The Source Book On Sikhism

The Collection of Gurubani

1. There is enough evidence in the Sikh history that Bhagat Bani was collected by the Gurus during the period of their pontificate.

2. Many verses composed by the Gurus are either clarification of a similar verse of a Bhagat or are an answer to the

questions raised by the Bhagats in their compositions.

Examples:

a. see page 1383 of Guru Granth Sahib sloaks of Farid (104-111). The sloaks of Farid have sloaks of Guru Amardas and Guru Arjan mixed with them for clarification.

b. see page 1384, Sloak of Farid (112), 113 is composed by Guru Nanak (see page 83).

c. see pages 981, 1106 (Raag Maru) Shabad of Guru Nanak and a similar Shabad of Bhagat Jaidev.

d. (Raag Sorath) Shabad of Guru Nanak and a Shabad of Bhagat Namdev.

e. (Raag Asa) Shabad of Guru Nanak and Shabad of Kabir.

f. see also Sloaks and Shabads of Kabir and Guru Amardas.

g. there are many more examples so such similarities.

3. The Bani was recorded in books from the time of Guru Nanak and it passed on from one Guru to the other Guru.

4. During the times of Guru Amardas all the Bani collected so far was recorded in two Pothis (Books). These Pothis have the Bani of Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amardas, Kabir, Namdev, Jaidev, Ravidas, Trilochan and Sain.

5. The Bani of other Bhagats was collected by Guru Arjan.