The Source Book On Sikhism

1. The Authors and the Arrangement of their Bani

The authors of Guru Granth Sahib can be divided into following categories:

(i) Gurus

Guru Nanak - Composed Bani in 19 Raags viz Sri, Majh Gauri, Asa. Gurjri, Wadhans, Sorath, Dhanasri, Tilang, Suhi, Bilawal, Ramkali, Tukhari, Bhairav, Basant, Sarang, Malaar and Prabhati. The total number of compositions are 974.

Guru Angad - Composed only 62 sloaks which have been incorporated in vars.

Guru Amardas - Composed Bani in 17 Raags, all the Raags used by Guru Nanak except Tilang and Tukhari. Total number of compositions are 907.

Guru Ramdas - Composed Bani in 29 Raags, all the Raags used in Guru Granth Sahib (except Raag Kedara and Jai Jai Vanti). Total number of compositions are 679.

Guru Arjan - composed Bani in 30 Raags, all the Raags used in Guru Granth Sahib except Raag jai Jai Vanti. Total compositions are 2218.

Guru Hargobind - It is said that he added tunes to 9 vars out of a total of 24 vars. These vars are: Majh Di Var, Gauri Di Var, Asa Di Var, Wadhans Di Var, Gujri Di Var, Ramkali Di Var, Sarang di Var; Malaar Di Var and Kanta Di Var.