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ਸੋ ਦਰੁ | So Dar
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Gurbani (14-53)
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ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਝ | Raag Maajh
Gurbani (94-109)
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Ashtpadi (129-130)
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Bara Maha (133-136)
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ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ | Raag Gauree
Gurbani (151-185)
Quartets/Couplets (185-220)
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ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ | Raag Aasaa
Gurbani (347-348)
Chaupaday (348-364)
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ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ | Raag Goojaree
Gurbani (489-503)
Ashtpadiyan (503-508)
Vaar Gujari (508-517)
Vaar Gujari (517-526)
ਰਾਗੁ ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ | Raag Dayv-Gandhaaree
Gurbani (527-536)
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Gurbani (537-556)
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ਰਾਗੁ ਵਡਹੰਸ | Raag Wadhans
Gurbani (557-564)
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Chhant (565-575)
Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
Vaar Wadhans (582-594)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੋਰਠਿ | Raag Sorath
Gurbani (595-634)
Asatpadhiya (634-642)
Vaar Sorath (642-659)
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ | Raag Dhanasaree
Gurbani (660-685)
Astpadhiya (685-687)
Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
Chhant (703-705)
Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
ਰਾਗੁ ਤਿਲੰਗ | Raag Tilang
Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
Ashtpadiyan (902-916)
Gurbani (876-902)
Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
Bhagat Bani (1292-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
Phunhay Mahala 5
Chaubolae Mahala 5
Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
Shaloks Sheikh Farid
Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
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Understanding The Sikh Rehat Maryada
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<blockquote data-quote="kaur-1" data-source="post: 47330" data-attributes="member: 3025"><p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong> Understanding the Sikh Rehat Maryada </strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong> Sunday 27th of March 2005 </strong></span></span></p><p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-family: 'arial'"><strong> Gurmukh Singh - Panthic Weekly Columnist </strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">(KP)</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong>Chapter III</strong></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong>Article IV:</strong> </span></span><strong>Meditating on Nam (Divine Substance) and Scriptures<</strong></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span> </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>1. A Sikh should wake up in the ambrosial hours (three hours before the dawn), take bath and, concentrating his/her thoughts on One Immortal Being, repeat the name Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness).</em> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Nothing more beautiful to wake up having a shower to cleanse the body and then have to bathe one’s mind in Naam and repeat ‘Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru’. Your body feels fresh after having a shower and full of energy after Simran. The mind becomes focused, content, and peaceful after Simran. Ultimately the soul gets food on its food – Naam and your spiritual hunger is fulfilled.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Waking up in the ambrosial hours or early morning, you wake up with the nature. The peace, quietness and fresh feeling of waking up during Amrit-vela, early morning is the right environment and condition dedicating solely to Waheguru and Simran. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">ਫੇਰਿ ਕਿ ਅਗੈ ਰਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਸੈ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੁਹੌ ਕਿ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਬੋਲੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੁਣਿ ਧਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥</span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">So what offering can we place before Him, by which we might see the Darbaar of His Court? What words can we speak to evoke His Love? In the Amrit Vela, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness. (Ang 2, SGGS)</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>2. He/she should recite the following scriptural compositions every day :</em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>a. <span style="color: Black"><span style="color: Blue">The Japu, the Jaapu and the Ten Sawayyas (Quartets)</span></span>- beginning "Sarwag sudh"-- in the morning.