Sa'ad ji
Here is a prayer to say before sleep that comforts the heart and cools the mind. It erases doubt and fear. It asserts the protection of God over all his creation, though we may not comprehend His plan, we trust nonetheless that He comprehends us and holds us close. It is just part of the larger hymn Sohilaa.
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਪੂਰਬੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
raag gourree poorabee mehalaa 5 ||
Raag Gauree Poorbee, Fifth Mehl:
ਕਰਉ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੀਤਾ ਸੰਤ ਟਹਲ ਕੀ ਬੇਲਾ ॥
karo baenanthee sunahu maerae meethaa santh ttehal kee baelaa ||
Listen, my friends, I beg of you: now is the time to serve the Saints!
ਈਹਾ ਖਾਟਿ ਚਲਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਆਗੈ ਬਸਨੁ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥੧॥
eehaa khaatt chalahu har laahaa aagai basan suhaelaa ||1||
In this world, earn the profit of the Lord's Name, and hereafter, you shall dwell in peace. ||1||
ਅਉਧ ਘਟੈ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਰੈਣਾਰੇ ॥ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
aoudhh ghattai dhinas rainaarae || man gur mil kaaj savaarae ||1|| rehaao ||
This life is diminishing, day and night. Meeting with the Guru, your affairs shall be resolved. ||1||Pause||
ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਬਿਕਾਰੁ ਸੰਸੇ ਮਹਿ ਤਰਿਓ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ॥
eihu sansaar bikaar sansae mehi thariou breham giaanee ||
This world is engrossed in corruption and cynicism. Only those who know God are saved.
ਜਿਸਹਿ ਜਗਾਇ ਪੀਆਵੈ ਇਹੁ ਰਸੁ ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥੨॥
jisehi jagaae peeaavai eihu ras akathh kathhaa thin jaanee ||2||
Only those who are awakened by the Lord to drink in this Sublime Essence, come to know the Unspoken Speech of the Lord. ||2||
ਜਾ ਕਉ ਆਏ ਸੋਈ ਬਿਹਾਝਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਨਹਿ ਬਸੇਰਾ ॥
jaa ko aaeae soee bihaajhahu har gur thae manehi basaeraa ||
Purchase only that for which you have come into the world, and through the Guru, the Lord shall dwell within your mind.
ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜੇ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਫੇਰਾ ॥੩॥
nij ghar mehal paavahu sukh sehajae bahur n hoeigo faeraa ||3||
Within the home of your own inner being, you shall obtain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence with intuitive ease. You shall not be consigned again to the wheel of reincarnation. ||3||
ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਪੁਰਖ ਬਿਧਾਤੇ ਸਰਧਾ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਪੂਰੇ ॥
antharajaamee purakh bidhhaathae saradhhaa man kee poorae ||
O Inner-knower, Searcher of Hearts, O Primal Being, Architect of Destiny: please fulfill this yearning of my mind.
ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਮਾਗੈ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੀ ਧੂਰੇ ॥੪॥੫॥
naanak dhaas eihai sukh maagai mo ko kar santhan kee dhhoorae ||4||5||
Nanak, Your slave, begs for this happiness: let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints. ||4||5||
It can be very helpful to say this prayer any time of the day when we are troubled. There is no rule that it must be said only at night.