Course Description

The course explores the bani of Sidh Gosti. Revealed to Guru Nanak Sahib, the bani details his encounters with the Sidhs and the ensuing dialogue that took place between them regarding yog, its outlook, lifestyle and the Sikh take on it.

Currently, yog is undergoing a zealous revival in the Hindi heartland of Indian subcontinent, and across the globe as an extension of it. It is being promoted as an exercise to create a buzz around it. Because of a lack of touch with Gurbani, there is much confusion and speculation about yog in the Sikh world, regarding its place and compatibility with Sikhi.

Through elucidation of this bani, the course puts forth the Gurmat perspective vis-à-vis yog. To do this, the course offers interpretation of the bani in detail, while incorporating the opinions of major Sikh theologians and commentators. It juxtaposes fundamental features of yog with Sikh principles and worldview as outlined in the bani. In the process, the course gives an overview of yog, its methodology and basic terms (vocabulary) used in relation to it as they appear in the revelation.


Sponsors:

This course has been made possible by the generous support of Guneet Kaur, Jasneev Kaur and Ishmeet Singh of Belle Mead, NJ.


Instructor

Surender Pal Singh

Surender Pal Singh is a researcher in Sikh studies. He serves as Content Manager at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), where he develops curriculum, presentations, and research papers on Sikh history and culture. He teaches a course on Gurbani at Sidak, an annual leadership program by SikhRI. He is the co-author of Gurbani linguistics book Guru Granth Sahib – Its Language and Grammar and Workbook Gurbani Language and Grammar. He has over seven years of experience in teaching Gurbani linguistics and fifteen years of experience in teaching Sikh theology and culture. He received Master of Arts in English and Religious Studies. He lives in Panjab.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Sikh Gosti Introduction

    • Sidh Gosti Introduction
  • 2

    Handouts

    • Handout 1_Bani (Gurmukhi), transcription & vocabulary

    • Handout 2_Prof Puran Singh Commentary (English)

    • Handout 3_Prof. Sahib Singh Interpretation (Panjabi)

    • Handout 4_Bhai Vir Singh Interpretation (Panjabi)

    • Handout 5_Giani Haribans Singh Interpretation (Panjabi)

    • Handout 6_Gurbachan Singh Talib Interpretation (English)
  • 3

    Yog

    • Etymology

    • Yog in the Hindu Tradition

    • System & Doctrine

    • Types

    • Methods

    • Khat Chakra & Nadi

    • Siddhi

    • Yogi, Sidh & Nath

    • Historical Encounters

    • Sikh Tradition on Yog & Yogis
  • 4

    Sidh Gosti (Bani)

    • Bani Information

    • Understanding the Bani Dynamics

    • Title

    • Central Idea (Rahau)

    • Stanza (Pauri) 1

    • Stanza (Pauri) 2

    • Stanza (Pauri) 3

    • Stanza (Pauri) 4

    • Stanza (Pauri) 5

    • Stanza (Pauri) 6

    • Stanza (Pauri) 7

    • Stanza (Pauri) 8

    • Stanza (Pauri) 9

    • Stanza (Pauri) 10 and 11

    • Stanza (Pauri) 12 and 13

    • Stanza (Pauri) 14, 15 and 16

    • Stanza (Pauri) 17 and 18

    • Stanza (Pauri) 19 and 20

    • Stanza (Pauri) 21, 22 and 23

    • Stanza (Pauri) 24

    • Stanza (Pauri) 25

    • Stanza (Pauri) 26

    • Stanza (Pauri) 27

    • Stanza (Pauri) 28

    • Stanza (Pauri) 29

    • Stanza (Pauri) 30

    • Stanza (Pauri) 31

    • Stanza (Pauri) 32

    • Stanza (Pauri) 33

    • Stanza (Pauri) 34

    • Stanza (Pauri) 35, 36 and 37

    • Stanza (Pauri) 38 and 39

    • Stanza (Pauri) 40, 41 and 42

    • Stanza (Pauri) 43 and 44

    • Stanza (Pauri) 45, 46 and 47

    • Stanza (Pauri) 48 and 49

    • Stanza (Pauri) 50

    • Stanza (Pauri) 51

    • Stanza (Pauri) 52

    • Stanza (Pauri) 53

    • Stanza (Pauri) 54

    • Stanza (Pauri) 55, 56 and 57

    • Stanza (Pauri) 58 and 59

    • Stanza (Pauri) 60

    • Stanza (Pauri) 61

    • Stanza (Pauri) 62 and 63

    • Stanza (Pauri) 64 and 65

    • Stanza (Pauri) 66 and 67

    • Stanza (Pauri) 68

    • Stanza (Pauri) 69, 70 and 71

    • Stanza (Pauri) 72

    • Stanza (Pauri) 73