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<p class="C1">&#65279GU&#7788K&#256, a small-sized missal or breviary containing chosen hymns or <i>b&#257&#7751&#299s</i> from Sikh Scriptures. The etymology of the term <i>gu&#7789k&#257</i> may be traced back to Sanskrit <i>gu&#7693</i> (to guard, preserve) or <i>gu&#7751&#7789h</i> (to enclose, envelop, surround, cover) through P&#257li <i>gutti</i> (keeping, guarding). A late-eighteenth-century scholar of Ud&#257s&#299 sect spelt the word as <i>gu&#7693hk&#257</i>. It is obligatory for Sikhs to recite certain texts and prayers as part of their daily devotions. This led to the practice of writing them down in <i>gu&#7789k&#257s</i> or <i>poth&#299s</i> (larger in size than <i>gu&#7789k&#257s</i>). Keeping or carrying of <i>gu&#7789k&#257s</i> must have gained greater vogue among the Sikhs during the early eighteenth century when disturbed conditions forced them to be ever on the move. They kept them sheathed with their <i>g&#257tr&#257s</i> or cross-belts as they rode out from place to place. <i>Gu&#7789k&#257s</i> became really popular with the advent of the printing press and the rise of the Si&#7749gh Sabh&#257 movement during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Various types of <i>gu&#7789k&#257s</i> made their appearance. The most common were Nitnem <i>gu&#7789k&#257s</i>, which contained <i>b&#257&#7751&#299s</i> meant to be recited daily, namely <i>Japu, J&#257pu, Savaiyye, Anandu</i> for the morning, <i>Rahr&#257si</i> and <i>Benat&#299 Chaupa&#299</i> for the evening and <i>Sohil&#257</i> at bedtime. Some also contained <i>Shabad Haz&#257re, &#256s&#257 k&#299 V&#257r</i> and <i>Sukhman&#299</i>, although the last two <i>b&#257&#7751&#299s</i> were also available in separate volumes. Another <i>gu&#7789k&#257</i> which has gained currency under the title is <i>Sundar Gu&#7789k&#257</i> containing besides all the above <i>b&#257&#7751&#299s</i>, compositions for occasional recitation such as <i>B&#257r&#257h M&#257h&#257</i> (Twelve Months) and hymns appropriate to birth, marriage and funeral ceremonies and rites. The commonest script is Gurmukh&#299, although <i>gu&#7789k&#257s</i> published in Devan&#257gar&#299 and Persian scripts are also available.</p>
</ol><p class="CONT">Balb&#299r Si&#7749gh Nand&#257<br></p><BR>
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