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What languages and dialects are used in the Adi Granth?

The Adi Granth, also known as the Guru Granth Sahib, is written entirely in the Gurmukhi script, yet its linguistic fabric is richly varied. At its heart stands Punjabi, which provides the predominant voice, but this voice is continually enriched by other tongues and dialects. Various forms of Hindi appear, including literary dialects such as Braj Bhasha and Khariboli, alongside related regional varieties. Sanskrit contributes many liturgical and philosophical terms, while Prakrit and Apabhramsa underlie some of the older vernacular layers. Persian and Arabic are also present, especially in vocabulary and certain hymns, reflecting the broader cultural milieu. In addition, Sindhi and Rajasthani (including Marwari-type forms) appear in the compositions of saints from those regions, further broadening the linguistic horizon.

This tapestry of languages and dialects is often gathered under the umbrella of devotional and mixed vernaculars such as Sant Bhasha and Sadhukkari, which naturally blend elements from Punjabi, Hindi, Rajasthani, and related speech forms. Rather than presenting a single, uniform language, the scripture moves fluidly across these interconnected idioms, mirroring the diverse backgrounds of the Gurus and the bhakti and Sufi saints whose voices it preserves. The result is a text that speaks in many regional accents while remaining unified through the Gurmukhi script and a shared spiritual vision. This multiplicity of languages does not fragment the message; instead, it allows the same truth to resonate across different cultural and linguistic communities, like one light shining through many colored panes.