Chaupai Sahib
ਬੇਨਤੀ ਚੌਪਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ
- Written by
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Found in
- Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, Angs 1386 to 1388
- Length
- 25 chaupais
- Recitation
- About 5 min
Display
ੴ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹ ॥
ikOankaar sree vaahiguroo jee kee fateh ||
There is one god, Waheguroo, Victory is his.
ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦ ॥
paatishaahee 10 ||
Written by the Sovereign King, Guru Gobind Singh Ji
ਕਬਿਯੋ ਬਾਚ ਬੇਨਤੀ ॥
kabiyo baach benatee ||
Speech of the poet.
ਚੌਪਈ ॥
chauapiee ||
Chaupai
Chaupai 1
ਹਮਰੀ ਕਰੋ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਰੱਛਾ ॥
hamaree karo haath dhai ra'chhaa ||
Protect me O Lord! with Thine own Hands
ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਚਿਤ ਕੀ ਇੱਛਾ ॥
pooran hoi chit kee i'chhaa ||
all the desires of my heart be fulfilled.
ਤਵ ਚਰਨਨ ਮਨ ਰਹੈ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥
tav charanan man rahai hamaaraa ||
Let my mind rest under Thy Feet
ਅਪਨਾ ਜਾਨ ਕਰੋ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਰਾ ॥੩੭੭॥
apanaa jaan karo pratipaaraa ||377||
Sustain me, considering me Thine own.377.
Chaupai 2
ਹਮਰੇ ਦੁਸਟ ਸਭੈ ਤੁਮ ਘਾਵਹੁ ॥
hamare dhusaT sabhai tum ghaavahu ||
Destroy, O Lord! all my enemies and
ਆਪੁ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਚਾਵਹੁ ॥
aap haath dhai moh bachaavahu ||
protect me with Thine won Hands.
ਸੁਖੀ ਬਸੈ ਮੋਰੋ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾ ॥
sukhee basai moro parivaaraa ||
May my family live in comfort
ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਭੈ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥੩੭੮॥
sevak si'kh sabhai karataaraa ||378||
and ease alongwith all my servants and disciples.378.
Chaupai 3
ਮੋ ਰੱਛਾ ਨਿਜ ਕਰ ਦੈ ਕਰਿਯੈ ॥
mo ra'chhaa nij kar dhai kariyai ||
Protect me O Lord! with Thine own Hands
ਸਭ ਬੈਰਨ ਕੋ ਆਜ ਸੰਘਰਿਯੈ ॥
sabh bairan ko aaj sa(n)ghariyai ||
and destroy this day all my enemies
ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਹਮਾਰੀ ਆਸਾ ॥
pooran hoi hamaaree aasaa ||
May all the aspirations be fulfilled
ਤੋਰ ਭਜਨ ਕੀ ਰਹੈ ਪਿਆਸਾ ॥੩੭੯॥
tor bhajan kee rahai piaasaa ||379||
Let my thirst for Thy Name remain afresh.379.
Chaupai 4
ਤੁਮਹਿ ਛਾਡਿ ਕੋਈ ਅਵਰ ਨ ਧਿਯਾਊਂ ॥
tumeh chhaadd koiee avar na dhiyaauoo(n) ||
I may remember none else except Thee
ਜੋ ਬਰ ਚਹੋਂ ਸੁ ਤੁਮ ਤੇ ਪਾਊਂ ॥
jo bar chaho(n) su tum te paauoo(n) ||
And obtain all the required boons from Thee
ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਹਮਾਰੇ ਤਾਰੀਅਹਿ ॥
sevak si'kh hamaare taare'eh ||
Let my servants and disciples cross the world-ocean
ਚੁਨਿ ਚੁਨਿ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਹਮਾਰੇ ਮਾਰੀਅਹਿ ॥੩੮੦॥
chun chun satr hamaare maare'eh ||380||
All my enemies be singled out and killed.380.