</em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Some people make it an issue that in the morning one should also read ‘Benti Chaupai’ and ‘Anand Sahib’ and that the Sikh Rehat Maryada is saying one should only recite Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and Sawayyas. But, no where is it written in the Sikh Rehat Maryada that one should only recite three Banis in the morning. Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Swayyas, Rehras and Sohila make up the compulsory Nitnem (daily prayers). The more Banis you can read the better. No one is being chastised for reading Anand Sahib or Benti Chaupai, rather it is good but it is not compulsory, according to the Sikh Rehat Maryada. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>b. <span style="color: Blue">Sodar Rehras comprising the following compositions:-</span> </em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em></em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em></em></span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>i) nine hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib, occuring in the holy ‘scripture’ after the Japuji Sahib, (The Phrase in Italic has been interpolated by the translator to help locate the hymns more conveniently.) the first of which begins with "Sodar" and the list of which ends with "saran pare ki rakho sarma", </em></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>ii) The Benti Chaupai of the Tenth Guru (beginning "hamri karo hath dai rachha" and ending with "dusht dokh te leho bachai", </em></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>iii) the Sawayya beginning with the words "pae gahe jab te tumre", </em></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>iv) the Dohira beginning with the words "sagal duar kau chhad kai". </em></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>v) the first five and the last pauris (stanzas) of Anand Sahib (The object of reciting the Anand as part of Sodar Rehras or at the conclusion of the congregational gathering is just to express joy and gratitude for the communion with the Guru) and. </em></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>vi) the Mundawani and the salok Mehla 5 beginning "tera kita jato nahi"- in the evening after sunset.</em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">There are different versions of Rehras found in some gutkas. Some start with ‘Har jug jug bhagat upaaya…’ and others start with ‘dukh daaru sukh rog payiaa…’ Some include extra Dohiras after Benti Chaupai in the Rehraas and some have extra shabads on the end compared to the Rehras prescribed in Sikh Rehat Maryada. To explain why there are variations in Rehras and why there are different versions, I will refer to an extract from Dr. Gurbaksh Singh’s book ‘Sikh Faith – Questions & Answers’ (published by the Dharam Parchaar Committee Amritsar):</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"In every Gurdwara people get together for evening Diwan called So-Dar Diwan. Before starting the So-Dar Bani recitation, it was common (it is practiced at Akal Takhat and many other Gurdwaras even now) to sing some Shabads. When the Kirtan starts, Sangat knows that it is time for So-Dar recitation. They gather there and listen to the Kirtan of the Shabads before the start of the Rehras Paath. This helps tuning their minds to Gurbani. At the fixed time the Kirtan is stopped and a Sikh recites the Paath.Wherever Kirtan could not be sung in a Gurdwara, because of the non-availability of the Ragis there, the Sangat would jointly recite Shabads in rhythm. This would give Sikhs time to sit, settle and concentrate their minds before the start of reciting Rehras. Later, when printing of Gutkas started, the Shabads commonly read by the Sangat were also printed along with the Rehras. This was to facilitate the correct singing of Shabads before starting the Rehras. However, having sung these Shabads over a long period of time, Sikhs mistakenly assumed the Shabads to be a part of Rehras. As different Sangats recited different Shabads to their liking, the contents and hence the length of the Rehras became different accordingly. To remove this misunderstanding, the Sikh Rehat Maryada expressly states that Rehras Paath starts from the Shabad So-Dar and ends at Salok Mahala 5: Tera Keeta ... Anything printed before So-Dar or after Mahala 5 is not a part of Rehras." </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>c. <span style="color: Blue">The Sohila</span> - to be recited at night before going to bed. The morning and evening recitations should be concluded with the Ardas (formal supplication litany).</em> </span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: 4 ॥ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚੇਤਿ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਾਉ ਮਨਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਤੁਠਾ ਮੇਲੇ ਮਾਇ ॥1॥