PARYĀI ĀDI SRĪ GURŪ GRANTH SĀHIB JĪ DE is a lexicon of the Gurū Granth Sāhib prepared by Sant Sute Prakāsh. The year of its completion as recorded in the colophon is 429 Nānakshāhī (AD 1898). The work comprises 1440 pages of which 110 are devoted to a commentary on the Japu (Jī). It is stated by the author in the introduction that the Japu(jī) was composed by Gurū Nānak at the Sumer mountain, and that its different stanzas were meant as replies to various questions put to him by the Siddhas there. The author has explicated the text of the Japū Ji:) in the question-answer style, posing questions on behalf of the Siddhas and explaining stanzas of the Japu (jī) as Gurū Nānak's answers to them.

         After this detailed exposition of the Japu (jī), the work assumes the style of a lexicon, though not exactly in the format of a modern dictionary or glossary. The order is not alphabetical. The lexical unit, that is, a word or phrase is picked from the text as it reads on. It is followed by two zeroes in the form of a colon signifying the beginning of the explication of the entry. The meaning given is that of a single term at places; at others of a phrase or even of a complete verse, though the lexical entry recorded is mostly a single word or a couple of words. Mythological, historical and legendary stories are introduced to explain the back ground or meaning of a hymn or of a whole composition. The lexical units required to be explained are not arranged in columns, as is done in a dictionary; rather they are written in continuous lines. Only the colon like zeroes provide a hint that a new entry has begun. A full stop comes only after all the lexical units of a hymn have been explained. The serial number of the hymn as given in the Gurū Granth Sāhib is appended here, followed by a full stop, after which the heading of the next hymn, ślokā, pauṛī, aṣṭapadī, etc., is mentioned. There is no paragraphing, nor are the pages of the Gurū Granth Sāhib mentioned. Upon the conclusion of Srī Rāga , the name of the Rāga to which the hymns belong as well as their authorship are indicated on the top of each page.

         In the latter portion of the work the connotations become more concise; in most cases only simple meanings of the word or phrase. are provided. The system of punctuation also improves, though no other mark except the traditional full stop, in the form of two vertical strokes,is employed. Multiple meanings of the verses of the bāṇī abound. One particular verse of the Japu(jī) has been explained in fifteen different ways. This was in keeping with the traditional style of expounding religious texts. The author is well acquainted with Hindu mythology and leans heavily on it in his exposition of Sikh terms and thought. His language is Sādh Bhāshā. Entries from three additional compositions which are not included in the Gurū Granth Sāhib are appended at the end. These are : Haqīqat Rāh' Mukām Sivanābh Rāje Kī, Bāī Ātas and Ratan Mālā.

         The manuscript was published at Wazīr-i-Hind Press, Amritsar, in two parts in 1898.

Ātam Siṅgh