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MINDSPACE

W O RD FA CT O R Y
“Nanak Naam Chardi Kala,Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bala”
Power of Ardas

The Ardas (Punjabi: ਅਰਦਾਸ) is a set prayer in Sikhism. It is a part of worship service in a Gurudwara

(Sikh temple), daily rituals such as the opening the Guru Granth Sahib for prakash (morning light) or
closing it for sukhasan (night bedroom) in larger Gurudwaras, closing of congregational worship in
smaller Gurudwaras, rites-of-passages such as with the naming of child or the cremation of a loved
one, daily prayer by devout Sikhs and any significant Sikh ceremonies.
An Ardas consists of three parts. The first part recites the virtues of the ten Gurus of Sikhism from Guru

Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, Ardas is attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, the founder of the Khalsa and
the 10th Guru of Sikhism.

The main features and benefits of Ardas are:

• It is a petition to God, the merciful creator of the universe. A doctor (named as Dr. Gurnam) was invited to inaugurate an important conference. He rushed
to the airport just in time to catch the flight after a busy day at work.
• It lowers ones ego and brings calmness to ones mental state.
It was a stormy night, some time after the flight took off, the pilot informed the passenger that
• Teaches one Nimrata Humility, Daya Compassion, fearlessness, Chardi Kala. the rain and storm were bad and the airplane was facing turbulent weather.

• One is reminded of the level of dedication required to become a better human being. The flight was forced to land at an airport as it was impossible to fly. The doctor was impatient
• It gives one inner strength and energy. and restless. A co-passenger then informed him that he could take the road and reach his
• It links the mind with the ‘pure ones’ from human history. destination in 3 hours.
The doctor immediately hired a car. The storm was getting worse and the road journey was
• It elevates ones spiritual state and builds ones confidence.
also very roughs. After an hour, the driver realized that he had lost the route.
• It brings a sense of “community” to the person. The doctor was frustrated by now. They finally saw a house and stopped there. As the doctor
knocked at the door, an old woman replied that the door was open and they could go in. The
old lady was sitting and praying in the house. The doctor asked if there was a phone available
Ardas is read on every occasion whether happiness or sorrow, marriage or funerals, beginning of a so that he could call the organizers of the conference. The old lady remarked that they didn’t
have a phone. However water and food was available. The doctor saw a small child covered
school or setting off on a journey and most importantly after completing the prayers(paath) in order to
with a blanket near the old woman.
pray to Waheguru for good luck and help in ones future
He inquired about the child. The old lady said that he was her grandson who was suffering

from a serious illness. Only one doctor could cure him, she was told. However she had no
One of the most momentous occasions when ardas is recited occurs during the ceremony where Sikhs access to the doctor name as Dr. Gurnam.
take amrit in order to become amritdhari Sikhs or members of the Khalsa Panth. Based on the fact
The doctor was moved and shaken. He realized that all this as God’s design and plan so that
that ardas is said so often within the course of such a significant ceremony, amrit, as well as with such the child could be treated by him. The doctor then realized the power of Ardas which
frequency within such a large variety of ceremonies, one is able to understand how significant ardas is could make the impossible possible.

within the Sikh culture.

Davinder Kaur Matta
Davinder Kaur Matta
Office Superintendent Office Superintendent

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