SRI GUR PRATAP SURAJ GRANTH, by Bhai Santokh Singh’s monumental work in Braj verse portraying in comprehensive detail the lives of the Ten Gurus of the Sikh faith and the career of Banda Singh Bahadur. Besides being a historical narrative of great significance, it is an outstanding creation in the epic style, and is the most voluminous of all poetic compositions in Hindi/Punjabi literature. Its language is Braj Bhasa, which was the literary Hindi of that time, though its script is Gurmukhi. Notwithstanding certain drawbacks which scholars with training in modern historiography may point out, it remains the most valuable source book on Sikh history of the period of the Gurus and, indeed, on the very roots of the entire Sikh tradition.
For the massive flow of its poetry, the vast range of its figures and images, and for the abundance of detail, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, Suraj Prakash in shorter, popular form, is worthy to rank with the classics in this genre. The title of the main work carries a symbolic meaning summed up in the cosmic metaphor of sura, i.e. the sun. The poet himself explains, “As the sun rises, the darkness of the night vanishes, thieves and thugs hide themselves, owls and bats go to slumber and the stars disappear, so with the advent of the Gurus, the rays of their spiritual light spread all around dispelling the darkness of ignorance.” The work is divided into two parts.
The first, Sri Gur Nanak Prakash in two sections, is the story of the life of Guru Nanak. The second, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj proper, is divided into portions, rut (season), according to the twelve signs of the zodiac, subdivided into chapters called arisu (rays). In the Sri Gur Nanak Prakash portion, the style of the narrative tends to be more elaborate, with many a stanza given to homage to the Gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib, and to the patron deities of learning. The latter part, which deals with the lives of the succeeding nine Gurus and Banda Singh Bahadur, contains 51,829 verse pieces in 22 cantos. The expression here is less rhetorical.
Both parts are further subdivided into numerous sections according to the episodes narrated, each named after the sun’s course, viz. the twelve zodiac signs, the six seasons, and the two solstices (winter and summer solstices) which in turn comprise 1151 sunbeams, each one comprising a chapter. The phrase and imagery in both parts of the book generally require expert explanation. This has been provided, painstakingly and exhaustively, by Bhai Vir Singh in a 14-volume annotated edition brought out in 1927–35. Bhai Vir Singh has also added notes where necessary. It is usual for gianis (learned scholars) to hold serial discourses on the text of Suraj Prakash in gurdwaras, normally in the afternoons or evenings.
Historical and Literary Background
Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth is a monumental work composed by the celebrated poet Kavi Santokh Singh in the early 19th century. Often rendered in the refined Braj language using the Gurmukhi script, the text was published in 1843 and soon acquired a legendary status among Sikh historical and devotional literature. Written against a backdrop of both religious fervor and emerging historical consciousness, it sought to affirm the divine lineage and martial as well as spiritual eminence of the Sikh Gurus. The text’s very title—“Suraj Granth” (or “Sun Granth”)—uses the cosmic metaphor of the sun to suggest that, as light dispels darkness, the advent of the Gurus illuminated the world and banished the ignorance of the age.
Structure and Composition
One of the most striking features of Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth is its structured yet expansive composition:
DualPart Framework:
The work is divided into two main segments. The first, often identified as Sri Gur Nanak Prakash, narrates the life of Guru Nanak—the founder of Sikhism—in expansive detail, celebrating his revelation and establishing the foundational narratives of Sikh spirituality. The second part, rendered as Sri Gur Pratap Suraj proper, extends the narrative to cover the lives of the successive Gurus and the illustrious martial legacy of figures such as Banda Singh Bahadur.
Cosmic and Temporal Organization:
The epic is further subdivided into numerous sections arranged to correspond with cosmic cycles and temporal markers. In one wellregarded scheme, the narrative is organized into 22 sections—a structure reflecting elements such as the twelve zodiac signs, the six seasons (rut), and even the solstices of summer and winter. Each subunit, sometimes called an “arisu” or sunray, serves to encapsulate a specific episode or thematic element in the lives of the Gurus; from Guru Nanak’s divine revelations to Guru Gobind Singh’s martial campaigns.
Metrical Richness:
The text, composed in Braj verse, features a robust variety of poetic metres. Its stylistic diversity enhances both the lyrical and dramatic qualities of the narrative—a deliberate artistic choice meant to mirror the variegated nature of Sikh history itself. Poetic devices and imagery drawn from everyday life mingle with grand, evoking cosmic analogies (for example, the imagery of the rising sun banishing the darkness of ignorance) to instill the text with an aura of both historical gravitas and devotional zeal.
Thematic Underpinnings
Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth weaves together several interrelated themes:
Divine Illumination and Cosmic Order:
The recurring metaphor of the sun underscores the text’s central thesis—just as the rising sun dispels the night’s darkness, the arrival of the Gurus heralded an era of spiritual enlightenment. This metaphor not only sanctifies the Gurus’ lives but also mirrors the natural order and the cyclical nature of time and creation.
Martial and Spiritual Valor:
While the narrative pays homage to the deep spirituality of Guru Nanak and the preceding Gurus, it takes a resolute stand in celebrating the martial prowess of the later Gurus, particularly in recounting the dramatic episodes from Guru Gobind Singh’s life and the valorous exploits of Banda Singh Bahadur. The text thus encapsulates the Sikh ideal of the warriorsaint, one who marries physical courage with unyielding devotion.
Historical Continuity and Community Identity:
By meticulously chronicling the lives of all ten Gurus and anchoring their legacies within a cosmic framework, the Granth serves to reinforce a sense of continuity and collective memory. For the Sikh community, it stands as a testament to an unbroken lineage—a divine mandate that has withstood the ravages of time and adversity.
Literary and Devotional Synthesis:
In fusing historical narrative with lofty poetic expressions, the work transcends mere historiography. It becomes a living document of faith—a source of inspiration and a guide for spiritual practice that continues to resonate with devotees and scholars alike.
Literary Significance and Legacy
Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth is widely regarded as the most voluminous and richly detailed poetic composition on Sikh history. Its significance is multifaceted:
Canon of Sikh Historiography:
While modern academic historians may adopt more critical methodologies, for centuries this epic has remained a primary reference for understanding the lives of the Sikh Gurus and the evolution of the Sikh faith. Its narrative, though imbued with legendary elements, is considered indispensable for reconstructing the collective Sikh identity.
Influence on Devotional Practice:
The text’s extensive use of vivid imagery and cosmic symbolism has not only served an educational purpose but also enriched Sikh devotional life. Recitations from the Granth have been a part of religious gatherings, helping to cement the heroic ideals that define Sikh ethos.
Cultural Bridging:
The stylistic qualities of the work—its poetic brilliance and its thematic integration—have helped bridge the gap between oral tradition and written literature. Even today, annotated editions (such as the 14volume work by Bhai Vir Singh) underscore its continuing influence on Sikh literary studies.
