For instance, there are references to chewing of pan, (betel-leaf), wearing of dhotis and blue clothes, prevalence of sari and purdah, existence of varidus castes and professions, sources of amusements and performance of numerous kinds of rites by the people. Useful information is also gathered about the food and dress of the people and about the various ceremonies, practices and institutions prevalent in society. In matters religious the Guru Granth Sahib affords a unique example of tolerance, as it contains hymns of hindu and muslim saints. The arrangement of the Guru Granth Sahib based upon Ragas gives us aglimpse into the development of Indian music. Guru Tegh Bahadur also refers indirectly to the paralytic state of hindus under Aurangzeb. Similarly Guru Arjan mentions Sulhi Khan's cruel conduct against him. Guru Sahib condemned sati, infanticide and purdah, and considerably added to the status of women. Guru Amar Das in his hymns incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib advised his disciples not to retaliate against their cruel treatment by muslim officials in particular and muslim population in general. Against the existing usage, Nanak accorded an equal status to women in his congregations and langars. Guru Sahib also makes a reference to the social customs practised at the time of a girl's marriage. He depicts the sad plight of women in Babar's camp. Guru Sahib compared the government officials with dogs because of their greed and lust. In his hymns Guru Nanak called the kings butchers on account of their fanaticism and misgovernment. The Guru Granth Sahib, though purely a religious work, throws some light on political, social and cultural conditions of the times. The hymns of Bhaktas represent three schools of thought, Vaishnavism of Rama Nand, Krishna cult of Surdas and Sufism of Farid. The hymns establish a deep spiritual unity between man and God. The Guru Granth Sahib serves as the symbolic representation of the Gurus, who are considered as only one, Guru Nanak, the light of whose soul passed on to each of his successors one by one. Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of devotional hymns and poetry which proclaims God, prayer for the True Guru (God), and lays down moral and ethical rules for development of the soul, spiritual salvation and unity with God. Instead emphasis is placed on the writings which appear within, also known as Gurbani. Sikhism rejects idol worship, so the Guru Granth Sahib is not worshipped as an idol. The living Guru of the Sikhs (not considered as a mere book) is held in great reverence by Sikhs and treated with the utmost respect. It is also the only scripture of it's kind which not only contains the works of it's own religious founders but also writings of people from other faiths. It is considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion, rather than any living person. The Guru Granth Sahib is truely unique among the world's great scriptures.

Importance of sukhmani sahib path