</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Salok, Fourth Mehl: O mind, even in sleep, remember the Lord God; let yourself be intuitively absorbed into the Celestial State of Samaadhi. Servant Nanak's mind longs for the Lord, Har, Har. As the Guru pleases, he is absorbed into the Lord, O mother. ||1||” (Ang 1315, SGGS)</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"> 3 (a) The text (This is a model of the <strong><span style="color: Blue">Ardas</span></strong>. It may be adapted to different occasions and for </span></span></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">different purposes. <strong>However, the initial composition with "Pritham Bhagauti..." and the concluding phrases commencing "Nanak Nam" must not be altered) </strong>of the Ardas: (LIT. Supplication or prayer. In reality, it is litany comprehending very briefly the whole gamut of Sikh History and enumerating all that Sikhism holds sacred. Portions of it are invocations and prayer for the grant of strength and virtue. It concludes with: O Nanak, may the Nam (Holy) be ever in ascendance: in Thy will, may the good of all prevail! </span></span></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>One absolute Manifest; victory belongs to the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness. May the might of the All-powerful help! </em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Ode to his might by the tenth lord. </em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Having first thought of the Almighty's prowess, let us think of Guru Nanak. Then of Guru Angad, Amardas and Ramdas - may they be our rescuers! Remember, then, Arjan, Hargobind and Har-rai. Meditate then on on revered Hari Krishan on seeing whom all suffering vanishes. Think then of Teg Bahadar, remembrance of whom brings all nine treasures. He comes to rescue everywhere. Then of the tenth Lord, revered Guru Gobind Singh, who comes to rescue everywhere. The embodiment of the light of all ten sovereign lordships, the Guru Granth - think of the view and reading of it and say, "Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of Darkness)". </em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Meditating on the achievement of the dear and truthful ones, including the Five Beloved Ones, the four sons of the Tenth Guru, Forty Liberated Ones, steadfast ones, constant repeaters of the Divine Name, those given to assiduous devotion, those who repeated the Naam, shared their fare with others, ran free kitchen, wielded the sword and everlooked faults and shortcomings, say "Waheguru", O Khalsa. </em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Meditating on the achievement of the male and female members of the Khalsa who laid down their lives in the cause of Dharma (religion and righteousness), got their bodies dismembered bit by bit, got their skulls sawn off, got mounted on spiked wheels, got their bodies sawn, made sacrifices in the service of the shrines (Gurdwaras), did not betray their faith, sustained their adherence to the Sikh faith with unshorn hair up till their last breath, say "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness", O Khalsa.</em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Thinking of the five thrones (seats of religious authority) and all Gurdwaras, say "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness", O Khalsa. </em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Now it is the prayer of the whole Khalsa, May the conscience of the whole Khalsa be informed by ‘Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru’ and, in consequence of such remembrance, may total well-being obtain. Wherever there are communities of the Khalsa, may there be Divine protection and grace, the ascendance of the supply of needs and of the holy sword, Protection of the tradition of grace, victory of the panth, the succour of the holy sword, ascendance of the Khalsa. Say, O Khalsa, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness." </em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Unto the Sikhs the gift of the Sikh faith, the gift of the untrimmed hair, the gift of the discipline of their faith, the gift of sense of discrimination, the gift of trust, the gift of confidence, above all, the gift of meditation on the Divine and bath in Amritsar (holy tank at Amritsar). May hymns-singing missionary parties, the flags, the hostels, abide from age to age. May righteousness reign supreme. Say, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness."</em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>May the Khalsa be imbued with humility and high wisdom! May Waheguru guard it’s understanding!</em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>O Immortal Being, eternal helper of Thy panth, benevolent Lord, bestow on the Khalsa the beneficence of unobstructed visit to and free management of Nankana Sahib and other shrines and places of the Guru from which the Panth has been separated.</em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>O Thou, the honour of the humble, the strength of the weak, aid unto those who have none to reply on, True Father, Wondrous Destroyer of darkness, we humbly render to you .......... (Mention here the name of the scriptural composition that has been recited or, in appropriate terms, the object for which the congregation has been held.) Pardon any impermissible accretions, omissions, errors, and mistakes. Fulfil the purposes of all.</em></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><strong><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Grant us the association of those dear ones, on meeting whom one is reminded of Your Name. O Nanak, may the Naam (Holy) be ever in ascendance! In Thy will may the good of all prevail!