A
while back I was at the Gurdwara in the evening and they were doing the
Sukhasan. When we started singing the shabad “Jithe jahai bahai mera satguru” I
realized that actually still didn’t know what we are singing even though I have
seen the Sukhasan hundreds of times, so I decided to learn more about the
Parkash and Sukhasan of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The following is paraphrased
from sikhiwiki.org, and I attached links to videos from youtube of both the
Parkash and Sukhasan, explaining in detail how this sewa is performed.
Parkash
(meaning light/awakening) is when we bring the Guru Granth Sahib Ji from the
place of rest to the Darbar Hall at dawn. I just learned that the Guru Granth
Sahib Ji’s room of rest is called the Sachkhand (realm of Truth). First, the
Granthi matha teks, and Ardas is done. A cotton cloth (or towel) is placed on
the head of the Granthi and Guru Granth Sahib JI is placed on the person’s head
and carried to the Palki Sahib. Guru Ji is placed on the head to symbolize that
Guru JI is above human ego. Shabads or simran are recited and everyone stands
up, then when Guru Ji is taken to the palki sahib everyone matha teks and sits
down. Guru Ji is placed in the center of the manji sahib and the ramallas are
unwrapped. The ramallas open in a diamond shape, and a small ramalla is placed
on Guru Ji. Then once again the cloth is placed on the Granthi’s head to lift
up the Guru Granth Sahib Ji so that the diamond shaped ramalla can be re-folded
into a rectangle. Three pillows are placed down and covered with a cotton ramalla.
Guru Ji is placed down and raised vertically, then opened. We say Waheguru Ji
Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. The side ramallas are placed inside the front
and back covers and draped over the sides of the palki sahib, and Guru Ji is
covered with 2 more ramallas. The Hukamnama is read and the Guru Ji is covered
with ramallas again.
Videos
of how this sewa is performed (part 1 and 2):
Sukhasan
means to attain a position (asan) of comfort (sukh), and is the name for when
we retire the Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the end of the day or program. First, the
Granthi takes a Hukamnama, then recites kirtan sohila, while removing the side
ramallas. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed in the center of the manji sahib and
covered with ramallas. The Granthi covers their head with a cloth and places
the Guru Granth Sahib on their head. The rectangular ramalla is refolded into a
diamond, and the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is wrapped. The side and large ramallas are
placed overtop so Ardas can be done. The Granthi places the Guru Granth Sahib
on their head, and walks to the Sachkhand while the sangat stands and then
matha teks.
During
this time we sing the shabad: Jithe Jai
Behai Mera Satguru so than suhava raam raje, Gursikhi so thaan bhallia lai
dhoor mukh lava. Gur sikhaa ke ghaal thaee paee jin har naam thiava. Jin Nanak
satgur poojiya tin har pooj karavaa. Here is the translation: Wherever my
True Guru goes and sits, that place is beautiful, O Lord King. The Guru’s Sikhs
seek out that place; they take the dust and apply it to their faces. The works
of the Guru’s Sikhs, who meditate on the Lord’s Name, are approved. Those who
worship the True Guru, O Nanak- the Lord causes them to be worshipped in turn.
We
then say Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki
Fateh. Here are the videos of how this sewa is performed:
References:
http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Prakash
Thank you ji
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