ਨਿਤਨੇਮ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਬਾਣੀਆਂ

Japji Sahib is the opening Baani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It begins with the Mool Mantar and, in 38 pauris and two saloks, teaches that the One Creator is realised by living in Hukam (the Divine Will), remembering the Naam, and rising through the five spiritual realms. Sikhs recite it every morning.

Morning (Amrit Vela) · 385 lines

Jaap Sahib is the first Baani of the Dasam Granth, composed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In 199 verses of rhythmic poetry it praises Waheguru only through attributes, never a name: formless, without caste or colour, destroyer of fear, beyond birth. Its cadence fills the reciter with fearlessness and is part of the morning Nitnem.

Morning · 808 lines

Ten savaiyas from Akal Ustat by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, beginning 'Sravag sudh samooh sidhan ke'. They declare that pilgrimages, rituals, austerities and even kingship are worthless without love of the Divine: 'Jin prem kio tin hee prabh paaio', only those who love attain God.

Morning · 43 lines

Benti Chaupai is Guru Gobind Singh Ji's prayer of supplication: 'Hamri karo haath dai rachha', protect me with Your own hand. It asks the Almighty for protection, courage and the fulfilment of the heart's wishes, and is recited in the morning Nitnem, in Rehras Sahib and before difficult undertakings.

Morning and evening · 173 lines

Anand Sahib, the song of bliss, was composed by Guru Amar Das Ji in Raag Ramkali. Its forty pauris describe the joy that fills the mind when the True Guru is found and the Naam dwells within, and call on the body, the eyes, the ears and the tongue to serve that joy. The first five and last pauris close every Sikh ceremony.

Morning; six pauris at the close of every service · 211 lines

Rehras Sahib is the evening prayer, recited at sunset as the day's work ends. It gathers the So Dar and So Purakh shabads of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Benti Chaupai and a savaiya of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, pauris of Anand Sahib and the Mundavani, giving thanks and asking for the Guru's protection through the night.

Evening (sunset) · 530 lines

Kirtan Sohila is the night prayer of five shabads, recited before sleep and at the cremation of a Sikh. It speaks of the soul's wedding day with the Divine, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Aarti of the whole cosmos, and the longing to meet the Beloved; it brings the day to a peaceful close.

Night, before sleep · 146 lines

Sukhmani Sahib, the Psalm of Peace, was composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Gauri at Ramsar, Amritsar. Its 24 ashtpadis, each introduced by a salok, describe the Naam as the source of all peace, the qualities of the Brahmgiani and the Sadh Sangat, and the greatness of the One who pervades everything. It is read for comfort in illness and sorrow.

Any time; often in the morning or at gatherings · 2019 lines

Asa Di Vaar is sung at Amrit Vela in Gurdwaras around the world. Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 24 pauris with their saloks expose hypocrisy, caste pride and empty ritual, honour women ('So kion manda aakhiai jit jammeh raajaan'), and praise the life of truth; the chhants of Guru Ram Das Ji that open each section were added by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Early morning kirtan · 758 lines

A collection of shabads of Guru Arjan Dev Ji that begins 'Dukh bhanjan tera naam ji', Your Name is the destroyer of sorrow. Named after the Dukh Bhanjani Beri at Sri Harmandir Sahib, it is recited for recovery from illness and for relief from fear and suffering, affirming that the Guru's protection removes every pain.

For healing and in times of difficulty · 301 lines

The 57 saloks of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji stand near the end of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In simple, piercing couplets they remind us that the world is a passing dream, that wealth and relations will not go with us, and that only remembrance of the Lord brings fearlessness: 'Bhai kaahoo kau det neh, neh bhai maanat aan'.

Any time; read at the completion of an Akhand Path · 117 lines

Shabad Hazare is a set of seven shabads that begins with 'Mera man lochai gur darsan taaee', the letters of longing Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote from Lahore to his father Guru Ram Das Ji, followed by shabads of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is read for the love of the Guru and is worth a thousand shabads, hence its name.

Morning, after Japji Sahib · 106 lines

Barah Maha Majh by Guru Arjan Dev Ji walks through the twelve months of the year, from Chet to Phagun, showing that every season is blessed for the one who remembers the Lord and empty for the one who forgets. The pauri of the new month is read at every Sangrand at Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Every Sangrand (first day of the month) · 130 lines

Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Aarti in Raag Dhanasri, uttered at Jagannath Puri, declares that the whole creation performs the Lord's Aarti: the sky is the platter, the sun and moon the lamps, the stars the pearls. The shabads of the Bhagats that follow continue the same vision of devotion without ritual.

Evening · 256 lines

Basant Ki Vaar is the shortest Vaar in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, three pauris by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Basant. It celebrates the spring that blossoms within when the Naam takes root: 'Har kaa naam dhiaai kai hohu haria sabh koi', meditate on the Name and all become green.

Spring (Basant); any time · 18 lines

The four Laavan by Guru Ram Das Ji in Raag Suhi are read and sung at the Anand Karaj as the couple circle Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Each laav is a stage of the soul's union with the Divine: righteous living, the awakening of love, detachment from the world, and finally the bliss of merging with the Beloved.

The Sikh wedding ceremony · 26 lines

Raag Mala is the garland of raags that closes Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, listing six principal raags with their raaginis and sons in the classical system of Indian music. It is read at the end of a complete Path by many Sikhs.

At the completion of a Path, by tradition · 62 lines

Ardas is the Sikh prayer of supplication offered standing, with folded hands, at the end of Nitnem and of every service. It remembers the ten Guru Sahiban, the Panj Pyare, the Sahibzade, the martyrs and the sangat, asks for the gift of the Naam, Kesh and Sikhi, and ends with the wish for the well-being of all: 'Nanak naam charhdi kala, tere bhaane sarbat da bhala'.

At the close of every prayer and service · 29 lines