English Translations of The Holy ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ by Different Translators
Sri Guru Granth Sahib is written in ‘Gurmukhi’ and has 1,430 Angs (pages) with nearly 5894 shabads or hymns arranged into 31 ragas as musical groupings.
A scripture is translated from the original language in which it was written into other different languages of the world to make it accessible and available in different regions and countries around the world.
Everyone has the freedom to translate any scripture into another language, and there are no restrictions on that.
The original ‘shabads’ of the Sikh Gurus and the bhagats in ‘Gurmukhi’ language is sacrosanct and cannot be changed or altered in ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib.’ But, translation into other languages by any scholar is a welcome step to spread the knowledge of the scripture and increase the following of the religion.
During the British rule in India, Ernest Trumpp, a German scholar was officially assigned the task of translating the first ever version of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ from the original Gurmukhi into English.
Ernest Trumpp published his first philological study in 1877, but it was an incomplete translation of the Guru Granth Sahib, after an eight-year study of the scripture and field interviews with the Sikh Granthis, and intelligentsia of that time.
The knowledge of the Sikh Granthis whom he interviewed was limited to the opening page of ‘Mul Mantra,’ and the first few pages of the Granth, and not the entire 1430 pages. He had to rely on other people to give him the meaning of the intricate ‘Gurmukhi’ words.
Major hurdle of Ernest Trumpp was that he himself did not know the Punjabi language; and knowledge of the scriptures like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, without which it is very difficult to arrive at the correct and exact meaning of the Gurmukhi shabads or hymns.
His translation of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ from Gurmukhi into English was not satisfactory, and hence it was not accepted by the public.
However, his field notes and discussions with the Sikhs at the Golden Temple was a valuable reference work for the contemporary scholars and those who undertook the task later on.
Max Arthur Macauliffe — a British civil servant was the next scholar to publish a major but incomplete translation of the Guru Granth Sahib in the year 1909. His translation was complex with many inaccuracies and not up to the required standards. He covered the same ground as Trumpp, but it was interspersed with his own interpretations.
The biggest mistake made by all the translators was that they were trying to translate into English ‘word by word’ meaning from the poetic ‘Gurmukhi’ language.
One has to catch the spirit of the intended meaning of the intricate hymns, and then translate into accurate English with the use of parenthesis and elucidate the meaning wherever required. The English translation ought to convey the perfect and explicit meaning without any confusion or aberrations.
The translation of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ into English and other languages is meant for the general public and masses who do not understand the original Gurmukhi language. With faithful and correct translation people will get the benefit to appreciate and gain the wisdom of the Holy Scripture, and follow the doctrines of the Sikh faith.
I single-handed translated the 700 Sanskrit shlokas (verses) into English in my book ‘Word of God Bhagavad Gita,’ and I know sometimes there are no exact equivalent words from one language to another to convey the same meaning.
One has to grasp the intended meaning of a particular verse or shloka, without any bias or partiality, and then translate.
The mastery or command over English language is what actually matters. Sanskrit language is not in use in public now, and the readers all over the world want a good English language to convey the original meaning.
In Bhagavad Gita, it is the original Sanskrit shlokas which are sung to a musical chant, and not the English translation.
Satisfactory and authentic translation from the original Gurmukhi script of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ into other languages of the world is a much sought after goal to spread the knowledge and wisdom of the Holy Scripture to people all over the world.
As such, the Gurumukhi script is known only to the few elite and educated Punjabi. The absence of an authentic and true English translation of the ‘Granth’ prevents people from the other countries and regions to understand the greatness of the Sikh religion.
Dr. Hari Ram Gupta wrote in his book ‘History of the Sikhs (pages 113 and 114)’: “Guru Angad who was the successor of Guru Nanak collected the hymns of Guru Nanak which were written in Lande Mahajni. — — Guru Angad modified the order of the ‘Lande alphabets’ and it came to be called the ‘Gurmukhi language,’ meaning it came from the speaking people, and others want to read the accurate English version of the holy Granth mouth of the Guru.”
I am in the process of going through the English translations of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ available on the internet, and I found that the translation of many of the key shabads is wrong and confusing.
I realised that there was a lack of knowledge of the translators of the ancient Hindu texts like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, and mastery over the English language. Therefore, they could not arrive at the correct connotation and meaning of the Guru’s shabads in English translation.