Chaupai 5
ਆਪ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਮੁਝੈ ਉਬਰਿਯੈ ॥
aap haath dhai mujhai ubariyai ||
Protect me O Lord! with Thine own Hands and
ਮਰਨ ਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਨਿਵਰਿਯੈ ॥
maran kaal kaa traas nivariyai ||
relieve me form the fear of death
ਹੂਜੋ ਸਦਾ ਹਮਾਰੇ ਪੱਛਾ ॥
hoojo sadhaa hamaare pa'chhaa ||
May Thou ever Bestow Thy favours on my side
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਸਿਧੁਜ ਜੂ ਕਰਿਯਹੁ ਰੱਛਾ ॥੩੮੧॥
sree asidhuj joo kariyahu ra'chhaa ||381||
Protect me O Lord! Thou, the Supreme Destroyer.381.
Chaupai 6
ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਮੁਹਿ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੇ ॥
raakh leh muh raakhanahaare ||
Protect me, O Protector Lord!
ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸੰਤ ਸਹਾਇ ਪਿਯਾਰੇ ॥
saahib sa(n)t sahai piyaare ||
Most dear, the Protector of the Saints:
ਦੀਨ ਬੰਧੁ ਦੁਸਟਨ ਕੇ ਹੰਤਾ ॥
dheen ba(n)dh dhusaTan ke ha(n)taa ||
Friend of poor and the Destroyer of the enemies
ਤੁਮ ਹੋ ਪੁਰੀ ਚਤੁਰ ਦਸ ਕੰਤਾ ॥੩੮੨॥
tum ho puree chatur dhas ka(n)taa ||382||
Thou art the Master of the fourteen worlds.382.
Chaupai 7
ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਪੁ ਧਰਾ ॥
kaal pai brahamaa bap dharaa ||
In due time Brahma appeared in physical form
ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਸਿਵਜੂ ਅਵਤਰਾ ॥
kaal pai sivajoo avataraa ||
In due time Shiva incarnated
ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਕਰ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸਾ ॥
kaal pai kar bisan prakaasaa ||
In due time Vishnu manifested himself
ਸਕਲ ਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਤਮਾਸਾ ॥੩੮੩॥
sakal kaal kaa keeaa tamaasaa ||383||
All this is the play of the Temporal Lord.383.
Chaupai 8
ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਜੋਗੀ ਸਿਵ ਕੀਓ ॥
javan kaal jogee siv keeo ||
The Temporal Lord, who created Shiva, the Yogi
ਬੇਦ ਰਾਜ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਜੂ ਥੀਓ ॥
bedh raaj brahamaa joo theeo ||
Who created Brahma, the Master of the Vedas
ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਸਭ ਲੋਕ ਸਵਾਰਾ ॥
javan kaal sabh lok savaaraa ||
The Temporal Lord who fashioned the entire world
ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਤਾਹਿ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩੮੪॥
namasakaar hai taeh hamaaraa ||384||
I salute the same Lord.384.
Chaupai 9
ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਸਭ ਜਗਤ ਬਨਾਯੋ ॥
javan kaal sabh jagat banaayo ||
The Temporal Lord, who created the whole world
ਦੇਵ ਦੈਤ ਜੱਛਨ ਉਪਜਾਯੋ ॥
dhev dhait ja'chhan upajaayo ||
Who created gods, demons and yakshas
ਆਦਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਏਕੈ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ ॥
aadh a(n)t ekai avataaraa ||
He is the only one form the beginning to the end
ਸੋਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਮਝਿਯਹੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩੮੫॥
soiee guroo samajhiyahu hamaaraa ||385||
I consider Him only my Guru.385.
Chaupai 10
ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਕੋ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥
namasakaar tis hee ko hamaaree ||
I salute Him, non else, but Him
ਸਕਲ ਪ੍ਰਜਾ ਜਿਨ ਆਪ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥
sakal prajaa jin aap savaaree ||
Who has created Himself and His subject
ਸਿਵਕਨ ਕੋ ਸਿਵਗੁਨ ਸੁਖ ਦੀਓ ॥
sivakan ko sivagun sukh dheeo ||
He bestows Divine virtues and happiness on His servants
ਸਤੱ੍ਰੁਨ ਕੋ ਪਲ ਮੋ ਬਧ ਕੀਓ ॥੩੮੬॥
sata'run ko pal mo badh keeo ||386||
He destroys the enemies instantly.386.
