Ardas is the prayer/address to God that we
can do any time, but is typically done after reciting our daily Banis, after a
service at the Gurdwara, important events, and before and after completing something
important in our lives. The Ardas can be done in Sangat or as an individual, it
can be done out loud, or silently. The Ardas is included in gutkas but is not a
part of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We have added onto it over the years in
memory of significant parts of our history.
In western culture we often talk about the importance of remembering the
past so that it is not repeated in the future, which is why we have days like
remembrance day. In our daily Ardas we remember all the sacrifices that Sikhs
made before us to get to where we are today. Most importantly, we remember God,
who created us, and re-center on the purpose of our lives. Towards the end of
the Ardas is where you say what specifically you are doing the Ardas for. Then,
as Gyani Ji pointed out at the Gurdwara a few weeks ago, we say a prayer for
the well-being for everyone in the world. I would encourage everyone, next time
we stand in Ardas to pay attention closely to what is being said. I didn’t
understand parts of the Ardas until this year when I began to understand the
historical events like Saka Nankana Sahib which led us to where we are today. Here
is an English translation of the Ardas:
Ardas
One universal creator God; Victory belongs
to the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness. May the might of the All-powerful help!
Ode to his might by the 10th Lord (Guru Gobind Singh).
Having first thought of the almighty’s
prowess, let us think of Guru Nanak. Then of Guru Angad, Amar Das and Ram Das-
may they be our rescuers! Remember then, Guru Arjan, Hargobind and
Sri Har Rai. Meditate then on revered Sri Harkrishan remembering whom all the
suffering vanishes.Think then of Guru Tegh Bahadur, remembrance of whom brings
all nine treasures*. He comes to rescue everywhere. Then of the tenth Lord,
revered Guru Gobind Singh Ji! Who comes to the rescue everywhere. The
embodiment of the light of all ten sovereign lordships, the Guru Granth- think
of its reading and teachings, and say ‘Vahiguru (Wondrous Destroyer of
darkness)’!
The Five Beloved Ones [These are our Panj
Pyare Bhai Daya Singh Ji, Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, Bhai Himmat Singh Ji, Bhai Mohkam
Singh Ji, and Bhai Sahib Singh Ji. For more information see our post from
Vaisakhi last year], Four Sons of the Tenth Guru [the Sahibzaade], Forty
Liberated Ones [see the post below about Mai Bhago], determined ones, constant
repeaters of the Divine Name, those given to sincere devotion, those who
repeated the Nam, shared their fare with others, ran free kitchen, wielded the
sword, overlooked faults and shortcomings- meditating on the achievement of
such dear and truthful ones, say O Khalsa, ‘Vahiguru (Wondrous Destroyer of
darkness)’!
The male and female members of the Khalsa
who laid down their lives in the cause of dharma (religion and righteousness),
got their bodies dismembered bit by bit, got their skulls sawn off, got mounted
on spiked wheels, got their bodies sawn, made sacrifices in the service of the
shrines (Gurdwaras), did not betray their faith, sustained their adherence to
the Sikh faith with sacred unshorn hair uptill their last breath, mediate on
their achievement and say, O’ Khalsa, ‘Vahiguru (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness)’!
Thinking of the 5 thrones (seats of
religious authority) [this refers to the 5 Takhts: Akal Takht Sahib, Takht Sri
Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, and Takht Sri
Hazur Sahib] and all Gurdwara, say, ‘Vahiguru Wondrous destroyer of darkness)’!
Now it is the prayer of the whole Khalsa. May
the conscience of the whole Khasla, remembers Vahiguru, Vahiguru, Vahiguru and in consequence of such remembrance may total
well-being be bestowed. Wherever there are communities of the Khalsa may there
be divine protection and grace. The prevalence of the basic needs and of the
holy sword, protection of the tradition of grace, victory of the panth, the
protection of the holy sword, the rise of the Khalsa, say ‘Vahiguru (Wondrous
destroyer of darkness)’!
Unto the Sikhs the gift of the Sikh faith,
the gift of the untrimmed hair, the gift of the discipline of their faith, the
gift of sense of wisdom. The gift of trust, the gift of confidence and above all
the gift of meditation of the Divine Bath in Sri Amritsar (holy tank at
Amritsar) [this refers to the Amrit produced in the mind when we reach God and
not physical location], many hymns-singing missionary parties, the flags, the
mansions, abide from age to age; may righteousness reign supreme, say ‘Vahiguru
(wondrous Destroyer of darkness)’!!!
May the Sikhs be imbued with humility and
high wisdom, may Vahiguru guard its understanding! O’ Immortal Being, eternal
helper of His Panth, benevolent Lord! Bestow on the Khalsa the beneficence of unobstructed
visit to and free management of Nankana sahib and other shrines and places of
the Guru from which the panth has been separated [this is in memory of Saka
Nankana Sahib. See my recent post for more history]. O’ Lord, the honour of the
humble, the strength of the weak, aid unto those who have none to rely on, True
Father, Wondrous Destroyer of darkness! We humbly render to you…… Pardon any
impermissible additions, omissions, errors, mistakes. Fulfill the purposes of
all. Grant us the association of those dear ones
on meeting whom one is reminded of your Name. O Nanak may the Nam (holy) be
ever in ascendance! In His will may the good of all prevail.
This translation has been slightly modified
from the second reference below.
*Nau Nidh means 9 Treasures of Wealth.
Traditional thought in India used to be
that there was 9 worldy treasures: Padam Nidhi (attainment of children,
precious metals, etc.), Mahaan Padam (precious jewels), Sankh (delicious things
to eat), Makar (training to rule over others), Kachhap (clothes, food), Kund
(trading gold), Neel (trading in precious stones), Mukhand (mastery of fine
arts/music), Kharab (all kinds of riches). The 9 spiritual treasures which are
referred to in Gurbani, however, are Bharosa (faith), Leenta (absolute
absorption in God), Santokh (contentment), detachment, Hukam (accepting God’s
Will), Sehaj (equilibrium of the mind), Anand (permanent bliss), Vismaad
(ecstacy), Nadar (awakened soul considers God as primary reason of attainments
and his own efforts mean nothing).
References:
April is Sikh heritage month in Ontario
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