To demonstrate and bring home the point, I have translated a few ‘shabads or hymns’ into English language recently, which I have marked as ‘My translation’ and the translation by others on the internet as ‘other translations.’
Guru Nanak’s Hymns:
1. ਨਾਨਕ ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹਹੁ ਘਰੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੫॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੯ ਪੰ. ੧੯ (Guru Nanak Dev/ Ang1039 of SGGS)
Other translations on the internet:
First translation (1):
O Nanak, search and examine your own home, and you shall find the Supreme Soul, and the Name of the Lord. ||5||…….. (Faulty and flawed English translation)
Another translation (2):
Nanak, seeking and searching thy own Home obtain thou the Name of thy All-pervading Lord God…….. (Faulty English translation)
Remarks: It is not searching in the home or house, but within one’s own Self-soul. — — Guru Nanak was an enlightened saint when he wrote these shabads. — -It should be translated as ‘Nanak says!’ — — English readers can be confused with the above translations.
My translation of the above Guru Nanak’s shabad is as follows:
“Nanak says! Search within your own heart, and you will find the all-pervading spirit of God dwelling there.”
Commentary/Teeka:
Translation of the above ‘bani shabad’ from Gurmukhi into English:
ਨਾਨਕ : — Nanak says!; ਖੋਜਿ ਲਹਹੁ ਘਰੁ ਅਪਨਾ : — The meaning of this expression is in the form of a metaphor or an analogy. It means search within your own heart or Self-soul, and it does not mean to search within your house. The human body is compared to a home implying that one has to find the spirit of God dwelling within one’s own being. — -God cannot be found through external rituals in the temples and mosques, but within one’s own Self-soul.
ਹਰਿ…Hari: — is the name of the God; ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਾਇਆ: — One will find God dwelling within one’s own heart.
Guru Nanak in his shabads uses the word ‘Ram’ to refer to Parmatma or the ‘One God — -Ek-Omkar,’ which dwells in the hearts of all human beings.
Sri Krishna said to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita:
O Arjuna! The Spirit of God dwells in the hearts of all beings. Maya and delusion created by worldly desires, cause all beings to revolve around in endless activity as if mounted on a potter’s wheel. (Book: Word of God Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18 verse 61)
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2. ਦੇਹੀ ਨਗਰੀ ਨਉ ਦਰਵਾਜੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੯ ਪੰ. ੧੭ (Guru Nanak Dev/ page 1039 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
First translation (1):
There are nine gates to the body-village; (flawed translation)
Another translation (2):
The nine doors to every township of the body, (Faulty translation)
(Remarks: Wrong translation in English will confuse the English audience with use of the words like ‘village’ and the body, as they will not be able to decipher the analogy in the first reading. The metaphor has to be explained to the common masses.
My translation:
“There are nine gates in the human body (two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, genital organs, and excretory organ anus).”
Commentary/Teeka:
ਦੇਹੀ ਨਗਰੀ : — In above Gurmukhi shabad: the human body is compared with a town; ਨਉ ਦਰਵਾਜੇ : — nine doors.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji stated in the above ‘shabad’ that the human body has nine gates for entrance/exit, which are similar to a town or a village with entrance and exit points.
Human body-gates have to be controlled and guarded so that the worldly filth and harmful things in various forms do not enter inside through the nine gates of the body to cause damage and diseases within.
There is a similar Gita verse in my book ‘Word of God Bhagavad Gita’ as follows.
Sri Krishna said to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita:
Controlling all the gates of the body (two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, genital organs, excretory organ anus); with the mind confined within the heart (with no external thoughts); fixing the prana energy in the head (in the middle of the eye-brows); thus engage in the practice of Yoga meditation. (Book: Word of God Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 8 verse 12)
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3. ਦੇਹੀ ਨਗਰੀ ਊਤਮ ਥਾਨਾ ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੯ ਪੰ. ੧੬ (Guru Nanak Dev Ji bani… page 1039 of SGGS)
First translation (1):
In the body-village, the most sublime place, : — -( Faulty English translation)
Another translation (2):
In the sublime place of the body village, : — -( flawed English translation)
My translation:
“The human body is the most sacred shrine where the spirit of God dwells.”
Commentary/Teeka:
Guru Nanak Ji in the above ‘shabad’ used the words: ‘. ‘ਦੇਹੀ ਨਗਰੀ….Dhaehee Nagaree’….. which means the human body. The English readers and audience will be confused by the use of the word ‘village.’ — — The word: ‘ਊਤਮ ਥਾਨਾ… Ootham Thhana’…(Sathhana)…. in this context means the ‘most sacred place.’