Chaupai 11
ਘਟ ਘਟ ਕੇ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਜਾਨਤ ॥
ghaT ghaT ke a(n)tar kee jaanat ||
He knows the inner feelings of every heart
ਭਲੇ ਬੁਰੇ ਕੀ ਪੀਰ ਪਛਾਨਤ ॥
bhale bure kee peer pachhaanat ||
He knows the anguish of both good and bad
ਚੀਟੀ ਤੇ ਕੁੰਚਰ ਅਸਥੂਲਾ ॥
cheeTee te ku(n)char asathoolaa ||
From the ant to the solid elephant
ਸਭ ਪਰ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਰ ਫੂਲਾ ॥੩੮੭॥
sabh par kirapaa dhirasaT kar foolaa ||387||
He casts His Graceful glance on all and feels pleased.387.
Chaupai 12
ਸੰਤਨ ਦੁਖ ਪਾਏ ਤੇ ਦੁਖੀ ॥
sa(n)tan dhukh paae te dhukhee ||
He is painful, when He sees His saints in grief
ਸੁਖ ਪਾਏ ਸਾਧੁਨ ਕੇ ਸੁਖੀ ॥
sukh paae saadhun ke sukhee ||
He is happy, when His saints are happy.
ਏਕ ਏਕ ਕੀ ਪੀਰ ਪਛਾਨੈਂ ॥
ek ek kee peer pachhaanai(n) ||
He knows the agony of everyone
ਘਟ ਘਟ ਕੇ ਪਟ ਪਟ ਕੀ ਜਾਨੈਂ ॥੩੮੮॥
ghaT ghaT ke paT paT kee jaanai(n) ||388||
He knows the innermost secrets of every heart.388.
Chaupai 13
ਜਬ ਉਦਕਰਖ ਕਰਾ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥
jab udhakarakh karaa karataaraa ||
When the Creator projected Himself,
ਪ੍ਰਜਾ ਧਰਤ ਤਬ ਦੇਹ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥
prajaa dharat tab dheh apaaraa ||
His creation manifested itself in innumerable forms
ਜਬ ਆਕਰਖ ਕਰਤ ਹੋ ਕਬਹੂੰ ॥
jab aakarakh karat ho kabahoo(n) ||
When at any time He withdraws His creation,
ਤੁਮ ਮੈ ਮਿਲਤ ਦੇਹ ਧਰ ਸਭਹੂੰ ॥੩੮੯॥
tum mai milat dheh dhar sabhahoo(n) ||389||
all the physical forms are merged in Him.389.
Chaupai 14
ਜੇਤੇ ਬਦਨ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਭ ਧਾਰੈ ॥
jete badhan sirasaT sabh dhaarai ||
All the bodies of living beings created in the world
ਆਪੁ ਆਪਨੀ ਬੂਝ ਉਚਾਰੈ ॥
aap aapanee boojh uchaarai ||
speak about Him according to their understanding
ਤੁਮ ਸਭਹੀ ਤੇ ਰਹਤ ਨਿਰਾਲਮ ॥
tum sabhahee te rahat niraalam ||
But Thou, O Lord! live quite apart from everything
ਜਾਨਤ ਬੇਦ ਭੇਦ ਅਰ ਆਲਮ ॥੩੯੦॥
jaanat bedh bhedh ar aalam ||390||
this fact is know to the Vedas and the learned.390.
Chaupai 15
ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਨ੍ਰਿਬਿਕਾਰ ਨਿਰਲੰਭ ॥
nira(n)kaar nirabikaar nirala(n)bh ||
The Lord is Formless, Sinless and shelterless:
ਆਦਿ ਅਨੀਲ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਅਸੰਭ ॥
aadh aneel anaadh asa(n)bh ||
He is the Primal Power, without Blemish, without Beginning and Unborn
ਤਾਕਾ ਮੂੜ੍ਹ ਉਚਾਰਤ ਭੇਦਾ ॥
taakaa mooRh uchaarat bhedhaa ||
The fool claims boastfully about the knowledge of His secrets,
ਜਾ ਕੋ ਭੇਵ ਨ ਪਾਵਤ ਬੇਦਾ ॥੩੯੧॥
jaa ko bhev na paavat bedhaa ||391||
which even the Vedas do not know.391.
