Anand Sahib

This bani is written by the third Guru, Guru Amar Das ji, in Ramkali raga (musical tune). It has a total of 40 pauris (stanzas). Traditionally, only the first five pauris and the last pauri are recited at the closing ceremony, before Ardas. The word Anand means happiness or to rejoice. In this bani, anand is referred to as spiritual bliss, a mystical experience attained through absorption in Nam or Simran. In Anand Saheb, Guru Amar Das ji emphasizes that the experience of anand comes through meeting with the true Guru and fully absorbing and acting upon his teachings. Bani is the Guru. The effect of Maya or worldly evils (such as kam-lust, krodh-anger, lobh-greed, moh-attachment, ahankar-ego) is gradually reduced and finally eliminated when a person molds his/her life according to the teachings of Gurbani. This makes a person worthy of Gurus grace. With Gurus grace, longing for Nam Simran is produced in the persons heart and with Nam Simran comes anand the mystical experience Guru Amar Das ji has talked about in this bani. This mystical experience cannot be described in words, it can only be experienced. Guru ji says that the longing for anand is universal, but it actually comes to a very few who are blessed with the Gurus grace. In the last pauris, Guru Amar Das ji says that anand is liberation from all suffering. It brings complete fulfillment, and is realized by meditating on the Divine word or Nam Simran.

Ardaas
The word ardas is derived from a Persian word arzdasht which means a petition or an address to a superior authority. Our ardas is addressed to the Almighty God and to our eternal Guru, Guru Granth Sahib. When we stand in front of Guru Granth Sahib with folded hands, individually or in a congregation, we are pleading for Guruss blessings and forgiveness for our shortcomings. Ardas is not written in Guru Granth Saheb. The format of ardas has evolved over many years. The wording of the current ardas was decided by a joint body of Sikh scholars and for consistency, it is necessary that all Sikhs follow this format which is published by SGPC (Shiromini Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee organization that manages the Sikh Gurdwaras). Ardas can be divided into three main parts. First part is vaar Siri Bhagauti Ji Ki, composed by Guru Gobind Singh ji., in which he invoked the almighty God and the first nine Gurus. After the vaar, we invoke the tenth Guru and Guru Granth Saheb. The second part of ardas essentially encapsulates the entire Sikh history, recounting the dedication and sacrifice by the Sikhs, and reflecting upon the memorable acts of the Sikh martyrs and heroes, who upheld their faith unto their last breath. In the third part of ardas, we pray for the whole Sikh community seeking the virtues of simran (remembering Gods Name), righteous living of a true Sikh, and trust among the community. We plead to the Guru to protect us from five evils (lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego). At the end, words are added to suit the occasion (such as wedding, birth, death etc.) for which the congregation was held and seek Gurus blessings. In the closing words of ardas, we pray for the well being of all under His Will, irrespective of their religion.

Chopaee Sahib
Two of the five banis included in our Nitnem (the daily prayers) are written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These are Jaap Saheb and ten Saweyeas. Chopaee Saheb, which is included in Rehras Saheb, is also written by Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Jaap Sahib
Written by Guru Gobind Singh ji. This bani is not in the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Saheb ji).

It is in Dasam Granth, which is a separate Granth (holy book) containing writings of Guru Gobind Singh ji only. This bani has 199 verses, which are written on the first ten pages of Dasam Granth.b This bani is recited in the morning, before starting the daily routine, after Japji Sahib.

