when i talk to my friends who are born in sikh families, but want to explore the faith more deeply, or who want to be inspired with stories of modern gurmukhs, i usually recommend bhai sahib bhai randhir singh jee's
autobiography, rangle sajjan, amrit ki hain, or bhai rama singh jee's
autobiography (a huge influence on me).
what about people who are not sikh but are interested to learn more? where to start?
i recently read through a book by nikky gurinder kaur, a PhD professor of religious studies. it's called,
Verses of the Sikh Gurus. it includes beautifully poetic english translations of the daily nitnem, including shabad hazare, as well as the laavan, salok m:9, and sukhmani sahib. it is the sigle most readable, understandable and touching translation i have ever read. i think that for those who are interested in sikhi but have no background, this would be a great place to start.
i know that for me, it was an english translation of japji sahib that really touched my heart first. i have read MANY translations, but by far, gurinder kaur's is the most poetic, closest to guru sahib's beautiful poetry, without losing meaning on the way.
for a concise sikh history (especially for beginners), i'd recommend patwant singh's
"the sikhs". it seems very accurate and unbiased, without over-glorifying historical figures like raja ranjit singh... enumerating his weaknesses while showing his strength, something many historians gloss over in their reverence for his military tactics.
some controversial books on sikh history (for sikhs who are more familiar with our history) include
"siques tigers or thieves" which are european accounts of early sikh history, as well as the
persian accounts of sikh history. while both are written by outsiders who are seeing only a small faction of sikhs, it's very interesting to see how their accounts differ from our perception of the sikhs of old. i wouldn't take them as law, as they all have misconceptions (particularly about the lineage of the guru sahiban, the consumption of meat and alcohol, and of banda singh bhahadur being guru) but despite that, especially in the persian sources, there are many glowing and inspirational sakhis of guru sahib. coming from the "enemy", it shows the power guru sahib had over people of every faith.
for people (sikh or not) who misunderstand the necessity of militancy in punjab, i recommend
fighting for faith and nation, by cynthia mahmood. it can make anyone understand why sikhs have had to take up arms to defend our very existence, even in modern times. and it would make anyone cry to hear the tales of horror we have faced in our recent past.
cynthia mahmood has also written a short study on young sikh women in the west, called
guru's gift. i found it really interesting that for the majority of the girls interviewed, specifically wearing dastaar was extremely important to them in feeling to be a religious sikh. and these are not just girls from jatha families, but from all walks of life. this is such a difference from india, where so many girls are discouraged by their family to accept this blessing... i found it very touching, and it would be a good book to recommend to our sisters who are cautious about tying guru's gift of dastaar,
clearly my list is aimed more at those who are new to sikhi, or sikhs interested in learning more about their faith (like myself).
i would love to hear from gurmukh sangat about other books they have found enlightening or inspirational, or essential to the library of the gursikh.
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
