Permjit Singh
  • About
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
  • Contact
  • Never forget 1984
  • Feedback
  • Books on Sikhi
  • Alcohol addiction - resources
  • Israel's war criminal 2
  • Israel's war criminal
  • 1984 remembered - 01 Jun 25 London
  • Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan 06 Apr 25
  • Tree-planting 03 Apr 25
  • Boycott Israel - Ealing
  • Genocide of Palestinians by Israel
  • Palestine march London 17 May 2025
  • Anti-racism rally London 26 Oct 2024
  • Southall Park 29 Nov 2024
  • Published books
  • EAS-Clarion Quiz
  • Feeback form
  • Questions written badly
  • Compounding 2024
  • Food Bank 26 Nov 2024
  • US financial literacy quiz
  • Published articles
  • Hollywood's racists
  • Audio
  • Autumn is here - 2025
  • About
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
  • Contact
  • Never forget 1984
  • Feedback
  • Books on Sikhi
  • Alcohol addiction - resources
  • Israel's war criminal 2
  • Israel's war criminal
  • 1984 remembered - 01 Jun 25 London
  • Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan 06 Apr 25
  • Tree-planting 03 Apr 25
  • Boycott Israel - Ealing
  • Genocide of Palestinians by Israel
  • Palestine march London 17 May 2025
  • Anti-racism rally London 26 Oct 2024
  • Southall Park 29 Nov 2024
  • Published books
  • EAS-Clarion Quiz
  • Feeback form
  • Questions written badly
  • Compounding 2024
  • Food Bank 26 Nov 2024
  • US financial literacy quiz
  • Published articles
  • Hollywood's racists
  • Audio
  • Autumn is here - 2025
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Picture
Picture
Picture
Photo by Fabio Pellegrini; Photo by sandeep gill  
Explore more free images on Sikhi here
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. 
Pictureclick 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 480 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, and then books written in Punjabi.  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)

All 1984 5 Ks Of Sikhs 5 Pyaraas Adi Granth Ardas Asa Di Var Atum Rang Baba Buddha Baba Dip Singh Baba Sheikh Farid Baba Sohan Singh Malacca Bachittar Natak Banda Singh Bahadur Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara Bhagat Puran Singh-Pingalwara Bhagats Bhagat Singh Bhai Ghaniya Ji Mission Society Bhai Gurdas Bhai Maharaj Singh Bhai Mani Singh Bhai Santok Singh Biographies Of Sikh Gurus British Raj Caste And Equality City Of Amritsar Contributors To GGS Culture Current Sikh Affairs Dalip Singh Dal Khalsa Dasam Granth Dictionary Disciples Dr Balbir Singh Economics Egoism Encyclopedia Gobind Singh Marg Golden Temple Greeting Card Gurbani And Health Gurdwara Hemkunt Gurdwaras Globally Gurdwaras In Delhi Gurdwaras In India Gurdwaras In Pakistan Gurdwaras Management Gurmukhi Language And Style Guru Amar Das Guru Angad Dev Guru Arjan Dev Guru Gobind Singh Guru Granth Sahib Guru Hargobind Guru Har Krishan Guru Har Rai Guru Nanak Guru Ram Das Guru Tegh Bahadur Hukamnanas Human Spirit Hymns Jagjit Singh Herkhowal Janamsakhis Japji Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Jewellery Kabir Khalistan Khalsa Kirtan Kirtan Sohila Langar Learning Punjabi Lohgarh Manjki Region Of Punjab Martyrs Meenhan Singh Miri Piri Musical Instruments Mythology Namdhari Movement Nand Singh Paath Partition 1947 Periodical Punjab The Region Punjab - The Region Raagmala Randhir Singh Ranjit Singh Rehat Rehraas Sachkhand Patra Sahibzadas Science Sehaj Sewa SGSSS Sikh Art Lit Culture Sikh Baptism Sikh Battles Sikh Character Sikh Courier Sikh Diaspora Sikh Digest Sikh Federation UK Sikh Festivals Sikh Funeral Sikh History For Children Sikh History General Sikh History - General Sikh Holocausts Sikhi Misinformation Sikh Insignia Sikhi Principles Sikhi Studies And Research Sikhi Versus Other Religions Sikh Marriage Sikh Names Sikh Organisations Sikh Politics Sikh Review (periodical) Sikhs And Eating Meat Sikhs In Britain Sikhs In Pakistan Sikh Sword Sikh Takhts Sikh Turban Sikh Women Simran Spirituality Sukhmani The Ideal Man Twelve Months Bara Maha Vachitar Natak Bachittar Natak Zafarnama