Japji Sahib
This precious gift was given to us by Guru Nanak Dev ji. It is written in Guru Granth Saheb starting on page one. It starts with Mool Mantra (the beginning hymn), then 38 Paurees (stanzas), and ends with a slok (verse). Japji Saheb is the essence of Sikh religious philosophy. It is a lyrical, but very compact composition, with verses packed with deep meanings, many times without assigned verbs, and lot of times leaving the interpretation to the imagination of the readers. Among all the banis that we come across on a daily basis, this is probably the most difficult to understand. This is one of the five banis every Sikh is supposed to recite every morning in accordance with our Rehet Maryada (Code of Conduct). While most of the bani in Guru Granth Saheb is assigned to various ragas (melodies), Japji Saheb is not assigned to any raga. Therefore, this bani is generally recited without any musical instruments. In Japji Saheb Guru Nanak Dev ji emphasizes the concept of One God, although we may call Him by many names, everything happens under His Divine Law (Hukam), He is beyond human comprehension and union with God can only be achieved by His Grace. His Grace is obtained by getting rid of ones ego and total surrender to His Will. Guru ji discredits the ritualistic practices to please God such as fasting, pilgrimages, and self-punishment. He says that to please God, you must speak His language the language of Love, love for Him and His Creation. Those who meditate on His Name with love and devotion become worthy of His Grace. Towards the end, Guru ji describes the five stages of spiritual development Dharam khand (stage of righteousness), Gian Khand (stage of spiritual knowledge), Saram Khand (stage of spiritual effort), Karam Khand (stage of Divine Grace), and Sach Khand (the final stage of Union with God). In the last slok (verse), Guru Nanak Dev ji says that the world is a stage, where we are all actors and we are playing our roles assigned by God. Our performance is being closely watched by Him. Those, who remained absorbed only in worldly possessions (Maya), they could not get close to God and kept on wandering in the cycles of birth and death. Those who worked hard in seeking spiritual advancement and remembered Him with love and devotion, they achieved the ultimate goal of human life they became one with God.

Keertan Sohila
The word Sohila means song of praises. This bani is a collection of five shabads (hymns), first three shabads are written by Guru Nanak Dev ji, fourth shabad is by Guru Ram Das ji, and the last shabad is written by Guru Arjan Dev ji. All five shabads are from Adi Granth Guru Granth Saheb ji and are written under the heading Sohila. Sometimes, this bani is also referred to as Kirtan Sohila or Aarti Sohila. This is one of the five banis of Nitnem (daily routine) that all Sikhs are supposed to recite every day. As part of Nitnem, Sohila is recited before going to bed at night. Also, this bani is recited at the time of Sukhasan (closing) of Guru Granth Sahib at night.

Rehraas Sahib
A collection of nine hymns, four of which are written by Guru Nanak Dev ji, three by Guru Ram Das ji, and two by Guru Arjan Dev ji. These hymns follow Japji Saheb in the Adi Granth.

Also includes Chopyee Saheb, one swayya, and one dohera by Guru Gobind Singh ji, six paurees of Anand Saheb (first five + the last) written by Guru Amar Das ji, and two hymns by Guru Arjan Dev ji. This bani is recited in the evening at sunset. Rehraas is one of the five Banis of Nitnem and is usually recited in the evening. It is a compilation of the Bani of several Gurus including Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The word Rehraas is a synthesis of two words, rah and raas. Rah is passage and raas is provisions i.e. provisions for the journey of life. This is a collection of nine hymns, four of which are written by Guru Nanak Dev ji, three by Guru Ram Das ji, and two by Guru Arjan Dev ji. All of these hymns are from Guru Granth Saheb. Also included in Rehraas are Chopeyee, one Swayya (verse), and one Dohera (couplet) by Guru Gobind Singh ji, six paurees of Anand Saheb (first five + the last) written by Guru Amar Das ji, and at the end two shabads by Guru Arjan Dev ji. These two shabads are also the last two shabads in Guru Granth Saheb. The paath of So Dar which is the first Shabad in Rehraas, was started at the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as an evening prayer. That is why this path is also called So Dar Rehraas.

Ten Swayyas
Written by Guru Gobind Singh ji. This bani is not in the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Saheb ji). It is in Dasam Granth. This bani has 10 verses, four lines each. This bani is recited in the morning, before starting the daily routine, after Jaap Saheb.