Page 42 - Gurmat Book 7

5. Bhagat Pipa taught that God is within one's own self,

Lesson 16: Akhand Paath

Sikhs get their guidance from the Bani written in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We can
only know what is inside the Guru Granth if we read it. There are many ways to
read Guru Granth Sahib. A complete reading of Guru Granth Sahib always begins

and ends with an Ardas and Hukam.

1. First, you can open a random page and read it. That will be called Hukam.

2. Another way to read Guru Granth Sahib Ji is to start reading from the
beginning and take as much time as you need and read to the end. That will be

called Sadharan Paath or Sehaj Paath. You can take breaks during reading for a
Sahej path.

3. Another way to read is to do Akhand Paath. Akhand Paath (Akhand =

uninterrupted, without break; Paath=reading) is a non-stop, uninterrupted reading
of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end. There are total 1430 pages in
Guru Granth Sahib. They need around 48 hours, day and night. The reading cannot

stop once started.

Usually 5-10 readers take turns doing Akhand Paath. It is like a relay. When one
gets tired, the next one comes to take that place. However, the transition is done

in such a way that the Paath continues even when they are changing places. The
new reader starts with the line that the outgoing reader is saying; so one or two
lines are said in unison by both readers.

Akhand Paaths take place in Gurdwaras and in homes for important occasions.
Usually all of the Gurpurabs are celebrated with an Akhand Paath. Most
celebrations at home also begin or end with Akhand Path. Wedding, births,
deaths or any occasion for thanksgiving may be celebrated with an Akhand Paath.

The Sikhs like to have Akhand Paath to celebrate happy times and to give thanks.
In sad times too, they get comfort from listening to the Paath. Sikhs believe that
when they have Akhand Paath in their home, their homes are filled with good
energy and they are purified.

Stepping Stones PSL Gurmat Sikhia Book 7G 2023 Edition Page 40