Suraj Prakaash Granth

Sri Gurprataap Suraj Prakaash Granth

Inked by Mahakavi Santokh Singh Ji

The Granth

A foundational source of inspiration in Sikhi are the sakhis (stories) of the Gurus and their Sikhs. However, where do these stories originate from? Who has written such accounts?

The historical text known as Sri Suraj Prakash Granth (or Sri Gurpratap Suraj Granth) is a fountain of inspiration, which in today’s date is read and contemplated amongst the diaspora. Written by Kavi Raaj Bhai Santokh Singh, Suraj Prakash Granth (SPG) serves as an important and influential work of literature. Filled with a rich history, the philosophy of the 10 Guru Sahibs can be explored through the numerous volumes of poetic beauty.

Kavi Santokh Singh - Minature painting by Jatinder Singh Durhailay

The work is primarily written in Braj Bhasha, a western Hindi language in the times preceding the 19th century. SPG is structured in a way that it relates to the rays of the Sun itself; as a way of reflecting the Guru’s glory. SPG ranges to over 1600 angs and consists of 51,820 verses written in the form of Dohras, Chhands and additional sophisticated literary devices. The literary work is broken down into 12 raas’ (months), 6 ruts (seasons) and 2 ayans (solstices) in resemblance to the rising and setting of the sun. It is currently available in the form of 14 jildhs (volumes) that have been thoroughly administered by Bhai Vir Singh and include a detailed dive into the life of Kavi Ji.

In an ever-evolving world, SPG remains an important central source of reference to the lives of the Gurus and is the most commonly used historical source for discourse amongst the Sikh diaspora. Among the 5 Takhts, discourse on Sri Suraj Prakash is done every day where a reader (Paathi) reads aloud lines from the text and discourse is done from the Katha vachak.

Giani Sant Singh - The vidyaguru of Kavi Santokh Singh

The Great Poet

Kavi Raaj Bhai Santokh Singh has played an essential role in today’s Sikh world as one of the most renowned scholars of Sikh history and philosophy. Kavi Ji were from the village Noor Di Saraan in the district of Amritsar; born into the house of father Deva Singh and mother Raezadi Kaur. At an early age, Kavi Ji would be sent to obtain vidya under the tutelage of Giani Sant Singh, head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib and a renowned Gurmat scholar. Through the duration of their vidya under Giani Sant Singh, Kavi Ji would learn Braj Bhasha, Brahmvidya and experience the divine; all of the foundational pieces that attributed to their creation (rachna) of such a wondrous Granth. Alongside Braj Bhasha, Kavi Ji would learn a multitude of languages such as Farsi, Sanskrit, and take part in religious discourse with acknowledged scholars of the Sikh and Hindu faith. Throughout their life, Kavi Ji have been described to be a devout Gursikh who would wake in the early hours of the day and dedicate their time to bhajan, leading on to writing literary works themselves.

Kavi Ji spent time in various regions across Punjab teaching vidya and serving as an advisor to prominent Maharajas or a kathakaar to the Sangat. Among these travels, Kavi Ji wrote many sophisticated philosophical literary works including the Naam Kosh, Sri Guru Nanak Prakash, Garab Ganjani Teeka, Valmiki Ramayana and many others; a testament to the level of knowledge that they had amassed.

In the latter part of their life, around 1892 Bikrami samat (~1835 Common era), Kavi Ji would begin the wondrous composition of SPG with the help of Sikh scholarly works, support of Maharaja Udai Singh of Kental, and the Guru’s Shaheed Singhs themselves. Kavi Ji would consolidate many various historical accounts of the Guru Sahibs from references including:

  • Sikhan di Bhagat Mala by Amar Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh
  • Bhagat Ratnavali
    • by Amar Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh
  • Bachittar Natak by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj
  • Gurbilas Patshahi 10 by Kuir Singh
  • Malwa Desh Ratan di Sakhi Pothi
  • Sau Sakhi
  • Accounts of the Guru Sahiban by Bhai Ram Koer Ji (ancestor of Baba Buddha Ji)
  • Accounts by local Gursikhs and many more…

Shortly before their passing, Kavi Ji completed the Granth, an embodiment of their life’s efforts, and gave ownership to the Guru Panth for the rights of usage at Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The Project

This project has been undertaken with the intention to bring Sri Suraj Prakash to the broader audience in a format that is digestible by today’s audience of readers that are well versed in the English language. In today’s digital world, the ability to hear and see the very same text being contemplated holds a large value and makes for an engaging experience. In the same manner, this application intends to develop an experience with the intention of making Kavi Ji’s relevant account of Sikh history accessible to the world. Please forgive us for any mistakes made within the process of digitizing such a piece of work and feel free to provide any comments to srisurajprakash@protonmail.com

Disclaimer - this story is brought to you through a translation of Maha Kavi Santokh Singh. It should be known that further study of the granth is encouraged, but with the guidance of someone who has studied the granth. The grace and understanding that comes with a teacher are irreplaceable. This knowledge is best obtained with a figure in place that can explain and answer any questions you have.