GIRANTH is the title of the religious book of the Dīvānā sect. The authorship of the book is generally attributed to Harīā and Bālā, two leading figures in the order who were themselves disciples of Miharbān, grandson of Gurū Arjan, Nānak V. One of the manuscript copies of the Giranth which has not so far been printed is preserved in the private collection of Professor Prītam Siṅgh at Paṭiālā. Dated Jeṭh 1792 Bk/May 1735, it comprises 694 folios. The contents of the Giranth are, like those of Sikh scripture, the Gurū Granth Sāhib, cast into musical measures such as Gauṛī, Āsā, Bhairau, Prabhātī, Gūjarī, Rāmkalī, Soraṭh, Mājh, etc. Besides śabdas and ślokas in different rāgas, the more important of the compositions in the Giranth are Sukhmanī, Krishan Avatār Līlā and Goṣṭī Gorakh Ganeś Kī. Sukhmanī (ff. 189-405), which covers about one-third of the manuscript and which is ascribed by name to Harīā, is the most important text in the Giranth. The form is identical with that of Gurū Arjan's bāṇī of the same name. It comprises 82 aṣṭpadīs, each aṣṭpadī consisting of eight pauṛīs and each pauṛī having ten lines. Each pauṛī is preceded by one or two ślokas like Gurū Arjān's Sukhmanī. Harīā's composition lays stress on simran, i.e. constant remembrance of God's name. The Giranth closes with a 57-stanza verse titled Ṭhūṭhā, lit. an earthen cup or a begging bowl. It appears to be a lyrical poem meant to be sung by the followers of this sect. Although the Dīvānās have little in common with the Sikh faith, the authors of the Giranth call themselves Nānakpanthī, i.e. the followers of Gurū Nānak (f. 410).

Kirpāl Siṅgh