We find this passage at the end of Sri Guru Granth Sahib where one gets some valuable insights into what Guru Arjan Dev viewed as the essence of the Adi Granth that he had just finished compiling in 1604. With the advent of the Internet and it's associated multimedia technologies Sikhs are today faced with exactly what is it that they worship as there are developing new forms of technology which convey 'Truth, Contentment and Contemplation' just as well as ink and paper did in the past.

For hundreds of years the technology of ink and paper remained unchanged and Sikhs have worshipped the physical 'book' as the spiritual manifestation of their Gurus. Sri Guru Granth Sahib has become the centerpiece of Sikh worship. Sikhs worship it not as an idol but as the central repository of a profound and serene truth and a poetic celebration of God worthy of their respect. The traditional standard definition of the spiritual Guru as Sri Guru Granth Sahib has remained unchanged for centuries as one physical book written in Gurmukhi script. Standard protocols about the proper mode of respect that should be granted to Sri Guru Granth Sahib in public or private can be found in the Sikh Rehat Maryada.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib has moved beyond just ink and paper and made the transition to an electronic format that can now be found on CD ROM's and the Internet. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is now accessible in English as well as the original Gurmukhi script to a global audience. This evolution of the technology of transmitting the Gurus message raises the question of exactly what should be the object and focus of Sikh worship? The technology of the message or the message itself? And what should be the proper protocols of respect shown?

Given the fact that this technology has only existed for less than ten years may account for the state of potential ambiguity and uncertainty in how to deal with this new method of conveying the Gurus wisdom and the lack of policy and protocols. Sikhs have traditionally countered the perception that they are worshiping Sri Guru Granth Sahib as an idol by maintaining that it is the Gurus teachings that they worship and show the utmost respect to and not the 'physical book'. If that is indeed the case why is the same level of respect not being shown to Sri Guru Granth Sahib in electronic format? How do we draw the line between something as a learning and teaching resource and something as an object of reverence and devotion, or should such a distinction exist at all when it comes to Sri Guru Granth Sahib?