banidb-mcp

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that connects AI assistants to the BaniDB Gurbani API. Search and retrieve authentic Gurbani verses, translations, and meanings from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other Sikh scriptures.

Why? AI chatbots can hallucinate scripture. This server ensures that all Gurbani text, translations, and word meanings come directly from BaniDB — the same database that powers SikhiToTheMax.

Installation

Claude Desktop

Add to your Claude Desktop config file:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "banidb": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "banidb-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add banidb -- npx -y banidb-mcp

Cursor / Windsurf / Other MCP Clients

Use the same npx -y banidb-mcp command in your MCP server configuration.

Tools

| Tool | Description | |---|---| | search_gurbani | Search by Gurmukhi, romanized Gurmukhi, English translation, or ang number | | get_shabad | Get a complete Shabad (hymn) by its ID | | get_ang | Get all verses from a specific Ang (page) of SGGS or other sources | | get_hukamnama | Today's or historical Hukamnama from Sri Harmandir Sahib | | get_random_shabad | Get a random Shabad for inspiration | | get_bani | Retrieve Banis from the Sundar Gutka (Japji Sahib, Rehraas, etc.) | | gurbani_dictionary | Look up Gurmukhi word meanings in the Kosh (encyclopaedia) | | get_gurbani_metadata | Get writers, raags, sources, and other reference data |

Search Types

The search_gurbani tool supports multiple search modes:

| Type | Description | Example | |---|---|---| | 0 | First letter of each word from start (Gurmukhi) | ssa → ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | | 1 | First letter of each word anywhere (Gurmukhi) | | | 2 | Full word match (Gurmukhi) | | | 3 | Full word match in English translation | truth | | 4 | Romanized Gurmukhi | satnam | | 5 | Ang (page) number | 1 | | 6 | Main letter search (Gurmukhi) | | | 7 | Romanized first letter anywhere | ssa |

Sources

| Code | Source | |---|---| | G | Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (default) | | D | Dasam Granth Sahib | | B | Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran | | A | Amrit Keertan | | S | Bhai Gurdas Singh Ji Vaaran | | N | Bhai Nand Lal Ji Vaaran | | R | Rehatnamas & Panthic Sources |

Example Queries

Once installed, you can ask your AI assistant things like:

• "Show me today's Hukamnama"
• "Search for shabads about truth"
• "Show me Ang 1 of Guru Granth Sahib"
• "Read me Japji Sahib"
• "What does the word 'haumai' mean?"
• "Show me a random shabad for reflection"
• "Find verses by Guru Nanak Dev Ji about naam"

Data Source

All data comes from BaniDB (api.banidb.com/v2), which powers SikhiToTheMax and other Sikh applications. No Gurbani text is generated by the AI — every verse, translation, and meaning is fetched directly from the database.

Translations Included

Each verse includes (where available):

• Gurmukhi (Unicode)
• English transliteration
• English translations (BDB, Manmohan Singh, Sant Singh Khalsa)
• Punjabi translations (multiple sources)
• Hindi translations
• Spanish translations

License

MIT