Gurbani is the Word of God. Vahiguru revealed His Word through the bodies of 6 Gurus, 6 Bhagats (devotee-saints), 11 Batt (poet-saints), and 3 Sikhs. Although there are 35 bodies through which Gurbani was revealed, the author or voice speaking in all the revelations is the one and the same. Truly, Vahiguru is the author, the one who is speaking.
When Gurbani was revealed, each Guru or Bhagat would write down the Bani (Word) in a Pothi (small scriptural volume). Guru Nanak Dev Ji used to keep his Pothi with him on his travels. This is evidenced by Bhai Gurdaas Ji who writes about Guru Nanak Dev Ji visiting Mecca as follows:
ਪੁਛਨਿ ਫੋਲਿ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਨੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਵਡਾ ਕਿ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨੋਈ ।"They asked Baba Nanak to open and search in his book whether Hindu is great or the Muslim."
(Vaar 1, Pauree 33)
Guru Arjan Dev Ji did the task of gathering all the written revelations of the previous Gurus and Bhagats. Bhai Mohan Ji, the son of Guru Amar Das Ji, had the Pothis of the previous Gurus. After accepting the request of Guru Ji, Bhai Mohan Ji brought these Pothis to Amritsar on a Palki Sahib (palanquin) with full-respect.
After receiving this Pothis, Guru Arjan Dev Ji dictated all the Bani and Bhai Gurdaas Ji did the task of scribing it in a single-bounded scripture. To remind humanity that the author of Bani is the One, regardless of whose body the Gurbani was revealed. For this reason Bhagat Bani is given the same respect and authority as the Bani revealed through the Gurus. This task was completed on 31st August 1604. This single-bounded scripture was called 'Aad Granth Sahib' and 'Pothi Sahib'. 'Aad' means the beginning or first. As this scripture was the first form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as the final form was given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it was called the 'Aad Granth Sahib Ji'.
On 1st September 1604, Guru Arjan Dev Ji brought Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Aad Granth Sahib Ji) to Sri Darbar Sahib to have it installed on the holy-throne. Baba Buddha Ji was chosen to carry the Holy-Volume and Guru Ji waved the royal-whisk over it to show the respect of a king.
The Prakaash (opening) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was performed, followed by a Hukamnama (holy-reading). At this point Guru Arjan Dev Ji sat on the floor. Since this time, whenever Guru Granth Sahib Ji was installed on the throne, the Guru would always sit on a lower platform to show that Gurbani is more important than the physical body of the Guru. The same things done today to show respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were actually practised by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji used to live with his family at Gurdwara Guru Ka Mehal in Amritsar. However, after the first Prakaash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji slept in the same place where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was kept for rest. The place were Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was kept for rest was called 'Kottha Sahib'. In this place, Guru Ji placed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on bed, whilst he himself slept on a sheet laid out on the floor. This was the ultimate humility of the Guru. Guru Ji showed the faithful how to respect and honour Gurbani and how never to forget how important Gurbani and the scripture containing Gurbani is.
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