Translated by Dr Jarnail Singh
Published by Intellectual Services International, 1998
Providenciales, British West Indies
ISBN 976-8052-66-X


Volume one of the four volume translation of Guru Granth Sahib was sent to the Institute of Sikh Studies by airmail. The other three have been sent by surface mail. Although published by a West Indian company and printed in Pondicherry (near Chennai), a former French colony, the translation was done by a Canadian Punjabi, Dr Jarnail Singh, from Toronto.

This is not the definitive review of this translation of Guru Granth Sahib for two reasons. As mentioned above we have only volume one of four volumes, and although I can read French well enough, I cannot compare the translation with the original as my knowledge of Punjabi is neglegible. Instead, I have used the existing English translations as my reference.

In judging the quality of the translation I have concentrated on Jap ji, Rahiras, Kirtan Sohila and Bara Maha (page 133), and after those selected various banis at random.

To start with a negative point, I think that two misinterpretations of Sikhism figure in the foreword, written by Odile Hellman, who has done the correction work on the manuscript. She writes about the concept of Naam, or the Word, which represents God, and then says that Guru is its incarnation. This to me sounds too much like the Christian concept of Jesus as `the Word that became Flesh'. She seems not to have understood that in Sikh philosophy, all creation is the manifestation, the expression, of Naam. In the same foreword she writes : "We are predestined to be saved, or to indefinitely reincarnate." Here she misses the point that unlike in Hinduism, Guru teaches us that we can change our Karma by listening to God's Hukam, and live following His Command.

Obviously, it is very good, and it should be encouraged, that Sikhs work together with non-Sikhs on projects like this, and I am not at all suggesting that Ms Hellman is distorting Sikhism on purpose, but Dr Jarnail Singh should have checked her contribution. As we all know we do not usually get the full meaning of Guru's teachings after a first reading, and because of this it is extra important to give correct information in foreword and introduction.

My impression of the first volume is very good. The book looks good, with nice quality paper and modern typography, and the introduction is clear, also for non-Sikhs. The division of the Granth according to the different ragas, and within the ragas, the sequence of Chaupadas, Dupadas, etc., and how within these divisions the banis of the six Gurus are followed by the Hindu and Muslim saints is well explained. A short biography of all these is included.

As far as the text itself is concerned, I can only say that I am very happy with Dr Jarnail Singh's effort. I think it is true to say that Jap ji is not the easiest text to translate, and anybody who manages to convey the meaning correctly, and is able to put this in poetic language (not poetry), has done a good job. This is his translation of Mul Mantra, translated into English again:

"The Unique Being; The Truth; The Spirit that Animates All; Who is without Fear; Without Enmity; Permanent, Indestructable, Unborn; Who does not Incarnate; Who exists Independently; and is accessible through Guru's Grace."

Through this Dr Jarnail Singh conveys the meaning of Mul Mantra in a manner that I think will be understood by both non-Sikh and non-Punjabi readers. The other banis read by me were all easy to understand, and often had a feel of poetry about them.

Translating a work like this is not just an academic exercise, but the ultimate parchar. Dr Jarnail Singh's parchar is at least of similar quality as the existing English translations. But even when there are spelling mistakes, or for instance, outmoded versions of the English language are used, and there is a lack of `poetic' feeling, the meaning, the teachings of Guru can be understood from all conscientiously done English gutkas and full Guru Granth Sahibs that I know of. After all Guru Nanak probably spoke no Arabic or Tibetan, and still he is remembered in all the countries and regions he visited. But there is scope for a better, and a more modern translation in English. And of course German, Spanish, Chinese, Malay, Tamil and Sinhalese (to mention just a few) should follow. We were informed by e-mail that a Turkish version of Jap ji is to be published shortly !

The full beauty of Guru's poetry can only be enjoyed by those that are able to understand it in its original form. But French-speaking people will be able to get the spirit of the essential teachings of Guru from this translation. The real measure is, whether the translation is spiritually right, and not if it is technically perfect. One can only do a work like this with the Grace of God, and with His help we will be able to give Guru Granth Sahib to the whole world !