Guru Piyare Khalsa jio,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh
A little while ago this is what daas posted on different forum and it seems like it is good idea to have constructive vichaars on this here too.
Gurbani is deep Ocean of divinity. The subject of Gurbani pronunciation is the most difficult one to argue upon. It is very true that it is a life long process of learning Sikhi; one can not claim he/she is best one in recitation of Gurbani over others. All we can do is just our best. You will find that the views of a learning Sikh will change on certain things as he/she progresses on Sikhi. Actually this is the way of Sikhi. After all we all are learner through out our life time.
Although the message of Akaal Purakh as dictated by Guru Sahib is written in Gurmukhi script in Guru Granth Sahib but there are several languages used by Guru Sahib to pass the message smoothly to general public (lokai), however, due to different languages used by Guru Sahib in Guru Granth sahib ji it becomes a essential part to learn about those languages. This is known fact that Sri Guru Gobind Singh jee were master in several different languages which includes Brij, Sanskrit, Farsi and many others. If it is not possible to learn that many languages then at least learn proper pronunciation of the words of those languages which are written in Gurmukhi script. In Sikh panth today day by day awareness about proper pronunciation is spreading widely which is a good sign, but still there are some people who are for some reason intentionally or unintentionally holding this myth that Gurbani should be read/speak only as written, no need to read it as native pronunciation of that language or in accordance to Gurbani grammar rather just read it as a cassette player.
Daas agree that we should read what ever written by Guru Sahib in Gurbani, however, reading without proper pronunciation is like doing the disrespect of Gurbani. One must learn the recitation either from Gurmat literature or if possible from senior Sikhs who are well versed on that. The problem arises who is right and who is not and whom to follow. The answer is difficult but the approach can be used that learn from Gurbani itself and wherever Guru Sahib wanted you to correct they will do kirpa and let you know by either a Furna (thought) or by a another Sikh. This approach needs complete faith on Guru Sahib which usually not in common, so we look for the assistance from other Sikhs. Now in this case we have groupies thinking. What ever group we like we consider whatever they say is right. I think seeking assistance from other Sikhs is a good thing but holding the later part is not good. We should listen to others too and if logistics are not good in contrast with Gurbani then do not need to agree. For example the myth hold by some Sikhs that read only as written can be disapproved by Gurbani it self and there are numerous instances in Gurbani from where it is very clear that one must learn how to pronounce. Following is the simple and short analysis to bust this myth:
1) Every day we read ੴ as ਇੱਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ because this is a correct (shudh) pronunciation but it is written as ੴ. Why we do not read as ਇੱਕ ਓ or ਇੱਕ ਊੜਾ because it is an incorrect (Ashudh) pronunciation. So read/speak only as written logic can not apply here.
2) For ਮਹਲਾ ੧, ਮਹਲਾ ੨, ਮਹਲਾ ੩, ੪, ੫ we read it as a ਮਹਲਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ, ਦੂਜਾ, ਤੀਜਾ, ਚੌਥਾ, ਪੰਜਵਾ because it is a correct (shudh) pronunciation. Why we do not read as ਮਹਲਾ ਇੱਕ, ਮਹਲਾ ਦੋ, ਮਹਲਾ ਤਿੰਨ, ਮਹਲਾ ਚਾਰ, ਮਹਲਾ ਪੰਜ because it is an incorrect (Ashudh) pronunciation.
3) For ਮ:੧ , ਮ:੨ , ਮ: ੩ we read it as a ਮਹਲਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ, ਦੂਜਾ, ਤੀਜਾ. Why not read as ਮੰਮਾ ਇੱਕ, ਮੰਮਾ ਦੋ ਆਦਿ because this is Ashudh paath.
Furthermore there is another interesting secret in pronunciation of above examples. See the numeric ੧ in both examples. In first example ੧ is pronounced as ਇੱਕ yet in example two it is pronounced as ਪਹਿਲਾ. These pronunciations are accepted in entire panth. In fact who propagate to read only as written myth they too read as above.
So the myth is disapproved by above few facts that read only as written policy do not work in entire Gurbani recitation. One must learn proper Gurbani Santhya and Gurbani Grammar with lot of practice. Daas strongly believes that if today we sweep away this dead end policy of read only as written we will be better readers of tomorrow.
Gurbani is Dhur ki Baani or Khasam ki Baani. There is nothing more or less required in the message of Guru Sahib given to this maat lok (world). From Aad to Anth it is complete only we have to pay complete dedication and surrender before Guru Sahib and then Guru Sahib shower his mercy.
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਂਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ॥ (Vaar Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdaas ji)
For the interest of sangat daas must present following examples of worldly languages and scripts where myth of read only as written policy do not hold any truth either.
1) There is very sweet word of English and written in Roman script as ‘SUGAR’. Any school going child or kindergartener can read it properly as SHOOGAR however who is not familiarize with English pronunciation but learned the English alphabets will read it as a SOOGAR the way it is written. But the correct pronunciation is by adding ‘Sh’ sound.
2) There is another word of English and written in Roman as ‘KNIGHT’ but generally read as night. Although when listening to this word, the meaning is derived from whole sentence or neighboring words but pronounced as night.
3) There is a city in state of California named and written as ‘SAN JOSE’. The script is Roman but the name belongs to Spanish, on the second word ‘JOSE’ rules of general English pronunciation do not apply and it is pronounced as ‘HOSAY’.
Now from above examples it is very clear that if for worldly script and languages one must learn proper pronunciation then how come one can ignorantly say just read only as written and ignore to learn proper pronunciation about the GURBANI, which actually came from Sachkhand.
Daas hope above analysis will help understanding the importance of proper Gurbani pronunciation and we will pay close attention in future when reciting our daily Nitnem and from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Gurbani is agadh bodh, so while doing vichaar if any mistake is made daas ask for forgiveness.
With Regards,
JASJIT SINGH