Akhand Path
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Akhand Path (Punjabi: ਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠ, Punjabi pronunciation: [əkʰəɳɖᵊ paːʈʱ]) The continuous and uninterrupted recitation of Sri Guru Guru Granth Sahib Ji is known as Akhand Path Sahib.[1][2][3][4]
Meaning and process
The continuous nonstop recitation of all the verses in the Guru Granth Sahib from the beginning to the end, in 31 Ragas as specified, in all 1430 pages, lasts more than 48 hours by a team of readers.[1]
Nearby, over a container of water a coconut is kept wrapped in saffron or white cloth. A ghee lamp is also kept burning.[5] This ritual is considered very holy and is said to bring peace and solace to the participants and the passive listeners of the recital. During the reading it is tradition for langar (or communal food) to be available at all times, thus requiring the continual service and dedication of those in whose honour the Akhand Path is being held. By definition, a gurdwara is a space that has been appropriately dedicated to receive and house the Sikh scriptures. Gurdwaras play an important traditional role in Sikh society, as they provide food and rest to all visitors, and thus have ... To commemorate milestone events such as births, deaths, and weddings, Sikh Americans might arrange for ... the “Holy Book [which is] Guru,” a practice known as Akhand Path, which takes approximately two full days and nights in its entirety.[6][7][8][4]
Some
It is said that when
Following this example, the Sikhs started the tradition of dedicating Akhand Paths to various activities. Before battles, the Sikhs would listen to an Akhand Path and then prepare for battle.[11] An Akhand Path was arranged before the Sikhs set out to rescue 18,000 indigenous women captured by the Moghuls and had taken them as slaves.
In 1742, when Sikhs were in the jungles of
If the Akhand Path is to be recited in Gurmukhi, then it must be completed within 48 hours, without recitation in 31 Ragas as specified. If it is to be done in English, it will take more than 72 hours to complete.
During an Akhand Path, if a Hukam is taken at the end of a program, the Pathee (person reading the Path) reads the Gurbani that they have arrived at in the regular course of reading. They may slow down and read it clearly. In this case, the first and last two lines are not repeated. When the Pathee reaches the end of the Hukam, they continue in the reading of the Akhand Path.
Akhand Path is supposed to be read loudly, clearly, and correctly.
The reading concludes with a Bhog ceremony.[12]
History
Origin
The practice of Akhand Paths likely began in the late 18th century, a time that is recorded as a turbulent period in
Variants
There are several variants of the Akhand Path, such as the Ati Akhand Path, which involves one person continuously reciting the scripture non-stop without breaking for any reason, usually completed in around 27 hours. This variant is rarely performed and requires a reader of high stamina and reading ability.[15][16][12][17]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-94-6209-266-2.
- ISBN 978-81-7380-530-1.
- ^ "JSTOR: Search Results". www.jstor.org. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7487-4022-2.
- ^ "Damdami Taksaal - The official website of the Damdami Taksaal". www.damdamitaksal.com. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
- ^ American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia. Christopher R. Fee, Jeffrey B. Webb · 2016 page 445
- ^ "Prayer - Ways of Sikh living - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-5104-7949-4.
- ISBN 978-0-19-908773-0.
- ^ "AKHAND PAATH History". www.yoga-rahlstedt.de. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ a b "What is an Akhand Path?". Sikh Dharma International. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ OCLC 435778610.
AKHAND PATH. An "unbroken reading" of the Guru Granth Sahib. This is performed by a relay of readers who, reading in turn without intermission, complete the task in approximately 48 hours. It is held on all occasions of importance to Sikhs such as a marriage, the opening of a new business, or a funeral. Each reader should bathe and wear clean clothes before beginning his turn. Karah prasad should be brought into the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib before beginning an Akhand Path; the six appointed stanzas of Anand Sahib should be read, Ardas should be recited, and a hukam should be taken. The reading concludes with a bhog ceremony. Much the same procedure is followed with a Sadharan Path or a Saptahak Path The practice of holding Akhand Paths appears to have developed during the late 18th or early 19th centuries. A practice rarely undertaken is that of the Ati Akhand Path, which involves only one person. The task, which takes about 27 hours, can be performed only by a person of uncommon stamina and reading skill.
- ^ OCLC 967096375.)
The origin of akhand paath is not clear but it may be traced to the eighteenth century AD. In those turbulent times, it must have been a means of uniting and spiritually strengthening scattered and threatened groups of the Sikhs. Its popularity doubtlessly increased with the availability of the printed copies of the Guru Granth Sahib in the nineteenth century AD. Such readings have parallels in the Hindu religious tradition and these may have affected and influenced the Sikh custom.
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{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - OCLC 289070938.
- OCLC 289070938.