REFERENCE to the letter to the editor from S. Bikaramjit Singh Sangha in the Nov, 13, 1987, issue of World Sikh News, Sikh prayer (Ardas) is recited individually as well as by the congregation. In Sikh faith anybody male or female can say Ardas, it is not the right of the Granthi as is being practiced in most of the Gurdwaras, When offering prayer on behalf of the congregation, the reciting person and the presiding person in the service of Sri Guru Granth Sahib has to be at least a practicing Sikh.
Ardas is of two types:
- Personal and
- Sangat or congregational, In personal Ardas you can pray and beg for your personal demands, you can prolong it as you wish but congregational Ardas has to be short and to the point ‘meant for that particular occasion, It is wrong to announced that such and such person has offered five dollars as is being practiced in many Gurdwaras. Sometimes the list is so long that Sangat gets bored. It should simply be mentioned that Suchae Patshah You Know your servants who have brought the offerings, kindly shower your boon on them.
The standard Ardas has been Sikh Rahat maryada.
Before Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Ardas was different. Tenth Guru wrote a var (ode) for Sri Bhagauti (Akal Purkh) Ji ki, This is given in Dasm Granth i.e first seven lines. It starts.as “Ik Onkar Sri Waheguru SiKi Fateh. Sri Bhagauti Ji Sahai. Var Sri Bhagauti JiKiPatshahi 10. Pirtham Bhagauti Simarke Gur Nanak laeen Dhize. Phit Angad Gur te AmarDas, Ram Dasai hoeen Sahae. Arjan Hargobind Nu Simro Sri Har Rai. Sri Harkrishan dhiaceae jis ditthae sabh dukh jae, Teg Bahadur simareeae ghar nau nnidh dhae. Sabh thaeen hoi sahae”.
As the Sikh history changed further additions were made by the Sikh Panth from time to time as “Dasvan Patshah Sti Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji; Sabh thdeen hoi sahae, Dasan Patshaian di Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji de path didar da dhian dhar ke bolo ji Wahegural
Now starts the sacrificial history of the Khalsa Panth:
Punjab piarian, chauhan Sahil zadian, Chali Muktian, Hatthian, Japian, Tapian, Jinah Nam Japia, Vund Chhakia, deg challaee, teg wahee, dekh ke unndith keeta, tinha piarian, sachiarian di kamae da dhian dhar ke Khalsa ji! bolo ji Waheguru.
Jinha Singhan Singhannian ne Dharam het sis dite, bund bund katae, khoprian luhacean, charakharrian te charrae, arian nal chaTae gae, kurbanian keetian, dharam nahin haria, sikhi kesan sua san nal nibahi, tinha di damaee da dhian dharke, Khalsa ji! bolo ji Waheguru!
Now it reminds us about our seats of authority:
Punjan takhtan, sarbat Gurdwarian da dhian dharke bolo ji Waheguru!
Now comes the motive of the particular Ardas:
Pirthamae Sarbat Khalsa ji ki ‘Ardas hai ji, Sarbat Khalsa ji ko Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru chitavae, chit avan ka sadka sarab sukh havae, Jahan jahan Khalsa ji sahib, tahan tahan racchia riaet, deg teg fateh, birdh ki paij, panth ki jeet, Sri sahib ji sahai, Khalsa ji ke bol balae, bolo ji Waheguru.
(First let the Khalsa Panth offer the supplication (Ardas) and think of the Name Waheguru and feel blessed: May Waheguru protect and extend His Grace to the KhaIsa, May charity and arms be with us everywhere and His Sword help us, Khalsa may always triumph, choirs (chaukian) banners, minarets (bungai) remain forever. Victory to justice, unity in love, say Waheguru.
Bestow your Sikhs with Sikhism, code of conduct, power to rely on your wisdom, boon of your Name and bathing pilgrimage of Amritsar, say Waheguru.
Now comes that specific purpose, function or occasion or fulfillment of ones wishes.
Forgive us for our sins, give us light, understanding to know what pleases You, keep us in the company of only those by meeting whom we may always keep on remembering Your Name, Through Nanak may your Name be always on the increase. And all men of the universe prosper by Thy Grace. Khalsa is of Waheguru and victory is to Him.
First portion up to five takhats and gurdwaras and the last lines Nanak Nam Charradi Kala, Taerae bhannae sarbat da bhala is unchangeable.
Dr. NauNihal Singh Grewal Lake Placid, Florida.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1987
