INSIDE THE GURU'S GATE - Anpere

3. Young businessman
It is a problem with space and money. If I will make a lot of money
then I will buy a big place and keep two Darbar Sahib. I want to do a lot
for Guru Maharaj ji. I feel from inside how much I am capable of doing.
I want to do great service (seva) to please Guru ji.
4. Middle-aged businesswoman
We had a gurdwara in our home…but twice I forgot to do Sukhasan of
Guru Granth Sahib ji. That is considered very bad. From that time I
thought that I am not fit for it [service to the scripture]. When we
parted with the old house, our new home was too small [for keeping a
gurdwara].
5. Middle-aged businessman
It requires much seva. We cannot perform this seva and we do not want
to commit sins. You need a special room for Guru Granth Sahib ji
which is quiet. It should be sacred and pure. We do not have that here.
You have to do seva. …My friend, he has Guru Granth Sahib ji at his
house and the family do seva in the morning and the evening, and also
offer food. If you have Guru Granth Sahib ji at home you must first offer
your food to Guru ji. Only then you can take your meal.
6. Middle-aged housewife
Before we were agriculturalists. If you have Guru Granth Sahib ji at
your house you have to protect it and keep the place pure. You have to
take care of God very much.
7. Middle-aged businessman
Lack of space. I do not own my house. You should keep Guru Granth
Sahib ji in your own house. A rented house is disrespectful [to Guru
Granth Sahib].
As illustrated by the epithets used in some of these responses the scripture is referred
to as a personal Guru (2, 5), a great emperor (3) and even likened to the divine (6).
Denominative markers like these serve to address the scripture in a respectful manner.
The conversational contexts disclose that when people imagine Guru Granth
Sahib being invited to their house they attribute the scripture identifications of an
honored guest, who demands devout ministration. Judged from the frequency with
which these respondents (and others) referred to the lack of proper housing, the most
central feature of attitudes related to custodianship of a scripture involves spatial
considerations. To provide Guru Granth Sahib proper respect the scripture is to be
offered a separate room at the house which is kept pure and peaceful. Rented prem-
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Published on www.anpere.net in May 2008