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Ardas

ਅਰਦਾਸ

Written by
Guru Gobind Singh Ji (opening) and the Sikh Panth
Found in
Sikh Rehat Maryada
Length
12 sections
Recitation
About 4 min
PDF
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ਅਰਦਾਸ

aradhaas

Prayer of Supplication

ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹ ॥

ikOankaar vaahiguroo jee kee fateh ||

There is one god and Victory is his.

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ ॥

sree bhagautee jee sahai ||

May SRI BHAGAUTI JI (The Sword) be Helpful.

ਵਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ ਕੀ ॥

vaar sree bhagautee jee kee ||

The Heroic Poem of Sri Bhagauti Ji

ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀ ੧੦ ॥

paatisaahee 10 ||

(By) TheTenth King (Guru).

Section 1

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਕੈ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਈਂ ਧਿਆਇ ॥

piratham bhagauatee simar kai gur naanak liee(n) dhiaai ||

In the beginning I remember Bhagauti, the Lord (Whose symbol is the sword and then I remember Guru Nanak.

ਫਿਰ ਅੰਗਦ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਅਮਰਦਾਸੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੈ ਹੋਈਂ ਸਹਾਇ ॥

fir a(n)gadh gur te amaradhaas raamadhaasai hoiee(n) sahai ||

Then I remember Guru Arjan, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das, may they be helpful to me.

ਅਰਜਨ ਹਰਿਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨੋ ਸਿਮਰੌ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਰਾਇ ॥

arajan harigobi(n)dh no simarau sree harirai ||

Then I remember Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind and Guru Har Rai.

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਜਿਸੁ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭਿ ਦੁਖਿ ਜਾਇ ॥

sree harikirashan dhiaaieeaai jis ddiThe sabh dhukh jai ||

(After them) I remember Guru Sri Har Kishan, by whose sight all the sufferings vanish.

ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਿਮਰਿਐ ਘਰਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਆਵੈ ਧਾਇ ॥

teg bahaadhar simariaai ghar nau nidh aavai dhai ||

Then I do remember Guru Tegh Bahadur, though whose Grace the nine treasures come running to my house.

ਸਭ ਥਾਈਂ ਹੋਇ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੧॥

sabh thaiee(n) hoi sahai ||1||

May they be helpful to me everywhere.1.

Section 2

ਦਸਵੇਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਜ ਪੰਥ ਦੇ ਵਾਲੀ ਸਭ ਥਾਈਂ ਹੋਇ ਸਹਾਇ ॥

dhasave(n) paatashaeh sree guroo gobi(n)dh si(n)gh saahib jee mahaaraaj pa(n)th dhe vaalee sabh thaiee(n) hoi sahai ||

Tenth king revered Guru Gobind Singh may he help us everywhere.

ਦਸਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀਆਂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਜੋਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪਾਠ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥

dhasaa(n) paatashaaheeaa(n) jee dhee jot sree guroo gra(n)th saahib jee dhe paaTh dheedhaar dhaa dhiaan dhar ke bolo jee vaahiguroo vaahiguroo vaahiguroo ||

The spirit of all the ten kings (gurus) enshrined in the visible body and the word of the Guru Granth, concentrate on that and say, the congregation: Waheguru.

Section 3

ਪੰਜਾ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਚੌਹਾਂ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦਿਆਂ ਚਾਲ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਮੁਕਤਿਆਂ ਹਠੀਆਂ ਜਪੀਆਂ ਤਪੀਆਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਮ ਜੱਪਿਆ ਵੰਡ ਛਕਿਆ ਦੇਗ ਚਲਾਈ ਤੇਗ ਵਾਹੀ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਣਡਿੱਠ ਕੀਤਾ ਤਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਸਚਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥

pa(n)jaa piaariaa(n) chauahaa(n) saahibazaadhiaa(n) chaalheeaa(n) mukatiaa(n) haTheeaa(n) japeeaa(n) tapeeaa(n) jinhaa(n) naam ja'piaa va(n)dd chhakiaa dheg chalaiee teg vaahee dhekh ke anaddi'Th keetaa tinhaa(n) piaariaa(n) sachiaariaa(n) dhee kamaiee dhaa dhiaan dhar ke khaalasaa jee bolo jee vaahiguroo ||

Five beloved ones, four prince sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, forty redeemed ones, those who have remained in steadfast in suffering, those who kept constant remembrance of Waheguru. Those who renounced the sensuous pleasures, those who have constantly live in the divine presence, shared earnings, expressed magnanimity, have persevered in their fight in the cause of justice, turned a blind eye to the faults and failings of others and did not falter. Concentrate your minds on the struggles and achievements of those, o, revered members of the order of the Khalsa, and say: 'Waheguru'.

