Kirtan Sohila
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ
- Written by
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- Found in
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Angs 12 to 13
- Length
- 5 shabads
- Recitation
- About 5 min
Display
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ikOankaar satigur prasaadh ||
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਦੀਪਕੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧
sohilaa raag gauRee dheepakee mahalaa pehilaa
Sohilaa ~ The Song Of Praise. Raag Gauree Deepakee, First Mehla:
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ikOankaar satigur prasaadh ||
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥
jai ghar keerat aakheeaai karate kaa hoi beechaaro ||
In that house where the Praises of the Creator are chanted and contemplated
ਤਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਸਿਵਰਿਹੁ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੋ ॥੧॥
tit ghar gaavahu sohilaa sivarih sirajanahaaro ||1||
-in that house, sing Songs of Praise; meditate and remember the Creator Lord. ||1||
ਤੁਮ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਕਾ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ॥
tum gaavahu mere nirabhau kaa sohilaa ||
Sing the Songs of Praise of my Fearless Lord.
ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੋਹਿਲੈ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
hau vaaree jit sohilai sadhaa sukh hoi ||1|| rahaau ||
I am a sacrifice to that Song of Praise which brings eternal peace. ||1||Pause||
ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਜੀਅੜੇ ਸਮਾਲੀਅਨਿ ਦੇਖੈਗਾ ਦੇਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
nit nit jeeaRe samaaleean dhekhaigaa dhevanahaar ||
Day after day, He cares for His beings; the Great Giver watches over all.
ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਨੈ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਦਾਤੇ ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁਮਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
tere dhaanai keemat naa pavai tis dhaate kavan sumaar ||2||
Your Gifts cannot be appraised; how can anyone compare to the Giver? ||2||
ਸੰਬਤਿ ਸਾਹਾ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇਲੁ ॥
sa(n)bat saahaa likhiaa mil kar paavahu tel ||
The day of my wedding is pre-ordained. Come, gather together and pour the oil over the threshold.
ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਅਸੀਸੜੀਆ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥੩॥
dheh sajan aseesaReeaa jiau hovai saahib siau mel ||3||
My friends, give me your blessings, that I may merge with my Lord and Master. ||3||
ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਏਹੋ ਪਾਹੁਚਾ ਸਦੜੇ ਨਿਤ ਪਵੰਨਿ ॥
ghar ghar eho paahuchaa sadhaRe nit pava(n)n ||
Unto each and every home, into each and every heart, this summons is sent out; the call comes each and every day.
ਸਦਣਹਾਰਾ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਦਿਹ ਆਵੰਨਿ ॥੪॥੧॥
sadhanahaaraa simareeaai naanak se dheh aava(n)n ||4||1||
Remember in meditation the One who summons us; O Nanak, that day is drawing near! ||4||1||
ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
raag aasaa mahalaa pehilaa ||
Raag Aasaa, First Mehla:
ਛਿਅ ਘਰ ਛਿਅ ਗੁਰ ਛਿਅ ਉਪਦੇਸ ॥
chhia ghar chhia gur chhia upadhes ||
There are six schools of philosophy, six teachers, and six sets of teachings.
ਗੁਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਏਕੋ ਵੇਸ ਅਨੇਕ ॥੧॥
gur gur eko ves anek ||1||
But the Teacher of teachers is the One, who appears in so many forms. ||1||
ਬਾਬਾ ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕਰਤੇ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥
baabaa jai ghar karate keerat hoi ||
O Baba: that system in which the Praises of the Creator are sung
ਸੋ ਘਰੁ ਰਾਖੁ ਵਡਾਈ ਤੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
so ghar raakh vaddaiee toi ||1|| rahaau ||
-follow that system; in it rests true greatness. ||1||Pause||
ਵਿਸੁਏ ਚਸਿਆ ਘੜੀਆ ਪਹਰਾ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਮਾਹੁ ਹੋਆ ॥
visue chasiaa ghaReeaa paharaa thitee vaaree maahu hoaa ||
The seconds, minutes and hours, days, weeks and months,
ਸੂਰਜੁ ਏਕੋ ਰੁਤਿ ਅਨੇਕ ॥
sooraj eko rut anek ||
and the various seasons originate from the one sun;
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਤੇ ਕੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਵੇਸ ॥੨॥੨॥
naanak karate ke kete ves ||2||2||
O Nanak, in just the same way, the many forms originate from the Creator. ||2||2||
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
raag dhanaasaree mahalaa pehilaa ||
Raag Dhanaasaree, First Mehla:
ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥
gagan mai thaal rav cha(n)dh dheepak bane taarikaa ma(n)ddal janak motee ||
Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.
ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੧॥
dhoop malaanalo pavan chavaro kare sagal banarai foola(n)t jotee ||1||
The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. ||1||
ਕੈਸੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਰਤੀ ॥
kaisee aaratee hoi || bhav kha(n)ddanaa teree aaratee ||
What a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service this is! O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Ceremony of Light.
ਅਨਹਤਾ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੰਤ ਭੇਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
anahataa sabadh vaaja(n)t bheree ||1|| rahaau ||
The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad is the vibration of the temple drums. ||1||Pause||
ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹਹਿ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤੋੁਹੀ ॥
sahas tav nain nan nain heh toh kau sahas moorat nanaa ek tuohee ||
You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.
ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥
sahas padh bimal nan ek padh ga(n)dh bin sahas tav ga(n)dh iv chalat mohee ||2||
You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. ||2||
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
sabh meh jot jot hai soi ||
Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.
ਤਿਸ ਦੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
tis dhai chaanan sabh meh chaanan hoi ||
By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.
ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
gur saakhee jot paragaT hoi ||
Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.
ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥
jo tis bhaavai su aaratee hoi ||3||
That which is pleasing to Him is the lamp-lit worship service. ||3||
ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਕਵਲ ਮਕਰੰਦ ਲੋਭਿਤ ਮਨੋ ਅਨਦਿਨੋੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਆਹੀ ਪਿਆਸਾ ॥
har charan kaval makara(n)dh lobhit mano anadhinuo moh aahee piaasaa ||
My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.
ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਜਲੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਰਿੰਗ ਕਉ ਹੋਇ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਇ ਵਾਸਾ ॥੪॥੩॥
kirapaa jal dheh naanak saari(n)g kau hoi jaa te terai nai vaasaa ||4||3||
Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. ||4||3||
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਪੂਰਬੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
raag gauRee poorabee mahalaa chauthhaa ||
Raag Gauree Poorbee, Fourth Mehla:
ਕਾਮਿ ਕਰੋਧਿ ਨਗਰੁ ਬਹੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਖੰਡਲ ਖੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥
kaam karodh nagar bahu bhariaa mil saadhoo kha(n)ddal kha(n)ddaa he ||
The body-village is filled to overflowing with anger and sexual desire; these were broken into bits when I met with the Holy Saint.
ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਤ ਲਿਖੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਮੰਡਲ ਮੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥
poorab likhat likhe gur paiaa man har liv ma(n)ddal ma(n)ddaa he ||1||
By pre-ordained destiny, I have met with the Guru. I have entered into the realm of the Lord's Love. ||1||
ਕਰਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਅੰਜੁਲੀ ਪੁਨੁ ਵਡਾ ਹੇ ॥
kar saadhoo a(n)julee pun vaddaa he ||
Greet the Holy Saint with your palms pressed together; this is an act of great merit.
ਕਰਿ ਡੰਡਉਤ ਪੁਨੁ ਵਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
kar dda(n)ddaut pun vaddaa he ||1|| rahaau ||
Bow down before Him; this is a virtuous action indeed. ||1||Pause||
ਸਾਕਤ ਹਰਿ ਰਸ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਕੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥
saakat har ras saadh na jaaniaa tin a(n)tar haumai ka(n)ddaa he ||
The wicked shaaktas, the faithless cynics, do not know the Taste of the Lord's Sublime Essence. The thorn of egotism is embedded deep within them.
