“Ardas” – “Prayer” – “Dua” – “Benti”
The Ardas prayer is a very common prayer in Sikhism, that is read before starting anything or at the end of religious prayers. The Ardas can be seen as a plea for help and guidance.
An Ardas helps to focus your thoughts and intentions, calling to a higher power, the Creator (Vaheguru) or the Universe. However you look at it, the Ardas is about having positive thoughts and understanding.
We should always do an Ardas asking for guidance and to be surrounded by love. In the following shabad Guru Nanak Dev ji talks about Ardas.
Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 724
ਤਿਲੰਗ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੩ ॥
Thilang Mehalaa 5 Ghar 3 ||
Tilang, Fifth Mehl, Third House:
ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨੁ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨੁ ॥
Miharavaan Saahib Miharavaan ||
Merciful, the Lord Master is Merciful.
ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨੁ ॥
Saahib Maeraa Miharavaan ||
My Lord Master is Merciful.
ਜੀਅ ਸਗਲ ਕਉ ਦੇਇ ਦਾਨੁ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Jeea Sagal Ko Dhaee Dhaan || Rehaao ||
He gives His gifts to all beings. ||Pause||
ਤੂ ਕਾਹੇ ਡੋਲਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀਆ ਤੁਧੁ ਰਾਖੈਗਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
Thoo Kaahae Ddolehi Praaneeaa Thudhh Raakhaigaa Sirajanehaar ||
Why do you waver, O mortal being? The Creator Lord Himself shall protect you.
ਜਿਨਿ ਪੈਦਾਇਸਿ ਤੂ ਕੀਆ ਸੋਈ ਦੇਇ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੧॥
Jin Paidhaaeis Thoo Keeaa Soee Dhaee Aadhhaar ||1||
He who created you, will also give you nourishment. ||1||
ਜਿਨਿ ਉਪਾਈ ਮੇਦਨੀ ਸੋਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਸਾਰ ॥
Jin Oupaaee Maedhanee Soee Karadhaa Saar ||
The One who created the world, takes care of it.
ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਮਾਲਕੁ ਦਿਲਾ ਕਾ ਸਚਾ ਪਰਵਦਗਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
Ghatt Ghatt Maalak Dhilaa Kaa Sachaa Paravadhagaar ||2||
In each and every heart and mind, the Lord is the True Cherisher. ||2||
ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੀਮ ਨ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਵਡਾ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥
Kudharath Keem N Jaaneeai Vaddaa Vaeparavaahu ||
His creative potency and His value cannot be known; He is the Great and carefree Lord.
ਕਰਿ ਬੰਦੇ ਤੂ ਬੰਦਗੀ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਘਟ ਮਹਿ ਸਾਹੁ ॥੩॥
Kar Bandhae Thoo Bandhagee Jichar Ghatt Mehi Saahu ||3||
O human being, meditate on the Lord, as long as there is breath in your body. ||3||
ਤੂ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਅਕਥੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਸਿ ॥
Thoo Samarathh Akathh Agochar Jeeo Pindd Thaeree Raas ||
O God, You are all-powerful, inexpressible and imperceptible; my soul and body are Your capital.
ਰਹਮ ਤੇਰੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥੪॥੩॥
Reham Thaeree Sukh Paaeiaa Sadhaa Naanak Kee Aradhaas ||4||3||
By Your Mercy, may I find peace; this is Nanak’s lasting prayer. ||4||3||