Within the Sikh tradition, the Guru Granth Sahib is revered as the eternal, living Guru and the supreme spiritual authority. It is understood as the final Guru, succeeding the line of ten human Gurus, and is treated with the same reverence that would be accorded to a living spiritual master. Its hymns and teachings are regarded as the revealed Word, offering direct spiritual guidance for cultivating devotion to the one God, often named as Waheguru or Ik Onkar. In this way, the scripture does not merely inform belief; it embodies the Guru’s presence, speaking to the seeker through divine wisdom preserved in sacred verse.

As the central scripture of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib stands at the heart of worship and community life. It is installed as the focal point in every gurdwara, around which congregational prayers, kirtan, and ceremonies are conducted. Sikhs turn to it for counsel and inspiration, sometimes through the practice of taking a random reading as a form of divine guidance. Its teachings shape daily conduct, encouraging meditation on God’s Name, ethical living, and a life oriented toward humility and remembrance of the Divine.

The content of the Guru Granth Sahib offers a comprehensive framework for both belief and practice. It articulates core Sikh principles such as devotion to one formless God, the equality of all human beings, and the rejection of superstition and caste. At the same time, it provides a moral vision that emphasizes compassion, justice, and selfless service, or seva, as essential expressions of spiritual life. Through this, devotion to God and service to humanity are not seen as separate paths, but as two dimensions of a single spiritual calling.

A distinctive feature of the Guru Granth Sahib is its inclusion of hymns not only from the Sikh Gurus but also from Hindu and Muslim saints. This composition underscores the universality of divine truth and affirms the spiritual worth of all sincere seekers, regardless of background. By honoring voices from different traditions within a single sacred volume, it becomes a powerful symbol of equality, unity, and interfaith harmony. In this way, the Guru Granth Sahib serves as a unifying force for the Sikh community and a reminder that genuine devotion to the One naturally blossoms into respect, service, and love for all humanity.