The Adi Granth took shape under the watchful eye of Guru Arjan Dev in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Tasked with gathering the soul-stirring hymns that had been composed over generations, Guru Arjan set out to assemble them in one musical anthology. Every hymn was arranged by rāga (melodic framework), so congregations could sing along in harmony—an approach that still resonates in gurdwaras worldwide today.

Bhai Gurdas, Guru Arjan’s trusted scribe, put pen to paper in Amritsar’s newly built Harmandir Sahib to record the verses. A small committee of devoted Sikhs cross-checked each composition for authenticity. Manuscripts from earlier Gurus—Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das—found their rightful places. Then came the Bhagat Bani, devotional poems by saints from across the Indian subcontinent, regardless of caste or creed: Kabir and Namdev, Ravi Das and Farid, Bhagat Pipa, Bhagat Sadhna, among others. By weaving these voices together, the Adi Granth struck a powerful chord about unity in diversity.

Selections were rigorous. Hymns that aligned with Sikh ideals of honest labor, compassion and devotion made the cut; others were respectfully left aside. When the manuscript was complete in 1604, the first copy—known as the Kartarpur Bir—was installed at the Golden Temple. This fixed version put the community on the map, spiritually speaking, and set the stage for what would later be called the Guru Granth Sahib.

Fast-forward to 2025, and digital editions on smartphone apps allow pulse-quickening recitations at the tap of a screen, proving that centuries-old wisdom can still dance to a modern beat. From its humble beginnings in Amritsar to today’s global readership, the Adi Granth remains a living testament to collective devotion—a tapestry of voices that continues to inspire hearts everywhere.