28/3/2025

The Sikh gurus and Sikhism

Title: The Sikh gurus and Sikhism
Author surname(s): Singh Bhatia and Bakshi
Author forename(s): H and SR
Publisher: Deep & Deep publications, New Delhi
Pages: 387
ISBN: '8176291307
Publn date: 2000 (original publication date: 2000)
Location: shelf 3.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is a broad description with chapters on: the gurus; Sikh scriptures; Sikh institutions; origins of SGPC and SAD; rituals and Sikhi; Japji; Rahraas; Sohila; hymns of Nanak.  There is a bibliography.  It is entirely in English.  "This book is a comprehensive account of the Sikh gurus, holy scriptures, several reformers and institutions having a deep bearing on the life of a common man for whom they lived and worked."

27/3/2025

Japji and sohila - arti

Title: Japji and sohila - arti
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Puran
Publisher: Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar
Pages: 29
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1969 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 3.3 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The booklet explains the relevance and purpose of Japji (which is a morning prayer).  Sohila-Arti is also included and is the bedtime prayer.  Neither prayer has gurmukhi text or transliteration; only the English translations.

26/3/2025

March 26th, 2025

Title: Japji
Author surname(s): Singh Doabia
Author forename(s): Harbans
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Pages: 79
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1980 (original publication date: 1974)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book provides a glossary of how to pronounce gurmukhi characters in English.  The preface summarises the fundamentals of Sikhi.  Each line of Jap Ji is stated in Punjabi, then transliterated then translated.  Part two explains the message of Jap Ji stanzas.  The book appears to be an earlier edition of the book on shelf 9.6 by the same author, but this book on 9.6 is no longer there.

20/3/2025

The Japji a clear guide, in simple English, to the path of spiritual ascent culminating in realisation of the Divine

Title: Guru The Japji a clear guide, in simple English, to the path of spiritual ascent culminating in realisation of the Divine
Author surname(s): Ghai
Author forename(s): OP
Publisher: Sterling Publishers
Pages: 96
ISBN: 8120714199
Publn date: 1992 (original publication date: 1990)
Location: shelf 2.4 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book "is intended to be the simplest summarised version todate of the Japji…I am fully conscious that my translation of the Japji cannot convey the beauty and force of the original, because I am neither a scholar nor a philosopher."  The book "has turned out to be a mixture of translation and exposition, rather than a straughtforward translation, it [the book] has...acquired a distinctive charm of its own."  In other words, this book is the author's personal interpretation and as he says "If I have made many mistakes in intyerpreting the teaching of the Japji I beg forgivenmess"

16/3/2025

Japu ji sahib - context and concerns  of Guru Nanak

Title: Japu ji sahib - context and concerns  of Guru Nanak
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Darshan
Publisher: Sikh Education Council UK
Pages: 85
ISBN: none
Publn date: NS (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 2.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book analyses Nanak's Japuji Sahib in relation to other religions.  It also discusses the political situation at the time of Nanak and the rule of the mughals.  It also mentions the message of Nanak.  The second part sets out Japuji in gurmukhi and its English translation.

16/3/2025

Commentary on Japuji: Guru Nanak's great composition

Title: Commentary on Japuji: Guru Nanak's great composition
Author surname(s): Bhave
Author forename(s): Vinoba
Publisher: Punjabi university, Patiala
Pages: 66
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1989 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 2.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: This is a translation by Gurbachan Singh Talib ofBhave's book written in Hindi.  "It is hoped, this book will initiate [people] to the genius and vision of Guru Nanak and the Sikh religious tradition of which he is the Founder."  "In view of the great merit of this exposition [Bhave's]...Punjabi University...planned to have it rendered into English [and this has now been done]."  The book has notes.

