Chapter 9

Method of Presentation of Various Compositions in Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib begins with the word “Ik Onkar”- ONE ALL PERVADING BEING, WHO IS EVER CONSISTENT. From this Word to the tenth Word “gur-parsad”, is Moolmantra.

After this Composition is “jap”. composed by Sri Guru Nanak Dev. This comprises 38 Pauris or stanzas, a Prologue and an Epilogue. This is the morning prayer of the Sikhs.

The next Composition has two parts - (1) “So-dar” and (2) “So-purkh “. “So-dar” contains 5 Shabads and “So-purkh” contains 4 Shabads. This is the evening prayer of the Sikhs and is also called “Raihras”.

After this is “Sohila ‘: Which contains 5 Shabads. This is the bed-time prayer.

After the above mentioned Compositions, most of the Compositions are divided into the following 31 Rags or musical measures -

1.Siri Rag 2. Majh 3. Gaurhi 4. Asa
5. Gujri Gandhari 6. Dev 7. Bihagrha 8. Vad-hans
9. Sorath 10. Dhanasari 11. Jaitsari 12. Todi
13. Bairarhi 14. Tilang 15. Suhi 16. Bilawal
17. Gaund 18. Ramkali 19. Nat Narain 20.Mali Gaurha
21. Maru 22. Tukhaari 23. Kaidaara 24. Bhairau
25.Basant 26. Saarang 27. Malar 28. Kanra
29. Kalyan 30. Parbhati 31. Jaijawanti

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