Ardas
Encyclopedia
The Ardās is a Sikh
prayer
that is done before performing or after undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis (prayers); or completion of a service like the Paath
(scripture reading/recitation), kirtan
(hymn-singing) program or any other religious program. In Sikhism
, these prayers are also said before and after eating. The prayer is a plea to God to support and help the devotee with whatever he or she is about to undertake or has done.
The Ardas is usually always done standing up with folded hands. The beginning of the Ardas is strictly set by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
. When it comes to conclusion of this prayer, the devotee uses word like "Waheguru
please bless me in the task that I am about to undertake" when starting a new task or "Akal Purakh
, having completed the hymn-singing, we ask for your continued blessings so that we can continue with your memory and remember you at all times", etc.
Ardās is a unique prayer based on the fact that it is one of the few well-known prayers in the Sikh
religion that was not written in its entirety by the Gurus. The Ardās cannot be found within the pages of the Guru Granth Sahib
because it is a continually changing devotional text that has evolved over time in order for it to encompass the feats, accomplishments, and feelings of all generations of Sikhs within its lines. Taking the various derivation of the word Ardās into account, the basic purpose of this prayer is an appeal to Waheguru
for his protection and care, as well as being a plea for the welfare and prosperity of all mankind, and a means for the Sikh
s to thank Waheguru
for all that He has done.
The Ardās is said as a reflection on everything it took for the Divine to create the pure Shabad Guru
on earth and to remember all that the Sikh
endured to protect it and ensure it landed in the hands of the future generation. It encompasses many Sikh and Humanistic values, such as peace and understanding, as well as faith and perseverance.
Ardaas/Prayer:
Jeea kee birathhaa hoe so gur pehi aradhaas kar ||
When your soul is feeling sad, offer your prayers to the Guru. Ardaas is an informal talk/request by an individual/congregation, with a specific objective, and with faith for its fulfillment to the Almighty through the Guru. But these days it has become a formality in Sikh Temples to be done by a Bhai Sahib from the Sangat or individuals. The effectiveness of the Ardaas depends upon the state of mind of the Ardaasya and Sangat. If they do it from the bottom of the heart, fully recognizing the presence of the Almighty Guru, with full conviction that it is being heard and it shall be answered, after taking a Hukam from Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Preparation for Ardaas is to be serious for Ardaas, and we must not lose informality. We should be uttering: thoo t(h)aakur thum pehi aradhaas || You are our Lord and Master; to You, I offer this prayer- slowly, with meaning, word-by-word in our mind and talking along with the Sangat. Then, the man who is to perform Ardaas again for the concentration of his mind should take the help of Gurbani couplets like:
This will shed any false ego from the mind of the Ardaasya and also the audience. Then start with the Ardaas with every word clear to all of the Sangat to make a joint prayer involving everyone present with all seriousness possible.
The Ardās is normally said while standing with folded hands before and after performing any relevant task. It starts with "pritham bhagautee simar kai, Gur Nanak laee dhiaa-e phir Angad gur tay Amardaas, Raamdaasai hoee sahaee" and ends with "Naanak naam charhdee kalaa, tayray bhaanay Sarbaht dah Phahla
." It is more than just a prayer; it is a new concept of therapy for the elevation of the human spirit, mind and body. Following are the main features and benefits of saying the ardās.
In a congregational setting, the ardās is recited by one member of the assemblage with everyone standing reverentially, hands crossed, facing the Guru Granth Sahib
. Periodically throughout the recitation, the assembly as a whole repeats the word Waheguru
in order to support the idea that God, the "Wondrous Guru", is the Supreme Being capable of anything. At the completion of ardās, the congregation bows down as one and places their foreheads on the floor to symbolize the fact that they will go as low as necessary to support Waheguru and all that He stands for; in essence, they are placing themselves as the servants of God. Upon rising, the Sangat
(congregation) proclaims "Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh". Roughly translated it means "the Khalsa belongs to the Lord to whom [also] belongs the Victory" (Singh, Inderjit). Immediately after uttering these words, one member of the assembly states the phrase, "Bole So Nihal", or "he who pronounces these words shall be fulfilled" (Singh, Inderjit). In response to this statement, the entire Sangat
heartily shouts, "Sat Sri Akal," meaning "True is the Timeless Lord". The content of the prayers serves to unite the Sangat and show the degree of faith present in each person.
