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Of all elements, the most significant is the element of knowledge. (SGGS 152)

ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥ vidhiaa veechaaree taa(n) paraupakaaree || "Vidiaa veechaaree tan parupkaaree”. That education is good, which is used for the welfare of people. (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 356)

Contemplate and reflect upon knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to others. (SGGS, 356)

"There is no good in science that won't help people, and there's no good in scholars isolated from people" (Al-Khawarizmi)

I've observed over time that the Sangat, generally-speaking, shows very little interest in books on Sikhi. On the other hand, many Sikhs (academics and ordinary folk) have written and published thousands of books on many aspects of Sikhi, and in Punjabi and in English.
Other websites with lists of books on Sikhi
Link (Sacha Sauda Gurmat Parchar Society, Canada)
Link Sikh pdf library
Link Books about the Panjab or Punjab
Link Manglacharan "dedicated to shedding light on the treasure trove of knowledge passed down by our ancestors, which has not yet been translated into English."
Link Courses by Sikhi University on Punjabi literature

click to watch video

Karamveer Singh appeals to Sikhs to have a library in their home to stimulate a passion for reading books to change their lives (click on the image to see and listen). Karamveer Singh says:
"There is a weakness in our community, we are not used to reading. We can have a bar [alcoholic drinks] in our homes, but we don't have libraries in our homes. If we had libraries and books, we would have a passion for reading.
But we don't have a passion for reading. Today we have a passion to buy big cars and build a bank balance. But I would like to request the community through this channel [Satluj TV], that where you have big houses, where you have expensive houses, build a room in one of those big houses, in the form of a library, where there are thoughts of precious scholars. And by reading those thoughts, we can make a change in our lives." Transcribed from Punjabi to English by TurboScribe.ai. Click on this link to view the full video interview by Satluj TV of Karamveer Singh.

Read books on Sikhi and Sikhism

Browse through the list below, of more than 550 items of literature on Sikhi. Click on "previous" or "forward" (in the bottom left and right corners of a page) to move between pages. Filter your selection using the Categories listed in the box below. Each book entry provides details of the book, such as its title, author, and the gurdwara library where it's located. Check the list regularly for new books added to it.
The list was started on 31 Jan 2025. Currently, only items held at the library at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (category: SGSSS) are listed, and only those written primarily in English. In time, I hope to add books held at other local gurdwara libraries. I hope other sewadars will compile similar lists so that, ultimately, anyone in any region of any country, will be able to see online what books on Sikhi are available to read at their local gurdwara libraries. To increase the likelihood and ease of the Sangat seeing what books are available locally, local gurdwaras need to cooperate and form a "hub and spoke" network in which the central gurdwara (the "hub") publishes an online list of books held at local gurdwaras (each a "spoke").
To send a message, please click here .
Abbreviations: AG = Adi Granth; GGS = Guru Granth Sahib; DG = Dasam Granth; NS = not stated

Categories (press Ctrl + or - to zoom in or out if fonts are too small)

22/7/2026

A message of gurbani

Title: A message of gurbani
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Gurbakhsh
Publisher: Guru Gobind Study Circle
Pages: 100
ISBN: none
Publn 2009 (original publication date: 2009)
Location: shelf 21.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: y
Overview: "The book provides a deep insight into the central and core values enunciated in [the banis of Nitnem: Jap, Rehras, Sohila, Anand and Asa Di Var]". It also explains "relevant aspects of a noble life".

17/7/2026

Sikh ceremonies

Title: Sikh ceremonies
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Joginder
Publisher: Lahore Bookshop, Ludhiana
Pages: 96
ISBN: none
Publn 1999 (original publication date: 1999)
Location: shelf 20.6 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: y
Overview: Though published in 1999, it appears to be written around 1940, and is the work of Kahan Singh who passed away before publication. It describes: naming at birth, marriage, baptism, funeral, and preparation of karah parshad. Key Sikh hymns are also included eg Japji, Jap Sahib- all in English

15/7/2026

Jap the essence of Nanakian philosophy a scientific and logical interpretation

Title: Jap the essence of Nanakian philosophy a scientific and logical interpretation
Author surname(s): Singh Chahal
Author forename(s): Devinder
Publisher: Institute for understanding Sikhism
Pages: 147
ISBN: '0973429100
Publn 2003 (original publication date: 2003)
Location: shelf 20.6 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: y
Overview: "the author has attempted to interpret JAP scientifically and logically so that the readers could understand the originality and uniqueness of the Nanakian philosophy to understand the philosophy, enshrined in the AGGS, in its real perspective." There is a glossary and short bibliography

24/6/2026

Jap Sahib, Swayas and Ardas hymns in praise of God

Title: Jap Sahib, Swayas and Ardas hymns in praise of God
Author surname(s): Singh Kapoor
Author forename(s): Sukhbir
Publisher: Sterling Publishers
Pages: 168
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1995 (original publication date: 1995)
Location: shelf 5.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: y
Overview: "The 'Nit Nem' series [of which this is the third book] has been designed to give readers the theme, the literal meaning and the summary of all the hymns of the daily prayers…The Jap Sahib, the Swayas and the first section of the Ardas are the compositions of Guru Gobind Singh" At the end there is a dictionary of Jap Sahib.

22/6/2026

Guru Gobind singh's Jap Sahib and other hymns

Title: Guru Gobind singh's Jap Sahib and other hymns
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Surinderjit
Publisher: Singh Brothers, Amritsar
Pages: 119
ISBN: 8172052634
Publn date: 2002 (original publication date: 2002)
Location: shelf 5.3 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: y
Overview: The book includes a section on the personality of the guru. There is then a short introduction about Jap Sahib, followed by the text in gurmukhi, transliteration, and translation of each line. The same format is used for Tva Prasad and for Kabiyo Bach Benti Chaupai.

22/6/2026

Sri Dasam Granth Sahib text and translation vol 1

Title: Sri Dasam Granth Sahib text and translation vol 1
Author surname(s): Singh and Singh
Author forename(s): Jodh and Dharam
Publisher: Heritage Publications, Patiala
Pages: 435
ISBN: tbc
Publn date: 1999 (original publication date: 1999)
Location: shelf 5.3 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: y
Overview: "We have simply taken the text as it is given in the Dasam Granth and tried to render it in simple, easily comprehensible English". Only vol 1 is on the shelf. Its contents are: Japu; Akal Ustati; Bachitra Natak; Chandi Charitra Ukti Bilas; Chandi Charitra; Var Sri Bhagauti ji Ki; and Gian Prabodh. Text is in punjabi and the opposite page has the English translation.

20/6/2026

Guru Gobind Singh's The Jap

Title: Guru Gobind Singh's The Jap
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Trilochan
Publisher: Sis Ganj, Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Pages: 48
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1968 estd.(original publication date: 1968 estd.)
Location: shelf 5.3 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: Y
Overview: The booklet is a translation of Jap. It also describes guru Gobind Singh's Jap and compares it with Nanak's Japji.

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