</em> </span></span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Ardas is a very powerful. First of all remembering the Almighty and seeking Waheguru’s help. Then we seek the blessings of the Ten Sikh Gurus and the embodiment of the Guru’s light and message, the Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Afterwards we remember the Five Beloved Ones, the sons of the Tenth Guru, the Forty Liberated Ones and Sikhs who remained steadfast in Sikhi. Their lives are an inspiration to us and from this inspiration we seek strength and energy.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Following on, we remember the Sikh men and women who went under countless sufferings, tortures and persecution in the cause of righteousness. They didn’t turn their back on their Guru. They didn’t turn their back on Sikhi. They kept their Guru’s identity and principles to their last breath. Under such tortures they remained in high spirits. Subsequently we seek their undying determination and love for Naam and Sikhi that even under the shadow of death they kept the treasures of Sikhi with them.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">We then remember the Five Takhats and the Gurdwaras. The Gurdwara is the gateway to the Guru. The Takhats are spiritual thrones which keep the Sikh nation together. Acknowledging this we share appreciation towards the Sikh Nation and towards the Gateway to the Guru, the Gurdwara.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Next, the Khalsa begs for grace, followed by the gifts of Sikhism, Naam and a dip in the tank of Amritsar. Please note that according to Gurmat it does not make sense to ask to have a bath in the sarowar (pool) of the Golden Temple, Amritsar because Guru Jee himself condemns pilgrimage or bathing at places of worship. Bathing at Amritsar according to Gurmat is for physical cleansing and not spiritual cleansing. Spiritual cleansing is only through Naam. <span style="color: Blue">‘ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣ ਜਾਉ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ॥ </span>… Why should I bathe at sacred shrines of pilgrimage? The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the sacred shrine of pilgrimage’ (Ang 687, SGGS). In a physical sense asking to bath at Amritsar can be seen as an act of Panthic unity and how all Sikhs see Amritsar as their Centre of Sikhi.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">If we seek strength then we need to know our weaknesses. Hence we ask that may the Khalsa be humble but their wisdom exalted so that ego doesn’t affect our strength and power. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Sikh nation requests that may the Sikhs of the Guru be able to manage their own institutions and Gurdwaras, which have been deprived from the Khalsa as a result of the 1947 partition. Eventually the Ardaas concludes with mentioning the object of the prayer.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">All the power and strength sought and achieved through the Ardas is shared amongst the world and all God’s people and creation. This down to the blessings bestowed by Guru Nanak Sahib. Through sharing our strength, hopes and prayers with the world, we in fact make our selves humble; we share our love, which entails increasing our spiritual energy.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em></em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>b) On the conclusion of the Ardas, the entire congregation participating in the Ardas should respectfully genuflect before the revered Guru Granth, then stand up and call out, "The Khalsa is of the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness: victory also is His." The Congregation should, thereafter, raise the loud spirited chant of Sat Sri Akal (True is the timeless Being).</em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em></em></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>c) While the Ardas is being performed, all men and women in congregation should stand with hands folded. The person in attendance of the Guru Granth should keep waving the whisk standing.</em> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">During the Ardas one should be fully alert and disciplined and therefore should have their hands pressed together and up. This is a posture of submission.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: Blue">ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span> </span> <span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“With my palms pressed together, I offer this prayer…” (Ang 1340, SGGS)</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">ਮਿਸਟ ਬਚਨ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਉ ਦੀਨ ਕੀ ਨਿਆਈ ॥ ਤਜਿ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ਸਰਣੀ ਪਰਉ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥2॥