Section 4

ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਸਿੰਘਣੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਧਰਮ ਹੇਤ ਸੀਸ ਦਿਤੇ ਬੰਦ ਬੰਦ ਕਟਾਏ ਖੋਪਰੀਆਂ ਲੁਹਾਈਆਂ ਚਰਖੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹੇ ਆਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਚਿਰਾਏ ਗਏ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਈ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਾਰਿਆ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਸੁਆਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਭਾਹੀ ਤਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥

jinhaa(n) si(n)ghaa(n) si(n)ghaneeaa(n) ne dharam het sees dhite ba(n)dh ba(n)dh kaTaae khopareeaa(n) luhaieeaa(n) charakheeaa(n) te chaRhe aariaa(n) naal chiraae ge gurdhuaariaa(n) dhee sevaa liee kurabaaneeaa(n) keeteeaa(n) dharam nahee(n) haariaa si'khee kesaa(n) suaasaa(n) naal nibhaahee tinhaa(n) dhee kamaiee dhaa dhiaan dhar ke khhaalasaa jee bolo jee vaahiguroo ||

The Singhs and Kaurs who courted martyrdom in the cause of religion and underwent unspeakable sufferings of being dismembered alive, scalped alive, broken on the wheels, sawed alive and boiled alive and those who made sacrifices in the service of the centers of the Sikh religion - the Gurdwaras; but never wavered in their faith and remained steadfast in the cause of Sikhi to the last hair of their body and to their last breath, O, revered members of the Khalsa order, concentrate your minds on the glorious deeds of those, and utter, glory to Waheguru.

Section 5

ਪੰਜਾਂ ਤਖ਼ਤਾਂ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥

pa(n)jaa(n) takhhataa(n) saraba't gurdhuaariaa(n) dhaa dhiaan dhar ke bolo jee vaahiguroo ||

Think of the five seats of authority, the thrones of the religion and all Gurdwaras and say Waheguru!

Section 6

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ ਜੀ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਕੋ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਚਿਤ ਆਵੇ ਚਿਤ ਆਵਨ ਕਾ ਸਦਕਾ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖ ਹੋਵੇ ॥

pirathame saraba't khaalasaa jee kee aradhaas hai jee saraba't khaalasaa jee ko vaahiguroo vaahiguroo vaahiguroo chit aave chit aavan kaa sadhakaa sarab sukh hove ||

First the prayer of the whole Khalsa is may the presence of Waheguru be progressively felt in the hearts of all the Khalsa. And may the whole creation become happy and prosperous thereby.

ਜਹਾਂ ਜਹਾਂ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਤਹਾਂ ਤਹਾਂ ਰਛਿਆ ਰਿਆਇਤ ਦੇਗ ਤੇਗ ਫਤਹ ਬਿਰਦ ਕੀ ਪੈਜ ਪੰਥ ਕੀ ਜੀਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਜੀ ਕੇ ਬੋਲ ਬਾਲੇ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥

jahaa(n) jahaa(n) khaalasaa jee saahib tahaa(n) tahaa(n) rachhiaa riaait dheg teg fateh biradh kee paij pa(n)th kee jeet sree saahib jee sahai khaalase jee ke bol baale bolo jee vaahiguroo ||

May the supplies of the Khalsa ever remain replenished, may the sword of the Khalsa be ever victorious, may the royal title of the Khalsa be universally recognized and honoured, may victory attend upon all just endeavours of the panth. The Khalsa commonwealth, may Waheguru's might be our constantly, may the order of the Khalsa achieve ever-expanding progress and supremacy, say Waheguru! Waheguru!

