GURMAT MARTAND

GURMAT MARTAND, by Bhai Kahn Singh, is a glossary in two volumes of terms bearing on different aspects of Sikh religion, theology and belief. The author undertook this work, arranged topically as well as alphabetically, with a view to rectifying some of the misconceptions about certain Sikh theological and conceptual doctrines and notions which had crept in as a result of ignorance of some chroniclers and the general inability of Sikhs to comprehend clearly and correctly the meaning of the canonical texts.

Published posthumously at first in 1938, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee brought out another edition in 1962. The book contains entries comprehensive in their choice as well as treatment. Each subject title has first been explained briefly with regard to its meaning and usage. This is followed by quotations from the Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh canonical and other literature so as to support the preceding explanation. The author has added at places detailed footnotes to explain any historical or mythological allusions.

There are also certain entries like “Khalse de Bole” which need no scriptural elucidation. In the Gurmat Mdrtand, the author follows, in the main, the style and format of his earlier works Gurmat Prabhdkar and Gurmat Sudhdkar published in 1898 and 1899, respectively. The author has made use of information contained in these works and has also supplemented it where necessary with textual references. He has also supplied explanatory notes and a detailed alphabetical index.