Translators Introduction

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:44

The Rehat Maryada has been translated with the great grace of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. The translators and sevadars who have worked on this publication are forever grateful to the Gurus and the disciplined Gursikhs who have lived and acted accordingly to the Rehat Maryada explained herein.

The Sevadars of this publication feel that it is pertinent to mention that we ourselves are endeavouring to live up to the high standards of the Rehat Maryada. The discipline of a Khalsa is indeed "Sharper than the Khanda and finer than a hair" (Anand Sahib), this Rehat Maryada is a moral standard that all Sikhs should aim to achieve. We pray that Satguru blesses us and all those that read this Rehat Maryada to live up to the high morality and spirituality explained within it.

We are forever grateful to Baba Thakur Singh Jee, Jathedar of Damdami Taksaal, who gave us permission to translate this tract. We are grateful to all the ‘gupt’ Singhs who have laboured at proof-reading the numerous editions and have given invaluable suggestions.

We translated the Maryada as we felt there was a void in all present English publications, as there was no one tract/book that covered Rehat effectively. The books that are related to Rehat, have very few references to Gurbani or historical Rehatmaryadas/Rehat Namas of the times of the Gurus.

The Importance of Gurmukhi/Panjabi

We feel that all Sikhs must attempt to learn Gurmukhi, the script created by our beloved second Guru, Sri Guru Angad Dev Jee. This translation does not even come near the original in Panjabi, as effective translations into English of Gurbani/Panjabi cannot be achieved. We can get near but not get the full meaning or essence from a translation. To get the full essence of Gurbani and Sikhi we must endeavour to learn Panjabi and this will open many pathways to knowledge for us.

The aim of the translation is to inform and inspire the readers. We pray that Guru Sahib may bless all the readers with the skills of the Gurmukhi language.

We beg for forgiveness from Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee for any mistakes that have been made in translation, publication and preparation of the Rehat Maryada. We pray that Guru Sahib and the Sadh Sangat (Holy Congregation) can forgive our shortcomings and give us the fortitude and strength to continue serving the Khalsa Panth.

Harjinder Singh

Vaaheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa
Vaaheguroo Jee Kee Fateh