Section 7

ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦਾਨ ਕੇਸ ਦਾਨ ਰਹਿਤ ਦਾਨ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾਨ ਵਿਸਾਹ ਦਾਨ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਾਨ ਦਾਨਾਂ ਸਿਰ ਦਾਨ ਨਾਮ ਦਾਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਚੌਂਕੀਆਂ ਝੰਡੇ ਬੁੰਗੇ ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅਟੱਲ ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਜੈਕਾਰ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂੂ ॥

si'khaa(n) noo(n) si'khee dhaan kes dhaan rahit dhaan bibek dhaan visaeh dhaan bharosaa dhaan dhaanaa(n) sir dhaan naam dhaan sree a(n)mritasar jee dhe ishanaan chaua(n)keeaa(n) jha(n)dde bu(n)ge jugo jug aTa'l dharam kaa jaikaar bolo jee vaahiguroooo ||

Grant to the Sikhs: the gift of faith, the gift of uncut hair, the gift of discipline, gift of the knowledge, the gift of mutual trust, the gift of self-confidence and the supreme gift of all gifts, the gift of communion with Waheguru. May Sikhs freely center around and dip in the holy lake of Amritsar, Sikh concerts, the banners, dwelling houses ever remain inviolate. May the cause of truth and justice prevail everywhere and at all times. Sires, utter Waheguru.

Section 8

ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਨੀਵਾਂ ਮੱਤ ਉੱਚੀ ਮੱਤ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥

si'khaa(n) dhaa man neevaa(n) ma't u'chee ma't dhaa raakhaa akaal purakh vaahiguroo ||

May the passions in the minds of the Sikhs remain calm and the reason flow clear and may the reason always be guided by the light of Waheguru.

Section 9

ਹੇ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੰਥ ਦੇ ਸਦਾ ਸਹਾਈ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਜੀਓ ॥

he akaal purakh aapane pa(n)th dhe sadhaa sahaiee dhaataar jeeo ||

O, Almighty, protector and helper ever of the Panth,

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਨਕਾਣਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਗੁਰਧਾਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪੰਥ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਛੋੜਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਖੁਲ੍ਹੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਤੇ ਸੇਵਾ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਦਾ ਦਾਨ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੋ ॥

sree nanakaanaa saahib te hor gurdhuaariaa(n) gurdhaamaa(n) dhe jinhaa(n) to(n) pa(n)th noo(n) vichhoRiaa giaa hai khulhe dharashan dheedhaar te sevaa sa(n)bhaal dhaa dhaan khhaalasaa jee noo(n) bakhhasho ||

restore to us the right and privilege of unhindered management and free service of Nankana Sahib and other centres of the Sikh religion, the Gurdwaras, out of which we have been forcibly evicted.

Section 10

ਹੇ ਨਿਮਾਣਿਆ ਦੇ ਮਾਣ ਨਿਤਾਣਿਆ ਦੇ ਤਾਣ ਨਿਓਟਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਓਟ ਸਚੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦੇ ...... ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ ਜੀ ॥

he nimaaniaa dhe maan nitaaniaa dhe taan nioTiaa(n) dhee oT sache pitaa vaahiguroo aap jee dhe ...... aradhaas hai jee ||

O' true father of all lord, Waheguru here is a prayer: ...

ਅਖਰ ਦਾ ਵਾਧਾ ਘਾਟਾ ਭੁਲ ਚੁਕ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨੀ ਜੀ ॥

akhar dhaa vaadhaa ghaaTaa bhul chuk maaph karanee jee ||

Forgive us our shortcomings,

ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਜ ਰਾਸ ਕਰਨੇ ॥

saraba't dhe kaaraj raas karane ||

extend thy helping hand to all and every one.

ਸੇਈ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਮੇਲ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮਿਲਿਆਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਚਿੱਤ ਆਵੇ ॥

seiee piaare mel jinhaa(n) miliaa(n) teraa naam chi't aave ||

Grant us the company of those who may help keep thy name fresh in our hearts.

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ॥

naanak naam chaRhadhee kalaa || tere bhaane saraba't dhaa bhalaa ||

May the name, the religion preached by Nanak Dev Ji prevail and prosper, forever and ever, may thy will be done wherein lies the good of all.