ਜਿਉ ਜਿਉ ਚਲਹਿ ਚੁਭੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਸਹਹਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਡੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੨॥
jiau jiau chaleh chubhai dhukh paaveh jamakaal saheh sir dda(n)ddaa he ||2||
The more they walk away, the deeper it pierces them, and the more they suffer in pain, until finally, the Messenger of Death smashes his club against their heads. ||2||
ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਣੇ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥
har jan har har naam samaane dhukh janam maran bhav kha(n)ddaa he ||
The humble servants of the Lord are absorbed in the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. The pain of birth and the fear of death are eradicated.
ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਬਹੁ ਸੋਭ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੩॥
abinaasee purakh paiaa paramesar bahu sobh kha(n)dd brahama(n)ddaa he ||3||
They have found the Imperishable Supreme Being, the Transcendent Lord God, and they receive great honor throughout all the worlds and realms. ||3||
ਹਮ ਗਰੀਬ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਖੁ ਰਾਖੁ ਵਡ ਵਡਾ ਹੇ ॥
ham gareeb masakeen prabh tere har raakh raakh vadd vaddaa he ||
I am poor and meek, God, but I belong to You! Save me-please save me, O Greatest of the Great!
ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਟੇਕ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੇ ਹੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਮੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੪॥੪॥
jan naanak naam adhaar Tek hai har naame hee sukh ma(n)ddaa he ||4||4||
Servant Nanak takes the Sustenance and Support of the Naam. In the Name of the Lord, he enjoys celestial peace. ||4||4||
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਪੂਰਬੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
raag gauRee poorabee mahalaa panjavaa ||
Raag Gauree Poorbee, Fifth Mehla:
ਕਰਉ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੀਤਾ ਸੰਤ ਟਹਲ ਕੀ ਬੇਲਾ ॥
karau bena(n)tee sunahu mere meetaa sa(n)t Tahal kee belaa ||
Listen, my friends, I beg of you: now is the time to serve the Saints!
ਈਹਾ ਖਾਟਿ ਚਲਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਆਗੈ ਬਸਨੁ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥੧॥
e'eehaa khaaT chalahu har laahaa aagai basan suhelaa ||1||
In this world, earn the profit of the Lord's Name, and hereafter, you shall dwell in peace. ||1||
ਅਉਧ ਘਟੈ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਰੈਣਾਰੇ ॥ ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
aaudh ghaTai dhinas rainaare || man gur mil kaaj savaare ||1|| rahaau ||
This life is diminishing, day and night. Meeting with the Guru, your affairs shall be resolved. ||1||Pause||
ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਬਿਕਾਰੁ ਸੰਸੇ ਮਹਿ ਤਰਿਓ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ॥
eih sa(n)saar bikaar sa(n)se meh tario braham giaanee ||
This world is engrossed in corruption and cynicism. Only those who know God are saved.
ਜਿਸਹਿ ਜਗਾਇ ਪੀਆਵੈ ਇਹੁ ਰਸੁ ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥੨॥
jiseh jagai peeaavai ih ras akath kathaa tin jaanee ||2||
Only those who are awakened by the Lord to drink in this Sublime Essence, come to know the Unspoken Speech of the Lord. ||2||
ਜਾ ਕਉ ਆਏ ਸੋਈ ਬਿਹਾਝਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਨਹਿ ਬਸੇਰਾ ॥
jaa kau aae soiee bihaajhahu har gur te maneh baseraa ||
Purchase only that for which you have come into the world, and through the Guru, the Lord shall dwell within your mind.
ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜੇ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਫੇਰਾ ॥੩॥
nij ghar mahal paavahu sukh sahaje bahur na hoigo feraa ||3||
Within the home of your own inner being, you shall obtain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence with intuitive ease. You shall not be consigned again to the wheel of reincarnation. ||3||
ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਪੁਰਖ ਬਿਧਾਤੇ ਸਰਧਾ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਪੂਰੇ ॥
a(n)tarajaamee purakh bidhaate saradhaa man kee poore ||
O Inner-knower, Searcher of Hearts, O Primal Being, Architect of Destiny: please fulfill this yearning of my mind.
ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਮਾਗੈ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੀ ਧੂਰੇ ॥੪॥੫॥
naanak dhaas ihai sukh maagai mo kau kar sa(n)tan kee dhoore ||4||5||
Nanak, Your slave, begs for this happiness: let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints. ||4||5||
End of Kirtan Sohila
What Kirtan Sohila is
Kirtan Sohila is the night prayer of Sikh Nitnem. It is a short bani of five shabads from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, on angs 12 to 13. "Sohila" means a song of praise, and the heading in the Guru Granth Sahib reads "Sohila, Raag Gauree Deepakee, First Mehla".
The five shabads come from three Gurus:
- Raag Gauri Deepaki, by Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Raag Asa, by Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Raag Dhanasari, by Guru Nanak Dev Ji (the Aarti, "Gagan mai thaal")
- Raag Gauri Poorbi, by Guru Ram Das Ji
- Raag Gauri Poorbi, by Guru Arjan Dev Ji
This page shows these five shabads, as given in the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Some traditions recite additional shabads and verses before and after them.
Meaning of Kirtan Sohila
The first shabad sets the tone with the image of a wedding. In a house where God's praises are sung, the soul sings its song of praise and remembers the Creator. "Sing the Songs of Praise of my Fearless Lord. I am a sacrifice to that Song of Praise which brings eternal peace." The day of union is already fixed, and the call comes to every home, every day: "Remember in meditation the One who summons us; O Nanak, that day is drawing near!" Read at night, this is a gentle reminder that life is short and that each day ends in God's hands.
The second shabad looks at the many schools of thought. There are six schools of philosophy, six teachers and six sets of teachings, "But the Teacher of teachers is the One, who appears in so many forms." Just as seconds, days, months and seasons all come from the one sun, all forms come from the one Creator.
The third shabad is the Aarti. Guru Nanak Dev Ji describes the whole cosmos performing worship: the sky is the plate, the sun and moon are the lamps, the stars are the pearls, the fragrant wind is the incense. "What a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service this is!" It adds that the light within every being is God's light, and it closes with Guru Nanak Dev Ji as a thirsty song-bird asking for the water of God's mercy.
The fourth shabad, by Guru Ram Das Ji, describes the body as a village full of anger and desire, broken open by meeting the holy. The fifth, by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, speaks with urgency: "Listen, my friends, I beg of you: now is the time to serve the Saints!" Life shrinks day and night. It ends with the humble request to be "the dust of the feet of the Saints".
When and how to recite
The Sikh Rehat Maryada places Kirtan Sohila at night, before going to sleep. It is the last bani of the day's Nitnem, after Rehras Sahib in the evening. Many families recite it together at bedtime, and it is often one of the first banis Sikh children learn.
Kirtan Sohila is also recited when Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is taken to rest for the night (sukhasan) in a Gurdwara, and the Rehat Maryada also calls for it at a cremation, followed by Ardas.
It takes about 5 minutes. The recording on this page runs a little over 5 minutes.
What Sikhs traditionally hold
Sikhs hold Kirtan Sohila as a bani that closes the day in peace and trust. Ending the night with it is a way of placing oneself in God's care before sleep. Its own words set the mood: the song of praise "brings eternal peace", and the one who remembers the Creator need not fear the call that comes to every home.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kirtan Sohila take to recite?
About 5 minutes. The recording on this page runs a little over 5 minutes.
When should Kirtan Sohila be recited?
At night, before going to sleep. It is the last bani of the daily Nitnem. It is also recited when Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is put to rest for the night, and at a Sikh cremation.
Who wrote Kirtan Sohila?
Three Gurus. The first three shabads are by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the fourth by Guru Ram Das Ji, and the fifth by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Can I listen to Kirtan Sohila before sleeping instead of reading it?
Many Sikhs listen at bedtime, especially children and people learning the bani. The usual practice is to listen with attention rather than as background, and to learn to recite it yourself over time.
Where can I get the Kirtan Sohila PDF?
Use the PDF section on this page. There are two versions: Gurmukhi only, and Gurmukhi with transliteration and English translation.
Kirtan Sohila PDF
Please treat printed Gurbani with respect.