What does pothi mean? Is it appropriate to call Guru Granth Sahib a pothi?

Respected Brother/Sister,

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

In response to your question, the undersigned wants to say that the Fifth Guru Person, Guru Arjun Sahib had got written, from Bhai Gurdas ji, the Baani of first four Guru Persons, Bhagats, Sikhs and Bhatts, by 31st July, 1604. This was called ‘Pothi Sahib’ or ‘Aad Guru Granth Sahib’. The Parkash of Pothi Sahib, in Darbar Sahib started from 16th August, 1604.

Later, in Pothi Sahib, the Baani of Ninth Guru Person, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib was added and the same was known as ‘Damdami Beer’.

The Tenth Guru Person, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, had ordained the same, as ever living Guru, in October, 1708, at Nanded, which came to be known as, ‘Guru Granth Sahib’.

In Raag Sarang, at Panna 1226 of Guru Granth Sahib, there is a Shabad of the Fifth Guru Person, Guru Arjun Sahib, the first Tuk of which is as under:-

ਸਾਰਗ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਪੋਥੀ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਕਾ ਥਾਨੁ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 1226}

ਪਦ ਅਰਥ: ਪੋਥੀ = ਉਹ ਪੁਸਤਕ ਜਿਸ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਲਿਖੀ ਪਈ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ। ਥਾਨੁ = ਮਿਲਣ ਦਾ ਥਾਂ।

ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ (ਹੀ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਹੈ। ਜਿਹੜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਂਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਸਰਬ-ਵਿਆਪਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਪਾ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ।1। ਰਹਾਉ।

In this Guru Sahib is making it clear that the ‘Pothi’, means the Book in which Akalpurakh’s praise is written i.e. ‘Gurbani’ and the same is the means to meet Him.

Therefore, there is no problem if ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ is called ‘Pothi Sahib’.

Hope it helps. If you have any further questions, please do ask. If you find any deficiencies, please point out the same, for improvement in future.

Regards,

Your Brother