CODE
OF CONDUCT
Sikh
Reht Maryada
Reading
- Path
Sadharan
Path (Completion of Normal Intermittent
Reading of the Guru Granth Sahib)
| a. |
Every Sikh should, as far as possible,
maintain a separate and exclusive
place for the installation of Guru
Granth Sahib, in his home.
.. |
| b.
|
Every
Sikh, man, woman, boy or girl, should
learn Gurmukhi to be able to read
the Guru Granth Sahib.
.. |
| c. |
Every Sikh should take the Hukam
(Command) of the Guru Granth Sahib
in the ambrosial (early)hours of
the morning before taking meal.
If he/she fails to do that, he/she
should read or listen to reading
from the Guru Granth Sahib some
time during the day. If he/she cannot
do that either, during travel etc.,
or owing to any other impediment,
he/she should not give in to a feeling
of guilt.
.. |
| d. |
It is desirable that every Sikh
should carry on a continuous reading
of the Guru Granth Sahib and complete
a full reading in one or two months
or over a longer period.
.. |
| e.
|
While
undertaking a full reading of the
Guru Granth Sahib , one should recite
the Anand Sahib (the first five
and the last stanzas) and perform
the Ardas. One should, thereafter,
read the Japuji.
.. |
Z
Akhand
Path (Uninterrupted-Non-stop-Completion
of the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib)
| a. |
The non-stop reading of the Guru
Granth Sahib is carried on at hard
times or on occasions of elation
or joy. It takes approximately fortyeight
hours. The non-stop reading implies
continuous, uninterrupted reading.
The reading must be clear and correct.
Reading too fast, so that the person
listening in to it cannot follow
the contents, amounts to irreverence
to the Scriptures. The reading should
be correct and clear, due care being
bestowed on consonant and vowel
even though that takes a little
longer to complete.
.. |
| b.
|
Whichever
family or congregation undertakes
the reading should carry it out
itself through its members, relatives,
friends, etc., all together. The
number of reciters is not prescribed.
If a person, himself, cannot read,
he should listen in to the reading
by some competent reader. However,
it should never be allowed to happen
that the reader carries on the reading
all by himself/herself and no member
of the family is listening in to
the reading. The reader should be
served with food and clothing to
the best of the host's means.
.. |
| c. |
Placing a pitcher, ceremonial clarified-butter-fed
lamp, coconut, etc. around, during
the course of the uninterrupted
or any other reading of Guru Granth
Sahib, or reading of other Scriptural
texts side by side with or in the
course of such reading is contrary
to the gurmat (Guru's way).
.. |
Z
Commencing the Non-Stop Reading (Akhandpath)
| a. |
While undertaking the intermittent
reading of the Guru Granth Sahib,
the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad)
for offering should be brought and
after reciting the Anand (six stanzas)
and offering Ardas, Hukam should
be taken.
While beginning the unbroken reading,
the sacred pudding should first
be laid. Thereafter, after reciting
the Anand(six stanzas), offering
the Ardas and taking the Hukam,
reading should he commenced.
.. |
Z
Concluding the Reading(Akhandpath)
| a. |
The reading of the whole Guru Granth
Sahib (intermmitent or non-stop)
may be concluded with the reading
of Mundawani or the Rag Mala according
to the convention traditionally
observed at the concerned place.
(Since there is a difference of
opinion within the Panth on this
issue, nobody should dare to write
or print a copy of the Guru Granth
Sahib excluding the Rag Mala). Thereafter,
after reciting the Anand Sahib,
the Ardas of the conclusion of the
reading should be offered and the
sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad)
distributed.
.. |
| b.
|
On
the conclusion of the reading, offering
of draperies, fly-whisk and awning,
having regard to the requirements
of the Guru Granth Sahib, and of
other things, for Panthak causes,
should be made to the best of means.
.. |
Z
.
|