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
that is done before performing or after undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis (prayers); or completion of a service like the Paath
Paath
Paath or Path, from the Sanskrit patha which means reading or recitation, is, in the religious context, reading or recitation of the holy texts. In Sikhism, it implies daily repetition of scriptural texts from the Guru Granth Sahib.-Background:...
(scripture reading/recitation), kirtan
Kirtan
Kirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
(hymn-singing) program or any other religious program. In Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
, these prayers are also said before and after eating. The prayer is a plea to God to support and help the devotee with whatever he or she is about to undertake or has done.
The Ardas is usually always done standing up with folded hands. The beginning of the Ardas is strictly set by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
. When it comes to conclusion of this prayer, the devotee uses word like "Waheguru
Waheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
please bless me in the task that I am about to undertake" when starting a new task or "Akal Purakh
Akal Purakh
Akal Purakh is a Sikh name used for God.Literally it means "a timeless being whom never dies." The first word Akal, literally timeless, immortal, non-temporal, is a term integral to Sikh tradition and philosophy. It is extensively used in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth hymns by Guru...
, having completed the hymn-singing, we ask for your continued blessings so that we can continue with your memory and remember you at all times", etc.
Origins
The word "Ardās" is derived from Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning a request, supplication, prayer, petition or an address to a superior authority.Ardās is a unique prayer based on the fact that it is one of the few well-known prayers in the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
religion that was not written in its entirety by the Gurus. The Ardās cannot be found within the pages of the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
because it is a continually changing devotional text that has evolved over time in order for it to encompass the feats, accomplishments, and feelings of all generations of Sikhs within its lines. Taking the various derivation of the word Ardās into account, the basic purpose of this prayer is an appeal to Waheguru
Waheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
for his protection and care, as well as being a plea for the welfare and prosperity of all mankind, and a means for the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s to thank Waheguru
Waheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
for all that He has done.
Meaning
See detailed article Chandi di VarChandi di Var
Chandi di Var, also known as Var Sri Bhagauti Ji is a composition included in the 5th chapter of Dasam Granth. It is based on an episode from the Sanskrit work Markandeya Purana, and describes the conflict between the Gods and the Demons...
The Ardās is said as a reflection on everything it took for the Divine to create the pure Shabad Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
on earth and to remember all that the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
endured to protect it and ensure it landed in the hands of the future generation. It encompasses many Sikh and Humanistic values, such as peace and understanding, as well as faith and perseverance.
Practice
Jeea kee birathhaa hoe so gur pehi aradhaas kar ||
When your soul is feeling sad, offer your prayers to the Guru. Ardaas is an informal talk/request by an individual/congregation, with a specific objective, and with faith for its fulfillment to the Almighty through the Guru. But these days it has become a formality in Sikh Temples to be done by a Bhai Sahib from the Sangat or individuals. The effectiveness of the Ardaas depends upon the state of mind of the Ardaasya and Sangat. If they do it from the bottom of the heart, fully recognizing the presence of the Almighty Guru, with full conviction that it is being heard and it shall be answered, after taking a Hukam from Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Preparation for Ardaas is to be serious for Ardaas, and we must not lose informality. We should be uttering: thoo t(h)aakur thum pehi aradhaas || You are our Lord and Master; to You, I offer this prayer- slowly, with meaning, word-by-word in our mind and talking along with the Sangat. Then, the man who is to perform Ardaas again for the concentration of his mind should take the help of Gurbani couplets like:
- Thudhh aagai aradhaas hamaaree jeeo pi(n)dd sabh thaeraa || I offer my prayer to You; my body and soul are all Yours.