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4. ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨਿ ਗੋਵਰਧਨ ਧਾਰੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੦੪੧ ਪੰ. ੬ (Guru Nanak Dev Ji…. Ang/page 1041 of SGGS)
Guramath Kirasan Govardhan Dhhaarae ||
गुरमति क्रिसनि गोवरधन धारे ॥
First translation on internet (1):
Through the Guru’s Teachings, Krishna lifted up the mountain of Govardhan. : — — (Wrong English translation)
Another translation on internet (2):
By the Guru’s wisdom Krishan lifted the mount of Govardhan : — -( Faulty English translation)
My translation:
“Through the grace of the God (Ek-Omkar), Krishan lifted up the Govardhan mountain.”
Commentary/Teeka:
The word Gurmat… ਗੁਰਮਤਿ….Gur-mat: — This word is not used in Sanskrit texts and is used only in the Gurmukhi language.
The word गुरमति…Gurmat… has different meanings. — — The meaning as implied by Guru Nanak Ji here…. means….. ‘by the grace of the God.’
Guru Nanak was the first Sikh Guru who took birth in the year 1469, whereas Sri Krishna appeared as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Dwapar Yuga or nearly 5100 years ago. Who was the Guru….of Nanak Dev Ji? — — It was the ‘One creator…Omkar’ as the ‘One God’ of the entire universe.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the above ‘bani shabad’ is paying rich tributes and reverence to Sri Krishna, who through the Grace of the almighty God, lifted the mountain ‘Govardhan’ on His little finger.
The word ‘Hari’ which refers to Lord Vishnu has been used more than 5,000 times in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and the word ‘Gopal’ which refers to Sri Krishna 491 times.
“The English translations that Sri Krishna lifted the ‘Govardhan mountain’ through the ‘wisdom and teachings of the Guru’ is wrong.”
During his travels in India after his enlightenment, Guru Nanak Ji visited the place ‘Govardhan’ which is located 23 kms from Vrindavan. From there he further travelled to Mathura, and other parts of India.
The legend says that Indra, the deity of rain-god, wanted to test the powers of Sri Krishna. — — Indra, flooded the Govardhan village on the periphery of the Govardhan Mountain by torrential rains. The whole village was flooded and the water level rose above the heads of the villagers.
Sri Krishna then lifted the ‘Mountain Govardhan’ and held it up as a protection in the form of an umbrella for the people and cattle of the village to save their lives. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Sri Krishna as the victor.
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5. ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਸਾਇਰਿ ਪਾਹਣ ਤਾਰੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ : ਅੰਗ ੧੦੪੧ ਪੰ. ੬ (Guru Nanak Dev Ang/page 1041)
Guramath Saeiri Pahan Tarae ||
गुरमति साइरि पाहण तारे ॥
First translation (1):
Through the Guru’s Teachings, Rama floated stones across the ocean. (Wrong English translation)
Second translation (2):
Under the Guru’s guidance, Ram Chandar floated the stones over the sea. (Inaccurate English translation)
My translation:
Through the God’s grace (Ek-Omkar), Rama floated stones on the sea water (to make a bridge to cross-over to Sri Lanka).
Commentary/Teeka:
The word ‘Gurmath… ਗੁਰਮਤਿ’ … in this context means ‘by the grace of God’…. and not through the Guru’s teaching and guidance. Who was the Guru of Sri Rama? — — Sri Rama appeared as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu 7000 years ago, and Sikh religion started just 500 years ago. The Guru’s teaching came at a much later date. The Sikh Gurus and bhagats had adored and chanted hymns in the sacred name of Sri Rama.
Guru Nanak after his enlightenment travelled to different parts of south India and Tamil Nadu on foot without any logistic support and money. His belief and full faith in God, who is omnipresent as ‘Ek-Omkar’ took care of his bodily requirements.
History says that Guru Nanak travelled to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, South India; to the location of Ram Setu bridge. — -The stones are not floating now, but there is a visible trail of stones in the shallow waters.
Nobody can make the stones to float on water through teaching and guidance, as it is against the laws of gravity. — — Only through a miracle or the ‘Grace of God,’ such an accomplishment is possible.
