When Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred after being made to sit on a hot plate in Lahore by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, his son, the owner of Miri-Piri, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, arranged for the easy reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the Kothri Sahib in the name of the fifth Guru. The sixth Guru heard the easy reading from Baba Buddha Ji in 13 days. During the Bhog, Bhai Gurdas Ji was serving the Chaur and after the Ardas, Karah Prasad was served with a mouthful. The sixth Guru gifted Baba Buddha Ji five horses, one elephant, five hundred mohars and beautiful clothes as Granthi Singh. From here the tradition of reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji began. After this, when Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s palace, Mata Ganga Ji, was built as Sachkhand, the sixth Guru Ji got Bhai Gurdas Ji to perform Sehaj Path in the name of his revered Mata Ji at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Even after the demise of Bhai Gurdas Ji and Baba Buddha Ji, Sehaj Path was performed in their name. Similarly, the first Akhand Path Sahib was performed by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji during his Gurmat preaching visit to Prayagraj Tribeni (Allahabad). When Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was about 45 years old, his mother, Mata Nanaki Ji, said, ‘Your father, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, had promised that you would raise your grandson. When that time will come?’ Then Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji said, ‘Mother Ji! This is in the power of Waheguru Ji. When the True Guru Ji is pleased, He will surely bless you.’
At that time, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji conducted the Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Tribeni (now Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Allahabad). During this, five Brahmgyani Gursikhs performed the Akhand Path Sahib, including Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Dayala Ji, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji Masand, Bhai Gurditta Ji (descendant of Baba Buddha Ji) and Bhai Sati Ram. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji himself performed the prayer of Bhog. After this, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji mentions himself in the Bachittra Natak:
Mur Pit Purab Kiyasi Payana. Bhanti Bhanti Ke Tirthi Nana.
Jab Hi Jat Tribeni Bhaye. Punna Daan Din Karat Bitaye.1.
Tahi Prakas Hamara Bhayo. Patna Sahar Bikhai Bhava Layo.×.2.
The second Akhand Path was organized by the Dasmesh Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji after the final battle at the Dhab of Khidrana and after completing the compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo. Three days before leaving for the south, on 23 Sawan, 1762 Bikram, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji ordered Bhai Mani Singh Ji to perform the Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Parkash was performed on a high platform. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji named this place Damdama Sahib. The Dasmesh Patshah Ji selected five Akhand Pathi Singhs who recited pure Gurbani. He bathed them with their hair and dressed them in clean clothes. He put on five guards, five langris, and five varni. In this way, after appointing a total of 25 Singhs for the Akhand Path, coconuts, Darshani Bheta Maya, and Karah Prasad were prepared and placed on the pedestal. Shabad Kirtan was performed. Then Anand Sahib was recited, followed by Ardas. Bhai Mani Singh Ji began the Akhand Path after taking Guru Ji’s permission. The opening sentence was:
Todi Mahla 5
Satguru Ayo Sarani Tuhari.
Milei Sukhu Naam Har Sobha
Chintaa Lahi Hamari.
1. Rahau.
(Part 713)
Guru Ji and the Sangat listened to the entire Akhand Path together. On the third day, Bhog was performed. The Sangat celebrated with great joy.
After reaching Nanded in the south, the tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, entered the Kattak Valley. On the day of Sammat 1765, AD 1708, he conducted the Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the place of Takht Sri Abichal Nagar Hazur Sahib. Choji Pritam Ji, dressed in a white dress, listened to the entire path sitting in one square. The Bhog took place on the morning of Kattak Sudi Dooj Sammat 1765 Bikrami. The tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, made Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji (whose martyrdom place is behind Sri Akal Takht Sahib), Baba Deep Singh Ji, martyr, beloved Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, Bhai Sewa Singh Ji, servant of Sri Hazur Sahib, and Bhai Hari Singh Ji stand in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, place five paise and coconuts, perform five parkarmas, and apply the tilak of the Gurtagaddi to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Then, Karah Prasad was served. After giving the Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he passed away on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Kattak calendar in 1765 Bikram.
In this way, the tradition of Akhand Path started by the Gurus is being followed in the Panth and in every difficult and easy time, the Sikhs have been seeking the support of Akali Bani by preserving the Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In the eighteenth century, even while living in the forests, the Singhs would gather and perform Akhand Path with love in three days, listen to it and then go to get martyred. It is mentioned in history that in Chhambh of Kahnuwan, after the war with the Diwan Lakhpat Rai of Lahore, the Singhs performed Akhand Path in Chhambh. When Bibi Sundari was injured while fighting the Mughals, she expressed her desire to listen to Akhand Path knowing that the time of her passing was approaching. In this way, Akhand Path was performed at 16 o’clock. After the Bhog, a huge gathering of the assembled Singhs took place. First, everyone recited the Shabad of Bhog together and then sang Kirtan. Anand Sahib was recited. After praying and listening to the Mukhwak, Karah Prasad was distributed to the Sangat. In this way, Bibi Sundari, listening to the praises of Akal Purakh, called all the Singhs to victory and settled in Sachkhand.
From time to time, there have been Akhand Pathis and listeners with very high Surtis, who have completed the Akhand Pathi in one place.They kept on talking and listening. Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha state had listened to the entire Akhand Path from Baba Narayan Singh Pitho Wale sitting in a single square and when he offered him a jagir as a gift, Baba Narayan Singh flatly refused to accept. In his respect, Maharaja Hira Singh ordered a palanquin and after placing Baba Narayan Singh in it, the Maharaja himself joined the caravan and left Baba Ji at his camp.