Chaupai 16
ਤਾ ਕੋ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਹਨ ਅਨੁਮਾਨਤ ॥
taa ko kar paahan anumaanat ||
The fool considers Him a stone,
ਮਹਾ ਮੂੜ੍ਹ ਕਛੁ ਭੇਦ ਨ ਜਾਨਤ ॥
mahaa mooRh kachh bhedh na jaanat ||
but the great fool does not know any secret
ਮਹਾਦੇਵ ਕੋ ਕਹਤ ਸਦਾ ਸਿਵ ॥
mahaadhev ko kahat sadhaa siv ||
He calls Shiva “The Eternal Lord,
ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਕਾ ਚੀਨਤ ਨਹਿ ਭਿਵ ॥੩੯੨॥
nira(n)kaar kaa cheenat neh bhiv ||392||
“but he does not know the secret of the Formless Lord.392.
Chaupai 17
ਆਪੁ ਆਪਨੀ ਬੁਧਿ ਹੈ ਜੇਤੀ ॥
aap aapanee budh hai jetee ||
According to ones won intellect,
ਬਰਨਤ ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਤੁਹਿ ਤੇਤੀ ॥
baranat bhi(n)n bhi(n)n tuh tetee ||
one describes Thee differently
ਤੁਮਰਾ ਲਖਾ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਪਸਾਰਾ ॥
tumaraa lakhaa na jai pasaaraa ||
The limits of Thy creation cannot be known
ਕਿਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਸਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਥਮ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥੩੯੩॥
keh bidh sajaa pratham sa(n)saaraa ||393||
and how the world was fashioned in the beginning?393.
Chaupai 18
ਏਕੈ ਰੂਪ ਅਨੂਪ ਸਰੂਪਾ ॥
ekai roop anoop saroopaa ||
He hath only one unparalleled Form
ਰੰਕ ਭਯੋ ਰਾਵ ਕਹੀ ਭੂਪਾ ॥
ra(n)k bhayo raav kahee bhoopaa ||
He manifests Himself as a poor man or a king at different places
ਅੰਡਜ ਜੇਰਜ ਸੇਤਜ ਕੀਨੀ ॥
a(n)ddaj jeraj setaj keenee ||
He created creatures from eggs, wombs and perspiration
ਉਤਭੁਜ ਖਾਨਿ ਬਹੁਰ ਰਚਿ ਦੀਨੀ ॥੩੯੪॥
autabhuj khaan bahur rach dheenee ||394||
Then He created the vegetable kingdom.394.
Chaupai 19
ਕਹੂੰ ਫੂਲ ਰਾਜਾ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਬੈਠਾ ॥
kahoo(n) fool raajaa havai baiThaa ||
Somewhere He sits joyfully as a king
ਕਹੂੰ ਸਿਮਟਿ ਭਿ੍ਯੋ ਸੰਕਰ ਇਕੈਠਾ ॥
kahoo(n) simaT bhiyo sa(n)kar ikaiThaa ||
Somewhere He contracts Himself as Shiva, the Yogi
ਸਗਰੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਦਿਖਾਇ ਅਚੰਭਵ ॥
sagaree sirasaT dhikhai acha(n)bhav ||
All His creation unfolds wonderful things
ਆਦਿ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਸੁਯੰਭਵ ॥੩੯੫॥
aadh jugaadh saroop suya(n)bhav ||395||
He, the Primal Power, is from the beginning and Self-Existent.395.
Chaupai 20
ਅਬ ਰੱਛਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਤੁਮ ਕਰੋ ॥
ab ra'chhaa meree tum karo ||
O Lord! keep me now under Thy protection
ਸਿੱਖ ਉਬਾਰਿ ਅਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਘਰੋ ॥
si'kh ubaar asi'kh sa(n)gharo ||
Protect my disciples and destroy my enemies
ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਜਿਤੇ ਉਠਵਤ ਉਤਪਾਤਾ ॥
dhushaT jite uThavat utapaataa ||
All the villains creations outrage
ਸਕਲ ਮਲੇਛ ਕਰੋ ਰਣ ਘਾਤਾ ॥੩੯੬॥
sakal malechh karo ran ghaataa ||396||
and all the infidels be destroyed in the battlefield.396.
