PARYAI, Sanskrit parydya, meaning a synonym or convertible term, is used in Sikh literature spelt variously as priydi, pridy, and praydya. It was a popular title for glossaries explaining terms and difficult words used in the Guru Granth Sahib, which were the forerunners of full-scale translations or exegeses of the Scripture. The earliest and best known are the two volumes by Bhai Chanda Singh, a scholar of the Giani school of theology that traces its origin from Guru Gobind Singh through Bhai Mani Singh Shahid. His Priydi Farsi Padon Ke is a glossary of Persian words that appear in the Guru Granth Sahib, while Priydi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Adi covers all the difficult words and phrases.
The latter manuscript bears the date 1905 Bk corresponding to AD 1848. The two manuscripts appeared in print in 1887–88. Priydi Farsi Padon Ke was printed at Amar Press, Amritsar, and Priydi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Adi at ChashmaiNur Press, Amritsar. A second edition of the latter volume was brought out by Messrs Hari Singh Gurdit Singh, Amritsar, in 1908. Another well-known work in this genre is by Sadhu Sute Prakash, an Udas scholar.
His Priydi Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji De was published in two parts at Waziri Hind Press, Amritsar, in 1898. Two other publications, though not named parydya, fall in the same category. They are Sri Guru Granth Kosh, published by the Khalsa Tract Society in 1899, and Guru Barn Parkash by Sodhi Teja Singh, published from Lahore in 1932. While the former has words arranged in alphabetical order, the sequence in the latter follows the numerical order of the pages of the Guru Granth Sahib. Another work in this category, Dasam Padshahi Ji Ke Granth Sahib Ji Ke Sampraddi Priyadi by Bakhshish Singh, also published at Waziri Hind Press, Amritsar, in 1903, is a glossary of difficult words of the Dasam Granth, which contains the compositions of Guru Gobind Singh.
References:
- Chanda Singh, Priydi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Adi. Amritsar, 1908
- Gobind Das, Priydi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Adi. Amritsar, 1929
- Sute Prakash, Priydi Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji De. Amritsar, 1898
- Sodhi Teja Singh, Guru Barn Parkash. Amritsar, 1953
Discovering the Rich Tradition of Sikh Glossaries: The Legacy of PARYAI
The term “PARYAI” (from Sanskrit parydya), meaning a synonym or convertible term, encapsulates a long-standing tradition in Sikh literature of crafting glossaries to help readers navigate the often complex vocabulary and phrases of the Guru Granth Sahib. These works served as scholarly bridges—decoding esoteric terms, clarifying interpretations, and paving the way for full-scale translations and exegeses of the sacred scripture.
Origin and Concept
In the early phases of Sikh literary scholarship, understanding the Guru Granth Sahib’s layered meanings was a formidable challenge. The multifaceted vocabulary—ranging from Persian and Arabic loanwords to complex indigenous idioms—demanded an interpretative aid. Here, the concept of PARYAI emerged:
- PARYAI as a Synonymic Manual:
The term denotes the idea of a “convertible term” or synonym. It reflects an effort to present multiple ways of understanding the same concept, ensuring that the spiritual and philosophical subtleties embedded in the scripture are accessible to a diverse audience. - Forerunners of Exegesis:
Rather than offering exhaustive linguistic commentaries like modern dictionaries, these glossaries provided concise explanations and synonymic references that anticipated later, more comprehensive exegeses. Major Works in the PARYAI Tradition
Among the earliest and best-known examples are the two volumes authored by Bhai Chanda Singh—a distinguished scholar from the Giani school of theology, whose intellectual lineage can be traced back to Guru Gobind Singh through Bhai Mani Singh Shahid. His contributions set the tone for the genre:
- Priyai Farsi Padon Ke:
This glossary focuses on the Persian words found in the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib, composed over centuries, includes many terms rooted in Persian—a language that at one time served as the lingua franca of administration and high culture in Northern India. Bhai Chanda Singh’s work offered clear, contextually driven definitions for these words, assisting scholars and devotees alike in decoding their meanings. - Priyai Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Adi:
Expanding on the earlier work, this volume encompasses all “difficult” words and phrases encountered in the sacred text. Its comprehensive approach ensured that the full spectrum of complex terminology in the Guru Granth Sahib was made accessible, offering a vital resource for both academic study and devotional recitation.
Additional works followed in the same genre, each contributing uniquely to the vast body of Sikh lexicography:
- Priyai Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji De by Sadhu Sute Prakash, published in two parts, continues the tradition by drawing on firsthand insights from Sikh scholars.
- Sri Guru Granth Kosh and Guru Bam Parkash are other noteworthy publications that, though arranged differently (alphabetically or by page number), further enriched the linguistic tradition.
- Complementing these is a glossary dedicated to the Dasam Granth—Dasam Padshahi Ji Ke Granth Sahib Ji Ke Sampraddi Priyadi by Bakhshish Singh—illustrating that the glossarial effort extended beyond the Guru Granth Sahib to include diverse texts of Sikh tradition. Significance and Enduring Legacy
The PARYAI glossaries are more than mere dictionaries—they are cultural artifacts that reflect the intellectual vibrancy and dedication with which Sikh scholars approached their sacred scriptures. Their significance can be observed in several dimensions:
- Bridging the Past and Present:
These glossaries connect traditional oral exegesis with the emerging written scholarly traditions of the 19th and early 20th centuries. They not only illuminate the text but also preserve the linguistic nuances of the period. - Enabling Devotional Understanding:
For the average devotee, the glossaries function as a key that unlocks the deeper, often symbolic layers of the Guru Granth Sahib. By rendering complex terms more accessible, they help maintain the living tradition of Sikh recitation and study. - Foundations for Modern Scholarship:
The scholarly rigor and methodological approach introduced by these works paved the way for later critical studies and translations. Today, projects like the online Guru Granth Sahib Dictionary build on the foundation laid by these early glossaries, continuing the mission of making Sikh scriptures accessible to audiences worldwide. Concluding Thoughts
The rich tradition of PARYAI glossaries is a testament to the dynamic and evolving nature of Sikh scholarship. By making the intricate language of the Guru Granth Sahib comprehensible to generations of readers and devotees, these works have helped sustain and spread the teachings of Sikhism. They serve as enduring bridges between the sacred past and the ever-expanding quest for spiritual understanding—a legacy that continues to inspire and inform modern interpretations of the Sikh literary and devotional heritage.
