Ans. The word ‘Ardaas’ is derived from the Persian word, Arz-I-Dasht, which means petition. The meaning of Ardaas is much broader and higher than ‘prayer’.
Our Ardaas is our whole history, encapsulated in a microcapsule of five minutes, from which space and time have been removed. In Ardaas there is no mention, by name, of any specific person (except the ten Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib), no matter how great he/she might have been; nor is any grand period named. The words used in Ardaas are as follows:
- Those who recited the Naam, or those who wielded their swords valiantly, or those who got their bodies cut piece by piece.
- Even those who, at the present time, dedicating their bodies, minds and wealth for the success of Dharma and are steadfast in their faith and are keeping the sanctity of their hair, are mentioned in the daily Ardaas.
The first five and one half lines of the Ardaas, which the tenth Master composed, cannot and should not be changed. The unique and noteworthy point in these lines is that the word ‘Guru’ is used only for Guru Nanak Dev and no other Master. Even when in the second line, the word ‘Gur’ appears (phir Angad. Gur te Amar Das), it comes after the name ‘Angad’. This signifies that Guru Nanak is also Guru Angad. Thus there is only one Guru,
Second: The five beloved ones (Piaare) and the four Sahibzadas (the sons of Guru Gobind Singh) are not to be described by their names in the Ardaas.
Third: Only “Sri Amritsar Ji de Ishnaan”, a dip in the pool of Amritsar (Golden Temple) is to be narrated. Bathing at a pool of any other Gurdwara is not to be mentioned. The dip in Amritsar indicates that we are one nation and we have the desire to live together. The words uttered in the Ardaas are our common valuable heritage.
Fourth: When the lines, “Sikhaan da mann neewaan, matt uchi, matt da raakha aap Waheguru” (may the Sikhs have humble mind and high intellect, and may Waheguru Himself be the protector of their intellect) are uttered; the word ‘Patt’ (honour) should not be added with ‘Matt’.
Fifth: During Ardaas, it is imperative that every one stands with folded hands and pays attention to each and every word.
Sixth: It has been observed that when the person leading the Ardaas says, “Karhah prasaad di deg haazar hai, dar parvaan hove” (the Karhah prasaad or blessed sweet pudding has been brought, may it be accepted by You O Waheguru), then some person lacking the knowledge of Sikh traditions, immediately introduces Kirpan (sword) in it. This should never be done. A directive (Hukam Naama) to this effect has been issued several times from Akaal Takhat. The Kirpan has to touch the Karhah Prasaad only after the ‘Vaak’ (reading from Guru Granth Sahib) is concluded.
Charhdi Kala-Seventh: In the last sentence of the Ardaas (Nanak Naam -) “Blessed by Nanak, may our spirits be ever on ascendance. O God, may the whole world be blessed in Your will”. To this never add the name of Guru Gobind Singh with the name of Guru Nanak. The word “Nanak” is the seal as in most hymns of the Gurus, e.g., Nanak Naam mile ta jeevaan.
Eighth: At the end of Ardaas a couplet is recited by the entire congregation, which is, “Aagiaa Bhaee Akaal kee tabhee khwaar hoe sabh milen ge, bache sharan jo hoe”. Some times additional couplets like “Waheguru Naam Jahaaj hai chalaaio Panth-sohe sees Gur paar utaran haar”, or “Khanda ja ke haath men kalghi Kalghi Dhar Jagdish”, are also recited. These should not be recited. Only the first couplet, “Aagiaa Bhaee Akaal kee -“, should be recited and after this the “Jaikaara”, Bolay so nihal, Sat Sri Akaal, makes the service complete.
The English version of Ardaas would be:
Having first involved the dynamic power of God, call on Guru Nanak. Then on Angad Guru, Amar Das and Ram Das, may they ever protect us all. Then call on Arjan, and Har Gobind, holy Hari Rae and on Hari Krishan, whose sight dispels all sorrows. Then remember Tegh Bahadur by whose remembrance the nine treasures come hurrying to ones home. Be ever with us O Masters. May the tenth king, Guru Gobind Singh ever be on our side. Let us now turn our thoughts to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, the visible embodiment of the ten Gurus and utter, O Khalsa Ji, Waheguru (glory be to God).The five beloved ones, the four sahibzadas (sons of the tenth Master), the forty emancipated ones, the martyrs, the true disciples, the contemplators of God, and those who remained steadfast on the path of Dharma, remember their glorious deeds and utter O Khalsa Ji, Waheguru.
Those who dwelled on God’s Name, shared their honest earnings with others, wielded sword in battlefield, distributed food in companionship, offered their heads at the altar of Dharma, were cut up limb by limb, skinned alive, boiled or sawn alive, but did not utter a sigh nor faltered in their faith, kept the sanctity of their hair until their last breath, sacrificed their lives for the sanctity of Gurdwaras; remember their glorious deeds and utter O Khalsa Ji, Waheguru.
Turn your thoughts to the five Takhats (seats of Sikh authority) and all the Gurdwaras and utter O Khalsa, Waheguru.
First, there is supplication for all the Khalsa Panth. May the Lord bestow upon His Khalsa the gift of His remembrance, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, and; may the merit of this remembrance be happiness of all kinds. O God, wherever there are members of the Khalsa, extend Your protection and mercy on them; let the Panth be ever victorious, let the sword be ever our protector; May the order of the Khalsa achieve ever expanding progress and supremacy. Utter O Khalsa, Waheguru.
May God grant to the Sikhs, the gift of faith, the gift of uncut hair, the Keshas, the gift of discipline, the gift of spiritual discrimination, the gift of mutual trust, the gift of self confidence and the supreme gift of all the gifts, the communion with God, the Name and the gift of dip in the holy lake of Amritsar. May the administrative centers, banners, the cantonments of Khalsa ever remain inviolate. May the cause of truth and justice prevail everywhere at all times; utter O Khalsa, Waheguru.
God Almighty! Our helper and protector ever, restore to us the right and privilege of unhindered and free service and access to Nankana Sahib and other centers of Sikh religion from which we have been separated.
God, the helper of the helpless, the Strength of the weak, the Supporter of the fallen, the true father of all, (here the specific purpose and the occasion for the supplication is to be stated by the person leading in the supplication and the blessings and aid of God are beseeched).
Forgive us O Lord, all our faults, extend Your helping hand to everyone. Grant us the company of those who may help keep Your Name fresh in our hearts.May Your Name, the religion preached by Nanak, prevail and prosper forever and ever more. The Khalsa belongs to God and to Him the victory, always and forever (at this point the whole congregation bow to Guru Granth Sahib by touching the ground with their foreheads and then the congregation stand and chant in unison the couplet: “Aagiaa bhaee Akaal kee khawaar hoe sabh milen ge bache sharn jo hoe”. The leader then loudly chants: “Bolay So Nihal” and the congregation then shout “Sat Sri Akaal”.