English and languages used in SGGS,
expertise in grammar of SGGS, ability to translate poetry in one language into prose in another language
and mastery at conveying the real ‘meaning’ of a word or phrase rather than ‘literal’ translation that
makes ‘gur gur meetha deena’ mean ‘God gave me molasses’.
Thanks to the efforts by S. Harcharan Singh, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Sikh Virsa in Calgary, this
writer also got an opportunity to participate in one such seminar on 300 th anniversary celebrations. That
paper and two papers from two other participants are included in this issue. In addition to his paper on the
subject of SGGS, S. Gurcharan Singh Brar’s article ‘Awpxw Awpxw ipMf sMBwlo’ deserves a special
mention. Of all the people who got involved with the Singh Sabha International movement that began at
Roseville, California, he is the only person who, with the help of a few dedicated associates, has carried
on the torch to spread the message of Guru Nanak. In cooperation with the Missionary College in
Ludhiana that supplies qualified missionaries, his group, Singh Sabha International Canada, matches the
missionaries with those generous Sikhs in Diaspora who wish to fund the cost for the benefit of their
villages. We urge you to support this effort financially.
Hardev Singh Shergill
*****
EDITORIAL
NANKIAN PHILOSOPHY
[Editorial from January-February 2009 Sikh Bulletin]
“Guru Nanak (1469-1539 CE) originated a unique philosophy and challenged the existing concepts
about God, heaven/hell, reincarnation/transmigration, idol worship, caste system, astrology,
mantra systems, etc. in Southeast Asia.” Amen! Halleluiah! This quote came to me from a Sikh scholar
who is doing a great service to the cause of Sikhi and I could not help but compliment him and told him
that I agreed with his quote whole heartedly.
To that I added, that Guru Nanak was not a prophet in the sense of Biblical or Muslim prophets who
claimed to speak to or spoken to by God, directly as in the case of Moses or indirectly, as in the case of
Mohammed who had an Angel as an intermediary. When Bani talks about 'dhur-ki-bani' it is not God
talking to Nanak; Sikhi is not a 'revealed' religion; it is born out of Guru’s life experience; it is Guru's
own inspiration and thought process that inspires him to seek and speak fundamental truths. He wrote
back that he was pleased to read my response but observed, “No Sikh scholar could dare to say what
you have said.” He is right and therein lies the tragedy. I am not afraid to say it precisely because I am
not a scholar. The tragedy is that Sikh scholars are too fearful of consequences if they break with the
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