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Sikhism pp 319–326Cite as

Poetry of the Sikh Gurus

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Part of the Encyclopedia of Indian Religions book series (EIR)

Synonyms

Bani; Dasam Granth; Guru Granth Sahib; Hymns of the Sikh Guru

Definition

Sikh sacred verse

Main Text

Poetry of the Sikh Gurus

The Sikh religion is lodged in Guru Nanak’s poetic matrix, which continues to bring about new potentialities and possibilities. In the collective memory of the Sikhs, their founder Guru Nanak born in 1469 within a religiously plural landscape of pre-partition Punjab had the revelation of Being Itself. His response to the singular infinite Reality was a poetic outburst. His successor Gurus used the pseudonym “Nanak” and reiterated his vision each in his own voice. Unlike Plato who found poetry too captivating and therefore banished the poets from his Republic, the Sikh Gurus utilized the poetic medium to awaken their followers with an appreciation for the infinite One. The poetry of the Sikh Gurus can be summed up as a reflexive phenomenon – simultaneously a celebration, articulation, understanding, interpretation, and application of Guru Nanak’s divine...

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  • DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0846-1_528
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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Religious Studies, Colby College, Mayflower Hill, Waterille, ME, 04901, USA

    Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh

Authors
  1. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair

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Singh, NG.K. (2017). Poetry of the Sikh Gurus. In: Mandair, AP.S. (eds) Sikhism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0846-1_528

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