Section 11

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ॥

vaahiguroo jee kaa khaalasaa ||

The Khalsa is of Waheguru

Section 12

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ ॥

vaahiguroo jee kee phateh ||

and to Waheguru belongs Victory

End of Ardas

What Ardas is

Ardas is the standing prayer of the Sikhs. The word means a humble request or petition. It is said at the end of daily Nitnem, at the close of nearly every Sikh gathering, and before or after any significant undertaking, from starting a journey to opening a business to a wedding or a funeral.

Ardas is different from the other prayers on this site. Its opening stanza is Gurbani: the first pauri of Vaar Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki, also called Chandi di Vaar, by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the Dasam Granth. It begins "Pritham Bhagauti simar kai, Gur Nanak layee dhiaye". It first remembers Bhagauti, which Sikhs understand as God, the Timeless One (often linked with the sword as its symbol), and then the Gurus from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Everything after that opening was composed by the Sikh Panth, the collective community, and has grown with its history. The text on this page is the standard Ardas set out in the Sikh Rehat Maryada. It is a prayer of the community in which each Sikh stands, not a composition of the Gurus.

What the Ardas contains

The Ardas moves through a clear order. The sangat answers "Waheguru" at the end of each section.

  • Remembrance of the Gurus. The opening from Chandi di Vaar, then Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and then Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which holds the light of all ten Gurus.
  • Remembrance of the Sikhs who came before. The Panj Pyare, the four Sahibzade, the Chali Mukte, and all who kept Naam, shared what they had, served, and stood firm. It then remembers the Singhs and Kaurs who gave their lives for their faith and for the Gurdwaras without giving up their Sikhi.
  • The Takhts and Gurdwaras. The five Takhts and all Gurdwaras are brought to mind.
  • Prayer for the Khalsa and for all. "May the presence of Waheguru be progressively felt in the hearts of all the Khalsa. And may the whole creation become happy and prosperous thereby."
  • Requests for the Sikhs. The gifts of Sikhi, kesh, rehat, discernment, trust, faith, and above all the gift of Naam. It asks for minds that are humble and understanding that is high, with the Timeless One as its protector.
  • The occasion. Here the particular purpose of the Ardas is named: thanks for completing Nitnem or a path, a request before a task, remembrance of someone who has passed, or any other need.
  • Forgiveness. "Forgive us our shortcomings," including mistakes made in reciting.
  • The closing. "Nanak naam chardi kala, tere bhane sarbat da bhala": may the Name bring ever-rising spirits, and by Your will may all be blessed. It ends with the Fateh: "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh".

How Ardas is done

Sikhs stand with hands joined for Ardas, facing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji if it is present. In a Gurdwara or a group, one person leads and everyone stands with them, responding "Waheguru" together. Alone, a Sikh says it in the same way.

Ardas often follows recitation of Anand Sahib (six pauris) at the end of a service. Afterwards the sangat bows, and the jaikara "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal" is called. In a Gurdwara, the Hukamnama is then usually read, and Karah Prashad is shared.

The standard text takes about 3 to 5 minutes. The recording on this page is a little under 4 minutes.

What Sikhs traditionally hold

Ardas is how a Sikh places every part of life before Waheguru: thanks, requests, remembrance and forgiveness. It is also a reminder that no Sikh prays alone. Through its remembrance of the Gurus and of generations of Sikhs, each Ardas joins the one who stands in it to the whole Panth. Its closing line asks for the good of all, not only of the one praying.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ardas part of Gurbani?

Only its opening. The first stanza, remembering the ten Gurus, is from Vaar Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki (Chandi di Vaar) by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The rest of the Ardas was composed by the Sikh Panth over time and is set out in the Sikh Rehat Maryada. It is a prayer of the community, not a bani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

How long does Ardas take?

About 3 to 5 minutes. The recording on this page runs a little under 4 minutes. It is longer when personal or occasion-specific requests are added.

Can I do Ardas in English or in my own words?

The standard Ardas is recited in Punjabi. At the point where the particular request is made, many Sikhs speak in their own words, and a personal prayer to Waheguru can be made in any language. The English translation on this page helps you understand each part.

How do I do Ardas?

Stand with hands joined, facing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji if present. One person usually leads while everyone else stands with them and responds "Waheguru" at the end of each section. After Ardas the sangat bows, and the jaikara "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal" is called.

Where can I get the Ardas PDF?

Use the PDF section on this page. There are two versions: Gurmukhi only, and Gurmukhi with transliteration and English translation.

Ardas PDF

Please treat printed Gurbani with respect.

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