</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span> </span> </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: Blue">“I offer my prayer with sweet words, in sincere humility. Renouncing egotism, I enter His Sanctuary. I have found the Lord, the treasure of virtue. ||2||” (Ang 745, SGGS)</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"> </span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>d) The person who performs the Ardas should stand facing the Guru Granth with hands folded. If the Guru Granth is not there, the performing the Ardas facing any direction is acceptable.</em> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"> ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: 2 ॥ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਕਰੇ ਆਪਿ ਆਪੇ ਆਣੈ ਰਾਸਿ ॥ ਤਿਸੈ ਅਗੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਖਲਿਇ ਕੀਚੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥1॥</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span> </span> </span> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Shalok, Second Mehl: He Himself knows, He Himself acts, and He Himself does it right. So stand before Him, O Nanak, and offer your prayers. ||1|| (Ang 1093)</span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>e) When any special Ardas for and on behalf of one or more persons is offered, it is not necessary for persons in the congregation other than that person or those persons to stand up.</em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em></em></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em></em>To Be Continued...</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Gurmukh Singh can be reached at <a href="mailto:gurmukh.singh@panthic.org">gurmukh.singh@panthic.org</a> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="kaur-1, post: 47330, member: 3025"] [LEFT][COLOR=#000000][FONT=verdana][B] Understanding the Sikh Rehat Maryada [/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=verdana][B] Sunday 27th of March 2005 [/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [LEFT][COLOR=#000080][FONT=arial][B] Gurmukh Singh - Panthic Weekly Columnist [/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=verdana] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2](KP) [B]Chapter III [/B] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B]Article IV:[/B] [/SIZE][/FONT][B]Meditating on Nam (Divine Substance) and Scriptures<[/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]1. A Sikh should wake up in the ambrosial hours (three hours before the dawn), take bath and, concentrating his/her thoughts on One Immortal Being, repeat the name Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness).[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Nothing more beautiful to wake up having a shower to cleanse the body and then have to bathe one’s mind in Naam and repeat ‘Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru’. Your body feels fresh after having a shower and full of energy after Simran. The mind becomes focused, content, and peaceful after Simran. Ultimately the soul gets food on its food – Naam and your spiritual hunger is fulfilled.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Waking up in the ambrosial hours or early morning, you wake up with the nature. The peace, quietness and fresh feeling of waking up during Amrit-vela, early morning is the right environment and condition dedicating solely to Waheguru and Simran. [/SIZE][/FONT] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]ਫੇਰਿ ਕਿ ਅਗੈ ਰਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਦਿਸੈ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥ ਮੁਹੌ ਕਿ ਬੋਲਣੁ ਬੋਲੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੁਣਿ ਧਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਉ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]So what offering can we place before Him, by which we might see the Darbaar of His Court? What words can we speak to evoke His Love? In the Amrit Vela, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness. (Ang 2, SGGS)[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]2. He/she should recite the following scriptural compositions every day :[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]a. [COLOR=Black][COLOR=Blue]The Japu, the Jaapu and the Ten Sawayyas (Quartets)[/COLOR][/COLOR]- beginning "Sarwag sudh"-- in the morning.[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Some people make it an issue that in the morning one should also read ‘Benti Chaupai’ and ‘Anand Sahib’ and that the Sikh Rehat Maryada is saying one should only recite Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and Sawayyas. But, no where is it written in the Sikh Rehat Maryada that one should only recite three Banis in the morning. Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Swayyas, Rehras and Sohila make up the compulsory Nitnem (daily prayers). The more Banis you can read the better. No one is being chastised for reading Anand Sahib or Benti Chaupai, rather it is good but it is not compulsory, according to the Sikh Rehat Maryada. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]b. [COLOR=Blue]Sodar Rehras comprising the following compositions:-[/COLOR] [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]i) nine hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib, occuring in the holy ‘scripture’ after the Japuji Sahib, (The Phrase in Italic has been interpolated by the translator to help locate the hymns more conveniently.) the first of which begins with "Sodar" and the list of which ends with "saran pare ki rakho sarma", [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]ii) The Benti Chaupai of the Tenth Guru (beginning "hamri karo hath dai rachha" and ending with "dusht dokh te leho bachai", [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]iii) the Sawayya beginning with the words "pae gahe jab te tumre", [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]iv) the Dohira beginning with the words "sagal duar kau chhad kai". [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]v) the first five and the last pauris (stanzas) of Anand Sahib (The object of reciting the Anand as part of Sodar Rehras or at the conclusion of the congregational gathering is just to express joy and gratitude for the communion with the Guru) and. [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]vi) the Mundawani and the salok Mehla 5 beginning "tera kita jato nahi"- in the evening after sunset.[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]There are different versions of Rehras found in some gutkas. Some start with ‘Har jug jug bhagat upaaya…’ and others start with ‘dukh daaru sukh rog payiaa…’ Some include extra Dohiras after Benti Chaupai in the Rehraas and some have extra shabads on the end compared to the Rehras prescribed in Sikh Rehat Maryada. To explain why there are variations in Rehras and why there are different versions, I will refer to an extract from Dr. Gurbaksh Singh’s book ‘Sikh Faith – Questions & Answers’ (published by the Dharam Parchaar Committee Amritsar):[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]"In every Gurdwara people get together for evening Diwan called So-Dar Diwan. Before starting the So-Dar Bani recitation, it was common (it is practiced at Akal Takhat and many other Gurdwaras even now) to sing some Shabads. When the Kirtan starts, Sangat knows that it is time for So-Dar recitation. They gather there and listen to the Kirtan of the Shabads before the start of the Rehras Paath. This helps tuning their minds to Gurbani. At the fixed time the Kirtan is stopped and a Sikh recites the Paath.Wherever Kirtan could not be sung in a Gurdwara, because of the non-availability of the Ragis there, the Sangat would jointly recite Shabads in rhythm. This would give Sikhs time to sit, settle and concentrate their minds before the start of reciting Rehras. Later, when printing of Gutkas started, the Shabads commonly read by the Sangat were also printed along with the Rehras. This was to facilitate the correct singing of Shabads before starting the Rehras. However, having sung these Shabads over a long period of time, Sikhs mistakenly assumed the Shabads to be a part of Rehras. As different Sangats recited different Shabads to their liking, the contents and hence the length of the Rehras became different accordingly. To remove this misunderstanding, the Sikh Rehat Maryada expressly states that Rehras Paath starts from the Shabad So-Dar and ends at Salok Mahala 5: Tera Keeta ... Anything printed before So-Dar or after Mahala 5 is not a part of Rehras." [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]c. [COLOR=Blue]The Sohila[/COLOR] - to be recited at night before going to bed. The morning and evening recitations should be concluded with the Ardas (formal supplication litany).[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/FONT] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: 4 ॥ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚੇਤਿ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਚਾਉ ਮਨਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਤੁਠਾ ਮੇਲੇ ਮਾਇ ॥1॥ “Salok, Fourth Mehl: O mind, even in sleep, remember the Lord God; let yourself be intuitively absorbed into the Celestial State of Samaadhi. Servant Nanak's mind longs for the Lord, Har, Har. As the Guru pleases, he is absorbed into the Lord, O mother. ||1||” (Ang 1315, SGGS)[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [I][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] 3 (a) The text (This is a model of the [B][COLOR=Blue]Ardas[/COLOR][/B]. It may be adapted to different occasions and for [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]different purposes. [B]However, the initial composition with "Pritham Bhagauti..." and the concluding phrases commencing "Nanak Nam" must not be altered) [/B]of the Ardas: (LIT. Supplication or prayer. In reality, it is litany comprehending very briefly the whole gamut of Sikh History and enumerating all that Sikhism holds sacred. Portions of it are invocations and prayer for the grant of strength and virtue. It concludes with: O Nanak, may the Nam (Holy) be ever in ascendance: in Thy will, may the good of all prevail! [/SIZE][/FONT] [/I][B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]One absolute Manifest; victory belongs to the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness. May the might of the All-powerful help! [/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Ode to his might by the tenth lord. [/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Having first thought of