The holy writings of the Tenth Guru Sri Gobind Singh Ji

8. Is it true that Chhand 201 in Akal Ustat which reads as Atma Uchrio & four Chhands 126-130 in Gian Prabodh were in fact written by Atma Ram?

It’s another classical example of a conspiracy theory hatched by Jasbir Singh Mann. As Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha explains in Mahan Kosh, the ten Dohras (201 to 210) in Akal Ustat are written in the form of questions which the Man (Atma/soul) poses to the Mati (intellect). The first two Dohras are:

ਤ੍ਵਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
ਏਕ ਸਮੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਆਤਮਾ ਉਚਰਿੳ ਮਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਬੈਨ
ਸਭ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਕੋ ਕਹਹੁ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਧਿ ਤੈਨ ।1। 201।
ਕੋ ਆਤਮਾ ਸਰੂਪ ਹੈ ਕਹਾ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕੋ ਬਿਚਾਰ।
ਕਉਨ ਧਰਮ ਕੋ ਕਰਮ ਹੈ ਕਹਹੁ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਸਥਾਰ ।2। 202।

By Thy Grace. (Dohra)
Once Atma (soul) posed this question to the Mati (intellect)
“Please describe to me the complete glory of the Lord of the World, 1. 201
What is the nature of the soul? What is the concept of the World?
What is the object of Dharma? Tell me all in detail”. 2. 202.

Similarly cantos 126 to 130 in Gian Prabodh are written in the form of a conversation between Atma (soul) and Parmatma (Almighty) where soul is enquiring about its entity to which Parmatma replies (ਪਰਾਤਮਾ ਬਾਚ ॥)

ਤ੍ਵ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਦਿਨ ਅਜਬ ਏਕ ਆਤਮਾ ਰਾਮ ॥ ਅਨਭਉ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਹਦ ਅਕਾਮ ॥
ਅਨਛਿੱਜ ਤੇਜ ਆਜਾਨ ਬਾਹੁ ॥ ਰਾਜਾਨ ਰਾਜੁ ਸਾਹਾਨ ਸਾਹੁ ॥੧॥੧੨੬॥
ਉਚਰਿਓ ਆਤਮਾ ਪਰਾਤਮਾ ਸੰਗ ॥ ਉਤਭੁਜ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਬਿਗਤ ਅਭੰਗ ॥
ਇਹ ਕਉਨ ਆਹਿ ਆਤਮਾ ਸਰੂਪ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਅਮਿਤ ਤੇਜ ਅਤਿਭੂਤਿ ਬਿਭੂਤਿ ॥੨॥੧੨੭॥

BY Thy Grace
On a day the curious soul (asked): The infinite and Desire less Lord, the Intuitive Entity. Of everlasting Glory and long-armed; the King of kings and Emperor of emperors. 1.126.
The soul said to the Higher Soul,”The Germinating Entity, Unmanifested and Invincible. What is this Soul Entity? Which hath indelible glory and which is of queer substance?" 2.127.

Now it is a height of absurdity that pseudo scholars have even distorted this philosophy and concocted a conspiracy theory by claiming that word Atma (soul) in these lines refers to a person named Atma Ram. Would they also dare to distort the meaning of the following Banee by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji?:

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਨ ਸਮਝਾਈਐ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਮ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮ: 1)

9. Is it true that Dasam Granth was not used by SRM committee when they composed Sikh Rehat Maryada?

The Sikh Rehat Maryada committee looked at various sources when compiling the SRM. The document that was created sets out conditions for anyone who claims to be a Sikh. And one such condition is that he should faithfully believe in:

iv. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus
(SRM, Section 1, Article I)

So this means that belief in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sri Dasam Granth is mandatory for every Sikh.
 
With regards to the recitation of Kirtan, SRM gives the following instructions:

In the congregation, Kirtan only of Gurbani (Guru Granth's or Guru Gobind Singh's hymns) and, for its elaboration, of the compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal, may be performed.
(SRM, CHAPTER V, Article VI)

Also Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Sri Dasam Granth, Bhai Gurdas’ Vars and Kabitts and compositions of Bhai Nand Lal are sanctioned to be recited in all Gurudwaras.

Additionally, the Nitnem of the Sikhs comes from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and various compositions of Sri Dasam Granth including Akal Ustat, Krishnavtar, Ramavtar, and Charitropakhyan etc. The first pauree of Ardas is from “Chandi Di Vaar” in Sri Dasam Granth. While preparing Khande De Pahul (Amrit), Banees from both the Sikh scriptures, Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth are recited. Hence it is fallacy to state that “Dasam Granth was not used by SRM committee when they composed Sikh Rehat Maryada”.

10. Sikh Rehat Maryada sanctified by Guru Panth recommends reading of "Benti chaupai only up to end of hymn' Dust dokh tay loh Bachai" (401)." Why they left 402, 403, Aril, 404 and 405 hymns as present in Published Dasam Granth and various other hand written manuscripts?

SRM sanctioned the reading of the last Charitra known as Benti Chaupai from Charitropakhyan composition of Sri Dasam Granth. Whilst some verses were omitted this was not only confined to Sri Dasam Granth. In the SRM, the recitation of only partial verses of Anand Sahib is also prescribed.

While undertaking the intermittent reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) for offering should be brought and after reciting the Anand Sahib (six stanzas) and offering Ardas, Hukam should be taken.

While beginning the unbroken reading, the sacred pudding should first be laid. Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib (six stanzas), offering the Ardas and taking the Hukam, the reading should be commenced. (SRM, CHAPTER VII Article x)

The SRM was intended as a minimum requirement for reciting Banees from the Sikh scriptures, hence various Samprayadas continued with the full recital of the Chaupai Sahib. It should also be noted that the SRM affects only Gurudwaras; the maryada of the Takhts is quite separate.

11. Is it correct that banee of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the sole canon to accept any idea and concept of the Sikhs?

If this was the case then the Khanda De Pahul ceremony and the recital of Nitnem Banees would take place with only two Banees (Japji Sahib and Anand Sahib). This would also mean that there would be no Ardas (as the opening sections are from Chandi Di Var). Hence Sri Dasam Granth plays an important part in the three important aspects of a Sikh religion, namely Amrit, Ardas and Nitnem.

Hence Sri Dasam Granth is an important Sikh canon second only to Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Interestingly this idea of a mutilating and destroying the Sikh scriptures was advocated by Teja Singh Bhasaur in the early 1920’s. He was excommunicated from the Sikh fold for not understanding the role that both Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sri Dasam Granth played in the Sikh psyche. Similarly the Akal Takht has ruled against those who have failed to grasp the idea of Miri-Piri and Sant-Sipahi including modern day atheists and communists in the garb of Sikhi. Most recently even an ex-Jathedar of the Akal Takht was found to be ignorant of the basic concepts of the Khalsa panth.

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Also see Descriptions of the Dasam Granth from the “Sketch of theSikhs” in view of Sikh History on Articles page.