Chaupai 21
ਜੇ ਅਸਿਧੁਜ ਤਵ ਸਰਨੀ ਪਰੇ ॥
je asidhuj tav saranee pare ||
O Supreme Destroyer! those who sought Thy refuge,
ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਦੁਖਿਤ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਮਰੇ ॥
tin ke dhushaT dhukhit havai mare ||
their enemies met painful death
ਪੁਰਖ ਜਵਨ ਪਗ ਪਰੇ ਤਿਹਾਰੇ ॥
purakh javan pag pare tihaare ||
The persons who fell at Thy Feet,
ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਤੁਮ ਸੰਕਟ ਸਭ ਟਾਰੇ ॥੩੯੭॥
tin ke tum sa(n)kaT sabh Taare ||397||
thou didst remove all their troubles.397.
Chaupai 22
ਜੋ ਕਲਿ ਕੋ ਇਕ ਬਾਰ ਧਿਐ ਹੈ ॥
jo kal ko ik baar dhiaai hai ||
Those who meditate even on the Supreme Destroyer,
ਤਾ ਕੇ ਕਾਲ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨਹਿ ਐਹੈ ॥
taa ke kaal nikaT neh aaihai ||
death cannot approach them.
ਰੱਛਾ ਹੋਇ ਤਾਹਿ ਸਭ ਕਾਲਾ ॥
ra'chhaa hoi taeh sabh kaalaa ||
They remain protected at all times
ਦੁਸਟ ਅਰਿਸਟ ਟਰੇਂ ਤਤਕਾਲਾ ॥੩੯੮॥
dhusaT arisaT Tare(n) tatakaalaa ||398||
Their enemies and troubles come to and end instantly.398.
Chaupai 23
ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਤਨ ਜਾਹਿ ਨਿਹਰਿਹੋ ॥
kirapaa dhirasaT tan jaeh nihariho ||
Upon whomsoever Thou dost cast Thy favourable glance,
ਤਾਕੇ ਤਾਪ ਤਨਕ ਮੋ ਹਰਿਹੋ ॥
taake taap tanak mo hariho ||
they are absolved of sins instantly
ਰਿੱਧਿ ਸਿੱਧਿ ਘਰ ਮੋ ਸਭ ਹੋਈ ॥
ri'dh si'dh ghar mo sabh hoiee ||
They have all the worldly and spiritual pleasures in their homes
ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਛਾਹ ਛ੍ਵੈ ਸਕੈ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥੩੯੯॥
dhushaT chhaeh chhavai sakai na koiee ||399||
None of their enemies can even touch their shadow.399.
Chaupai 24
ਏਕ ਬਾਰ ਜਿਨ ਤੁਮੈ ਸੰਭਾਰਾ ॥
ek baar jin tumai sa(n)bhaaraa ||
He, who remembered Thee even once,
ਕਾਲ ਫਾਸ ਤੇ ਤਾਹਿ ਉਬਾਰਾ ॥
kaal faas te taeh ubaaraa ||
thou didst protect him from the noose of death
ਜਿਨ ਨਰ ਨਾਮ ਤਿਹਾਰੋ ਕਹਾ ॥
jin nar naam tihaaro kahaa ||
Those persons, who repeated Thy Name,
ਦਾਰਿਦ ਦੁਸਟ ਦੋਖ ਤੇ ਰਹਾ ॥੪੦੦॥
dhaaridh dhusaT dhokh te rahaa ||400||
they were saved from poverty and attacks of enemies.400.
Chaupai 25
ਖੜਗ ਕੇਤ ਮੈ ਸਰਣਿ ਤਿਹਾਰੀ ॥
khaRag ket mai saran tihaaree ||
O Immortal Being (with the sword on Your banner)! I am under Your protection.
ਆਪ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਲੇਹੁ ਉਬਾਰੀ ॥
aap haath dhai leh ubaaree ||
Give me Your hand and save me.
ਸਰਬ ਠੌਰ ਮੋ ਹੋਹੁ ਸਹਾਈ ॥
sarab Thauar mo hoh sahaiee ||
Stand by me everywhere,
ਦੁਸਟ ਦੋਖ ਤੇ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਚਾਈ ॥੪੦੧॥
dhusaT dhokh te leh bachaiee ||401||
and guard me against enmity and pain. 401.