the Almighty's prowess, let us think of Guru Nanak. Then of Guru Angad, Amardas and Ramdas - may they be our rescuers! Remember, then, Arjan, Hargobind and Har-rai. Meditate then on on revered Hari Krishan on seeing whom all suffering vanishes. Think then of Teg Bahadar, remembrance of whom brings all nine treasures. He comes to rescue everywhere. Then of the tenth Lord, revered Guru Gobind Singh, who comes to rescue everywhere. The embodiment of the light of all ten sovereign lordships, the Guru Granth - think of the view and reading of it and say, "Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of Darkness)". [/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Meditating on the achievement of the dear and truthful ones, including the Five Beloved Ones, the four sons of the Tenth Guru, Forty Liberated Ones, steadfast ones, constant repeaters of the Divine Name, those given to assiduous devotion, those who repeated the Naam, shared their fare with others, ran free kitchen, wielded the sword and everlooked faults and shortcomings, say "Waheguru", O Khalsa. [/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Meditating on the achievement of the male and female members of the Khalsa who laid down their lives in the cause of Dharma (religion and righteousness), got their bodies dismembered bit by bit, got their skulls sawn off, got mounted on spiked wheels, got their bodies sawn, made sacrifices in the service of the shrines (Gurdwaras), did not betray their faith, sustained their adherence to the Sikh faith with unshorn hair up till their last breath, say "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness", O Khalsa.[/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Thinking of the five thrones (seats of religious authority) and all Gurdwaras, say "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness", O Khalsa. [/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Now it is the prayer of the whole Khalsa, May the conscience of the whole Khalsa be informed by ‘Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru’ and, in consequence of such remembrance, may total well-being obtain. Wherever there are communities of the Khalsa, may there be Divine protection and grace, the ascendance of the supply of needs and of the holy sword, Protection of the tradition of grace, victory of the panth, the succour of the holy sword, ascendance of the Khalsa. Say, O Khalsa, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness." [/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Unto the Sikhs the gift of the Sikh faith, the gift of the untrimmed hair, the gift of the discipline of their faith, the gift of sense of discrimination, the gift of trust, the gift of confidence, above all, the gift of meditation on the Divine and bath in Amritsar (holy tank at Amritsar). May hymns-singing missionary parties, the flags, the hostels, abide from age to age. May righteousness reign supreme. Say, "Wondrous Destroyer of darkness."[/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]May the Khalsa be imbued with humility and high wisdom! May Waheguru guard it’s understanding![/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]O Immortal Being, eternal helper of Thy panth, benevolent Lord, bestow on the Khalsa the beneficence of unobstructed visit to and free management of Nankana Sahib and other shrines and places of the Guru from which the Panth has been separated.[/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]O Thou, the honour of the humble, the strength of the weak, aid unto those who have none to reply on, True Father, Wondrous Destroyer of darkness, we humbly render to you .......... (Mention here the name of the scriptural composition that has been recited or, in appropriate terms, the object for which the congregation has been held.) Pardon any impermissible accretions, omissions, errors, and mistakes. Fulfil the purposes of all.[/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Grant us the association of those dear ones, on meeting whom one is reminded of Your Name. O Nanak, may the Naam (Holy) be ever in ascendance! In Thy will may the good of all prevail![/I] [/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]The Ardas is a very powerful. First of all remembering the Almighty and seeking Waheguru’s help. Then we seek the blessings of the Ten Sikh Gurus and the embodiment of the Guru’s light and message, the Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Afterwards we remember the Five Beloved Ones, the sons of the Tenth Guru, the Forty Liberated Ones and Sikhs who remained steadfast in Sikhi. Their lives are an inspiration to us and from this inspiration we seek strength and energy.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Following on, we remember the Sikh men and women who went under countless sufferings, tortures and persecution in the cause of righteousness. They didn’t turn their back on their Guru. They didn’t turn their back on Sikhi. They kept their Guru’s identity and principles to their last breath. Under such tortures they remained in high spirits. Subsequently we seek their undying determination and love for Naam and Sikhi that even under the shadow of death they kept the treasures of Sikhi with them.