PARYAI ADI SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI DE is a lexicon of the Guru Granth Sahib prepared by Sant Sute Prakash. The year of its completion as recorded in the colophon is 429 Nanakshahi (AD 1898). The work comprises 1440 pages, of which 110 are devoted to a commentary on the Japu(ji). It is stated by the author in the introduction that the Japu(ji) was composed by Guru Nanak at the Sumer mountain, and that its different stanzas were meant as replies to various questions put to him by the Siddhas there. The author has explicated the text of the Japu(ji) in the question-answer style, posing questions on behalf of the Siddhas and explaining stanzas of the Japu(ji) as Guru Nanak’s answers to them.
After this detailed exposition of the Japu(ji), the work assumes the style of a lexicon, though not exactly in the format of a modern dictionary or glossary. The order is not alphabetical. The lexical unit—that is, a word or phrase—is picked from the text as it reads on. It is followed by two zeros in the form of a colon, signifying the beginning of the explication of the entry. The meaning given is that of a single term at places; at others, of a phrase or even of a complete verse, though the lexical entry recorded is mostly a single word or a couple of words.
Mythological, historical, and legendary stories are introduced to explain the background or meaning of a hymn or of a whole composition. The lexical units required to be explained are not arranged in columns, as is done in a dictionary; rather they are written in continuous lines. Only the colon-like zeros provide a hint that a new entry has begun. A full stop comes only after all the lexical units of a hymn have been explained. The serial number of the hymn, as given in the Guru Granth Sahib, is appended here, followed by a full stop, after which the heading of the next hymn, sloka, pauri, astapadi, etc., is mentioned.
There is no paragraphing, nor are the pages of the Guru Granth Sahib mentioned. Upon the conclusion of Sri Raga, the name of the Raga to which the hymns belong as well as their authorship are indicated on the top of each page. In the latter portion of the work the connotations become more concise; in most cases only simple meanings of the word or phrase are provided. The system of punctuation also improves, though no other mark except the traditional full stop, in the form of two vertical strokes, is employed. Multiple meanings of the verses of the bani abound.
One particular verse of the Japu(ji) has been explained in fifteen different ways. This was in keeping with the traditional style of expounding religious texts. The author is well acquainted with Hindu mythology and leans heavily on it in his exposition of Sikh terms and thought. His language is Sadh Bhasha. Entries from three additional compositions which are not included in the Guru Granth Sahib are appended at the end. These are: Haqiqat Rah Mukhidni Sivanabh Raj, Bdt Aay, and Ratan Maid. The manuscript was published at Waziri Hind Press, Amritsar, in two parts in 1898.
Exploring Sant Sute Prakash’s Detailed Lexicon of the Guru Granth Sahib
Sant Sute Prakash’s PARYAI ADI SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI DE is a monumental lexicon that opens up the rich linguistic and interpretative dimensions of the Guru Granth Sahib. Completed in 429 Nanakshahi (AD 1898) and running to 1440 pages, the work represents a labor of love and scholarship in the tradition of decoding the sacred text’s complex vocabulary.
A Unique Expository Approach
One of the striking features of this lexicon is its dual focus. The initial 110 pages are devoted to an elaborate commentary on the Japu(ji)—a composition which, according to the author, was composed by Guru Nanak at the Sumer mountain. Sant Sute Prakash explains that the stanzas of the Japu(ji) were intended as responses to questions posed by the Siddhas, the revered mystics of that era. Adopting a question–answer format, the lexicon treats each stanza as a dialogue: the Siddhas pose queries about spiritual, ethical, or linguistic matters, and Guru Nanak’s words are expounded upon as if answering those questions. This not only illuminates the layers of meaning within the Japu but also bridges the poetic with the expository.
Structure and System of Arrangement
Moving beyond the Japu commentary, the lexicon proceeds as a detailed exegesis of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, unlike modern dictionaries arranged alphabetically, Sant Sute Prakash chooses to follow the natural order of the scripture itself. Here’s how the structure unfolds:
- Sequential Lexical Entries:
The lexicon functions by picking a word or a phrase from the text in the order it appears. Each lexical unit is marked by a distinctive punctuation—a pair of zeros in the form of a colon—that signals the beginning of its explanation. - Continuous Exposition:
The explanations flow continuously without the typical columned or grid layout of a conventional dictionary. A full stop does not denote the end of an individual entry but marks the close of an entire hymn or section. This method preserves the contiguous narrative flow of the Guru Granth Sahib while still clarifying individual terms, phrases, or even entire verses. - Embedded Context and Narrative Devices:
In many instances, the explication is enriched by brief forays into mythological, historical, or legendary narratives. Such digressions are not arbitrary; they serve to provide the background or the deeper interpretative layers of a hymn or composition. For example, a particular verse of the Japu(ji) is offered up to fifteen different explanations—a tribute to the traditional exegesis where multiplicity and nuance in meaning are embraced. Language, Style, and Scholarly Methodology
The language of the lexicon is Sadh Bhasha—a refined and classical dialect of Punjabi—rendered in the Gurmukhi script. This choice reinforces its anchoring in Sikh literary tradition while also ensuring accessibility for students of Sikh theology. Sant Sute Prakash’s familiarity with Hindu mythology is evident throughout his work; he frequently employs mythological references to deepen the interpretive context of Sikh terms and ideas. Through his detailed, almost dialogic style, he transforms a static glossary into an interactive commentary that mirrors the oral traditions of exegesis.
In the later sections of the work, the explanations tend to become more concise. The early, elaborate commentary gradually gives way to streamlined definitions, yet this shift in style does not detract from the overall scholarly rigor. Each entry is supported by internal markers that tie it back to the hymn’s serial number in the Guru Granth Sahib, thus preserving the contextual integrity of the source material.
