Does anyone know where I can get an economical copy of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with Gurmukhi script, Roman transliteration, and English translation? (I found one edition that some people sell, but the cheapest it comes is $155.00.)
Thanks!
WRS
I’ve done a bit of searching for you and have a few suggestions. Now, you can download parts of the SGGS at various Sikh-related websites, but you will probably need to download a few special fonts to enable your computer to read the Gurmukhi. At any rate, I suggest that you start with Sikhnet ; they offer a very comprehensive amount of information about Sikhism, as well as links to other sites. There is a translation offered, that sounds like what you are looking for, from a link at Sikhnet, however it costs at least $200. There is another site that I’ve seen in the past that offers various Sikh Gurudwara related itmes and I’m certain I’ve seen several versions of the SGGS for sale there, however I haven’t been able to find that site yet. I’m still looking and if I do find it, will post a link to it.
Now I’m curious – are you studying Sikhism? I’d also like to suggest that if you really would like to get the full effect of the SGGS, you should look into getting CDs of Gurbani Kirtan, that is, the rags of the SGGS performed musically, which is (I think) how they were meant to be heard.
good luck.
Thanks for the post!
I think I’ll settle for the downloadable version. It’s good enough, and as you said it would be difficult to get a hard copy with a good price.
I did get the Sukhamani Sahib on tape, which I believe is from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It’s quite nice!
Question: what’s the difference between the SGGS and the Adi Granth?
WRS
Glad I was able to help some! Now, it’s been a very long time since I’ve actually discussed Sikhism with anyone, mind you … but I -think- the difference between the SGGS and the Adi Granth is that the Adi Granth is only a section of the SGGS (the SGGS being the -entire- “bible” of the Sikh faith), but I’m not sure what part of the SGGS it includes. You should be able to find more info on this on either Sikhnet or another Sikh faith-related website. SGPC (the council that “governs” the Sikh faith) has it’s own website (which I don’t have the URL to at this moment, unfortunately, but I’m pretty sure there is a link to it from sikhnet); they -should- be looked to as the “authority” on that. chuckles You’ll find that there are differing sects within the faith, some a bit more zealous than others.
Glad too that you’ve already gotten some Gurbani Kirtan. My next suggestion is to try to find a Sikh Gurdwara and attend services. Then you’ll really be able to experience Sikhism. You’d only really need something to cover your head.
I was part of the American Sikhs back in the 70s; when I left that group I left the Sikh faith as well, returning to my original Christian faith. But the years that I spent as a Sikh have remained with me and I’ll admit that I’m still drawn to many aspects of the faith.
Good luck again!
Here’s a link Tarragon918 was talking about:
http://www.sikhnet.com/sggs/translation/
In Gumurkhi and English. This is pretty much the only inexpensive text I’ve found.
Tarragon918, if you don’t mind me asking, were you with 3HO? I’ve been doing a lot of reading of the SGGS the last few months. It’s incredibly gorgeous, even in English. I even toyed with going to a Gurdwara and converting, but alas, given my sexual orientation, the UUs are a tad friendlier.
Yup, I was in 3HO, from 1973/74 to summer of 1977 (73-74 was my final year in college and when I moved into an ashram). I can’t believe, though, that you’re weighing Sikhism and Unitarianism together! I can only say to go ahead and go to a Gurudwara and enjoy the experience - then go to a UU service… then see what you think. I understand your dilemma though, and must sadly concur with your conclusion that UUs are friendlier. Although Sikhism is supposed to be an “equal opportunity” faith, in many ways it is culture-driven. Sorry for such a generalist statement, btw - I really should be in bed and on the way to sleep by now. 
3H0 was pretty popular here in the States, from what I can gather. I think they still have an active Gurdwara in Phoenix, of all places.
As for UUs and Sikhism-- they’re not that dissimilar, actually. UUs give you a lot of leeway in spiritual practice, and the pastor knows I’m following the SGGS. And since following the SGGS, the 10 Gurus and the Formless One makes one a Sikh, then I’m a Sikh. A very atypical (and right now very shaggy) Sikh.