Adam’s Bridge, also known as Rama’s Bridge or Rama Setu, is a chain of natural limestone shoals. It is located between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
The ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana mentions that a bridge was constructed by Sri Rama to reach the island of Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana. In popular belief Lanka is equated to present-day Sri Lanka, and the bridge is mentioned as “Ram Setu.”
Geologists and archaeologists in the research papers say that the rocks of the bridge are over 7000 years old.
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6. Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s bani:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਧੁਸੂਦਨੁ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥
ਅੰਗ ੯੮ ਪੰ. ੯ (Guru Arjan Dev Ji Ang/page 98 of SGGS)
Gurmukh Madhusudana Nistare॥
गुरमुखि मधुसूदनु निसतारे ॥
Other translations… first translation (1):
Through the Guru God the killer of Madh demon, delivers the mortal. (Wrong English translation)
Remarks: — — The words ‘Guru God the killer of Madh’ make no sense.
Second translation (2):
The Gurmukhs are emancipated by the Lord.
In the above translation the word ‘Lord’ is used in lieu of the word ‘Madhusudana.’ The word ‘Madhusudana’ as used by Guru Arjan Dev Ji has been omitted in the English translation.
If the earlier translators claim that they have done ‘word by word’ translation from the Gurmukhi, then the word ‘Madhusudana’ as used by Guru Arjan Dev Ji should have been retained.
Correct translation should read as:
“The Gurmukhs are liberated from the worldly bondage by Madhusudana (the name of Sri Krishna who killed the demon named Madhu).”
Commentary/Teeka:
The word ‘Madhusudana’…..is used as another name of Sri Krishna since he killed the demon by the name of Madhu. — — Nistare…. निस्तरे: — — is a Sanskrit word which means to be ‘liberated’ from the worldly bondage to attain Mukti.
The bani of Guru Arjan Dev Ji uses Sanskrit words, and it can be said that Guru Arjan Dev Ji was a Sanskrit scholar, a poet and a philosopher who knew the Mahabharata and different names of Sri Krishna, such as Madhusudana.
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7. ਗਰੀਬਾ ਅਨਾਥਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਮਾਣਾ ॥
ਅੰਗ ੯੮ ਪੰ. ੧੩ (Guru Arjan Dev Ang/ Page 98)
Gareebaa Anatha Thaera Mana ||
गरीबा अनाथा तेरा माणा ॥
Other translations, first translation (1):
You are the Pride of the meek and the poor. (Wrong English translation)
Second translation (2):
The humble and partronless take pride in Thee. (Faulty English translation)
(Remarks: The above English translations on the internet are wrong. — — God is all benevolent and merciful to look after the welfare of the poor and orphans. — — God does not take ‘pride’ if somebody is ‘poor’ or an ‘orphan. — — From where has the word ‘pride’ come in the above translation?
My translation:
Word by word meaning: ਗਰੀਬਾ : — poor; ਅਨਾਥਾ : — orphan; ਤੇਰਾ : — Your (God); ਮਾਣਾ : — support
“God is the support of the poor and orphans.”….. is the correct translation.
Commentary/Teeka:
In the above Shabad, Guru Arjan Dev Ji is saying that God becomes the support of the poor (गरीबा… ਗਰੀਬਾ) — and orphans (ਅਨਾਥਾ … अनाथा), (who are all alone and have no family, friends, or parents; and are suffering.) — -God is the support and a pillar of strength to the poor and orphans.
God is ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda or… Pure truth-Consciousness-Bliss.’ — -A true devotee of God is always in bliss whether he or she is poor or an orphan.
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Conclusion:
Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared and affirmed ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ as the living eleventh Guru of the Sikhs, in the year 1708. — — More than 300 years have passed from that time, and yet there is no authentic and reliable English translation of the ‘holy Granth’ available to date.
English translation of the entire ‘Granth Sahib’ should be critically examined, and corrections ought to be made, wherever necessary, without any bias or prejudice.
The present English translations of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ ought to be revised and redone afresh to bring it up to the acceptable international English standards, with the exact meaning of shabads, as given by the revered Sikh Gurus, and the bhagats.
The above examples of errors as enumerated above by me are just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous inaccuracies and mistakes in different English translations on the internet of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib.’ — — The commentary/Teeka provided along with the English translation of the ‘hymns’ should be elaborate with great minuteness, to explain the meaning to the English audience.
Ajay Gupta
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References:
Online book references on the internet: History of the Sikhs (1469–1708) by Dr. Hari Ram Gupta