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]We then remember the Five Takhats and the Gurdwaras. The Gurdwara is the gateway to the Guru. The Takhats are spiritual thrones which keep the Sikh nation together. Acknowledging this we share appreciation towards the Sikh Nation and towards the Gateway to the Guru, the Gurdwara.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Next, the Khalsa begs for grace, followed by the gifts of Sikhism, Naam and a dip in the tank of Amritsar. Please note that according to Gurmat it does not make sense to ask to have a bath in the sarowar (pool) of the Golden Temple, Amritsar because Guru Jee himself condemns pilgrimage or bathing at places of worship. Bathing at Amritsar according to Gurmat is for physical cleansing and not spiritual cleansing. Spiritual cleansing is only through Naam. [COLOR=Blue]‘ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਣ ਜਾਉ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੈ ॥ [/COLOR]… Why should I bathe at sacred shrines of pilgrimage? The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the sacred shrine of pilgrimage’ (Ang 687, SGGS). In a physical sense asking to bath at Amritsar can be seen as an act of Panthic unity and how all Sikhs see Amritsar as their Centre of Sikhi.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]If we seek strength then we need to know our weaknesses. Hence we ask that may the Khalsa be humble but their wisdom exalted so that ego doesn’t affect our strength and power. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]The Sikh nation requests that may the Sikhs of the Guru be able to manage their own institutions and Gurdwaras, which have been deprived from the Khalsa as a result of the 1947 partition. Eventually the Ardaas concludes with mentioning the object of the prayer.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]All the power and strength sought and achieved through the Ardas is shared amongst the world and all God’s people and creation. This down to the blessings bestowed by Guru Nanak Sahib. Through sharing our strength, hopes and prayers with the world, we in fact make our selves humble; we share our love, which entails increasing our spiritual energy. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I] b) On the conclusion of the Ardas, the entire congregation participating in the Ardas should respectfully genuflect before the revered Guru Granth, then stand up and call out, "The Khalsa is of the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness: victory also is His." The Congregation should, thereafter, raise the loud spirited chant of Sat Sri Akal (True is the timeless Being). [/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]c) While the Ardas is being performed, all men and women in congregation should stand with hands folded. The person in attendance of the Guru Granth should keep waving the whisk standing.[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]During the Ardas one should be fully alert and disciplined and therefore should have their hands pressed together and up. This is a posture of submission.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [COLOR=Blue]ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥[/COLOR] [/SIZE] [/FONT] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]“With my palms pressed together, I offer this prayer…” (Ang 1340, SGGS) [/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] ਮਿਸਟ ਬਚਨ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਉ ਦੀਨ ਕੀ ਨਿਆਈ ॥ ਤਜਿ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ਸਰਣੀ ਪਰਉ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥2॥ [/SIZE] [/FONT] [/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Blue]“I offer my prayer with sweet words, in sincere humility. Renouncing egotism, I enter His Sanctuary. I have found the Lord, the treasure of virtue. ||2||” (Ang 745, SGGS)[/COLOR] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]d) The person who performs the Ardas should stand facing the Guru Granth with hands folded. If the Guru Granth is not there, the performing the Ardas facing any direction is acceptable.[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: 2 ॥ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਕਰੇ ਆਪਿ ਆਪੇ ਆਣੈ ਰਾਸਿ ॥ ਤਿਸੈ ਅਗੈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਖਲਿਇ ਕੀਚੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥1॥ [/SIZE] [/FONT] [/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Shalok, Second Mehl: He Himself knows, He Himself acts, and He Himself does it right. So stand before Him, O Nanak, and offer your prayers. ||1|| (Ang 1093)[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]e) When any special Ardas for and on behalf of one or more persons is offered, it is not necessary for persons in the congregation other than that person or those persons to stand up. [/I]To Be Continued... Gurmukh Singh can be reached at [EMAIL="gurmukh.singh@panthic.org"]gurmukh.singh@panthic.org[/EMAIL] [/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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Understanding The Sikh Rehat Maryada
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