By Prabhleena Kaur Sangha Age 14, Hayward, Ca.
THE Punjabi term “Ardas” evoked from the early Persian words “Ar and “Dasht”. Combining them together “Ar dasht” or “Ardas” indicates request in prayer and its placement (before ones’ Gob/Guru).
All religous faiths or systems of belief have their own materialistic ‘customs of praying {0 God. But in ‘comparison, the Sikh mode of praying, justifies tome, as the most unique method, The Sikh spray by folding their hands, and usually standing still. The “Ardas” doesn’t have to be performed in a Gurdwara. It can be done while travelling, at home, in a battlefield or in a Gurdwara, But an “Ardas” offered by five baptized Sikhs before the Gur Granth Sahib is more efficacious than that of a single Sikh, Ardas on all special occasions must be offered before the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Ardas, up to “Sabh thain hoe sahae”, is composed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The last couplet “Nanak nam Chardi Kala, tere bhane sarbatt da bhala”, seems to be the composition of Guru Nanak as intimated to me by the Granthi of the Fremont Gurdwara. In between these is the addition made by the Khalsa Panth itself.
Only a true follower can understand the true significance or importance of the Ardas. While placing full concentration and faith at “Ardas” time, one can receive whatever he asks of “God”. There are many true accounts to back up this point.
The “Ardas” also follows Rahras Sahib and is referred to as the “General Prayer’. It tends to sum up the teachings of the Guru and ‘can be read without any distinction of religion or nationality. It is usually followed at the end of a prayer.
The “Ardas” helps to point out the fundamentals of Sikhism daily. It is usually followed at the end of a prayer.
The*Ardas” first calls our attention to one God, symbolizing him as steel or sword saviour and not as any goddess. He is termed as Bhagauti by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the first line the whole Sikh history unfolds itself when we stand and pray. It teaches us to respect the four young sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Beloved Five Sikhs, Forty ‘Mukhtas (salvaged men), all saints and Bhaktas (devotees) and all lovers of truth. Then we are to pray for the brave Sikhs of indomitable determinations, all devotees absorbed in the ‘Nam’ (Name of God) to share their food with others, the people who started free kitchen, who raised their sword for truth and all the countless martyrs (even in the twentieth century) who laid down their lives to keep their faith, saved their long hair till their last breath, and maintained the dignity and purity of the Gurdwaras. We are to remember them with full reverence. The “Ardas” continues with intervals and the congregation is reminded to chant and concentrate on “Waheguru” for the holy ones.
The most sacred place in the Sikh religion is the Golden Temple a Sikh prays for beholding it and to have a dip in its sacred waters. A Sikh also prays for free access to all the Gurdwaras left in Pakistan, and for the maintenance, service and management in their hands,
The devotees also pray 10 God/Guri that He may mercifully bestow upon His Nam” and power to lead their lives according 10 (His will and always to remain in high spirits). The object of the prayer is then offered in humility and God/Guru is then requested to sanctify the sacred food (Karah Parshad) by his touch (kirpan). The Ardas comes to an end with the utterance of Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh by the congregation.
Two of three things are essential for the efficacious fulfillment of cones’ demands as placed in the Ardas 1. Cleanliness: one should take a bath and wear clean clothes before praying. 2. Concentration of Mind: Wandering of the mind must be controlled when praying in Ardas, 3, Faith: One must feel and believe when praying so ones’ wishes or desires can be fulfilled.
Here is a short story on what displaying faith in the Ardas can do for a whole community:
Some villagers gathered outside in their fields in order to pray to God for rain as drought had destroyed their countryside, while they were praying. A holy saint passed by and watched the villages pray. He asked, why they were gathered there. They told him they were doing “Ardas” for rain. “Why haven’t you brought along your umbrellas” the holy man asked. They said “We don’t need our umbrellas because it may not rain”. The holy man smiled and said, “If you don’t have faith in Him then He won’t listen to your Ardas”. So the poor villagers returned home without rain, there is an old saying that states: “Faith can move mountains”.
Ardas gives the Sikhs a feeling ‘of wholeness and purity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, while reminding us about the word of God.
To summarize, the Ardas provides us with salvation and spreads the teachings of the universal Sikh religion. I believe more people would receive a better understanding of our religion from the Ardas. So please spread the meaning and importance of the Ardas to your children, so they can to theirs.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 20, 1987
