Gurbani is a Sikh term, very commonly used by Sikhs to refer to various compositions by the Sikh Gurus and other writers of Guru Granth Sahib. In general, hymns in the central text of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib, are called Gurbani. Among Amritdhari Sikhs, a few texts from Dasam Granth which are read as Nitnem, like Tav-Prasad Savaiye and Chaupai, are also considered Gurbani. In Adi Granth, Gurbani is a sound which comes directly from the Supreme and the text is a written form of the same in worldly language and scripts. It is also called Guru’s Bani. Gurbani are explanations of qualities of the Primal Lord and Soul which a Sikh should comprehend and with which they can attain the supreme state.
Gurbani from Nitnem Pothi Sahib
Sikh gutka from early 18th century
Painting of Bhai Mani Singh (left) scribing Gurbani alongside Guru Gobind Singh dictating (right), artwork kept at Takht Damdama Sahib
A Pothi Sahib (Nitnem prayerbook) is commonly wrapped in a similar cloth as a mark of respect
Writers of the Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib, is the central religious text of Sikhism, considered by Sikhs to be the final sovereign Guru of the religion. It contains 1430 Angs, containing 5,894 hymns of 36 saint mystics which includes Sikh gurus, Bhagats, Bhatts and Gursikhs. It is notable among foundational religious scriptures for including hymns from writers of other religions, namely Hindus and Muslims. It also contains teachings of the Sikh gurus themselves.
Contributors of the scripture present Guru Arjan their writings, while Bhai Gurdas scribes the Adi Granth. Fresco from Gurdwara Baba Atal, Amritsar
Mural from Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib of Sri Chand meeting Guru Arjan and Bhai Gurdas at Amritsar. Likely a depiction of the tale of him contributing a verse during the composition of the Sukhmani Sahib
Image: Guru Nanak Dev by Raja Ravi Varma
Image: Guru Angad from a painting at the Lahore Museum