13/3/2025

Guru Nanak and his teachings

Title: Guru Nanak and his teachings
Author surname(s): Kaur
Author forename(s): Madanjit
Publisher: Guru Nanak Dev university, Amritsar
Pages: 240
ISBN: 8177700227
Publn date: 2003 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 1.6 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is to "familiarize the reader with various attempts that have been made from time to understand and disseminate the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji."  The contributions consider: his cosmopolitan outlook…and all that his dynamic personality stood for..." Essays include: an interpretation of Japuji Sahib; a historical perspective on the janamsakhis; life and teachings of guru Nanak; the Sikh psychology.

8/3/2025

Sri guru Nanak's Japji

Title: Sri guru Nanak's Japji
Author surname(s): Singh Chauhan
Author forename(s): Gurmeet
Publisher: Gurmeet Singh Chauhan
Pages: 208
ISBN: none
Publn date: 2009 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 1.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is an attempt by the author to write a "commentary on Japji bringing out a definite scheme in the arrangement of stanzas so as to take the devotee from the stage of a seeker to that of a knower of Truth."  "Throughout the ages, the divine souls have been engaged in finding and propagating permanent solution of this problem of unhappiness...Japji is one such guideline given by Sri Guru Nanak Dev"  The book also explains the structure of stanzas in Japji and Sukhmani and the reason why the gurus adopted this structure.  Chapters include:  are a few pages on the significance of "waheguru"; the significance of reciting Japji; liberation and from what; and the life of Nanak.  Most of the book is the stanzas 1 to 38.  Each stanza has the text in gurmukhi, then its transliteration, then meanings of words in the stanza (in English) and lastly, an explanation (in English) of the text.  At the end of the book, there is a glossary of words.

8/3/2025

The Japji or the Sikh morning prayer:rendered into English verse

Title: The Japji or the Sikh morning prayer:rendered into English verse
Author surname(s): Caleb
Author forename(s): CC
Publisher: World Sikh Foundation
Pages: 26
ISBN: none
Publn date: 2000 (original publication date: 1996)
Location: shelf 1.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The pamphlet is a translation of Japji, without transliteration or explanation.

8/3/2025

Guru Nanak and his Japji

Title: Guru Nanak and his Japji
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Parkash
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Pages: 96
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1969 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 1.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is a brief account of "his [Nanak's] life and teachings.  An elaborate exposition of the Japji, which is the most important composition of Guru Nanak, has been given."  "A translation of Japji Sahib [by Puran Singh]…has been selected because it is one of the best...as it conveys more the sense and feeling of Japji than its literal meaning."  The book also has some selected hymns of Nanak.

8/3/2025

Japjee: Sikh morning prayer

Title: Japjee: Sikh morning prayer
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Khushwant
Publisher: Picus Books
Pages: 173
ISBN: none
Publn date: NS (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 1.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: "I have…ventured to present this brief account of the Sikh religion and the morning prayer in the hope that they may be seen from the point of view of a Sikh who believes both in the Sikh faith and in objectivity."  The book has sections on: the Sikh faith and practice; the life of Nanak; and Japjee (which is stated in gurmukhi and translated into English, without transliteration or explanation).

8/3/2025

Essence of Sikhism: Guru Nanak's Japji: a rendering in English verse

Title: Essence of Sikhism: Guru Nanak's Japji: a rendering in English verse
Author surname(s): Singh Chadha
Author forename(s): Jaswinder
Publisher: Creative Graphics, New Delhi
Pages: 133
ISBN: 8176950017
Publn date: 2000 (original publication date: 1999)
Location: shelf 1.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is a transliteration and translation into English of Japji.  There are no explanations of the text.  "Japji encapsulates the essential unity of the spiritual experience and the purpose of human existence on earth. [Japji is] the bedrock of the Sikh doctrine"

5/3/2025

Japji Sahib: way to God in Sikhism

Title: Japji Sahib: way to God in Sikhism
Author surname(s): Singh Chahal
Author forename(s): Maneshwar
Publisher: Prakash Books
Pages: 321
ISBN: 8172341547
Publn date: 2006 (original publication date: 2006)
Location: shelf 1.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book "seeks to offer conclusions on how the message of the Guru in the Japji Sahib is to be construed…Individual words used in the composition have been explained and a line-by-line commentary attempted." The book draws on many sources, and includes a bibliography.