End of Chaupai Sahib
What Chaupai Sahib is
Chaupai Sahib is a prayer by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru. Its heading reads "Kabyo Bach Benti Chaupai", the poet's prayer in chaupai verse, which is why it is also called Benti Chaupai. A chaupai is a verse of four short rhyming lines.
It comes from the Dasam Granth, at the close of the long work known as Charitropakhyan, where the verses are numbered 377 onward. On this page it appears on pages 1386 to 1388 of the Dasam Granth in the standard pagination.
This page shows the text as given in the Sikh Rehat Maryada: 25 chaupais, from "Hamri karo hath dai rachha" (verse 377) to "Dusht dokh te leh bachai" (verse 401). Traditions differ on its length. Some, including the Damdami Taksal, continue to verse 405, and Nihang tradition begins earlier, from verse 366. In Rehras Sahib the Chaupai is followed by a savaiya and a dohra, which you can read on the Rehras Sahib page.
Meaning of Chaupai Sahib
Chaupai Sahib is a direct plea for protection. It opens: "Protect me O Lord! with Thine own Hands, all the desires of my heart be fulfilled. Let my mind rest under Thy Feet. Sustain me, considering me Thine own."
The first verses ask God to guard the one who prays, their family, and their servants and Sikhs, to destroy what harms them, and to keep alive "my thirst for Thy Name". The prayer is personal and urgent, but its deepest request is devotional: "I may remember none else except Thee."
The middle of the bani turns from asking to describing. Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu all appeared "in due time", and "All this is the play of the Temporal Lord." The Guru salutes the one Lord who created the whole world, and says: "I consider Him only my Guru." God "knows the inner feelings of every heart" and "the anguish of both good and bad", and casts a gracious glance on every creature "from the ant to the solid elephant". People describe God according to their own understanding, and even the Vedas do not know His full mystery.
The closing verses return to prayer and trust. Those who took refuge in God were freed from their troubles, and whoever remembered Him even once was protected. The final verse is a complete surrender: "I am under Your protection. Give me Your hand and save me. Stand by me everywhere, and guard me against enmity and pain."
When and how to recite
Chaupai Sahib is one of the five banis recited at Amrit Sanchar. Many Sikhs read it in the morning Nitnem after Tav Prasad Savaiye, as part of the five morning banis. The Sikh Rehat Maryada also includes it in Rehras Sahib, the evening prayer, so many Sikhs recite it twice a day.
It is also widely read on its own at times of fear, illness, travel or difficulty, as a prayer for Waheguru's protection. As with all Gurbani, Sikhs cover the head and recite with attention.
It takes about 4 to 7 minutes. The recording on this page is about 4 and a half minutes and follows the 25-verse text shown here.
What Sikhs traditionally hold
Sikhs hold Chaupai Sahib as a bani of protection and courage. They do not treat it as a charm. The text itself places its trust in God's grace: "Those who meditate even on the Supreme Destroyer, death cannot approach them." Its lasting request is to stay close to God's feet and never forget the Name.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chaupai Sahib take to recite?
About 4 to 7 minutes, depending on pace and on which version you read. The recording on this page runs about 4 and a half minutes.
How many chaupais are in Chaupai Sahib?
The version on this page, which follows the Sikh Rehat Maryada, has 25 verses, numbered 377 to 401 in the Dasam Granth. Some traditions continue to verse 405, making 29, and some begin earlier. All of them are recited with respect; the difference is where the recitation starts and ends.
When should I read Chaupai Sahib?
In the morning Nitnem after Tav Prasad Savaiye, and again in the evening as part of Rehras Sahib. Many Sikhs also read it on its own when they want to ask for Waheguru's protection.
Can I listen to Chaupai Sahib instead of reading it?
Listening with attention is a common way to learn it, and many people follow the text while the recording plays. The usual goal over time is to recite it yourself.
Where can I get the Chaupai Sahib PDF?
Use the PDF section on this page. There are two versions: Gurmukhi only, and Gurmukhi with transliteration and English translation.
Chaupai Sahib PDF
Please treat printed Gurbani with respect.