Paper short abstract:

The paper describes and analyses how contemporary Sikhs are constructing conceptions of their scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, as a socially living guru with spiritual authority by means of various ritual practices.

Paper long abstract:

The Sikhs have perhaps taken the concept of a sacred scripture much further than any other religious community by treating their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, as a living guru, whose physical body in the form of a book should be given a careful ministration in daily worship. In the early morning hours the scripture is installed on an elevated throne to admit worshippers. Throughout the day the Sikhs will humbly approach the sacred text to present prayers, food-offerings and other gifts, as if they obtained audience in the court of a royal sovereign. At nightfall the Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially put to rest on a bedecked four-poster bed in a special bedroom. This paper aims to describe and analyze different emic understandings of Guru Granth Sahib and religious practices through which contemporary Sikhs construct and maintain conceptions of their scripture as a guru with spiritual authority. Focusing on the material aspects and ritual uses of the text, the paper suggests that various ritual and discursive practices are strategies to personify the scripture - transform the book from a mere object to a subject- and make it socially alive as a living guru.