Sant Singh Khalsa's Errors

[13Mirch]

The SGPC, as the trendsetter in the Sikh world, has ratified Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa's transliterations of Gurbani which are highly erroneous and lacking the spirit of the original Gurmukhi. Unfortunately, since the green light from the Committee, one finds Khalsa's works all over the internet and in popular literature. For those interested in utilizing proper transliterations, I suggest perusing the Mahan Kosh and older Punjab simplifications which are still available even to this day. Below I present the proper transliteration of a Shabad which is usually employed by Islamic apologia to disparage the Sikh faith. Please note that Khalsa's erroneous transliteration was also used by Basics of Sikhi whilst they were debating whether Guru Nanak Dev Ji asks Muslims to be Muslims as per their own coda or as per Gurmat.

'Salok, Mahalla 1

To call yourself a Muslim is difficult... (here the original Gurmukhi reads 'Je hoye' i.e. if one is a Muslim- an individual who has submitted to Sri Akal Purakh) only then can you call yourself a Muslim.

(In the next line, Khalsa has erroneously added in 'Prophet' whereas the original Gurmukhi has no mention of any preceptor:)

To be a true Muslim, accept the primal "deen" (faith- by adding primal it means the ever-existent and unsullied truth as elaborated upon in the mool-mantar) as being sweet. Akin to a maskal (a file) scarping away rust, distribute your possessions among the needy.

(Here Khalsa adds in 'Muhammad.'It is crucial to note that in the Bachittra-Natak 'Muhammad' is rendered 'Mahudin' whereas the term here is 'Muhanni.')

Becoming a Muslim thus, tread via the edicts of deen and all delusions of life and death will be effaced.

Accepting the Doer's will and surrendering to the Creator, discard your ego.

Only then will your become merciful to one and all; only then can you call yourself a true Muslim.'

-ASGGS, Ang. 141.

A similar sentiment is again echoed, by the first Guru, on the same ang:

'(In Islam) there are 5 prayers performed at 5 times having 5 nomenclatures each.

(Vis-a-vis Gurmat the five prayers are) First prayer is of truth, the second of integrity in thought and deed, the third is of wishing prosperity upon all (and not just upon the Dar-al-Islam).

The fourth is of possessing clean motives and the fifth is of praise (i.e. praise of Vaheguru).

With these particular 5 prayers (as elaborated upon by the Guru), utter the confession of faith, good deeds and way of living; then you are a true Muslim.

Oh Nanak, the false (who do not accept these figurative prayers) obtain falsehood.'

-Ibid.

The structure of this particular Shabad is a 'Pauri.' For a proper understanding of the idea conveyed in a 'Pauri,' the entire passage has to be read before passing any judgement (we do not expect Muslims to know this). The conclusive Shabad, by Guru Ramdass, summarizes the 'Pauri's' main concepts:

'If an individual forsakes aggrandizement, anger, falsehood and slander- if they discard maya and efface their "I-ness."

If they discard their lust and hypersexuality- then even whilst residing in the shade of illusion they can obtain the blemishless Lord.

If they forsake hubris and attachment to the spouse and progeny; if they abandon the thirst for worldly possessions- if they submerge their consciousness into the giver of bliss.

Says Nanak, the True One will reside in that individual's mind. Through the true Shabad, they merge into the name eternal.'

[MisterrSingh]

I mentioned this a few months ago. I was criticised for it. 

I'm not at all suggesting there were any vested interests on his part, but his transliterations are uninspiring, dry, and basic. Someone with a greater appreciation for the English language would've been preferable.

[13Mirch]

30 minutes ago, MisterrSingh said:

I mentioned this a few months ago. I was criticised for it. 

I'm not at all suggesting there were any vested interests on his part, but his transliterations are uninspiring, dry, and basic. Someone with a greater appreciation for the English language would've been preferable.

Let me guess, the PC Brigade latched onto you as well.

 

I believe S. Kapur Singh would have been well informed to deal with the issue.

[13Mirch]

32 minutes ago, MisterrSingh said:

I mentioned this a few months ago. I was criticised for it. 

I'm not at all suggesting there were any vested interests on his part, but his transliterations are uninspiring, dry, and basic. Someone with a greater appreciation for the English language would've been preferable.

Brace yourself; the anti-Islam accusations are just around the corner. 

How Sant Singh ever got the terms "Prophet" and "Muhammad" into the mix beats me.

[MisterrSingh]

10 minutes ago, 13Mirch said:

Let me guess, the PC Brigade latched onto you as well.

 

I believe S. Kapur Singh would have been well informed to deal with the issue.

I have no idea about the politics behind it, or the factions in play, lol. I'm not a scholar in any sense, but I have a layman's appreciation for the poetry of the English language, and I was disappointed when I read the Sant Singh transliteration of Japji Sahib. English, in the hands of a master, is a beautiful language. Ideally we should study the original Gurmukhi, but for purposes of education and the proliferation of Sikh philosophy in the West, English is essential.

[13Mirch]

1 hour ago, MisterrSingh said:

I have no idea about the politics behind it, or the factions in play, lol. I'm not a scholar in any sense, but I have a layman's appreciation for the poetry of the English language, and I was disappointed when I read the Sant Singh transliteration of Japji Sahib. English, in the hands of a master, is a beautiful language. Ideally we should study the original Gurmukhi, but for purposes of education and the proliferation of Sikh philosophy in the West, English is essential.

My personal belief is that ISS (Chandigarh) should be well up to the task.

[Akalifauj]

Can someone provide a link to the sgpc translations.  This will help sangat have easy access to translations that are better.

3ho have been spreading sant Singh khalsa translations like wild fire and many punjabis latched on blindly.  Sant Singh khalsa has made many errors and at times it seems the error was done on purpose.  I have heard yogi bhajan had a hand in his translations as well and this will explain the deception in the translations by endorsing Kundalini yoga.

[13Mirch]

1 hour ago, Akalifauj said:

Can someone provide a link to the sgpc translations.  This will help sangat have easy access to translations that are better.

3ho have been spreading sant Singh khalsa translations like wild fire and many punjabis latched on blindly.  Sant Singh khalsa has made many errors and at times it seems the error was done on purpose.  I have heard yogi bhajan had a hand in his translations as well and this will explain the deception in the translations by endorsing Kundalini yoga.

SGPC ratified them in some blind moment.

[jkvlondon]

4 minutes ago, 13Mirch said:

SGPC ratified them in some blind moment.

no they ratified it because they don't give one hoot about sikhi this is around the same time SGPC was printing RSS altered sikh history books for distribution which called Guru Teg Bahadur a jewel thief, and other anti-Guru slurs 

[singhbj singh]

Work of Dr Sant Singh Khalsa is probably the best English translation available online.

Other option is Bhai Manmohan Singh.

Both along with 3 Punjabi translation are available at

http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=1&g=1&h=1&r=1&t=2&p=0&k=0