How to do Parkash Di Sewa

(KP) -

'Parkash' means light, radiance, expansion. It is the presence of the Guru presiding over the Sadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. The Parkash ceremony is the installation of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib upon the Palkee Sahib for the day, or prior to a Gurdwara ceremony about to be conducted.

1. Entering Guru Ji's room (or the place where Guru Ji's Sukhasan was done), the sewadar (volunteer) serving as the Granthi ‘matha teks' (bows down) to Guru Sahib.

2. A short Ardaas is recited (if Guru Ji' Saroop is being taken to someone's house from the Gurdwara then another Ardaas is recited when Guru Ji's saroop arrives at the house and is placed on the Palkee Sahib before the Parkaash is done):

ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ ॥

ਬੋਲੇ ਸੋ ਨਿਹਾਲ , ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ!

Ik O-unkar Waheguru Jee kee Fateh
Sree Bhagautee Jee sahaé. Var Sree Bhagautee jee kee Patshahee Dasveen.
Pritham Bhaguatee simar kai, Gur Nanak le-ee dhiaé.
Phir Angad, Gur te Amardas, Ramdasai hoé sahaé.
Arjan Hargobind no, simrau Sree Har Raé.
Sree Harkishan dhiaeeai, jis dithai sabh dukh jaé.
Teg Bahadar simriai, ghar nau nidh avai dhaé. Sabh thaen hoé sahaé.
Dasvan Patshah, Sree Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Jee. Sabh thaen hoé sahaé.
Dasan Patshaheeaan dee jot, Sree Guru Granth Saahib Jee dé
path deedar da dhian dhar ké,
bolo jee Waheguru!

Hé nimanian de Man, nitanian dé Tan, niohtian di Oht, Saché Pita Waheguru! Guroo Gareeb Nivaj, Dhan Sree Guroo Granth Sahib Jee, aap dé hazoor parkash dee ardas hai jee. Darshan dé ké até pavitar hukamnama baksh ké, aap jee deeaan piaareean sangtan noo nihaal karo jee.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14544

Akhar vadha ghata bhul chuk maf karnee.
Se-ee piaaré mel, jinhan milia tera naam chit avé. Nanak Naam chardikala, teré bhané sarbat da bhala.
Waheguroo Jee ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee kee Fateh.

Bolé so nihal, Sat Sree Akal!

3. A clean towel or (cotton) cloth is placed on the head of the person serving as the Granthi, then Guru Ji's Saroop (Volume) is lifted with both hands and placed upon that person's head, who then carries it to the Palkee Sahib (Guru Ji's throne).

As Guru Ji is being carried, the Granthi and those present recite any Gurbani Shabad or mantra. (i.e. Satnam Waheguru, Dhan Siri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, etc.). Everyone present stands up when Guru Ji's Saroop is being carried to the Palkee Sahib (throne) and does matha tek or bows down.

4. All present then sit and continue to meditate and recite Gurbani or Simran.

A sevadar (if present) waves the Chaur Sahib over Guru Ji for the entire ceremony.

5. At the place of the Parkash, Guru Sahib is placed in the centre of the Manjee Sahib (raised platform/cot) and the Granthi unwraps Siri Guru Granth Sahib one rumala at a time, either alone or assisted by sevadars.

The rumala sahib will open up to be a diamond shape. Once it is opened, a smaller rumala is placed on top of Guru Ji's Saroop. Placing the clean towel or (cotton) cloth back on the head, the Granthi lifts Guru Ji's Saroop on his or her head.

6. The diamond shape rumala sahib is the folded inwards so it takes a rectangular shape.

7. Two pillows are then placed on each side and one at the top centre of the Manjee Sahib. These are then covered with a cotton rumaala.

8. Guru Ji's Saroop is carefully set down on the pillows and then raised in a vertical position, resting its spine on the Palkee and central pillow. The Volume is then opened near to the centre (using both hands).

Opening Guru Ji's Saroop the Granthi Singh or Singhni in reverence loudly says: “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”.

9. The side rumaalas (called “Palkeeaan”) are placed inside the front and back covers. These rumalas drape down over the sides of the Palkee Sahib. Then Guru Ji is covered with one or more large rumalas.

10. There are generally 2 rumalas covering Guru Sahib, one underneath and another on the top.

11. The Granthi reads a Hukamnama (the first shabad found on the top left hand side of the Ang (respectful word referring to the ‘pages' of Sri Guru Granth Ji) which the Volume was opened on).

12. The Guru is then covered with its rumala(s).

Bhul chuk maaf

Manvir Singh Khalsa can be reached at manvir.singh@panthic.org