- Dhue kar jorr karo aradhaas || Pressing my palms together, I offer my prayer;
- Thudhh bhaavai thaa aanehi raas || if it pleases You, Lord, please bless me and fulfill me.
- Kar kirapaa apanee bhagathee laae || Grant Your Mercy, Lord, and bless me with devotion.
- Jan naanak prabh sadhaa dhhiaae ||4||2|| Servant Nanak meditates on God forever. ||4||2||
- Aap shhodd baenathee karahu || Renounce your selfishness and conceit and offer your prayers.
This will shed any false ego from the mind of the Ardaasya and also the audience. Then start with the Ardaas with every word clear to all of the Sangat to make a joint prayer involving everyone present with all seriousness possible.
The Ardās is normally said while standing with folded hands before and after performing any relevant task. It starts with "pritham bhagautee simar kai, Gur Nanak laee dhiaa-e phir Angad gur tay Amardaas, Raamdaasai hoee sahaee" and ends with "Naanak naam charhdee kalaa, tayray bhaanay Sarbaht dah Phahla
Sarbaht dah Phahla
Sarbaht dah Phahla is the final term in the Sikh prayer called the Ardas. The term outline one of the most important of Sikh principles and is a point that is repeated in the Sikh Scriptures...
." It is more than just a prayer; it is a new concept of therapy for the elevation of the human spirit, mind and body. Following are the main features and benefits of saying the ardās.
- It is a petition to God, the merciful creator of the universe
- It lowers ones ego and brings calmness to the mental state
- Teaches one NimrataNimrataNimrata is a virtue that is vigorously promoted by Gurbani. The literal translation of this Punjabi word is "Humility", or "Benevolence". The other four qualities in the arsenal are: Truth , Contentment , Compassion and Love...
, Daya, and Chardikala - One is reminded of the level of dedication required to become a better human being
- Gives one inner strength and energy
- Links the mind with the pure ones from human history
- Elevates ones spiritual state; builds ones confidence
- Brings a sense of "community" to the person.
In a congregational setting, the ardās is recited by one member of the assemblage with everyone standing reverentially, hands crossed, facing the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
. Periodically throughout the recitation, the assembly as a whole repeats the word Waheguru
Waheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
in order to support the idea that God, the "Wondrous Guru", is the Supreme Being capable of anything. At the completion of ardās, the congregation bows down as one and places their foreheads on the floor to symbolize the fact that they will go as low as necessary to support Waheguru and all that He stands for; in essence, they are placing themselves as the servants of God. Upon rising, the Sangat
Sangat
Sangat is a Sikh term with its origin in the Sanskrit word 'sangh', which means company, fellowship and association. In Sikh vocabulary, the word has a special connotation. It stands for the body of men and women who meet religiously, especially in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib...
(congregation) proclaims "Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh". Roughly translated it means "the Khalsa belongs to the Lord to whom [also] belongs the Victory" (Singh, Inderjit). Immediately after uttering these words, one member of the assembly states the phrase, "Bole So Nihal", or "he who pronounces these words shall be fulfilled" (Singh, Inderjit). In response to this statement, the entire Sangat
Sangat
Sangat is a Sikh term with its origin in the Sanskrit word 'sangh', which means company, fellowship and association. In Sikh vocabulary, the word has a special connotation. It stands for the body of men and women who meet religiously, especially in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib...
heartily shouts, "Sat Sri Akal," meaning "True is the Timeless Lord". The content of the prayers serves to unite the Sangat and show the degree of faith present in each person.
Audio
- Sant Singh Maskeen - Ardas
- Pinderpal Singh (Ludhiane Wale) - Ardaas
- 50 Glorious Years of Recorded Shabads Volume V: 11 - 50 GYORS - Ardas - Tarlochan Singh