3/3/2025

The first master: guru Nanak and Japji

Title: The first master: guru Nanak and Japji
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Puran
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Pages: 60
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1980 (original publication date: 1980)
Location: shelf 15.3 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The pamphlet describes the life and times of guru Nanak and includes some of his hymns, including Japji sahib and Arti

24/2/2025

Sachkhand Patra

Title: Sachkhand Patra
Author surname(s): Singh Kallah
Author forename(s): Rajdevinder
Publisher: Than Singh Bungai
Pages: 64
ISBN: none
Publn date: 2007 (original publication date: 2007)
Location: shelf 12.4 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: A magazine with a section in English, with three articles: Q&A on Japji Sahib; Impact of Guru Gobind Singh; the concept of Five in life

23/2/2025

Holy Nit Nem

Title: Holy Nit Nem
Author surname(s): Singh Vidyarthi
Author forename(s): Rajinder
Publisher: Guru Nanak Charitable Trust, Ludhiana
Pages: 216
ISBN: none
Publn date: 2000 (original publication date: not stated)
Location: shelf 11.6 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is aimed at younger readers because of its simple language, however it will also appeal to all other ages.  It includes the collection of daily hymns: Jap ji; Rehraas; Sohila; Aarti.  It includes a page on how to pronounce words in gurmukhi; a page on Rehat.  Each hymn is reproduced in gurmukhi followed by a transliteration and a translation, into English.  At the back there are a few pages on the Sikh way of life; the significance of recitation; the contribution of Sikhi to human welfare.

14/2/2025

The message of gurbani

Title: The message of gurbani
Author: Gurbakhsh Singh
Pages: 112
ISBN: '8172053800
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Publn date: 2007 (original publication date: not stated)
Language: English
Location: shelf 9.6 SGSSS library
Preface: yes
Overview:  The book is an attempt to translate the hymns of GGS, specifically: Japji, Rehras, Sohila, Anand, and Asa Ki Var.  The book explains the purpose of "religion", notes that the interpretation of the meaning of GGS hymns is variable owing to the difficulty of changing language and meaning of words over time.  The book's aim is to "present the message of japji in an easily understandable form...[the book  is a] philosophical treatise rather than a traditional translation of Japji."  The book tries to explain the concept or meaning of "god".

13/2/2025

Three prayers of the Sikh world

Title: Three prayers of the Sikh world
Author: Joginder Singh Kang
Pages: 135
ISBN: none
Publisher: Joginder Singh Kang
Publn date: 1980 (original publication date: 1980)
Language: English
Location: shelf 9.6 SGSSS library
Preface: yes
Overview:  The book is a translation of Japji Sahib, Rehraas, and Kirtan Sohila.  Each is shown in punjabi, transliterated, then translated into English.  No explanations are provided.

13/2/2025

Sacred Japji

Title: Sacred Japji
Author: Harbans Singh Doabia
Pages: 88
ISBN: '8172050399
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Publn date: 2003 (original publication date: 1974)
Language: English
Location: shelf 9.6 SGSSS library
Preface: yes
Overview:  The book provides a glossary of how to pronounce gurmukhi characters in English.  The preface summarises the fundamentals of Sikhi.  Each line of Jap Ji is stated in Punjabi, then transliterated then translated.  Part two explains the message of Jap Ji stanzas

    Header image credit: https://www.sikhnet.com/news/10-health-benefits-readingImage credit:

© 2025  All rights reserved
Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office
Privacy Policy:  Click here for details