Bani: Difference between revisions

Reading Nitnem Gutka

Nitnem Gutka

Nitnem Gutka wrapped in clothe

Bani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to various sections of the Holy Text that appears in their several Holy Books. These Banis are also found in small Gutkas or Small Books containing sections of Gurbani. These Gutkas can vary from just a few pages to hundreds of pages and are used by the Sikhs to read these Banis on a daily basic. The handy size of the Gutkas makes it easy to carry them in a coat pocket or purse. Although the Gutkas have to be treated with respect and care, the Sikhs do not accord the Gutkas the same treatment as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is treated like a living Guru.

Sikhs carry the Gutka covered in a clean clothe and wash their hands before handling the Gutka. You must not put any Gurbani script on the floor; handle with unwashed hands; read without covering your head; turn the pages with licked finger; or cause any disrespect to the honourable word of our Gurus.

The 5 Banis Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Anand Sahib, Benti Chaupai and Amrit Savaiye are usually recited daily by some devoted Sikhs in the early morning. Rehras Sahib is read in the evening and Kirtan Sohila before going to sleep at night.

The SGPC have recommended that the following 5 Banis should be recited by a Sikh on a daily basic: Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and Amrit Savaiye in the morning, Rehras Sahib is to be read in the evening and Kirtan Sohila before going to sleep at night.

Whether one recite just one Bani or all the above Banis everyday, the Sikh must bear the following advise given by SGGS:

• Gurbani is jewel:
• Gurbani is the jewel, the treasure of devotion. Singing, hearing and acting upon it, one is enraptured. ||2|| (page 376)

• Hold your mind steady while reciting Bani:
• Under Guru’s Instructions, hold your mind steady; O my soul, do not let it wander anywhere. One who utters the Bani of the Praises of the Lord God, O Nanak, obtains the fruits of his heart’s desires. ||1|| (p538)

• Focus one’s mind on the True Lord:
• When the Lord shows His Mercy, He enjoins the mortal to work for the Guru. His pains are taken away, and the Lord’s Name comes to dwell within. True deliverance comes by focusing one’s consciousness on the True Lord. Listen to the Shabad, and the Word of the Guru’s Bani. ||1|| (p1277)

The section below list various Banis which are recited by devote Sikhs regularly. The most important Banis of the Sikhs are:

1. Japji Sahib, forms the beginning of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is regarded as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. This Bani was complied by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.

• JapjiSahib.mp3 - Download 1.826M or Play 15.34 min

• Written text of Japji Sahib

• Audio of Japji Sahib

2. Jaap Sahib, forms the first part of the Dasam Granth, which is the second Holy Book of the Sikhs.

• JaapSahib.mp3 - Download 1.028M or Play 17.32 min

• English Translation of Jaap Sahib

3. Anand Sahib, is a complilation by the Third guru Guru Amar Das. This bani is part of SGGS. Link to Anand Sahib

• Anand Sahib.mp3 - Download 1.951M or Play 13.18 min

4. Rehras Sahib or Sodar Rehras which consists of hymns from SGGS plus

• 4a). Sawayya )
• 4b). Benti Chaupai ) by Tenth Guru.

• RehrasSahib.mp3 - Download 1.977M & Play 16.51 min

5. Kirtan Sohila – Prayer to be recited before going to sleep – Also recite just before the body is cremated.

• KirtanSohila.mp3 - Download 1.283M & Play 3.38min
• English Translation of Kirtan Sohila

6. Tav-Prasad Savaiye , A short prayer recited as part of the 5 Banis

• Tav-Prasad Savaiye - English Translation

7. Sukhmani Sahib

8. Asa di Var

1,3,4,5,7: Part of SGGS.

2,4a, 4b,6:All complied by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs called Guru Gobind Singh Ji and part of Dasam Granth.

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